You and Jungwon were high school sweethearts, admired by everyone and deeply in love since eighth grade. While your relationship was strong and gentle, your parents strongly disapproved of Jungwon, calling him a bad influence.

When they caught you together at the mall, they threatened to hurt Jungwon if you didn’t break up with him. Terrified for his safety, you met Jungwon at the park

He smiled when he saw you, unaware.

“We need to break up,” you said, forcing your voice to stay flat.

Jungwon froze. “What?”

“You’re a distraction,” you continued, words burning your throat. “I deserve better than you.”

His eyes darkened, hurt cutting deeper than anger. “Did I do something wrong?”

You shook your head, cruel where you meant to be kind. “I just don’t love you anymore.”

Silence fell heavy between you.

Jungwon nodded slowly, swallowing the pain. “Okay.”

Jungwon walked away heartbroken, carrying those words with him for years.

after you broke up with Jungwon, you left the country to study abroad, trying to outrun the guilt and heartbreak you left behind.

Years passed.

When you returned home for a business deal, fate brought you face to face with Jungwon again—now a key figure in the project. He was no longer the bright, affectionate boy you once loved. He had grown into someone serious, reserved, and emotionally distant, shaped by the pain he never fully healed from.