Chapter 86
Two years later.
"…and therefore, under Article 12, the defendant's rights were violated the moment due process was ignored. Evidence obtained without lawful procedure cannot be justified by public outrage alone."
*The lecture hall was silent*
"Advocate Yoo, are you suggesting that criminals should walk free simply because of a technicality?"
"Yes, because the law is not built on convenience. If procedure can be ignored once, it can be ignored every time. That is how power turns into abuse."
*Murmur spread across the room*
"And what about public safety?"
"Public safety is protected by strengthening the system. Not by breaking it. If the state violates the law to punish one person, it creates a precedent that endangers everyone."
*A brief pause*
"…That will be all."
Applause broke out across the hall.
The lecturer looked at me.
"As expected of you, Ms. Yoo. Your argument was precise and unwavering as always. Well done."
"Thank you, Professor. It's also thanks to your guidance."
"You're far too humble, Ms. Yoo. Your self-study and knowledge have already surpassed everyone here. I hardly feel like I've guided you at all."
She turned to the class.
"Alright, everyone. That's all for today. I hope what you witnessed just now gave you a clearer picture of how legal principles are applied in practice. I'll see you tomorrow. Class dismissed."
Everyone stood up and began gathering their things.
"Harin, that was so cool!"
A senior student approached me excitedly.
"That's true," another added. "How could you stand toe to toe with the Professor? She's a living legend in this university, you know."
"You're praising me too much, sunbae-nim."
The first senior laughed. "Harin, are you free today? It's been a long time since you last hung out with us."
"I'm sorry," I replied gently. "I already have something to take care of today."
"Ah… that's unfortunate. Next time then."
"Yes. Next time."
They waved and turned back to their friends.
I pickup my bag and walked out of the lecture hall. The murmur of students lingered behind me as I left.
"Isn't she the one who skipped years and came straight to this law school?"
"I heard she got perfect scores."
"Genius, huh…"
"But isn't that because of connections?"
"Does it matter? After seeing her just now, it's clear she belongs here."
I walked forward without paying much attention to what they were saying.
That kind of reaction was normal. It wasn't every day they saw a twenty-year-old advanced student sitting in their class.
Skipping years wasn't particularly difficult once I secured top scores and passed the academic evaluations. Of course, Chairman Seo also played a significant role in making it happen.
It didn't take long before I reached the gate. That was when I spotted the familiar car parked across the street.
Without wasting any time, I opened the door and slid inside.
"Did Chairman Seo ask you to pick me up, Uncle?"
"No, Ms. Yoo. I came on my own."
"There was no need to trouble yourself," I said lightly.
"Ms. Yoo…"
"Yes?"
*Silence*
"What is it?" I asked.
"Ms. Yoo… there's something you need to know."
.
.
When the car finally slowed to a stop at the hospital parking entrance, I quickly pushed the door open.
"Uncle, I want to meet the doctor in charge of her right now!"
"Understood."
I stepped out and quickened my pace.
My footsteps echoed down the corridor as I walked faster, then faster, my breath growing uneven.
When I reached the ward door, I froze.
My hand hovered in the air, unable to push it open.
Then I looked inside.
A woman lay motionless on the bed, her body covered in wires and tubes. My steps faltered. Slowly, I walked closer.
My vision blurred.
"…Ajumma…"
My voice barely came out.
Why…
Why was she like this?
Why was she in such a critical state?
I stood there, frozen, staring at her pale face until I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
I turned immediately.
The doctor paused when he saw my expression.
"Explain," I said coldly. "Explain to me how this happened."
"Ms. Yoo—"
"Didn't I make myself clear five years ago that she was to receive the best treatment for her condition? Didn't I already cover all the expenses so she would receive the best possible care?"
My voice trembled.
"So tell me," I continued, stepping forward, "how someone under that level of care ends up lying here in critical condition."
"Ms. Yoo, please calm down—"
"Explain to me everything now. One by one."
He took a breath before speaking.
"Ms. Yoo… as we already know, the patient has always had a weak constitution. Her organs were fragile from the beginning. Especially her heart. Even with optimal care, her condition was never truly stable."
"But she lived a normal life, didn't she? She was able to pick up her son from school every single day. And other than this hospital, I received no reports of her secretly going to another hospital to receive treatment. What you're saying doesn't make sense. Do you realize that?"
"Yes, that is true… but… that because she was extraordinarily strong."
"What do you mean?"
"Ms. Yoo… she survived because she forced herself to. From a medical standpoint, her condition was unstable even five years ago."
The words hit me like a slap.
"After you were no longer here, the hospital arranged continued treatment under a special assistance program. Her medication, checkups, and care were fully maintained. She complied with everything. She never missed her medication. She never skipped a checkup. Even so, she kept pushing her body far beyond what it could handle."
"Then why didn't you stop her?"
"We tried but she refused long-term hospitalization. She kept saying she needed to be there for her son. We could only respect her wishes, so we adjusted her treatment to allow her to live as normally as possible."
I looked back at the bed.
"But year after year, she pushed past the warning signs," he said. "Her condition didn't suddenly worsen. It accumulated. Fatigue. Stress. Emotional strain. Each year, her body paid a price.
And her condition right now… it was inevitable. Perhaps the burden she had to carry alone was already too much for her to bear. Her heart finally gave out."
I pressed my lips together, fighting the ache in my chest.
"…That's enough. You can go now."
"I'll be outside if you need anything."
*Door closed*
I stepped closer slowly to her bed and sit beside her, looking down at her pale face.
"Ajumma…" my voice shook.
"Ajumma… I'm coming…"
I reached out and carefully held her hand. It was warm, but weak. Her eyes remained closed.
"It's… it's been a while, hasn't it?" I whispered, my fingers tightening around hers.
"You probably didn't want to see me … right, Ajumma?"
"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry… for holding your hand like this, only now."
"I feel so shameless… only showing up when you're already like this… when you can't even push me away."
"I should have been braver. I should have come sooner."
My grip trembled, but I didn't let go.
"I—"
"Ha… rin?"
I froze. Slowly, I lifted my head… and what I saw in front of me stole my breath.
"Ajumma…"
"Is that… you… Harin?"
Her eyes were open. Weak, but unmistakably looking at me.
Panic surged through me, guilt crashing down all at once. I immediately stood up, wanting to leave, afraid that seeing me would only make her condition worse.
Just as I was about to leave, she held my hand.
"Don't leave… Harin."
I stopped.
"Ajumma…"
Despite her weakness, she still smiled at me.
"It's really you… Harin."
"Ajumma… I—"
She tugged my hand gently, wordlessly asking me to come closer. I leaned in before I could stop myself.
Her hand rose slowly, and she cupped my cheek.
"It's really you, dear. Look at you now… you've grown… so beautiful."
Her eyes softened.
"I'm almost don't… recognise you."
Tears slipped free before I could stop them.
"Oh my… why are you crying, dear."
"…Ajumma… you shouldn't not be seeing me."
"And… why… is that?"
"…Because… because my family… and I… we caused you all this suffering."
"Is that why… you disappeared from us?"
I nodded hard.
"I was scared. I didn't know how to face you. Or Haemin. I thought… staying away was the better decision."
Her thumb brushed my cheek, slow and weak.
"Harin… we've been… missing you… all these years. We've been waiting… for you to come home… every single day. We don't know… why you decided… to leave us."
My tears spilled uncontrollably.
"We never… blame you, Harin. Not even… once. Even your parent… we never… held any grudge… against them."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I was a coward. I ran away because I was afraid. I was afraid you would hate me… I was afraid you would look at me and remember everything that happened.
But, not a single day passed where I didn't think about both of you. I missed you. I missed Haemin so much. Every day. I wanted to come back. I wanted to live with you. To stay by your side. To spend my whole life with you both…
But I didn't have the courage. I didn't have the right to wish for something like that.
And because of my family… you had to suffer like this. You had to bear everything alone… until you ended up like this, Ajumma."
"Harin… stop blaming yourself. My condition now… has nothing to do with you. Even if it didn't happen now… it would have happened… sooner or later. I'm glad… I was able to endure… this long. For Haemin's sake… and to be able… to see you again… before I go."
"Ajumma, please don't say that! I'll make sure you get the best specialist in this country to cure you. I'll do anything—"
She let out a faint laugh.
"There's no need… for that, Harin. I've already accepted… my fate like this, from… the very beginning. I've lived my life well enough. I was able… to meet my husband. I had Haemin… and even… to know you. And if there's anything… I regret in this life… it's that I won't be able… to watch Haemin grow up."
Tears keep falling as I bury my face against her shoulder.
"And Harin… I really appreciate… everything you've done… for us… all these years."
My breath caught.
"…You knew?"
"Of course… I knew. I just had that feeling. Even though everyone was reluctant… to tell me where the money came from… I knew. You're the only one… who could do something like that. But Harin… you shouldn't… waste your money like this. We appreciate it… truly. But we only used… a little when it was necessary. The rest… I asked them… to return it.
And please… don't blame the hospital. They tried… many times… to persuade me to undergo treatment. I'm the one… who refused.
Luckily, before I got to this state… I had already sent Haemin to his auntie. So he doesn't have to… see me like this."
My heart shattered all over again.
"Harin… how have you been… all these years? Are you… doing well?"
I nodded, forcing myself to speak.
"Yes, Ajumma. I'm doing fine. I just started law school… first semester."
"I'm glad," she said softly. "I'm proud of you."
Her eyes searched my face.
"And your parents… how are they?"
I hesitated.
"My father and mother… after everything that happened… they divorced. My father resigned from his job and returned to his hometown. And my mother… she's still receiving psychiatric treatment. Ajumma… I… I can't bear to see them anymore."
"Don't blame… your parents, Harin," she said gently.
"No matter what happened… they are still… your parents until the end. It's just unfortunate… that things turned out… this way."
She paused, her breathing growing uneven.
"Harin…"
"Yes, Ajumma."
"Promise me… one thing."
"Yes. Anything."
"Promise me… that you will live… your life after this. Don't punish yourself… anymore. Don't burden yourself… thinking you owe us anything. Live a happy life… Harin. We will always… cherish you."
She tried to say more.
"And please—"
Suddenly, the monitor beside her let out a sharp beep.
Her grip loosened.
"Ajumma?" I whispered, panic surging. "Ajumma—!"
The beeping grew faster.
"No—no, please—" I shouted, turning toward the door. "Doctor! Doctor!"
Footsteps rushed in. Nurses followed. The doctor pushed past me.
"Ms. Yoo, please step back—"
I was pulled away as they worked on her.
"Ajumma!"
Her eyes fluttered open one last time.
"Harin…"
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Her lips moved again—
And then—
The monitor let out one long, piercing sound.
*Silence*
"Ajumma…?"
No response.
I collapsed to my knees.
The doctor slowly turned off the monitor.
"…We're sorry."
She was gone.
_____
The funeral hall was filled with a quiet heaviness.
I stood at the entrance for a moment, my fingers tightening around the bouquet.
After took a deep breath, I stepped forward, a few heads turned to me. Whispers followed, but I didn't hear them clearly. My focus was fixed ahead.
I walked toward the portrait.
"Ajumma…"
The moment I bowed, my vision blurred.
Tears spilled before I could stop them.
I sucked in a sharp breath and quickly wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand, forcing myself to straighten.
I placed the flowers down carefully.
"This is… goodbye."
Only then did I look around.
Haemin wasn't standing near the altar.
He was sitting a little farther away, on one of the chairs near the wall. His aunt stood beside him, speaking quietly to someone else. Haemin's eyes were swollen, and he only stared down at the floor.
My chest tightened.
Before I could look any longer, I felt a gaze on me.
It turned out his aunt was already looking at me.
She excused herself and walked toward me slowly.
I bowed first.
"I'm very sorry for your loss," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
She studied my face for a moment instead of responding right away.
Then—
"…Are you Harin?"
My breath caught.
I stiffened. "I—no. You must be mistaken."
She smiled softly.
"Sunhee didn't have many acquaintances," she said gently. "I know almost everyone in her life. And I've never seen you before… yet you came."
Her eyes softened.
"So I thought… maybe you're the Harin she always talked about."
I couldn't speak.
She reached out and held my hand.
"She mentioned you often," she continued. "She always worried about you. Thought about you. Wondered if you were eating well… if you were living properly."
My vision shook.
"She cared about you very much."
The tears I had been holding back finally fell.
"I'm… I'm so sorry," I choked. "My family… caused so much pain… to your brother. To all of you…"
She pulled me into her arms before I could finish and gently patting my back.
"It's all right. Everything that happens has its own reason. Please don't carry that guilt anymore. As their family, we have already accepted what happened with open hearts, and we never want to place the blame on anyone for this. I'm sure Sunhee and Seojun wouldn't want you to feel this way. So please don't be too harsh on yourself."
"I'm grateful… so grateful. I don't even know how to put it into words. I'm glad… to have met people as kind as them. They brought light into my life… when before this, my life was nothing but emptiness… even though our time together was painfully short."
I broke down against her shoulder, years of buried regret pouring out all at once. She said nothing, only listening as she held me and comforted me.
After a while, she slowly rubbed my back until my breathing steadied.
Then she pulled away and wiped my tears with her thumb.
"…Ah. I should call Haemin over."
My heart skipped.
"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "It's okay. Please… don't."
She paused, looking at me in surprise. "Why? If it's you, he would be happy. He's been waiting for you for a long time."
My fingers curled tightly at my side.
"…It's better this way. At least for now."
She studied my face. "Why?"
I lowered my gaze.
"I don't have the courage to face him yet. If I stand in front of him… I'm afraid I won't be able to leave."
I took a slow breath and continued.
"And even if I reunite with him now, we won't be able to stay together for long. I still have obligations I need to fulfill. I have to finish my studies… and I still owe someone my loyalty. If I come back into his life only to disappear again…"
I shook my head slightly. "That would hurt him more. I don't want to do that."
She glanced toward Haemin, then back at me.
"I see."
"You're very kind, Auntie. I'm grateful… that Haemin has an aunt like you. Thank you… for taking care of him."
My gaze drifted past her, to where Haemin was sitting quietly.
"I'll keep watching over him. Even if it's from afar. Until the day… I'm brave enough to stand in front of him again."
She followed my gaze, then smiled gently.
"I look forward to the day we meet again."