The Weight of the past

Every single day, Halmeoni brought up the topic of marriage. And every single day, Ji-won patiently dodged the conversation with a gentle smile, trying to laugh it off.

But one quiet night after dinner, the two of them sat out on the balcony. The night air was crisp, and a small plate of sliced apples sat on the table between them. Ji-won leaned back, watching her grandmother carefully chew a piece of fruit.

"Halmeoni," Ji-won started softly, her eyes searching the elderly woman's face. "Why are you suddenly bringing up marriage every single day? Did something happen that you aren't telling me?"

Her grandmother took a long, slow breath, looking out over the twinkling city lights. "It’s not sudden, Ji-won-ah. I’ve always wanted to see you settled. But the timing never felt right, and honestly... I don't know how many days, or even seconds, I have left in this world. It is my final wish to see you married. Why can't you understand that?"

Ji-won’s heart twinged with panic, but she forced a playful smile to mask her worry. "What are you talking about? God personally gave me a call and told me you're going to live a very, very long life. So stop talking like that." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "But seriously... who were those people who came to visit you at the hospital? You can tell me now."

Halmeoni let out a deep, nostalgic sigh. "Our connection runs deeper than you can imagine. It’s hard to even know where to begin."

"Tell me anyway," Ji-won urged, her journalist curiosity piqued. "I’m dying to know. Do they really know me?"

"That dignified older man you saw, Kang Jae-woo... he was the best friend of both of your grandfathers," Halmeoni explained, her eyes growing distant with memory. "Your maternal grandfather, Kim Byung-ho; your paternal grandfather, Han Ji-gang; and Kang Jae-woo. Those three were an inseparable trio since high school."

Ji-won listened intently, completely still.

"When I married into this family, your father was already four years old," Halmeoni continued, a soft smile gracing her lips. "By the time your mother was born into the Kim family, your father was seven. Despite the seven-year age gap, their fathers joked since they were teenagers that their children would marry. And they did."

"Wow..." Ji-won whispered.

"And that elegant woman who hugged you so tightly? That is Kang Eun-sook, your late mother’s absolute best friend since college. She came from a highly privileged family. At your parents' wedding, Grandfather Jae-woo saw how bright and kind Eun-sook was and decided right then and there that he wanted her as his daughter-in-law. That’s how the Kang family formally tied themselves to us.

Now, my husband is gone. Your parents are gone. But Kang Jae-woo is still here. He has two grandchildren—a granddaughter and a grandson. And he wants you to be his granddaughter-in-law. Ji-won-ah... this wasn't just his idea. Your own mother wanted this. Before she passed, she and Eun-sook made a promise that their children would find their way to each other. Your mother isn't here today, but her best friend still desperately wants to fulfill that promise and welcome you as her daughter."

Later that night, Ji-won sat at the edge of her bed, her head buried in her hands.

"Ughhhhhh!" she groaned out loud to her empty room. "This family tree is entirely too complicated! How can a friendship from the 1970s come back to haunt me like this?!"

She rolled over onto her back, staring at the ceiling. Her grandmother's parting words echoed heavily in her mind: 'It was your mother's wish, too.' Ji-won closed her eyes, a sharp ache hitting her chest at the thought of her mother.

Before her brain could overthink it any further, she stood up. She marched down the hallway and quietly opened her grandmother’s door. The elderly woman was just about to turn off her bedside lamp.

"Halmeoni," Ji-won said, stepping into the warm room.

Her grandmother looked up.

"I'll do it. I'm ready to meet them. Set up a date. It's just a dinner, right? It’s not a big deal to just sit down and talk."

A brilliant, radiant smile broke across her grandmother’s face, her eyes lighting up with pure excitement. Seeing her grandmother that happy made the heavy weight in Ji-won's chest feel a little lighter.

Two days later, the day of the meeting arrived.

Ji-won traded her usual casual reporter clothes for a sophisticated, formal dress. She spent an extra ten minutes taming her hair, letting it fall elegantly over her shoulders. She looked sharp, polished, and undeniably beautiful.

Opting to leave her scooter behind so she wouldn't ruin her dress, she booked a premium cab. The car drove out of her modest neighborhood, winding up into one of the most exclusive, gated districts in Seoul.

The cab pulled to a stop in front of a pair of massive, wrought-iron security gates. Beyond them stood a breathtaking, sprawling modern architectural marvel surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. It looked less like a house and more like a high-end luxury museum.

Ji-won stepped out of the cab, smoothing down her dress. She stared up at the towering structure, her jaw dropping slightly.

She swallowed hard, muttering to herself:

"Okay... this place is ridiculously big."

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