Yoon Min never thought she could be hurt as much as she were when Seokjin tossed her away from his life so easily.

There was no love in his eyes back then. No kindness, no mercy. Just unforgivable hatred glistening in his red eyes. As if she meant nothing to him, as if a stranger would hold more importance than her.

She had never been hurt like this before. She had never been shattered like this. It hurt more this time because she considered him to be a good man; a man who would protect her and never let go of her. The one and only person of her life she could love till the end of the universe and sacrifice her life. Her only family was him.

She loved him, and she tried and did everything she could for him, to make him happy, comfortable, complete. And many times, she even thought he was doing the same. He was caring for her like she was.

Was everything a lie then? A made-up love?

Were his smiles and chuckles forced? Was his beloved look fake? The sweet, caring words from his mouth, were they not genuine? The times he grabbed her hand like a lover and hugged her rightfully, did they meant nothing? The precious, beautiful moments spent with him...how could they be just a lie?

How could he say so easily that she was a regret? How could he say that, even after knowing saying that could kill her heart? How did he become the person she never expected? How could he not see the limitless, true love for him in her eyes and heart? How could he not believe her after everything both of them went through together?

Maybe that's why, people are right. Love is just a beautiful lie everyone fights to make it come true. And ends up hitting rock bottom at some point of their life.

Love was Seokjin. The word, the emotions, everything was him. But it wasn't her for him. He never felt the same or could he ever. It was her fault after all, for being so stupid and dumb to think a perfect man like him could fall for a weak-hearted girl like her.

So foolish.

Meanwhile, Seokjin's only guess about her location was the orphanage. If there was any place she could go, that's where she would. He literally could feel his heart hammering inside the skin of his chest at the thought of her staying at a place where she had terrible, bad memories. He sent her back to the hell he rescued her from years ago.

Arriving within a few hours in front of the gates, he came out of the car quickly and scanned the whole area first. It surprised him to see how the orphanage changed a lot, pretty much a better place for the children. It must be due to her regular visits during the last three years. The building was same as old, but he could guess there were more adults assigned around here, considering how they were running behind the happy kids and begging them to come inside for lunch.

He took a deep inhale and decided to find Yoon Min. He walked inside slowly, keeping his head down to avoid any kid staring at him like a creep. It's been a very long time since he came here, yet he feared some children might recognize him.

Finding an elderly woman who seemed to be one of the caretakers, he politely grabbed her attention and asked after a greeting,

"I-I'm looking for someone. Her name is Song Yoon Min. Is she h-here by any chance?"

The woman blinked a couple of times before exclaiming, "Yes of course she's here! She's been staying here for the last two weeks and helping us."

Seokjin mentally was relieved by the news. "Can you please tell me where she is?"

"Yes, she's--" The woman was about to tell him but closed her mouth automatically. "But who are you, young man?"

Not expecting to be asked a question such as this, he was taken aback, confused about the reply. Then in a minute, he seemed to find the perfect answer and trusted his heart about this for the first time. With a soft smile, he answered,

"I'm her family."

The woman didn't doubt his answer instead she gave him a warm smile. She told him she was somewhere in the backyard so he headed there with an anxious heart. He still hadn't figured out what he'll say to her, how he'll apologize. He didn't bother to think how she'll react after seeing him. All he mostly cared was take a glimpse of her face first.

He arrived at the backyard where a few children were present. Scanning around for a while, his eyes searched for the girl, as in his beating heart which longed for hers at the moment. Then suddenly, his eyes eventually fell on the girl, sleeping under a huge tree.

There she was...

A wide smile plastered across his lips as Seokjin uncontrollably let out a chuckle after finding her asleep. This was even more good. He didn't have to worry about being awkward while approaching her. Maybe fate was on his side today.

He walked to her slowly, soundlessly, and as he approached her, he could finally take a closer look at her and the sight melted his heart. Yoon Min was laying against the trunk of the tree with a book on her lap and soundly asleep. Her neck tilted to the opposite side and her chest rising slowly. How innocent and sweet she looked.

He couldn't help it. Meeting her after this long, his heart was finally relieved to see her and now crossed its limits to stay sane. He quietly kneeled down in front of her to her eye level and stared at her sleeping face with a faint smile. Isn't it mysterious enough to look at someone and smile for no reason?

Bringing out a hand, he took the courage to touch her face softly and put a strand of hair behind her ear; a gentle gesture to wake her up. He didn't know how there was this boost of confidence that she'll forgive him easily after hearing him out. Her kindness was the reason he himself would feel his world crumbling down even if he hurt her slightly.

His gentle touch woke her up as she breathed and opened her eyes slowly, only enough to acknowledge the presence of a person. She thought this was some another child whose daily dose of happiness was disturbing people in their sleep to play with them. So she closed her eyes and went back to sleep again.

Seokjin wanted to chuckle but he tried his best not to let his voice reach her ears. Pressing his lips tight, he stayed like that; letting his plam cupping one of her cheek and brushing his thumb over her skin very softly.

For some reason, Yoon Min could sense the familiarity in the caring touch. As if she was longing for this touch and needed it in her darkest times. Now being fully awaken, she opened her eyes completely and took in the face of the person in front of her.

Her mind went to a crazy whirl, confused and curious. Her heart started beating frantically as her soul recognized him and she gasped silently. It was him. It was really him!

Before, she only dreamed that he would come. She only kept dreaming that one day, he would come back to her unexpectedly; but now that he was here, it still felt so unreal. Because he wasn't supposed to be here.

Yoon Min didn't know how to react, her cheeks were flushed red and her stomach twisting by his loving gaze on her. Without giving him a chance to say a word at least, she removed his hand away from her and stood up hurriedly. Why did he come back? Did he finally realize she was never a part of whatever happened? Did he think it would be easy to talk to her again?

She didn't know why she felt like he came here only to take her back with him and pretend like nothing happened. She didn't want that. She didn't want to live that suffocating life where her genuine, true feelings were ignored and burned into ashes. She didn't want to keep meeting him and watch him love another woman so dearly.

So the only escape she had was walk away now. Her heart had been broken by him not long ago, because of her blind love and trust for him. And if he breaks her heart one more time, she won't survive this unimaginable pain. She might just die. So she walked to a different direction and wanted him to leave as soon as possible.

But why did she even think of walking away from him?

"Yoon Min, wait..." Seokjin caught her hand before it was too late and successfully stopped her. Her whole world shook and shivered by his voice. How was her heart still affected by him? She shouldn't had been shivering and tingling when he spoke her name.

Yoon Min tried pulling her hand but it was no use. She mostly tried to avoid his eyes and it was a good thing her back was facing him now. She would stand helpless under his gaze if she met his eyes. Why was he doing this? Why did he think everything was so easy?

Seokjin sighed and pulled out a trick to turn her around and make her face him. Now that her eyes found his again, she eventually stopped fighting and stared into his eyes as if the pair was the most beautiful thing in the universe. Seeing him brought back so many memories, memories of loving him uncontrollably, memories of the pain and hurts, everything were so beautiful yet so heartbreaking.

She didn't know what to or say. She just stared at him with wide disbelieving eyes.

And just when she thought he won't be able to win her over this time, he didn't do anything; just did what he always did and pulled her closer before wrapping his arms around her. She wanted to struggle her body out of his hold, but it was just impossible to do those things to the person she loved, when he became her world, when she sacrificed everything for him. It was just impossible to push him away when he hugged her as if she also meant the universe for him.

Without trying to break away, she only whispered, "L-Let me go..."

"Yoon Min..." He breathed again, as she was the love of of his life, the one he wanted to tear his heart out and give. "Listen to me...please. Just listen to me."

She felt so lightheaded and wanted to fall down. Tears were forming in her eyes for no reason, just her heart wanted to show how weak she was and hurt herself. She had no choice but to be held inside his embrace for support. All she wanted was to get away from him but she couldn't even do that.

The lump in his throat was growing, choking him on his words but still he managed to clearly say this,

"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She didn't know why he was begging, those apologies didn't even mean honest to her. It felt like he was only faking it. He was an expert at faking his emotions and show a different side. But she couldn't deny how her heart danced in the rain upon hearing him.

Her heart broke a million times when she heard his pleading voice that was almost close to crying. The last thing she wanted in this world was him crying. She didn't know why she felt that even now.

"Everything's my fault. You know I never had it, I never experienced love, my father left me when I was a boy and my mother too. I was like you, shattered and searching for a home. I was alone for the longest time of my life, and somehow I was craving for love more than anything back then, someone who would take care of me and stay beside me. When I found Jisoo, I thought what we had was love. I always heard a lover can make anything possible so I-I was obsessed with her, obsessed on protecting her and obey her. I couldn't see she never did the same and yet I didn't want to lose her. I was so into finding love that I messed e-everything up."

"I messed up real bad...and I hurt you. I turned a blind eye on you, I was so blinded by my stubborn belief and I was prioritizing Jisoo like a goddess that...that I never valued you over her." His voice was harsh and desperate.

Yoon Min just listened, her heart quivering and shaking.

"I know I made a promise long ago that I would always take care of you and never hurt you. But I did anyway and I can never forgive myself for this. I was supposed to believe you at least but...I-I did the unimaginable and no words can express how sorry I am. You told me again and again but I didn't even hear you." Seokjin didn't hold himself back anymore as tears dropped slowly from his eyes, emotions bursting out. "I'm so sorry...I never realized how much I needed you in my life until you were not around anymore. I never realized how complete you make me feel until you left."

He let out a shaky breath, sniffling and tightening his hold around her. "You were never supposed to mean this much to me. I was never supposed to fall for you so hard. But you know what? I did, and that's the truth. That's what makes me think of you every time I leave you, and the sole reason why I am here in front of you right now."

At that moment, the world literally just stopped for her. She couldn't move or breathe. Her eyes were still but her heart was never quiet, it was beating faster than ever. Her mind was crazy, confused, unable to believe his words.

Did he really just say he had fallen for her?

Seokjin loosened his hug around her and drew his head back to meet her eyes. Falling weak and helpless under his gaze, she couldn't help but stare at him fascinatingly, her lips shivering slightly by the unexpected turn of events.

Cupping one of her cheeks, she saw his eyes noticing her face for the first time closely, scanning as if he wanted to remember every cell of her body. He took another deep breath before speaking,

"I haven't met anyone who gave me so much as you. You gave me everything I wanted and needed without me asking for it. You tried your hardest and gave me the best of you. What you did were simple and little...but to me, they were the kindest affection and uncontrollable love for me. Because you l-loved me silently and did everything in your hands to take care of me, to protect me."

He stared into her glistening eyes, filled with pain, "But look at me. How easily and thoughtlessly I broke my promise, hurt you, made you cry..." He bit his lips and looked down as tears streamed down his face like a river.

"I'm beyond sorry for whatever I did to you. Not just because I didn't believe you last time, but also for not recognizing my feelings for you, for making you feel unhappy, for making you shed tears and for leaving you all alone. Just...let me fix it. Give me a chance, p-please." He couldn't face her anymore, a choked up sob left his throat, one of his arm tightly wrapped around her waist and the other still cupping her jaw. "I'm sorry, Yoon Min. P-please let me love you like you deserve." He really needed her to survive.

"Please be m-mine again."

Love is meeting someone and knowing it will always be them. Whatever life throws at you, whatever obstacles you have to overcome, even if you aren't together, they will always have your heart.

When Yoon Min first met him, she was so sure it was him; the one true love we all seek in our lifetime, the prince of every princess, the perfect person we dream since our childhood. She was sure it was him. It wasn't love at first sight, that feeling slowly took birth in her heart, grew silently and bloomed for him. It was just an intuition that she believed in.

And one day, Seokjin became so precious to her life. It was almost like he was her other half, one soul devided into two bodies. That's why whenever he was sad or happy, she could feel almost the same. Magically she could see through his soul, catch his lies and figure out what he wanted. But she couldn't exactly claim him since he belonged to somebody else that time. Though the feelings grew to an extreme level, to the point dying for him seemed possible; she still controlled herself and never once crossed her red line for the sake of him.

But now...when he was in front of her, begging and apologzing and crying so innocently, willing to love her the way she did for him; how was she supposed to stay ignorant when her heart was singing a beautiful tune to accept him again?

He was asking for forgiveness and realized his mistakes. What more could she want from Almighty?

So without another word, Yoon Min only wrapped her arms around him to hug him back; a graceful act to express she wasn't even mad at him. One hand brushed over his back soothingly as she whispered softly beside his ear, "I never stopped." It was the answer to his last request.

Seokjin only cried harder then, letting out all of his feelings at once, unable to believe she forgave him so easily when she should've been throwing him away after what he had done. Either it was all just a dream or she really did have a great, kind heart. An angel, a guardian, a selfless character.

He wasn't sure if he deserved her.

But that shouldn't be the concern here. He should focus on treating her better and earning her trust.

Upon sharing two secret lovers' deep feelings to one another had the first snow falling; the first call of winter as the blissful twilight blessed their minds and captured the beautiful moment in its eyes.

Thus began their story the way it should've always been from the beginning.