Ju-Hee closed the door behind herself, hoping to find Theodore on the couch like usual. She didn't want to intrude in his personal life but she was kinda scared every time she didn't find him on the couch.

Mind your own business, She reminded herself and walked inside her room. She found a note on the nightstand which made her confused.

Your father sent me a letter to come and visit him. He said it's urgent since he sent another letter after an hour of sending the first letter. I thought of waiting for you but after the second letter i thought it would be better if I visited him. I didn't want to disrespect him. I hope you understand.

Theodore.

Her father wanted Theodore to visit him and not her. She walked to the telephone and rang her brother.

"Oppa?"

"Yeah Ju-Hee!"

"Where are you?"

"I just reached home. Theodore is here. Why didn't you come?"

"The owner didn't agree to give a day off." It was true. She didn't lie this time.

"What's his problem? You should come now "

"Yeah.  . Oppa.  . Theodore said that appa wrote a letter to him, to come and visit him as it was urgent. Is everything okay?"

"Yes.  . I don't know why he said that. They are both in the living room laughing over something."

"Okay I'll be there. Bye."

Ju-Hee was surprised to find Theodore and her father having a good time together. There were soju bottles on the table and both of them looked a little drunk.

 Theodore smiled on seeing her while her father only nodded, acknowledging her presence. She sat with them, occassionally looking at Theodore who looked a little drunk. She smiled when he looked at her.

When it was time for dinner, she walked in the kitchen and a sad smile trailed on her lips. She missed that place and hated it at the same time. She was washing the cabbage leaves when she heard footsteps behind her only to find that it was Du-Sik.

"What are you making?" He asked, leaning against the kitchen door.

"Manchurian." Ju-Hee smiled.

"Hmm. For whom?" Du-Sik walked inside making Ju-Hee look at him with raised eyebrows. The tone he used was very different and she probably heard it for the first time coming from him.

"For us."

"For us or for your husband?" A smirk spread across his lips . Ju-Hee frowned, trying hard not to smile.

"What are you implying?" She laughed.

"You like him."

"What?" Ju-Hee's eyes went wide in horror as she looked over her shoulder to find that Theodore was still busy with her father to pay attention to the conversation.

"Yeah. It's funny." Du-Sik chuckled,"You're probably the first woman I've ever seen who has a crush on her husband."

"Oh shut up!" Ju-Hee hit him in his arms, pushing him away,"If you're not here to help, just leave."

"No, seriously? Do you like him?" He asked in a much serious tone which made Ju-Hee shrug.

"I don't know why you feel that way. Yes , I agree he has been really nice towards me but that doesn't mean I like him. Okay? Now, leave!!" She laughed and playfully pushed him out of the kitchen.

"Okay Okay. I'll send him instead."

Before Ju-Hee could protest and tell him to shut up, he ran away .

"Hey."

"No", she whispered to herself. She turned around to find Theodore by the door.

"Du-Sik said you needed help."

"He's just kidding. You can go and sit. It's fine." Ju-Hee chuckled awkwardly, trying to act cool.

"You're always doing things by yourself. I should help." He offered. Ju-Hee didn't even realise when he walked inside and stood next to her. She nodded, pushing the cutting plate and knife his way.

"Chop the vegetables."

Theodore pulled out his wand and with a single flick,the knife started chopping the vegetables on their own.

"Tada!" He smiled triumphantly and Ju-Hee resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"That is why I told you I don't need help." She said.

"It's fine." He assured.

"Anyway." Ju-Hee started, making him look at her,"What did he call you for?"

Theodore's smile fell and he debated on telling the truth or lying.

"Actually." He scratched the back of his neck,"He needed some money. Then he asked me to get some bottles of soju for him."

Ju-Hee frowned and felt embarrassed so she lowered her eyes.

"I'm really sorry about that. I'll pay you back."

How could her father ask him for the money? She didn't expect him to stoop so low.

"Hey it's fine. I don't blame you or anything. You already told me why your father wanted to marry you off to a rich man." Theodore smiled, patting her shoulders lightly and hesitantly.

"We'll talk about it later." Ju-Hee said and continued preparing for Manchurian. By the time she finished cooking, her father had already gone to sleep. 

She left some for him in case he woke up hungry and served the rest.

"This is so good!" Theodore exclaimed as he took a bite.

Ju-Hee blushed and smiled,"Thank you."

"Ju-Hee always cooks the best." Du-Sik grinned, earning an eye roll from his sister.

Suddenly, Du-Sik started coughing badly and Ju-Hee rushed by his side, handing him a glass of water. He gulped it down but that didn't stop him from coughing. He drank some more water and it finally stopped.

"What's wrong with you? I've told you a hundred times to go and see a doctor." Ju-Hee scolded, glaring at Du-Sik.

"I'm fine." He asserted confidently making Ju-Hee scoff in return.

"Sit down and eat." He said sternly, passing a small smile to Theodore who looked concerned.

Ju-Hee sighed, sitting down on the chair and eating Manchurian. She just wished he'd be okay.

One month passed. January arrived and it was very cold outside. Ju-Hee's routine was the same. Going to work, returning and finding Theodore on the couch, them smiling at each other and eating dinner together. Ju-Hee didn't like the feeling in her stomach whenever 'her husband' smiled at her. It made her stomach churn and twist in a good way.

It was the last day of January.

Ju-Hee returned from work and smiled at Theodore who was sat on the couch with a novel in his hand. All he does is read.

"Hello." She smiled at him earning a nod and smile from Theodore. She walked inside her room and dropped on the bed. She looked at herself in the mirror and found dark circles under her eyes but what caught her eye was a freckle right next to the flowers on her cheeks. She didn't remember the last time she had freckles.

 She chose to ignore it.

She got fresh and changed into some comfy clothes before walking out in the living room.

"What are you doing?" She asked, walking in the kitchen to pour a glass of water for herself. Theodore was boiling water.

"You look a lot more exhausted today so I thought I should make dinner." He answered, taking out a packet of ramen from the top shelf. He looked at Ju-Hee who looked confused and then at the packet in his hand.

"Sorry this is all I know." He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. Ju-Hee smiled,"It's fine. I appreciate it."

"Is something bothering you?" Theodore asked as he tore the packaging and put the ramen in the boiling water,"You've been stressing too much lately."

Ju-Hee leaned against the countertop and chewed on her lips before answering,"It's just that whenever I ask Du-Sik oppa to meet me , he always makes up an excuse saying that he's busy."

"Why do you think it's an excuse? Maybe he's really busy." Theodore shrugged.

"I don't know." Ju-Hee muttered lowly. The telephone ring interrupted their conversation and Ju-Hee excused herself. She picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this Ju-Hee?" She didn't recognise the voice. They sounded terrified.

"Yes. Speaking. Who is this?"

"I'm Du-Sik's friend. He-" The person paused and gulped,"He's in the city hospital. Can you please come here quickly?"

Ju-Hee's eyes went wide in horror. This was her fear coming true which she never imagined. She hung up the phone and slipped down on the floor, a tear rolling down her cheeks.

She pulled herself up and ran out of the room, grabbing her coat in the process.

"Hey. Ramen's ready!" Theodore smiled.

"I need to go to the city hospital." She almost cried as she hurried out of the flat. Theodore followed her outside, still in a t shirt.

"What's wrong?" He asked, grabbing her wrist to have her attention.

"Theodore.  . It's urgent. Du-Sik oppa is in the city hospital." She cried.

"It's okay. We'll get there." He assured her. The two of them got in a cab since they couldn't apparate to a muggle hospital. 

At the hospital, Du-Sik's friend paid for the cab and Ju-Hee and Theodore ran inside.

"Hi, I am David." The tall man with bushy, brown hair, introduced himself,"I'm Du-Sik's friend. We went to school together. I run a restaurant and he helps me with the deliveries. Today was just a normal day but he suddenly fainted after coughing for so long. I brought him here. He's under observation right now."

Tears streamed down Ju-Hee's cheeks as she held onto Theodore's arm for support.

"He'll be okay." Theodore whispered, gently rubbing her back. David left as there was no one at his restaurant except his wife . Theodore and Ju-Hee sat together, waiting for the doctor to come and update about Du-Sik's condition.

Theodore held Ju-Hee closely who couldn't stop crying, blaming herself for being so careless towards her brother. When the doctor came out, the two of them stood up abruptly.

"Are you the patient's relative?" The doctor asked, his voice scaring Ju-Hee.

Theodore nodded,"Is he okay?"

"I'm sorry to say this but he has lung cancer. Last stage. He only has a few days."