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Across town, in a quiet neighborhood, two hearts were finally ready to reveal their story.

Sohee paced restlessly around the park, his hands nervously fidgeting with the cello case behind his back. His thoughts were a whirlwind, but he knew this was the moment. He had waited for this day far too long to let anything go wrong.

As he paced, his eyes darted towards the entrance of the park. Then, there she was—Yeji, walking toward him with her usual grace. She glanced around curiously before finally making her way over to him.

"Sohee, what's going on? You said it was urgent," she asked, a touch of concern in her voice as she stood beside him.

Sohee's heart raced. He took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto his face, but his cheeks flushed with nerves. He stepped forward and, with a shaky hand, presented the cello case to her.

"I... I noticed your cello was getting worn out," he started, his voice tentative. "So, I decided to get a new one for you."

Yeji blinked in surprise, her lips parting as she reached out for the case. Her fingers brushed against his as she took it, the simple touch sending a jolt through both of them. She opened the case slowly, her eyes widening when she saw the instrument inside. The cello was exquisite—its smooth, polished wood gleaming under the park's soft light.

"Sohee... you didn't have to do this," she whispered, clearly touched by the gesture.

"I will buy you all the instruments in the world if it means you're happy. If you're happy, I'm happy. That's just who I am," Sohee said, his words filled with sincerity, his heart out in the open.

Yeji's heart warmed as she clutched the cello closer to her chest. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but brimming with gratitude. "I'll cherish this, Sohee. I really will."

It was lucky for them that Yejin, Yeji's mother, was preoccupied with her son, the apple of her eye, and hadn't noticed the tender exchange between the two.

If she had, no doubt she would've launched into one of her protective rants, never letting them within a five-meter radius of each other.

Yejin conversed lightly with her, but there was a playful yet disapproving tone in her voice. "Ah, Zeus, I am quite upset with you. You've gotten engaged, but not once have you brought my future daughter-in-law to meet me."

"That won't be happening any time soon, Mom," Sunghoon replied, his voice distant, the strain in it evident. "How are you?"

"Sunghoon, what's going on? Your tone sounds completely different. Who's made my CEO son upset? I'll deal with them immediately."

"I'm fine, Mom. It's just work. I have to go now. Goodbye, I have a meeting."

As the call ended, Yejin lowered her phone, her expression thoughtful. She turned to her sister, her suspicion clear. "I don't believe him. He's upset, I can tell. He must've had an argument with Rena. I'll get to the bottom of this."

Her sister, ever cautious, looked at her with a hint of doubt. "Sister, don't you think it's strange? I never question my nephew's actions, but he was still fixated on Iseul's name and then, out of the blue, he introduces another girl."

Yejin's gaze grew hard, her voice dripping with contempt. "That witch's name is not to be uttered in my home."

As Yeji entered the room holding the box, her mother's gaze was instantly drawn to it.

"What's that?" Yejin asked, her tone laced with curiosity and concern.

Yeji smiled widely, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's a cello. A gift from Sohee..."

Her aunt clapped her hands in excitement, clearly thrilled by the gesture. But Yejin's response was far less enthusiastic. "I got you the best one, and you're settling for this cheap knock-off? Where did he even get the money from? Isn't he broke?"

Yeji rolled her eyes, not even bothered by her mother's critique. "I'm going to play this now. Don't bother me in my room."

But as her daughter walked off, Yejin's anxiety grew. Her worst fear had come to life—Sohee was spoiling Yeji, and it wasn't sitting well with her. Without a second thought, she rushed to Minjae, who was in the kitchen, busy shaking egg yolks for a dish.

"Minjae, our plan is falling apart," Yejin hissed, her voice low and urgent. "Sohee—he got Yeji a cello. He's spoiling her! Where did he even get that kind of money? aren't you poor?" Her tone was filled with disbelief and panic.

Minjae nervously glanced to the side, clearly uncomfortable under Yejin's scrutinizing gaze. "What do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Yejin was about to respond when her eyes landed on Minjae's wrists. Her breath hitched, and her expression faltered. She gasped, her eyes growing wide in disbelief. Minjae's wrists were adorned with two expensive-looking golden bracelets, and Yejin's mind began to race.

"Minjae... is this what I think it is?" Yejin's voice was barely above a whisper, filled with shock. "I'm smelling money. I know the smell of money, Minjae... Where did those bracelets come from? What business are you really involved in?"

Minjae's eyes went wide in panic, and she tried to backpedal. "What else can we do? We sell noodles, gimbap, soy beans..."

Yejin didn't buy it. Her face grew even more intense, and she pointed a sharp finger toward Minjae. "Exactly. Those things don't buy wealth."

Minjae's husband, sensing the growing danger, quickly stepped in to deflect suspicion. His voice was steady but laced with an undercurrent of anxiety as he tried to maintain control of the conversation.

"We are poor, Mrs. Yejin," he said, his tone calm but forceful. "We are commoners. The smell of money... is coming from you."

Yejin paused mid-motion, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She could feel the tension in the room, the subtle shift in her husband's demeanor that told her something wasn't quite right.

With a flick of her wrist, Yejin shook her hands, the sound of the bracelets reverberating through the air like a challenge. Without saying another word, she turned sharply and walked away.

As Yejin exited, her thoughts were already racing. The truth was out there, and she wasn't going to let it slip through her fingers.

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