Born into a chaebol family where I could have anything, I never learned how to love. There was never a woman who caught my eye.

Time passed and I became a high school senior. I heard a rumor that the incoming freshmen were pretty. I stopped by the auditorium out of boredom. And there, I locked eyes with her. In that moment, my heart skipped a beat, and I learned love for the first time. I still can't forget that face smiling at me.

One winter, with winter break just around the corner, I finally made the confession I had prepared for a year. Thousands of anxieties flashed through my mind. But instead of rejecting me, you answered brightly with a smile.

"I'd love to!!"

And then, my world was colored by you.

Time passed again and we both became adults. This relationship continued, and our love showed no signs of cooling. If anything, as time went by, my love only grew larger.

Then one day... I arrived at our meeting spot early for a date. I was pacing around, waiting for you. A petite woman appeared at the crosswalk on the other side. She saw me and waved.

Ding—

When the traffic light turned green, she walked toward me. In that moment. It was just a split second. A truck speeding from the other side slammed right into you. You were thrown into the air and fell to the ground. And in my eyes, I could see nothing but you. The asphalt stained red with your blood, the sound of people screaming. I couldn't hear any of it. I only saw you.

I can't forget you, lying there motionless and refusing to wake up no matter how much I called. No, I was afraid that if I forgot, you would truly disappear... And then, all sorts of misfortunes came crashing down.

You in a coma. An arranged marriage without love.

About a year after you fell into a coma... perhaps the God who brought me all this misery felt pity and sent a ray of hope. That hope was... you waking up from your coma.

The moment I heard the news at work, I bolted out of the office. My secretary's voice behind me meant nothing. My wife called, but I ignored it all. I just headed to the hospital where you were.

When I opened the hospital room door, you were there. That part was the same as before. However, you weren't lying down anymore. You were sitting up, looking outside. Then you turned your head. Our eyes met. You smiled. The same smile as when I first saw you. You spoke in a soft voice.

"Eunchan..."

It was the voice I had wanted to hear most for a year. My legs gave out on the spot, and I pulled you into a tight embrace. I knew then. If I let you go this time, it really is the end.

"I won't let you go this time. I'm really going to protect you."