Hara's heart skipped a beat as she observed the man sitting beside Ji-Eun. He was a spitting image of her younger brother from her previous life. His eyes, his smile, and even the way he held himself were all too familiar. The memories of her past flooded her mind, bringing both joy and sorrow.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist approaching Ji-Eun and the man who looked like her brother during a break in the celebration. With a warm smile, she greeted Ji-Eun, hoping that the conversation wouldn't be awkward given their past encounters.
"Hello, Ji-Eun. It's been a while. Congratulations on your engagement," Hara said, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Ji-Eun's eyes widened in surprise, and then a warm smile spread across her face. "Hara! Congratulations on your wedding."
Hara nodded, feeling a bit relieved that Ji-Eun seemed friendly. "Of course, thank you. And this is..." she gestured towards the man sitting next to Ji-Eun.
"Oh, this is my fiancé, Shen Lu," Ji-Eun introduced, and Hara's heart skipped another beat at the mention of his name.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Shen Lu said, extending his hand with a warm smile. "Ji-Eun has told me a lot about you."
Hara's mind raced with conflicting emotions. How could she explain that she felt a connection to him because of her memories from another life? It seemed impossible and irrational, so she decided to keep her past to herself.
"Likewise, Shen Lu. I'm glad Ji-Eun found someone special like you," Hara replied, shaking his hand with a smile that masked the turmoil in her heart.
Throughout the celebration, Hara tried her best to enjoy the festivities and be a gracious hostess. She interacted with the guests, thanked them for their well-wishes, and managed to keep her composure despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Unlike her encounter with Mr. Chen who looked like his father in her previous life, she is able to handle her emotions more now.
As Hara bid farewell to the guests, Yuto's gaze met Hara's who looked sad while glancing at someone in the distance. He was curious and followed her line of sight, spotting the man she was looking at, who was Shen Lu. Intrigued, Yuto approached Hara, still wondering why she seemed affected by Shen Lu's presence.
"Is there something wrong?" Yuto asked gently, trying to understand her emotions.
Hara hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's nothing, really. I was just reminiscing about some old memories." She tried to put on a smile, not wanting to burden Yuto with her past.
"Memories, huh?" Yuto said softly, sensing that there was more to it. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."
Hara was taken aback by Yuto's unexpected offer of support. She had always thought that their marriage was merely a business arrangement, devoid of any emotional connection. But his words touched her heart, and for a brief moment, she felt a glimmer of hope that they could find understanding and companionship in their marriage.
"Thank you," Hara replied sincerely. "I appreciate that very much"
With a weak smile and a trembling voice, she confessed, "It's just that I miss my younger brother."
Yuto tilted his head in confusion and asked, "You have a brother?"
Quickly trying to brush off her slip, she replied, "Ah! No, I was just kidding." Hastily, she made her way to the car, taking quick steps to escape the situation. She couldn't be sure if 'Hara' in the novel really had a younger brother.
Yuto noticed the sudden change in Hara's demeanor but decided not to push further. He respected her boundaries and understood that some topics might be sensitive to her.
As they drove back to their new home, Yuto couldn't help but wonder about Hara's comment. He found it strange that she would joke about having a brother when she seemed genuinely upset earlier. However, he didn't want to pry into her personal life if she wasn't ready to share.
During the car ride, Hara suddenly spoke up, "I'm going to pick up some things from my house tomorrow."
Yuto asked, "Do you need help?"
"If it's okay with you," Hara replied, gazing out of the window. The discomfort from the dress's laces made her feel itchy behind her back.
Yuto smiled softly and nodded, "Of course, I'd be happy to help. Just let me know when you're ready, and we can go together."
Hara's heart skipped a beat at his gentle response. She appreciated his willingness to support her, even in small matters like this.
The car ride continued in a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Hara found herself stealing glances at Yuto from time to time. She noticed the way his profile looked in the soft glow of the car's interior lights, and she couldn't help but admire his handsome features.
As they arrived back home, Yuto opened the car door for Hara, and she stepped out, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. She wanted to express her appreciation, but the words stuck in her throat, and she settled for a warm smile instead.
Before moving into the house, they had agreed to have separate rooms. "Goodnight" Hara said awkwardly.
"Goodnight," Yuto replied, equally awkward. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Hara smiled softly, appreciating his concern. "Thank you, Yuto. I'll be fine, don't worry."
Yuto nodded, bidding her goodnight once again before entering his own room. As he lay on his bed, he couldn't help but think about the events of the day. He wondered if his feelings of some annoyance were truly unfounded or if there was something more to Hara's relationship with Shen Lu.
Meanwhile, Hara found herself lying on her bed, her mind filled with her family and her previous life. She knew she had to let go of the past and embrace the new life she had, but it wasn't as easy as she thought it would be.
The next day, Yuto and Hara drove to her old house together. Memories flooded back as she stepped inside, the familiar scent and surroundings bringing back both happy and painful recollections. Yuto noticed the emotions flickering across her face, and he unconsciously soften his gaze at her.
They packed her belongings into boxes, taking care to handle everything with care. As Hara lifted some boxes off the floor, she didn't notice a picture slipping down beside her.
Yuto immediately picked up the fallen picture to give it back to Hara, but as he looked at it, he couldn't help but be captivated by what he saw. The picture showed a younger-looking Hara with a little boy, who seemed oddly familiar.
The boy's face struck a chord with Yuto. He resembled someone he knew—the very boy who had managed to steal Ji-Eun's heart.