Heal My Heart

" I saved you an invite".

    The words felt like ice water. I sat across from the man who was supposed to be my husband, bathed in the sterile, bright lights of the restaurant. Gul Dong didn't look like a villain; he looked like the man i loved, yet he was sliding a wedding invitation across the table towards me. The names embossed in gold were a cruel joke: his name, and that of my stepsister's.

   "I loved you, Huimang. I really did," he said, his voice devoid of the shame it should have carried. "It's just, I fell for your sister so hard. I have never felt this way about anyone before".

I forced my face into a mask of pure calm. My heart was screaming, but i wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing it.

"Okay", i said simply. I reached for my bag, standing up with a grace i didn't feel. "It's my sister's wedding after all. Why wouldn't I be there?".

A Mother's Pressure

When i returned home, i didn't find peace. My mother was already in my room, her expression sharp with frustration.

"Kim Haengbog, you are almost thirty ", she snapped before I could even close the door. "You need to get married".

I signed, taking off my coat. "I am not your son, mom. Go talk to your first child. He's much older than i am".

She stepped forward, gently but firmly turning my face towards her's. "You know your brother won't listen to me. He needs a woman who can handle the role of a first Lady. But i need grandchildren, Haengbog. I'm not getting any younger".

"Yes, Mrs Jin Hosu,". I said, gently guiding her towards the door. "When the time is right, i promise I will find someone.

"Leave the  past behind you !", she called out as the door clicked shut.

The Revenge Plan

My phone had been buzzing incessantly. It was Min Yoong.

"Haengbog, let's go out. Have some fun," he insisted over the line.

"No," i replied, while trying to hang up.

"Bro, please I'm at the usual spot. Don't keep me waiting".

An hour later, i was at the bar, nursing a cocktail, while my friends Dal Kong and San Miso stared at me in horror.

"Are you serious ?". Dal Kong gasped.

"If anyone had told me Gul Dong would do this to you, i would have called them a liar".

San Miso narrowed her eyes, her anger simmering. "I knew it. I never liked him, he left an intelligent, beautiful woman for..... that mistake of a human ?, if she even counts as one".

"It's hurts", i admitted, pouring another dink. "But it's his loss. I know i didn't do anything wrong".

"You can't let them get away with this", Dal Kong said, glancing at other customers. "Hire someone fake a wedding".

"No", San Miso countered with a wicked glint in her eyes. "Get his enemy. Or a man so rich and powerful it makes Gul Dong look like a peasant. That is the perfect revenge".

I scoffed. "And how am i supposed to pull that off ?, his rival is a man no one messes with".

San Miso smirked, nodding towards the entrance "well, lady luck is on your side today. Look who just walked in".

The Mistake

I found myself sitting across from Kim Haengbog later that night Min Yoong was already several drinks in.

"Finally, you're here !". Yoong cherred. "Let's get this started".

"Aren't doctors supposed to stop people from drinking?". I asked, sliding into the seat.

"Sometimes you have to step out of character", Yoong laughed. "Let's drink until one of us drops".

"I'm not doing that with you," i said firmly.

Yoong leaned in with a  mischievous grin.

"Backing down already?, i win without even trying".

He felt a spark of defiance. I usually played it safe, but today is different. Today, i was broken. "Is that a challenge?, fine one exception".

"Don't worry", Yoong whispered, pouring a fresh glass. "This is a hotel bar. We can just spend the night here anyway".

The Morning After

Light filtered through the curtains, stinging my eyes i groaned, trying to piece together the blurry memories of the night before.

As i turned over, my heart stopped.

Lying right next to me was Kim Haengbog.

Oh no. What have I done ?.