Chapter 7
When Kieran rushed to the building the next day, Nathan and I were just heading out to go shopping.
His eyes were bloodshot like an enraged animal as he charged over and grabbed my wrist.[]
“Why? Over one house? You’re throwing us away because of a house?
I replied calmly.
“Yes and no.
1
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and our problems weren’t destroyed by one.[]
The issue between us was never just about a house.
Kieran pointed furiously at Nathan beside me.
“What can he give you? We had three years together! Even if you want to hurt me, you can’t just find some random guy to disgust me with!”]
I looked steadily at this man who was losing his mind.[]
“We’ve known each other for ten years. He’s not some random guy.“]
Kieran looked like all the strength had been drained from him, staggering back a step.]
“So… you two have been sneaking around together? You cheated on me?”
I actually laughed at his accusation. This was so typical–never looking for the problem in himself.]
“Didn’t you say Luna needed company? She’s still waiting for you at the hotel. Don’t keep her waiting or you’ll feel bad for her again.”
“Also, next time she has stomach problems, I won’t be getting up at midnight to make her porridge anymore.”
Kieran stood frozen, muttering to himself.
“You’re still just trying to hurt me… this is all because of Luna, isn’t it?”
“I already told you–she’s all alone and pitiful. I just think of her like a sister. Why won’t you believe me?
I shook my head.
“Whether I believe you doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position, so I’m leaving. This way you can fully devote yourself to your dear sister.”
Kieran was stunned.]
“I don’t want that kind of sacrifice…”
“Yes, you do. You wanted me to turn a blind eye, to suffer in silence, to enable your ridiculous notion of universal love… But Kieran. I’m done shortchanging myself. The man I want must have room in his heart and eyes for only mel“]
I cut him off in one breath.]
Since we’d reached this point, everything needed to be said clearly.
“I won’t accept that on my birthday, you spent all night drinking and taking photos with someone else.”
“I won’t accept that when my wound was infected and I had a fever and needed you, one phone call from someone else could pull you away.”
“I won’t accept being forced to make mango layer cake for someone else when you know I’m allergic to mangoes, then being called dramatic when I broke out in hives.”
With every sentence, Kieran’s face grew paler.[]
He probably never imagined how much resentment I’d been carrying. He opened his mouth, then lashed out defensively.
“Why didn’t you tell me… If you didn’t say anything, how was I supposed to know you felt so wronged…”
I laughed coldly.
“I never told you?”
“I never fought with you about it?“]
“Weren’t you the one who said I was being annoying and needed to be more mature?“]
Kieran’s face went white as paper, unable to say a word.]
I stared into his eyes.]
“Do you remember how I got this scar?”
Kieran paused, then answered reflexively.
“You were saving me… but what does that have to do with you finding another man?”
I smiled coldly.
“You really don’t remember. You never took anything you said to me seriously, so don’t bother with fake regret now.”
“Just go. We’ve been over for a long time.“]
Kieran wanted to say more, but Luna couldn’t take it anymore.[]
She got out of a taxi wearing only a thin jacket, shivering from the cold.]
“Kieran, I’m so cold…let’s go home.”
As they went towards the car, Kieran kept looking back at me, but Nathan and I had already turned toward the elevator.]
Kieran stared blankly at the closed elevator doors, and he seemed to finally remember.[]
Kieran always loved thrills–racing, rock climbing, anything dangerous.]
I’d try to talk him out of it every time, but he never listened.[]
All I could do was silently follow behind him, preparing first aid kits, researching routes, contacting local rescue teams.
A year ago, Kieran had planned to go to an underground fighting ring with friends.
I tried to stop him.
“That place is too dangerous. Don’t g
- go.
Kieran pushed me away impatiently.]
“What’s there to be afraid of? I’m just going to watch. What could happen?“]
Midway through the fight, the opponent lost money and flew into a rage, pulling out a knife.[]
Kieran and the man started wrestling.[
In the chaos, a blade came stabbing toward his back. I don’t know where I found the strength, but I shoved him out of the way and took the krufe through my own back.]
I nearly died from blood loss.[]
“If the wound had been one centimeter deeper, it would have hit the spine. That would have meant paralysis from the neck down.”
Hearing the doctor’s words, Kieran knelt by my hospital bed, crying as he spoke.]
‘T’ll take care of you for the rest of my life! When you get better, we’ll get married.”
“I want to give
you a home here.
Kieran showed me a city map with a circle drawn on it.[]
I memorized that place with just one glance.
At first, Kieran really did do well–making porridge every day, changing my bandages.]
Later, as my wound slowly healed, I was left with complications that made it ache terribly on rainy days. Kieran started getting impatient.]
“You’re already better, aren’t you? Why are you still being so dramatic?”
“Luna has some issues she can’t handle alone, I need to go check on her.”
“I already agreed to marry you. What more do you want?
Eventually, he couldn’t even remember my follow–up appointment dates.[]
Kieran seemed to understand everything now. That scar wasn’t some badge of love–it was
proof that I’d risked my life for him.]
After leaving the hospital, I’d started working day and night just to buy and furnish our home as soon as possible.
Having our own place in this city was the promise I’d nearly died to secure.
On the drive back, Kieran turned on the radio.
When “Someone Like You” started playing, he suddenly remembered this was my favorite song.]
In the glove compartment, there was still a piece of paper where I’d written down the lyrics.
“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you…“]
Kieran buried his head against the steering wheel, sobbing like a poor kid.
“I’m sorry, Quinn…“]
“I was wrong.”
