Chapter 27 - Broken Dreams

"So?" Jade asked in a nonchalant tone. "Why does that matter to you?"

"That's my wife there!" KJ exclaimed.

"Wife? What wife?" Jade questioned him. "You changed your past, remember? You erased your relationship. It never existed!"

"It exists in my head!" KJ shouted at him. "It's in my fucking head! I can't get rid of those memories! I see them in my dreams everyday. I can't get them out!"

"You changed your past, not your memories," Jade reminded him. "You knew what you were getting into. It was your choice and now live with it!"

"I wish you'd have removed them," KJ's words came out in a whisper. "At least I would not have gone through this."

"Okay, you melodramatic moron," Jade flexed his paws. "Firstly, you don't know if that CEO is your wife Mirae. Secondly, Even if she is Mirae, she isn't your wife. Thirdly, do you really think Mirae will wait all this while for a 'husband' she doesn't even know about? Why should she? She's a human being after all. She has her own life and her own feelings. Even if she is dating your friend, Ash, it's not wrong. It was your choice which redefined her life. If you're gonna sulk in a corner and make her life miserable with your antics, then you're just a big douchebag!"

KJ was taken aback by his words. "We were married once!"

"You're not anymore! So either man up by being genuinely happy for her or remain a coward by constantly drowning yourself in regret. Your choice."

With that Jade turned around and strutted away, refusing to say another word to the imbecile. His last words echoed in KJ's ears.

Coward, huh? he lamented to himself. What should I do?

He dropped on the couch and laid his head on the pillow, his thoughts drifting off...

"What are you thinking?" a soft voice startled him. Jiwon looked up to see Mirae, standing beside him, with a two coffee cups in her hands. She handed one to him.

"Nothing," Jiwon lied, taking the cup. He was sitting at the dingy balcony, staring outside absentmindedly. A big billboard was placed in front of their street. It was so big that it was clearly visible even from their house.

The billboard had a large picture of a music trio. They were rising stars and the whole nation was crazy for them. Their songs created new trends and the members were exceptionally talented and handsome. They were EXOTIC.

Jiwon stared at their poster every time he felt down or dejected. The billboard reminded him of the life he gave up for his grandfather's last wish. Looking at it gave him a sense of escapade from his bitter reality.

Mirae had no idea about her husband's thoughts, but she knew he had to sacrifice his own aspirations because of her. Sometimes, she felt guilty for inadvertently taking away Jiwon's dreams.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I feel like I snatched an important treasure from you."

She was looking down at her feet, feeling guilty. Jiwon stared at her. He knew she blamed herself and inwardly, he also irrationally held her responsible. After all, being an idol was his lifelong dream and he worked hard to escape his family's dark life. Just when the dream was close, he had to give it up.

At least he managed to escape his family's clutches. His condition for marrying Mirae was that the couple would live far away from Jiwon's family and the latter will not force him to enter their underworld businesses. Ever.

"You don't have to be sorry," Jiwon said quietly. "What's done is done. You shouldn't cry over spilled milk."

His words did not match his eyes, but Mirae did not say anything. She sat next to him, quietly sipping the coffee.

"I would have debuted with them," Jiwon suddenly revealed. "EXOTIC."

"Really?" she was astonished. She knew he wanted to be an idol but this information was new to her.

"Yeah," he sighed. "But right before I entered the final audition, grandfather called me from his death bed in order to marry you."

Mirae felt the guilt rising in her chest, but she kept it to herself.

"You like them too, don't you?" Jiwon asked. "I've seen you downloading their songs from the net."

Mirae gave him a sheepish smile. "Yeah," she admitted. "I really love their songs. Their songs strike a chord with anyone who'd listen to them."

"Who's your favorite member?" Jiwon teased.

"Ash!" Mirae piped up excitedly. "I just love him!"

Jiwon raised his eyebrows.

"I mean," Mirae faltered. "As an artist. I admire him a lot. He seems to be very distant from everyone but he cares about his members. He just bottles up his feelings a lot."

"You seem to know a lot about him," Jiwon snorted. "You don't even show that much interest in me! Should I be jealous?"

"You don't have to feel jealous of anyone," Mirae rolled her eyes. "I simply admire the man as an artist. But I'll always love you!"

She held his hand. Seeing her excitement, Jiwon managed to crack a smile in spite of himself.

"Let's go to bed," Jiwon smiled at her. "I've got a long day tomorrow."

"Me too," Mirae nodded. "I have to attend more job interviews."

Jiwon nodded and led her back inside. Before closing the balcony's door, Jiwon took a last glimpse at the billboard. Ash's charming smile beamed through it. For a moment, he severely regretted not attending the audition that day.

Seeing the woman lying next to him, Jiwon reminisced the day of the audition. The fateful moment when he got the call from his dying grandfather. His love for his grandfather pulled him back from the audition and marry Mirae.

As he stared at the green eyed girl next to him, he could not help but feel guilty himself. After all, she was not the one who was at fault. She was also forced to give up her aspirations for this marriage. Yet, she never complained like him. Instead, she did her best to make a separate life for them. She never complained but supported him unconditionally.

Her actions only made Jiwon feel more uncomfortable and guilty. Did he love her? He could not tell. But her gestures were slowly melting his ice cold heart even if he did not show it.

Mirae shifted in her sleep. She leaned in closer to him, hugging him tightly. Her face broke into a carefree smile as she was lost in the midst of a good dream.

If only Jiwon knew he would never see that smile again.

KJ slowly opened his eyes. It was still midnight and he must have dozed off in the living room. Mirae's smile was one of the only good memories he captured with her in his heart. He would fight to protect that smile...

He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed Hyun Jung's number.

"Hello?" came an irritated voice from the other end.

"Hyun Jung, you gotta do something for me," KJ ordered him.

"KJ? It's late! Can't it wait till tomorrow?"

"It can, if you want a pay cut," KJ threatened. "Now listen to me."

The next words coming out of KJ's mouth made him even more confused.

After KJ was done narrating the plan, Hyun Jung's eyes widened in shock.

"KJ, you can't do this!" he scolded him. "It's too risky!"

"I'll take my chances," KJ said shortly. "Just make the arrangements."

Hyun Jung gaped at his words before complying with his request. He reassured KJ that he'll take care of everything.

KJ hung up the phone. Jade was right. Mirae was not his wife anymore.

But it did not matter to him. Recalling his wife's peaceful smile, he was determined that only he will protect her smile. No one else.