Chapter 95 - The Erased Past What Really Happened?

Butler Shin pulled up in front of a dilapidated apartment building. 

"We're here, Master Jiwon," he informed them. Jiwon and Mirae got out of the car and took a look at the building. It was not the best place to live in but with limited income, it was all Jiwon could have afforded with his savings.

Despite his wish to live away from his family, the state of the place was making him flinch. 

"The movers have already taken your belongings upstairs," Butler Shin went on. Jiwon sighed.

"Thank you for everything, Butler Shin," Jiwon said with a small smile. It was all he could say to this man. "What will you do from now? Remain in the mansion?"

"No, sir," Butler Shin smiled back. "I will retire and live the remainder of my life with my wife and daughter. We have a small restaurant at Insa-dong. It is not much, but I would like to take care of the activities there."

"Thank you for everything, Butler Shin," Mirae bowed down to him. "Do visit us sometime! I will stop by your restaurant too."

"I will, Madam Mirae," he bowed back. "Now, if I may be excused."

Jiwon nodded as the old butler bid them farewell and got back into the car. He drove off, leaving the newlyweds behind.

"We should go and check out the apartment," Mirae suggested. Jiwon nodded and they walked towards the building. It had no lift and their apartment was on the fourth floor. The stairs were steep and slippery. Mirae was almost tripping but Jiwon held her firmly and helped her climb up. 

The apartment units were small and their one was almost at the end of the corridor. Their luggage and some furniture were already placed inside by the movers. Jiwon turned the knob of the apartment and it creaked loudly.

It was a small place, even smaller than Jiwon's room back in the mansion. It had only one bedroom, a kitchen which was also a living room and a bathroom. Originally when Jiwon had bought the place, he did not care to check the condition. He was sure he would get into the idol program and would spend his time at the agency's dormitory. Moreover, he was single at that time and hence, would not need a big apartment all to himself.

But now that Mirae was there with him, he regretted not being more choosy in his apartment hunting. There was hardly any furniture in the apartment and he could hear water dripping from somewhere. The ceiling was probably leaking. He cursed his luck.

Mirae, on the other hand, was excited. Even though it was not as lavish as the mansion or even as comfortable as her old home, it was still home. She finally had a place she could call her own. 

She slid her hand into Jiwon's, resting her head on his shoulder.

"This is our home from now," she said. "We'll live happily from now on."

She looked up at him only to notice him scowling. 

"Let's clean this place up," he said indifferently. Even if she considered it home, looking at the state of the unit, he would not call it very homely. 

"Aren't you happy?" she questioned him. She was a little confused by his indifference. Wasn't it his idea to move out? She wondered. 

"Am I supposed to be?" he said in an irritated tone. He was not angry at her but more at himself. Why did he not check out the apartment?

Mirae suddenly felt something sting in her eyes. Literally, something dusty went in her eyes, causing it to water. She turned away to rub her eyes.

Jiwon looked up, mistaking her to be crying. She was probably sad about their living arrangements as well but was only trying to be supportive.

"Stop crying," he said rolling his eyes. "We'll have to somehow manage living in this trashy place."

Mirae did not hear his words as her mind was occupied by the stinging sensation in her eyes. It was truly irritating her. 

"I'll go and buy some groceries," he was saying. "Do you need anything?"

She shook her head, still focusing on how to calm the prickling in her retina. Her eyes were almost red now. 

Jiwon shrugged and walked out of the apartment. Mirae briefly looked up to see him leaving. He took a last glance at those eyes, which were now red and teary.

As he left the apartment, he could not help but feel a little strange. Were my words so harsh that she ended up in tears? He wondered.

….

"Wait a minute!" KJ exclaimed. "I remember this part very differently. She was crying when I said those words!"

"KJ, people interpret their memories the way they want to," Jade explained. "And they keep making interpretations until their memories are replaced by what they think is the truth rather than the actual truth. You thought she was crying because of your words whereas she was just tearing up due to the dust in the air."

KJ gaped at him. 

"This is why I'm showing you the past," Jade continued. "You're beating yourself up for your behavior towards Mirae. You thought your actions made her jump over the edge and abort the baby but that's not the case."

"You said she did not abort," KJ frowned.

"She didn't." Jade said. "She lied and she had a good reason to say so."

The cat was being secretive again. It was not willing to tell him anything. 

"So a lot of the memories I had with her, were distorted by my interpretations?" he asked.

"Yes and to some extent no," Jade admitted. "Honestly, both of you were young and stupid. Your marriage was built on secrets you hid from her. Your inability to trust her was your mistake. And Mirae was naive enough to trust your words which ultimately led to some drastic consequences."

Jade gave him a sympathetic look. "One trusted too much and one trusted none. How did you even think this relationship would have worked out?"

KJ was in a confusion. 

"I want to know," he finally said. "What really happened to my wife and child? Why did Mirae lie?"

"To protect the person closest to her heart," Jade said. "You."