Chapter Eighty-three: Reflections and Quiet Resolutions..

The car ride back from the Kang family home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Soo Jeon stared out the window, watching the streetlights blur into soft golden lines as Min Jun drove them toward her apartment. The silence between them felt like a pause—neither tense nor relaxed, but something in between, filled with unspoken thoughts.

Min Jun's hand rested on the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he gripped it tightly. Soo Jeon glanced at him, noticing the tension in his shoulders. It wasn't the first time they had faced disapproval, but this encounter had been particularly draining. Mrs. Kang's words echoed in both their minds, lingering like a shadow over their otherwise peaceful evening.

As they approached her apartment, Min Jun finally spoke, his voice low but firm. "Are you okay?"

Soo Jeon blinked, breaking out of her reverie. "Yes. I'm fine," she replied softly, though her voice lacked its usual certainty.

He parked the car and turned to her, his expression concerned. "You don't have to pretend, Soo Jeon. I know my mother's words were harsh."

Soo Jeon sighed, her fingers playing with the strap of her bag. "It's not just what she said, Min Jun. It's how she said it. The way she looks at me—it's like I'll never be enough for your family."

Min Jun reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "You're more than enough. You're everything to me." His eyes searched hers, filled with sincerity. "I know my mother isn't going to make this easy, but I'm not letting anyone, not even her, come between us."

Soo Jeon smiled faintly, appreciating his words, but the weight of their situation still pressed on her chest. "It's not just about her, though," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's about everything. Your family, the expectations, Ji-Eun… sometimes I wonder if I can handle all of this."

Min Jun frowned, guilt flickering across his features. "You shouldn't have to handle it alone," he said quietly. "I should be doing more to protect you from all of this. I hate that you're feeling this way because of me."

She shook her head, squeezing his hand gently. "It's not your fault, Min Jun. It's just… it's a lot. But I love you, and that's what matters. We'll figure this out."

Min Jun leaned in and kissed her softly, his lips lingering against hers for a moment longer than usual, as if he was trying to convey everything he couldn't say in words. When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, and they sat there, breathing together in the quiet darkness of the car.

"Stay the night with me?" Soo Jeon asked, her voice tentative but hopeful.

Min Jun smiled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course."

They exited the car and walked hand-in-hand toward her apartment building. The city buzzed around them, but inside the cozy walls of her home, the world felt smaller, quieter. It was just them, a space where the chaos of their families and the drama with Ji-Eun couldn't reach.

Once inside, Soo Jeon went to the kitchen to pour them both some tea while Min Jun made himself comfortable on the couch. The soft hum of the kettle filled the air as Soo Jeon leaned against the counter, her thoughts drifting back to the conversation with Mrs. Kang.

Would she ever truly be accepted by his family? Was love enough to carry them through the inevitable storms ahead? She wasn't sure. But what she was sure of was her feelings for Min Jun—those hadn't wavered once, even when doubt and fear tried to creep in.

She brought the tea over to the couch, handing Min Jun his cup before sitting beside him. He placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. They sat in companionable silence, sipping their tea as the soft glow of the city lights filtered through the curtains.

After a while, Min Jun spoke again, his voice gentle but thoughtful. "I've been thinking… maybe we should move forward with our wedding plans sooner rather than later."

Soo Jeon looked up at him, surprised. "You think we should rush it?"

He shook his head. "Not rush. But why wait any longer? I want to marry you, Soo Jeon. And I don't want my mother, or anyone else, to have time to interfere. I think the sooner we make it official, the sooner we can start building our life together, without all the noise."

Soo Jeon bit her lip, considering his words. Part of her was excited by the idea of moving forward, of finally becoming his wife and leaving all the drama behind them. But another part of her hesitated, worried about the pressures that would come with planning a wedding amidst the turmoil with his family.

"I love the idea of marrying you, Min Jun," she said slowly. "But are you sure you're ready for that? There's still so much unresolved with your family…"

He nodded, his expression serious. "I'm ready. I've never been more sure of anything in my life. My family will either accept it or they won't, but I refuse to let them dictate our future."

His words stirred something inside her—a renewed sense of strength, of determination. Maybe they didn't have all the answers yet, but together, they were stronger. Together, they could face whatever came their way.

Soo Jeon smiled softly, setting her teacup down on the coffee table. "Okay," she said, her heart swelling with love for him. "Let's do it. Let's start planning our wedding."

Min Jun's face lit up, a grin spreading across his features as he leaned in to kiss her again, this time with more passion, more excitement. "I can't wait to marry you," he murmured against her lips.

They spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch, talking about their future and all the possibilities that lay ahead. For the first time in weeks, the weight of their problems felt lighter, like they were finally taking control of their own story, writing it the way they wanted.

And as the night deepened, Soo Jeon's doubts began to fade, replaced by the certainty that no matter what obstacles came their way, they would face them together—stronger, braver, and more in love than ever before.