After the news of Valerie being alive is a revelation that shocks only both of her parents to their core. For years, they had believed that their daughter had perished, which was a painful wound that never fully healed. Their grief was deep and, for a long time, all-consuming. They had mourned Valerie's loss in silence, often asking themselves what could have happened, unable to move on from the empty space she left behind. Their lives had been shaped by that haunting absence, and each year that passed without answers only deepened the weight of their sorrow.
When Eugene, a trusted figure and a childhood friend from Valerie's past, reaches out to them with the life-altering news, it feels like an impossible twist of fate.
At first, her parents refuse to believe it, convinced that it must be some kind of mistake or misunderstanding. They have lived in their grief for so long that the idea of Valerie being alive is simply too much to process.
Eugene's presence is not just an emotional bombshell; he has proof. He's carefully pieced together the information and reasons for Valerie's actions. But even more crucially, he offers them a window into her heart and her reasons for staying hidden.
On the other hand, Valerie leaned against the cool metal railing, her mind swirling in a haze of confusion and nostalgia. She remembered the moment clearly of Eugene's calm voice cutting through the air like a soft breeze.
...
His eyes fixed on hers with that characteristic warmth that seemed to soften the edges of her worries. "I just wanted to remind you that your best friend, Sally, has been looking for you and I think it's the perfect time for you to call her."
At that moment, Valerie's heart had skipped a beat. She already knew, of course. Sally had been texting and calling her non-stop the past few days, but Valerie had been avoiding it. She didn't need Eugene to remind her of her best friend's persistent attempts to reach her, yet there was something about his calm, understanding tone that made the simple reminder feel like a lifeline.
"I know," Valerie replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand reached into her pocket instinctively, where her phone still sat, the notifications from Sally glowing on the screen. The guilt that tugged at her chest was undeniable, but the thought of picking up the phone seemed too overwhelming at the moment.
She knew that she still had Sally's number saved, and even though it felt like an eternity since they last spoke, it was there in her contacts, just a tap away. Although, the weight of the silence between them was heavy, and Valerie couldn't shake the feeling that things were different now.
Eugene had nodded, his expression a mix of understanding and compassion, as though he sensed the complexity of what she was going through. "It's okay. You don't have to do it now, but don't forget about her, alright?"
Valerie had nodded, not trusting herself to speak further. She appreciated Eugene's gentle response, but deep down, she knew that the distance she had created between herself and Sally wasn't something that could be easily undone with a simple phone call. Yet, for some reason, Eugene's reminder made her feel less alone in her hesitation.
...
Valerie reached into her pocket as her fingers were drumming nervously on the phone in her hand. She had been contemplating calling Eugene for a while, not only to catch up but also to let him know that she was finally ready to take the step of meeting up with Sally later that afternoon. The thought of it made her anxious, but she knew it was time to bridge the gap she'd put between herself and her best friend.
With a deep breath, she unlocked her phone and dialed Eugene's number. The phone rang a few times before he picked up, his voice warm and familiar, instantly putting her at ease. "Hey, Val... How are you holding up?" He greeted her concernedly.
"Hey, Eugene," Valerie replied steadily with a touch of uncertainty. "I just wanted to remind you that I'm planning to meet up with Sally this afternoon, you know, like we talked about earlier."
There was a slight pause, and she could almost hear him nodding on the other end.
"Yeah... I remember," Eugene responded reassuringly. "I'll be there to drop you off, so don't worry about it."
Valerie exhaled as a small smile tugged at her lips. She could always count on Eugene to be the reliable one in situations like this. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I just thought I should confirm since it's been a while, and I'm a bit nervous about it."
Eugene's voice softened, his words comforting. "I get it. It's been a while since you've hung out with Sally, but you know it'll be good to reconnect. You two have been friends for so long."
"Yeah," Valerie agreed, though there was a hint of hesitation in her tone. "It's just... things feel different now, but I know it's important."
"Of course," Eugene said with understanding. "We'll make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll pick you up, and then we'll head over."
Relief washed over Valerie at his words as she sighed, saying. "Thanks, Eugene. I really needed to hear that."
"No problem," he informed her lightly. "I'll be there soon. Just get ready, alright? It's going to be fine."
After a few more words of encouragement, Valerie ended the call, feeling more confident. She knew that despite the ambivalence, Eugene's support made all the difference and the meeting with Sally would be the first step toward mending what had been left unsaid for too long.
Once the call ended, Eugene sat down on the couch with his phone in his hand, still feeling the weight of the conversation. Valerie seemed nervous and while he knew that reconnecting with Sally was important, he also understood that it wouldn't be easy for her. Wanting to help ease the tension and make the afternoon go smoothly, he decided to text Sally and give her a heads-up.
He opened his messages and typed carefully with his fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before he pressed send. "Hey, Sally... I know this is going to be startling you, but there's someone who wants to see you this afternoon. Thought you'd like to know!" He stared at the message for a moment, hoping it would help ease any doubts or questions Sally might have. He knew she was probably wondering about her hesitance, and he didn't want to make the situation any more complicated than it needed to be.
It didn't take long for Sally to reply. Her response came quickly, but it was a little guarded, as though she wasn't sure how to feel about the message. "Really? What about my best friend? Have you found her?"
Eugene chuckled softly, knowing Sally's concern came from a place of care. He quickly typed back. "Yes, I did and I think she's just been a little overwhelmed, but she wants to see you. Trust me. She's been talking about it for a while now. Are you ready to see her?"
He paused for a moment, unsure whether to add more. He didn't want to overwhelm Sally with too much information, so he simply sent one final text. "I'll pick you up, and we'll head over to the Ddong cafe. It'll be good, I promise."
Within a few seconds, Sally's reply came through. "Absolutely. I've been searching for her like crazy... Thanks for letting me know. I'll be there soon."
Eugene smiled, satisfied with the exchange. He knew Sally was cautious but willing to give Valerie the chance she needed. It was a small step, but it was progress, and Eugene was glad to be there to help both of them take it.
Thirty minutes later, Eugene's car pulled up in front of the parking lot, the hum of the engine dying down as he parked with a soft crunch of the tires on the gravel. Sally could feel her heart racing and her palms slightly clammy as she fiddled with the hem of her jacket.
"Ready?" Eugene asked, his voice light but carrying an undertone of support as he looked over at Sally, who nodded but her throat felt tight.
"I think so," she muttered as her eyes glued to the entrance of the cafe in the distance. She was excited but also nervous—she hadn't seen her best friend in so long, and the thought of facing her after all the distance between them was overwhelming.
The last time they spoke, things had been left unsaid, and so much had changed since then. Was she even the same? Was she still who she thought she was?
Eugene opened the car door and stepped out, and Sally followed suit, her footsteps hesitant and slow. As they entered the Ddong Cafe, the warm scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries hit them immediately.
The low murmur of conversation mixed with soft music in the background created a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The sight of Valerie sitting alone at one of the tables near the window, her back to them, made the room feel suddenly distant, like they were in a bubble of their own.
Valerie's brown red hair cascaded over her shoulders, slightly tousled, a stark contrast to the neat and confident version of her that Sally remembered. She was sitting so still, the posture almost unnerving, as though lost in her own thoughts.
Sally froze at the entrance with her breath catching in her throat.
Her eyes widened, taken aback by how strange and foreign it felt to see her best friend there—like someone she once knew, but also someone she didn't quite recognize. It was as if time had shifted in a way that neither of them could undo.
Sally stood frozen in place, the weight of years of silence pressing on her chest, unsure whether to approach or turn around and run. She had so many questions, so many things to say, but the sight of her—a stranger in her mind yet so intimately familiar—left her momentarily speechless.
Eugene noticed Sally's hesitation and gave her a gentle nudge. "She's right there, Sal. She knows you're coming. Go ahead, I'll give you a second."
Sally swallowed hard with her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know if I can... I don't think she's the same person."
Eugene gave her a reassuring look, his smile warm but encouraging. "You won't know until you talk to her, right?"
Sally hesitated for another moment before slowly taking a step forward.
Eugene walked a few paces ahead of her, approaching Valerie's table with the quiet confidence of someone used to handling delicate situations. Her shoulders tensed ever so slightly when she heard his footsteps approaching.
Eugene leaned down closer to her ear. "Hey, Val..." he whispered softly, drawing her attention. "Sally's here. She's ready to see you."
There was a brief pause and then Valerie's shoulders relaxed with her hands resting on the table.
Slowly, she turned around, her eyes locking onto Sally's for the first time in what felt like forever.
Sally's breath caught in her throat as Valerie met her gaze.
The familiar sadness in Valerie's eyes made her heart ache, and yet there was something else there too—a quiet resolve, a kind of silent apology, as if Valerie herself was unsure how to bridge the gap between them.
Sally took a step forward, her voice shaky but sincere. "Yon-hae... is that really you? No... Valerie?!"
She didn't immediately answer. Instead, she simply stared at her for a long moment with a mixture of emotions playing across her face. Then, her lips parted in a small, tentative smile. "Yeah, it's me," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "It's been a while."
Sally's eyes watered as she quickly wiped her cheeks, trying to suppress the overwhelming feeling that had crept up on her. The sight of Yon-hae, her long-lost best friend, brought back a rush of memories. It was as if time had been suspended, and they were two people who had forgotten how to pick up where they left off.
"I... I didn't know if you'd want to see me," Sally confessed, the words coming out in a rush. "I mean, I didn't know if you even needed me anymore. Where have you been all this time?"
Valerie's expression softened, and she reached out, almost instinctively, as if trying to close the distance that had been growing between them. "I've missed you, Sal. I just... I didn't know how to reach out. Everything just... got complicated."
There was a long silence between them, heavy with unspoken words, but the air seemed to shift, ever so slightly.
Sally took another step forward, her voice trembling but steady. Her heart was still pounding in her chest as she stood there, looking at Valerie—or rather, the person she had come to know as Yon-hae Lockhart. But as the words formed in her mind, something in the air between them shifted, and everything became so painfully clear. She spoke softly, but there was a weight to her words, a sadness that Valerie—or Yon-hae Lockhart, as it now seemed—couldn't ignore. Her voice cracked slightly as she began to speak, the confusion and hurt from the past year spilling out.
"You disappeared right after the New Year's Eve party," Sally said quietly, her eyes not leaving Valerie. "And you didn't contact me the next day, and I thought... I thought maybe you moved to a different country to find a career, or something. I tried calling, I tried texting, but you were gone. I kept waiting, but I never heard from you again, Yon-hae. I thought I was just... talking to two different people. The one I knew... and the one who left and died."
Valerie's eyes widened slightly at the truth of Sally's words landing hard in the space between them. She wanted to speak, to apologize, but Sally wasn't finished. Her breath hitched and the tears welled up in her eyes, though she held them back, swallowing her emotions.
"Then, a year later... nothing," Sally continued on as her voice became a mixture of pain and disbelief. "I thought I was talking to someone else entirely. I mean, you were still here... but just in a different disguise as Valerie Nown..." Her gaze finally fell to the table, the weight of her words hanging in the air.
"Nown is a fake surname," she said quietly.
"Right," Sally nodded in realization. She sighed sadly, shaking her head and brushing the sides of her hair before questioning her in disbelief. "But why? Why didn't you tell me right away?"
"I just couldn't..." Valerie answered hesitantly, looking down remorsefully.
"You couldn't trust your best friend and you just decided to take things on your own?" Sally pointed out.
"Yes and I apologize for that..." Valerie murmured.
"So that's it, huh? That's your apology and you think I'd buy into that? Guess what, that's bullshit! You've put us through so much hell, just by searching for you and finding out that you were dead, but you were alive the whole time... Bryan and Ava were right. You are the most manipulative, pitiful, and selfish person I've ever met. You are too busy, trying to look for this long lost treasure that is not even there," Sally said, croaking as she held back her tears angrily.
Valerie gazed at her somberly and nodded in silence.
The silence between them was thick, the unspoken truths from the past year hanging like a cloud. Valerie's mouth opened, but no words came. She felt a knot tighten in her throat as she realized how much pain she had caused her best friend. The guilt was overwhelming.
Sally slowly looked up again, her eyes clouded with hurt but also yearning for understanding. "Why didn't you tell me, Valerie? Why didn't you tell me you were still here all along? You... you weren't the person I thought you were, and I couldn't understand it. I couldn't... keep waiting like this."
Valerie took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she stood up from her seat, straightening her posture. "I didn't know how to tell you, Sally. I didn't know how to explain it... or if you'd even want to hear it. I never meant to make you feel like this."
"Well, that makes two of us because I don't even know who you are anymore," Sally stated firmly as she swiftly turned her back and rushed out of the cafe, leaving the others around them mumbling to each other after witnessing what just happened between the two young ladies.
Valerie sat there, motionless, her eyes following Sally's retreating figure as she disappeared through the door.
The tension that had been building between them, the years of silence, the unspoken words, all crashed over Valerie in a heavy, suffocating wave. Her shoulders slumped, and she buried her face in her hands, unable to hold back the tears any longer. The sight of her best friend, her closest companion, walking away without saying anything more left a pit in her stomach, and the ache was unbearable.
Eugene, who had been watching the entire exchange from the corner of the room, stood up from his seat and made his way over to Valerie, his footsteps slow and deliberate. He could see how much the confrontation had affected her, and though he had wanted to give her space, he knew now that she needed someone to be there for her. He sat down across from her, a soft sigh escaping him as he looked at her with quiet concern.
"Hey..." Eugene's voice was gentle but steady as he reached out to her, his hand resting on the table between them, offering her a lifeline. "It's alright, Valerie. You did what you needed to do. You can't change what happened, but you're here now. And that's enough."
Valerie slowly lifted her face from her hands, her eyes red and swollen from the tears she couldn't stop. She looked at him, the vulnerability in her gaze raw and open. "I don't know if I can fix this, Eugene. I... I thought it would be different. I thought maybe she would understand why I did what I did, but it felt like I lost her all over again. I just... hurt her."
Eugene's expression softened as he leaned forward, his voice quiet but filled with understanding. "You didn't mean to hurt her. You've carried a lot of weight on your own shoulders. And I know that Sally, as confused and hurt as she is right now, she'll come to see that. You just have to be patient with yourself—and with her. The fact that you're sitting here, trying to make things right, shows how much you care. That's something."
Valerie let out a shaky breath, her hands gripping the edge of her cup tightly as if it might somehow ground her. She wanted to believe him, but the ache in her chest was still there, a constant reminder of the distance she had tried to cover too quickly, and the fragile bond that now hung in the balance.
"I don't know how to start again, Eugene. I don't know how to make her see me as... as the person I am now. Not the one who disappeared or died."
Eugene's gaze softened even more with his expression full of sympathy. He gave her a reassuring nod. "One step at a time, Valerie. You don't need to have all the answers right now. All you can do is show her that you're here—and that you care. Sometimes, that's all it takes to start over."
Valerie looked at him for a long moment, her shoulders sagging as the weight of everything settled into her bones. She wasn't sure where to go from here, but for the first time since the confrontation with Sally, she felt like she wasn't completely alone. Eugene had always been a steady presence in her life, and right now, his support felt like the only thing keeping her grounded.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but sincere. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You don't have to do this alone, Valerie. You never have to," Eugene gave her a soft smile, his hand gently caressing her hand on the table in a silent gesture of support.
The following day, Valerie sat in her apartment, the sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Her mind was still heavy with the events of the previous day, the confrontation with Sally and the overwhelming sense of uncertainty that lingered. Just as she tried to calm her thoughts, a knock on her door broke the silence. She hesitated for a moment before standing up to answer, and when she opened it, she was greeted by the familiar faces of Kain and Jason, two people she hadn't seen in what felt like ages. They were both dressed casually, but their expressions were serious, as though they had something important to say.
"Valerie," Kain said, stepping inside with a sense of urgency. "We need to talk."
Jason nodded, glancing around the apartment before meeting her gaze. "We've got some things to clear up. Things you need to know."
Valerie frowned, her heart picking up pace as she shut the door behind them. "What's going on? You guys look like you've been carrying something heavy."
Kain and Jason exchanged a quick look before the leader spoke again with his voice low and deliberate. "Everything that's been happening—the mess with Bryan, the misunderstandings, all the chaos... It wasn't by accident. It wasn't just a series of random events. It was all part of a plan. A distraction. They set you and Bryan up, Valerie."
Jason stepped forward, his tone equally serious. "They wanted to make you both believe that the reunion of K-East was impossible. They fed you those false cases, those issues you had to deal with, all to keep you away from the bigger picture—keeping K-East apart. They wanted you to think that there's no hope of bringing the group back together."
Valerie's mind raced, confusion and disbelief flooding her senses. She couldn't make sense of what they were saying. "Wait... Are you telling me that everything we went through—the fights, the misunderstandings, the separations—was all part of someone's plan? To stop K-East from coming back and then reuniting them back together?"
Jason nodded solemnly, his eyes never leaving hers. "That is absolutely correct. You're catching on very quickly on this, but it's even worse than that. Bong Si-woo is behind all of it."
Valerie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the name. Bong Si-woo had always been a shadow lurking behind K-East's success, a figure who pulled the strings but never showed his face. "Bong Si-woo? But... why? Why would he want us to fall apart?"
Kain leaned in, his voice lower now as he revealed the full extent of the plot. "Si-woo's plan was never just to break K-East apart. He wanted to destroy the group, get you all to a point where you believed it was truly over. But then... he planned to bring you to bring those guys back together. In the most dramatic way possible. He wanted the world to see them all reunited, and when they did, he knew the response would be overwhelming. Millions of fans, the world's sympathy... the kind of emotional reaction that would make K-East's return legendary. He wanted to control that moment, to capitalize on it. Not for the group's sake—but for his own."
Valerie's breath caught in her throat as the realization hit her like a freight train. All the hardships, all the pain she and Bryan had endured—none of it had been real. It had all been calculated, designed to break them, only to put them back together in a way that would guarantee the world's attention and adoration.
"So, we were just... pawns in his game?" Valerie whispered, shaking with disbelief.
Jason's face hardened. "Yes, that's exactly what he did. The world would fall in love with K-East again, but only on his terms. And when that happened, he'd have millions of fans and the world's hearts—admiration, all of it. It's all about control. Manipulating emotions. He's been pulling the strings this whole time, just waiting for the right moment to make his move."
Kain's eyes met Valerie's, filled with regret and urgency. "You've been in the middle of something bigger than you realized. Though, it's not too late. You can still take control of your own story, Valerie. Don't let him win."
Valerie stood there in stunned silence, her mind racing to process everything they had just told her. The walls she had built around her heart in the past year, the confusion and betrayal she felt—none of it was real. It had all been a lie, a carefully orchestrated plan to break K-East and then rebuild it for someone else's gain. As the pieces began to fall into place, Valerie felt a mix of anger, frustration, and the burning desire to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
"Then we fight back," she said, her voice firm, a new resolve igniting within her. "We fight for K-East. We fight for us. No one's going to control our story. Not Si-woo. Not anyone."
Jason gave her a small nod of approval, and Kain, though visibly relieved, shared her determination. "That's the spirit. You've got this, Valerie. Let's take control of the narrative—together."
In the meantime, Eugene arrived at the apartment with a quiet sense of purpose, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets as he walked inside. The tension in the room was palpable as Sally, Bryan, and Ava sat waiting with their faces filled with questions.
Sally's eyes were fixed on him and her brows furrowed in puzzlement after the weight of the previous day was still heavy on her shoulders.
Bryan looked equally uneasy, as if he could sense that Eugene had something important to share.
Ava sat a little off to the side, arms crossed, watching the interaction with curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Eugene sat down across from them, his gaze meeting theirs. "I know you've all been wondering about Valerie, about why she acted the way she did," he began, his voice steady but filled with the weight of the truth he was about to lay out. "And I'm here to explain... her past, and why things unfolded the way they did."
Sally leaned forward as her expression was a mixture of confusion and frustration. "You're telling me there's more to this? More than what we've been dealing with?"
Eugene nodded, his eyes softening as he glanced between the three of them. "Yes, there's more. Valerie didn't want to burden any of you. She didn't want to drag you all into her problems, her past... so she kept a lot of it hidden. I know you might not understand why she kept quiet, but that's the truth. She thought it was for the best."
Bryan shifted in his seat, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "But she did drag me into this. She pulled me into this mess because she wanted to help the group get back together, right?"
Eugene let out a quiet sigh, nodding slowly. "Yes. She did drag you in, but it wasn't because she wanted to cause harm. Valerie genuinely cares about K-East. She cares about each of you, just like every fan out there. She saw the group falling apart and she wanted to help them all reunite, to fix what was broken. It wasn't about her own gain—it was about the group, about K-East."
Ava looked skeptical, raising an eyebrow. "So you're saying all the stuff she did—how she manipulated the situation—was for the group? For K-East?"
Eugene met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. "I know it looks bad. I know it seems like she went too far, and she did. She went overboard. But you have to understand, if she hadn't gone to that New Year's Eve party... if she hadn't done what she did, K-East would have been officially disbanded. Valerie knew that and she did whatever she thought was necessary to make sure the group didn't fall apart. She didn't want to lose you all."
Sally's eyes softened at the mention of K-East's disbandment, the weight of the truth starting to sink in. "I still don't understand... Why didn't she just tell us everything from the start? Why keep us in the dark?"
Eugene paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "She didn't tell you because she didn't want to burden you. She thought you'd think less of her. She didn't want you to see her as the person who had to pull all the strings to fix everything. And honestly, she didn't want you to feel responsible for her decisions. She cared about you all too much to let you take the weight of that."
Bryan leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. "So, what you're saying is... all of this, all the secrets, the chaos, the way she kept us all at arm's length... was it all because she was trying to protect us?"
Eugene nodded, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "Of course, but I know it's hard to see that when you're standing in the middle of the storm. Valerie's heart has always been in the right place, even if her methods were questionable."
Sally's voice was quiet as she spoke, the weight of it lingering in the room. "So, she really thought we'd be better off not knowing? That we'd just let everything fall apart?"
Eugene's eyes softened as he met her gaze. "I think she believed that by protecting you from the truth, she could fix things without anyone else getting hurt. She just couldn't see how much pain it would cause, how much it would push you all away. I'm telling you, she wasn't doing it to hurt anyone. She was just trying to hold things together."
A long silence fell over the room as the three of them processed Eugene's words. There was no easy way to digest what he had shared, and while they understood her motives more clearly now, it didn't erase the sting of betrayal and confusion they felt.
Sally let out a deep breath, her voice still filled with a hint of sadness. "I get it now... I really do, but that doesn't change everything we've been through. It doesn't change the way we all feel."
Eugene nodded slowly, acknowledging the pain in her voice. "No, it doesn't. However, it does mean that Valerie never meant to hurt any of you. She was trying to save K-East, even if it cost her everything in the process. And as for seeking the treasure... you can't blame her for that. It was her way of trying to make things right. We all seek our own kind of redemption in our own way."
Sally, Bryan, and Ava exchanged looks by Eugene's words settling in. It was a lot to take in, but at least now they understood the why behind Valerie's actions—why she had done the things she did. The question now was whether they could move forward, whether they could forgive her and find a way to rebuild the trust that had been broken.
Bryan and Ava sat in stunned silence, the words Eugene had shared still echoing in their minds. Their eyes were wide, their faces pale as they tried to make sense of the revelations. Valerie—or rather, Yon-hae Lockhart—had been alive all this time, hiding her true identity from them. It was a truth so hard to grasp that it felt like the ground beneath them had shifted, leaving them unsteady and unsure of everything they thought they knew.
Bryan's fingers gripped the edge of his seat, his mind spinning. Alive? He had been convinced that Valerie had disappeared, perhaps gone to start a new life, or that maybe something terrible had happened to her. To hear now that she had been living in plain sight, just under a different name, was almost too much to bear. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but the words got stuck, as though his throat had closed up in disbelief.
Ava, on the other hand, had her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her brow furrowed deeply as she processed the information. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion, betrayal, and disbelief. Valerie—the woman they had all known, the one they had worked with, trusted, and considered a friend—had been someone else entirely, hiding in plain sight and was none other than Yon-hae Lockhart. The shock of it all made her stomach twist, and she found herself searching for something to say, some way to process it, but all she could do was stare at Eugene, her expression a mixture of disbelief and frustration.
Finally, Bryan broke the silence, his voice low, still thick with shock. "I... I don't get it," he muttered, running a hand through his hair as if trying to wake himself from a dream. "All this time, she was here? And we didn't know? She didn't tell us?"
Eugene sighed deeply, his gaze sympathetic but firm. "I know it's a lot to take in. But Valerie never meant for you to find out this way. She wanted to protect you from everything that came with her past. She didn't want you to get dragged into the lies, or the drama, or... anything that would hurt you."
Ava shook her head, her voice cracking slightly as she spoke. "I can't believe it. I mean... Valerie, someone we've all trusted, she was Yon-hae Lockhart the whole time? Alive? I don't even know how to process this." She let out a breath of frustration, trying to piece the fragments of the past year together, but the timeline didn't make sense anymore. Everything she thought she knew was called into question.
Bryan leaned back, looking up at the ceiling as if searching for answers in the empty air. "I feel like we've been living in a lie this whole time. How are we supposed to just accept that? I mean, this is Valerie we're talking about. The same woman we laughed with, fought with... and now we find out she's been someone else all along." He paused, staring at Eugene, as though he wanted to hear something that would make it all make sense. "You're telling me she's been playing us this whole time, hiding who she really was?"
Eugene shook his head, his tone calm yet resolute. "No. Valerie didn't play anyone. She did what she thought was best. She made mistakes, yes. But everything she did was because she wanted to fix things—bring K-East back together. You can't fault her for wanting to make things right."
Ava let out a sharp breath, exasperated. "I don't know what to feel. I'm... I'm angry. I'm confused. How are we supposed to go back to being friends with her after this? We even held a funeral for her, Eugene..." her voice softened as the weight of the situation truly hit her. "She was so close to us, and we had no idea."
Bryan's voice, though filled with disbelief, was quieter now. "How do we even face her now? I mean, after everything we've been through with her... the truth is so... twisted. I don't know what to believe anymore. It feels like I don't know who she really is."
Eugene looked between them, his expression filled with empathy. "I get that, but she's still the same person you cared about. She didn't disappear—she just kept parts of herself hidden because she thought it was for the best. The good thing is that she's here and she's trying to fix things. She needs you to understand that."
The room was thick with a mixture of confusion and lingering hurt as Bryan and Ava absorbed the full extent of Eugene's words. It felt like the floor beneath them was constantly shifting, pulling them in directions they hadn't anticipated. Nothing was as it seemed, and yet, the feeling of betrayal lingered.
"I just... don't know if I can look at her the same way again," Bryan said quietly with his voice filled with the exhaustion of someone who had been through too much emotional turmoil. "It's hard to just forget all this."
Ava nodded in agreement, still processing everything. "Yeah... I don't know either. It's like I've been living in a reality that doesn't even feel real anymore."
Eugene looked at them with a soft understanding. "I know it's going to take time. It's a lot to handle and if there's one thing I can tell you, it's that Valerie's intentions were never to deceive you or hurt you. She just made choices she thought were right at the time. Now, she wants to make things right. All of this—it was never about her. It was about K-East, about you all coming back together."
The weight of his words lingered in the air, and for a moment, silence enveloped the room once more. The young couple, Bryan and Ava, were still processing, still riding the emotional rollercoaster that Eugene had set them on. Everything felt up in the air, uncertain and fragile, and neither of them knew where this would all lead.
Bryan sat up straighter in his chair, his expression more focused than it had been all afternoon. He had listened to Eugene's explanation, and while part of him was still reeling from the shock, another part felt a deep urge to speak to Valerie directly. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to understand, more that she hadn't said, and he needed to look her in the eye, to hear it from her.
"Eugene," Bryan began, his voice steady but still filled with a mixture of uncertainty and determination, "I need to see her. I need to talk to Valerie. I just... I need to understand what happened. What's been going on with her all this time."
Eugene met Bryan's gaze, his expression thoughtful. "It's up to you, Bryan. And it's up to Ava, too. You both have to decide if you're ready for that." He glanced over at Ava, whose arms were still crossed, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. "This isn't something anyone can rush. If you want to meet with her, I'll help you make it happen. But it's your call."
Bryan glanced at Ava for a moment, silently asking for her opinion. He could see the hesitation in her eyes, but she gave him a small nod, as though silently telling him that she'd support whatever he decided. He turned back to Eugene, determination in his eyes. "I want to see her. I need to talk to her."
Ava's expression softened slightly, though she still looked troubled. "I'm not sure I'm ready to face her yet," she admitted quietly, her voice unsure. "But if you need to do this, Bryan... I'll be here with you."
Bryan gave her a small, grateful smile. "I won't do it without you."
Eugene nodded, understanding the unspoken bond between them. "Then I'll arrange it. Just let me know when you're ready."
There was a brief moment of silence as Bryan processed everything. He felt a mix of nerves and resolve. He had to talk to Valerie—he needed answers, and maybe, just maybe, this was the first step in putting the pieces of their broken world back together.
Sally, who had been quiet up until this point, suddenly spoke up with a worried edge to her voice. "Hmm... So where's her family?" Her brow furrowed as she looked at Eugene, concern evident in her expression. She had been wondering this since the moment she learned about Valerie's past, but the question had been too difficult to ask before. Now, with the heaviness of the conversation hanging in the air, she needed to know more.
Eugene hesitated for a long moment, his gaze flicking to Sally before he let out a quiet breath. He knew this was the point where things were going to get even harder. The truth about Valerie's family wasn't something he could hide, but he also knew that once he shared it, Sally's worries would deepen. Valerie's family was not a topic she liked to revisit, and revealing the painful truth would only make Sally more concerned about Valerie's emotional state.
Sally's eyes narrowed as she watched him carefully, sensing his hesitation. "Eugene," she urged gently. "Where's her family? Why has she been alone all this time?"
Eugene met her gaze, his expression softening with a sadness that he couldn't hide. He knew what he had to say would weigh heavily on Sally, and it pained him to be the one to deliver such news. He began slowly and firmly, saying. "Valerie's been on her own for quite awhile now."
...
The atmosphere in the room shifted the moment Jason asked the question that had been lingering in the air for some time. His voice was curious, though there was an underlying sense of concern. "So, Valerie, where are your parents?" he asked, looking at her expectantly.
Valerie's eyes flickered briefly, but she didn't show any sign of discomfort or emotion. She stared back at them, her expression unchanged as if she had long come to terms with the question. "I never met them," she said simply, her voice flat and matter-of-fact.
A few of the members of the Narrow squad froze, exchanging confused glances. Jackson raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by her bluntness. "Really? You haven't seen them when you were younger?"
Valerie's response came quickly, devoid of any hint of sadness or bitterness, as though she had said these words countless times before. "No... I only talked to them while I looked at their picture."
A stunned silence fell over the group. The revelation hit them like a brick wall. They had assumed, just like anyone else, that Valerie had a family, that she had been raised like most people. But now, hearing her words, they understood that her upbringing had been different—far different from what any of them could have imagined. They began to murmur among themselves, their voices filled with disbelief and sympathy.
"I'm so sorry..." Jason finally broke the silence, his tone awkward, filled with guilt and hesitation. He had no idea how to respond, unsure of how to address the rawness of what Valerie had just shared.
Valerie glanced over at him, her eyes softer than before. She gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "That's alright," she said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance. "But hey, I'm still doing fine."
The calmness in her tone was almost unnerving. She didn't seem upset, didn't appear to carry any bitterness or anger toward the situation. It was as if she had come to terms with reality long ago, and accepted it as part of who she was. Her ability to maintain her composure in the face of such a painful revelation left the group feeling even more guilty for not having known her struggle.
Despite the shock, Valerie's reassurance hung in the air, her strength radiating through her words. She wasn't asking for pity, and she wasn't showing signs of weakness. In fact, her statement served as a reminder to everyone that, no matter what she had gone through, she had learned to survive—on her own.
...
Eugene's voice grew softer, yet heavy in his words as he shared the painful details of Valerie's upbringing with Sally. He knew it wasn't easy, but it was important for Sally to understand the reasons behind Valerie's guarded nature, to comprehend the true extent of the struggles she had faced throughout her life. Sally, listening intently, began to feel the deep sorrow that Valerie had carried for so many years, sorrow she had hidden from everyone.
"Valerie's story... it's not just about the decisions she made," Eugene began steadily but laced with a tinge of sadness. "Her relationship with her parents was strained, to say the least. They never truly understood her. Her second older brother—he treated her terribly when they were younger. He used to tease her, bully her to the point that she didn't even want to be around him, or any other guys for that matter. She just couldn't take it anymore. And her parents? They favored him, the middle child, because he was 'the man of the house.' He could do no wrong in their eyes."
Sally felt her heart clench at this revelation, her breath catching in her throat. She had always known Valerie to be tough, resilient in ways that almost seemed impossible, but now she understood that this strength came from years of emotional scars. Sally had always assumed that Valerie was simply independent by nature, but now it was clear that her need for solitude had been rooted in something much deeper—something much more painful.
Eugene paused for a moment, letting the gravity of his words settle in before he went on. "Her first older brother, on the other hand, was always kind to her. He would tease her, of course, but it was never the same kind of cruelty. She always knew he was trying to protect her, and despite the teasing, she felt safe with him. He was the one who made her feel like she mattered in that family."
Sally could only nod slowly, her mind racing with a mix of sympathy and heartbreak. She had never imagined that Valerie's family dynamic was so fractured. She had always thought of Valerie as a loner, but now, she realized that Valerie had never really had the family support she deserved.
Instead of being surrounded by love and understanding, Valerie had been isolated, trapped between the cold expectations of her parents and the cruelty of her brother.
Eugene continued on, saying. "Her parents, despite their failings, always wanted her to pursue something practical—medicine, healthcare. They believed that was the only way she would have a 'stable future.' But Valerie, from the very beginning, knew that wasn't where her heart was. She loved the arts, especially writing and music. She wanted to create, to express herself in ways that felt true to who she was. So she worked hard in high school, did her best with the science and medical subjects to prove to her parents that she could do it. But in the end, she wasn't doing it for herself. She was doing it to meet their expectations."
Sally closed her eyes, the lump in her throat growing larger as she imagined Valerie, sitting in classrooms, pushing herself through subjects she didn't care about, all for the approval of parents who never truly saw her for who she was. She had always thought Valerie was someone who could handle anything, who had her life perfectly figured out. The truth was far more painful—Valerie had spent years silently fighting against her family's wishes, torn between what they wanted for her and what she actually wanted for herself.
Eugene looked at Sally, his expression serious yet understanding. "You see now, don't you?" he said, his voice calm but with an underlying sorrow. "Valerie wasn't just running away from her family when she left. She was running away from a life she didn't want, from expectations that didn't fit her. She tried to meet those expectations, she really did, but in the end, she had to choose herself. And that's why she kept so much to herself. She didn't want anyone to see her as weak, as someone who couldn't handle things. But the truth is, she was just trying to survive. She had to fight for her own happiness, even if it meant doing it alone."
Sally felt a tear slip down her cheek, her heart breaking for her friend. She had always admired Valerie's strength, but now she saw it for what it truly was—a product of a lifetime of struggle and sacrifice. Valerie had never wanted to burden anyone with her pain, and so she had kept it all hidden, even from the people who cared about her most. Sally suddenly realized how much she had taken Valerie's resilience for granted, how little she had understood about the depths of her friend's pain.
"I had no idea," Sally whispered, her voice barely audible. "I always thought she was just so strong, so independent. I never knew how much she was carrying inside."
Eugene nodded, his gaze softening with sympathy. "She's carried it all by herself for so long. She didn't want anyone to pity her, didn't want anyone to see her as someone who needed help. But she's always been there for others, always trying to fix things for K-East, for everyone else. And now, maybe it's time for us to be there for her. To help her heal."
Sally wiped her eyes, her heart aching for Valerie, for the years of pain she had silently endured. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she also knew that Valerie deserved to have people who understood her, who would support her through her healing process. And Sally, now more than ever, was determined to be one of those people.
Sally froze as her heart sank at the news. She had assumed Valerie's family was just distant, that they had perhaps been an obstacle in her life, but to hear that they were gone was something entirely different. The weight of it hit her immediately, and she felt a deep, aching sadness settle in her chest.
Bryan, too, looked stunned by the revelation. He had never known about Valerie's loss, never understood the full extent of her isolation. It was a painful truth that added another layer to everything they had learned about her.
Eugene nodded somberly, his gaze fixed on the floor as though reluctant to continue, but knowing he had to. "Yes, Sally. Valerie's been carrying that weight by herself for a long time. She's always been so independent, so determined to protect everyone else... that she didn't want anyone to see the hurt she was dealing with. She didn't want anyone to pity her, and she certainly didn't want to drag you all into her grief."
Sally let out a shaky breath, the emotional weight of it all becoming too much to bear. She felt a rush of sympathy for Valerie, mixed with a deep sense of guilt. She had thought Valerie's distance was a choice, a decision made by someone who had simply moved on. But the truth was far more complicated than that.
"I... I didn't know," Sally murmured, her voice trembling. "I never knew how much she was hiding from us." She paused, her eyes filled with unshed tears as she whispered, "She's been carrying that alone this whole time."
Eugene met her gaze with a knowing look, his expression filled with understanding. "Yeah, she has. And I think that's why she's been so focused on fixing everything—on fixing K-East. She's been trying to heal something that's been broken for a long time. And maybe she's been trying to heal herself in the process."
The room fell silent once again, each of them processing the weight of what Eugene had revealed. Valerie's past, her loss, and the immense pressure she had placed on herself to hold everything together—it all made sense now, in a way. But it didn't make it any easier to understand, especially for Sally, whose heart ached for her friend in ways she hadn't expected.
"Oh, gosh... Oh my goodness. Now, I feel bad. I feel so awful for letting those feelings out... I have to go and talk to her," Sally frowned.
"I'm sure she understands. She's not the type of person who retaliates back with anger," Eugene said and added in. "Also, don't be surprised that Valerie, also known as Yon-hae, is not typically a foreigner. In fact, she is mixed race."
"Mixed? What do you mean by that?" Ava raised her eyebrow skeptically, much to Bryan and Sally's curiosity.
Eugene chuckled surprisingly and said.
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