Witness to the Lost Time - Guardians Awakening #3

Witness to the Lost Time

We all live dependent on our memories. What we did yesterday, who we met, what we said... All of these accumulate to create who we are today.

But what if one day, several days of memories suddenly disappeared completely? And not just ordinary days, but crucial moments when someone's life and death were decided?

The story I'm about to tell you today is based on a true story that happened to a psychotherapist. Three months ago, she lost her memory in a car accident, and now a puzzle piece appears before her - the mysterious death of a patient she had been treating.

The more she recovers her memory, the deeper the suspicions become. The anxiety that everyone around her is hiding something. And finally, the shocking truth that emerges...

This story goes beyond a simple mystery, making us think about memory and truth, and the weight of the past we want to turn away from.

The estimated reading time is about 30-35 minutes. I recommend reading it in a comfortable place with a cup of tea. But if you're reading alone at night... it might be a little scary, so be prepared.

---

Witness to the Lost Time

Chapter 1: The Crack

"Dr. Lee, sorry, but do you have a moment?"

Lee Ji-won stopped her hand that was about to lock the clinic door. The voice behind her belonged to Kim Su-hyeon, a close friend since college who now worked as a detective in the violent crimes unit.

Ji-won: "Su-hyeon? What brings you here at this hour?"

Su-hyeon's expression was darker than usual. She looked around and then approached Ji-won.

Su-hyeon: "Can we talk inside? It's important."

Ji-won opened the clinic door again. As they entered the neatly organized counseling room, Su-hyeon sat on the sofa and let out a deep sigh.

Ji-won: "What's so serious?"

Su-hyeon: "Do you remember the name Kang Min-su?"

Kang Min-su. The moment she heard that name, a faint afterimage flashed through Ji-won's mind. An introverted young man, sad eyes, and...

Ji-won: "He was my patient. Until a few months ago. But why?"

Su-hyeon: "He's dead. Two days ago."

Ji-won's face turned pale. The hand holding her cup trembled slightly.

Ji-won: "What? How?"

Su-hyeon: "Found in his studio apartment from sleeping pill overdose. No suicide note... It'll probably be concluded as suicide."

Ji-won sank into the sofa. Kang Min-su. The game developer had come to see her suffering from severe depression after his lover's betrayal. He was introverted and sensitive, but had been quite active in treatment.

Ji-won: "I checked when he stopped receiving treatment..."

Su-hyeon: "That's the problem. Min-su's last treatment record is March 15th. Ji-won, that day was..."

March 15th. Ji-won's mind went blank. That was the day she had her car accident. And it was also the day when about a week's worth of memories completely disappeared.

Ji-won: "You mean... that was his last session?"

Su-hyeon: "Yes. But what's stranger is that in the days before Min-su died, he said weird things to people around him. That he 'found out the truth.' That 'everything is clear now.'"

Ji-won held her head. The headache that had been tormenting her since the car accident three months ago was starting again.

What did he find out? And why was it the very day I lost my memory...

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won, do you remember having any special conversation with Min-su that day?"

Ji-won: "Nothing... I don't remember anything. You know that. A whole week before and after the accident just disappeared."

Su-hyeon carefully approached and placed her hand on Ji-won's shoulder.

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won, sorry to ask, but... are there any treatment records from that day? Files or recordings?"

Ji-won stood up abruptly and headed to the file cabinet. She searched through the 'K' index and found Min-su's file. But when she opened it, her face became even paler.

Ji-won: "This is strange... the last session record is..."

The last page of the file was torn. The date March 15th was visible, but all the content below had disappeared. As if someone had intentionally removed it.

Su-hyeon: "Does it look like someone tampered with it?"

Ji-won: "I don't know. I was away from the clinic for a while after the accident... someone could have gotten in then."

Just then, Ji-won's phone rang from her bag. It was a text from her husband Jun-ho.

"You're late. I'm worried. Come home quickly."

Ji-won: "I should go home. Jun-ho will be worried."

Su-hyeon: "Okay. But Ji-won..."

Su-hyeon hesitated before speaking.

Su-hyeon: "If you find anything strange at home, contact me right away. And... be careful."

Ji-won: "What do you mean? Why should I be careful?"

Su-hyeon: "I don't know. Just... something feels off. Min-su's case might not be a simple suicide."

On the way home, Ji-won kept mulling over Su-hyeon's words. What truth did Min-su discover? And why did he die right after learning that truth?

When she arrived home, Jun-ho was waiting at the entrance. His face was more rigid than usual.

Jun-ho: "Why are you so late? I couldn't reach you."

Ji-won: "Su-hyeon came by... we talked for a bit."

Jun-ho's eyes sharpened.

Jun-ho: "Kim Su-hyeon? What about?"

Ji-won explained about Min-su's death to Jun-ho. But Jun-ho's reaction was different from what she expected.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, you're still recovering. Don't get involved in things like this."

Ji-won: "But he was my patient..."

Jun-ho: "It's already over. Besides, you don't even remember what happened that day."

There was an unusually forceful tone in Jun-ho's voice. Ji-won felt something strange.

Ji-won: "Honey, why are you talking like that? Is there something bothering you?"

Jun-ho: "No. I'm just... worried about you. You've already been through enough."

That night, Ji-won couldn't sleep. Min-su's face kept coming to mind. And most of all, Jun-ho's strange reaction bothered her.

Around 2 AM, Ji-won quietly got out of bed and headed to the study. She thought there might be materials related to Min-su at home too.

While searching through the desk drawers in the study, Ji-won's fingers touched a hard piece of paper. It was a business card.

Choi Young-tae, Private Detective

Ji-won turned the card over. There was handwriting on the back.

"Contact me if needed. I know about the Min-su case."

Her hands trembled. Who put this business card here, and when? And what does it have to do with Min-su?

At that moment, a voice came from behind.

Jun-ho: "What are you doing?"

---

Chapter 2: The Pieces

Ji-won quickly hid the business card and turned around. Jun-ho was leaning against the study door, looking at her. His gaze felt unusually cold.

Ji-won: "I couldn't sleep... thought I'd read a book."

Jun-ho: "At 2 AM? What book?"

Ji-won picked up a psychology textbook that was nearby.

Ji-won: "I wanted to review some patient cases."

Jun-ho looked at Ji-won with suspicion, but didn't ask further.

Jun-ho: "Still, it's too late. Let's go to bed now. You have that check-up at the hospital tomorrow, remember?"

Check-up? Ji-won didn't remember making such an appointment. But seeing Jun-ho's firm expression, it was hard to argue.

The next morning, Ji-won left home saying she was going to the clinic early. But actually, she headed to Choi Young-tae's detective office.

On the third floor of an old building in Euljiro, at the end of a narrow corridor, hung the worn sign "Choi Young-tae Detective Agency." Ji-won hesitated for a moment before knocking.

Young-tae: "Come in."

Opening the door revealed a small office reeking of cigarette smoke. A man who appeared to be in his mid-40s sat at his desk looking at Ji-won. His face had the sharpness that comes from long experience.

Young-tae: "You're Dr. Lee Ji-won, right? I've been waiting for you."

Ji-won: "You were waiting for me?"

Young-tae: "You came about Kang Min-su, didn't you?"

Ji-won carefully sat down in the chair.

Ji-won: "I found your business card at my house... how did it get there?"

Young-tae: "Kang Min-su left it with me. He asked me to deliver it to you if something happened to him."

Ji-won's heart began to race.

Ji-won: "You mean Min-su... expected something would happen to him?"

Young-tae: "That's right. And his prediction came true."

Young-tae took out an envelope from his desk drawer.

Young-tae: "He asked me to give this to you. But before that... I have a few questions."

Ji-won: "What kind of questions?"

Young-tae: "Kang Min-su commissioned me to investigate you. Starting three months ago."

Ji-won was shocked. A patient had his therapist investigated?

Ji-won: "Investigate why? What did he want to know?"

Young-tae: "Your past... especially about an incident during your college years."

College years? An unpleasant memory flashed through Ji-won's mind. Ten years ago, the death of a fellow student in the same department. It was concluded as suicide at the time, but...

Ji-won: "Are you talking about the Jung Su-min case?"

Young-tae's eyes sharpened.

Young-tae: "You remember after all. Do you know the relationship between Kang Min-su and Jung Su-min?"

Ji-won: "No... I have no idea."

Young-tae: "He was Jung Su-min's boyfriend. Ten years ago."

Ji-won's face went pale. The puzzle pieces were beginning to fit together.

Young-tae: "Kang Min-su was convinced that Su-min's death wasn't suicide. And he thought you were involved in her death."

Ji-won: "That's... ridiculous. Su-min took her own life. Because of academic stress..."

Young-tae: "Did she really?"

Young-tae took out several photos from the envelope. They were pictures taken during a college festival ten years ago. In one of them, Ji-won could see herself with Su-min and several classmates.

Young-tae: "Someone has been erased from this photo. Can you see?"

Ji-won looked closely at the photo. It really did look like one person had been intentionally erased.

Ji-won: "Who was erased?"

Young-tae: "I couldn't confirm that. Because Kang Min-su... died."

Ji-won's hands trembled. She couldn't believe that the incident from ten years ago was affecting her life again.

Young-tae: "Kang Min-su said he told you all of this in his last therapy session. And your reaction was... different from what he expected."

Ji-won: "What do you mean?"

Young-tae: "It means you already knew everything."

At that moment, Ji-won's phone rang. It was a call from Jun-ho.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, where are you? I'm waiting at the hospital."

Ji-won: "Sorry. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, Young-tae said:

Young-tae: "Be careful, Dr. Lee. Min-su's death... I have doubts about whether it was really suicide."

Ji-won: "You mean... someone killed Min-su?"

Young-tae: "I can't be certain. But in the days before he died, someone was following him."

Ji-won took the envelope and hurriedly left the office. Her mind was in turmoil. Su-min, Min-su, and the incident ten years ago... how is everything connected?

In the taxi to the hospital, Ji-won opened the envelope. Inside was a letter written by Min-su.

*"To Dr. Lee Ji-won,

If you are reading this letter, something has happened to me. As you know, I am convinced that Su-min's death was not suicide.

Ten years ago that night, the last person Su-min met was you. And Su-min died after that meeting. Is it a coincidence?

Do you remember what you said to me on March 15th? 'The past is just the past. The dead cannot speak.'

But Dr. Lee, the dead can also tell the truth. I am proof of that.

Be careful of your husband, Park Jun-ho. He is not the person you think he is.

Kang Min-su"*

Ji-won's hands shook violently as she read the letter. Be careful of Jun-ho? What does that mean?

When she arrived at the hospital, Jun-ho was waiting in the lobby. His expression was darker than usual.

Jun-ho: "You're late. What were you doing?"

Ji-won: "Sorry. I had something urgent..."

Jun-ho: "Something urgent? Related to a patient?"

Ji-won wondered whether she should lie or not. But Min-su's letter kept circling in her mind.

Ji-won: "Just... personal business."

Jun-ho's eyes turned cold.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, is there something you're hiding from me?"

---

Chapter 3: In the Darkness

After leaving the hospital examination room, Jun-ho's behavior became even stranger. The test results were normal, but Jun-ho kept emphasizing that Ji-won needed more rest.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, you should rest a few more days. Close the clinic temporarily too."

Ji-won: "Why? I'm fine."

Jun-ho: "As a doctor, I think you haven't fully recovered yet. Especially regarding your memory..."

Memory. Hearing those words, Ji-won felt a chilling sensation. Could Jun-ho be trying to prevent her memory from returning?

After returning home, while Jun-ho was in surgery, Ji-won turned on the computer. She searched the internet for Jung Su-min.

"Seoul National University Psychology Department student Jung Su-min suicide case"

Articles from ten years ago appeared. A case concluded as suicide due to academic stress. But reading the articles carefully, there were strange points.

"Student Jung was usually bright and popular among her friends"

"Even until a few days before her suicide, she actively talked about future plans"

"Classmates are shocked by the sudden death"

Ji-won also looked up the police investigation records from that time. She discovered one strange point among them.

"There was testimony that the victim met with classmate A around 8 PM on the day of death, but A denied the meeting itself"

Classmate A? Ji-won considered the possibility that she was that person A. But no matter how hard she tried to remember, she couldn't recall the last meeting with Su-min.

Then she heard the front door opening. Jun-ho had returned from surgery. Ji-won quickly turned off the computer and sat on the sofa.

Jun-ho: "What were you doing?"

Ji-won: "Just watching TV."

Jun-ho carefully examined Ji-won's face.

Jun-ho: "You don't look well. Headache?"

Ji-won: "A little..."

Jun-ho: "Should I give you medicine? I'll prescribe something."

Ji-won: "I'm fine. I think it'll get better if I just rest."

But Jun-ho was already taking medicine from his medical bag.

Jun-ho: "Take this. It's effective for headaches."

Ji-won took the medicine and hesitated. For some reason, she felt anxious.

Ji-won: "What is this?"

Jun-ho: "It's a painkiller. Don't worry."

Ji-won put the pill in her mouth but didn't actually swallow it. While Jun-ho went to the kitchen to get water, she spit the pill into a plant pot.

That night, Ji-won pretended to sleep while observing Jun-ho's behavior. When Jun-ho thought Ji-won was asleep, he quietly left the bedroom.

Ji-won carefully followed Jun-ho. He was looking for something in the study. And he took out a small bottle from the drawer.

Medicine bottle? Ji-won tried to read the barely visible label. At that moment, the floor creaked.

Jun-ho: "Who's there?"

Ji-won quickly ran back to the bedroom and pretended to sleep. Her heart felt like it would explode.

Could Jun-ho be trying to give me some strange medicine?

The next day, after Jun-ho went to the hospital, Ji-won thoroughly searched the study. And she found a small safe hidden behind the desk.

After trying the password several times, when she tried her birthday, the safe opened. Inside were various documents.

What caught Ji-won's eye was a file labeled "Materials related to the Jung Su-min case."

Opening the file, Ji-won was shocked. It contained detailed investigation records about Jung Su-min's suicide case from ten years ago. And these records contained information that the police hadn't made public.

"Drugs detected in Jung Su-min's body: combination of sleeping pills and antidepressants"

"Estimated time of death: 11:30 PM"

"Last meeting with classmate Lee Ji-won: 8:30 PM, behind the school mountain"

Ji-won's hands trembled. I really was the last person to meet Su-min? And why does Jun-ho have these materials?

On the last page of the file was a memo written in Jun-ho's handwriting.

*"Possibility that Lee Ji-won killed Jung Su-min: 80%

Motive: Academic competition, jealousy

Prosecution impossible due to lack of evidence

But there's a risk that Kang Min-su will reveal the truth

Countermeasures needed"*

Ji-won slumped to the floor. Jun-ho had been suspecting me? No, beyond suspicion, he was certain?

At that moment, she heard the front door opening. Jun-ho had returned early.

Ji-won: "You're back already?"

Jun-ho: "The emergency surgery was canceled... Ji-won, what were you doing?"

Ji-won quickly put the file back in the safe and locked it.

Ji-won: "Just... organizing books."

Jun-ho's eyes swept across the study. He looked suspicious.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, shall we talk?"

Ji-won's heart began to race.

Jun-ho: "I heard that strange people have been looking for you recently."

Ji-won: "Strange people?"

Jun-ho: "Like private detectives... did you meet someone named Choi Young-tae?"

Ji-won wondered whether to lie or not. But looking at Jun-ho's expression, he seemed to already know.

Ji-won: "I met him."

Jun-ho's face hardened.

Jun-ho: "Why didn't you tell me?"

Ji-won: "You're hiding things from me too."

Jun-ho: "What do you mean?"

Ji-won: "The Jung Su-min case materials... why do you have them?"

Jun-ho's face went pale. Finally, everything was revealed.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won... I'll explain. But first, there's something you need to remember."

Ji-won: "What?"

Jun-ho: "What you said to Kang Min-su on the night of March 15th."

At that moment, a memory flashed through Ji-won's mind like lightning.

"Mr. Kang Min-su, the past is just the past. The dead can no longer speak."

"But Doctor, the truth will eventually be revealed."

"Then... you should be careful too."

Ji-won was startled. The memory was coming back. And in that memory, she was...

---

Chapter 4: The Door of Memory

"Then... you should be careful too."

The moment she remembered saying those words to Min-su, Ji-won felt goosebumps all over her body. That tone was a threat. A clear threat.

Jun-ho: "Do you remember?"

Ji-won: "No... those aren't words I said. I'm not that kind of person."

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, calm down. I'll explain slowly."

But Ji-won couldn't listen to Jun-ho's words. More memories were pouring into her mind.

Ten years ago, behind the school mountain.

"Su-min, I didn't know you would go that far."

"Ji-won, I'm sorry. But this is really important. I can't just overlook what the professor did."

"You always live so righteously. But reality isn't like that. Sometimes there are things you have to turn a blind eye to."

"Ji-won, even you are saying such things? Knowing what the professor did to the students?"

"Su-min... stop it. It's already decided."

"What's decided? Ji-won, don't tell me you too..."

Ji-won held her head. The memory was too vivid. That night's last conversation with Su-min came back clearly.

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, are you okay?"

Ji-won: "Su-min... what did Su-min know about?"

Jun-ho: "The professor's sexual harassment case. Su-min was going to report it. But that professor was the one who wrote your recommendation letter."

Ji-won's face turned white. Right, that's correct. I needed that professor's recommendation letter for graduate school. And if Su-min reported it...

Ji-won: "I... I stopped Su-min."

Jun-ho: "It wasn't just stopping. You threatened Su-min."

Ji-won: "Threatened?"

Jun-ho: "It was written in Su-min's diary. 'Ji-won said she might hurt me. If I report the professor, my future will be over too.'"

Ji-won sat down on the floor. All the memories came back. How she had treated Su-min, what words she had said.

"Su-min, if you make that public, we'll all be hurt. Especially me... I'll lose my dream."

"Ji-won, you can't think like that. Think about the victims."

"Victims? Su-min, you're really naive. Sometimes in this world, silence is the answer."

"Ji-won... you've really changed. You're not like the old you."

"The old me? Su-min, I haven't changed. I've accepted reality. You should accept reality too."

Ji-won: "I... I really drove Su-min to her death?"

Jun-ho: "Not directly. But the reason Su-min overdosed on sleeping pills that night was... likely because of you."

Ji-won: "And Min-su found out that truth..."

Jun-ho: "Yes. Min-su was Su-min's boyfriend, and for ten years he was searching for the truth about her death. Then he accidentally found out you had become a psychotherapist..."

Ji-won: "He wanted revenge. By becoming my patient..."

Jun-ho: "At first, that seemed to be his plan. But while receiving treatment, his mind changed. Instead, he decided to reveal the truth."

Ji-won remembered Min-su's last therapy session more clearly.

"Doctor, I now know everything."

"What are you talking about?"

"About Su-min. And the words you said to Su-min that night."

"Mr. Kang Min-su, let's talk calmly."

"No. I have no intention of continuing treatment. Instead, I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal?"

"Apologize publicly. To Su-min, and to everyone. Then I won't pursue this further."

"Mr. Kang Min-su, I don't know what you're thinking, but..."

"Doctor, choose. A voluntary confession, or I'll expose it myself."

Ji-won: "What... what did I answer then?"

Jun-ho: "You threatened Min-su. If he exposed the past, you would reveal his psychiatric history."

Ji-won: "I used patient confidentiality... in such a way?"

Jun-ho: "Not only that. You told Min-su, 'The dead cannot speak.' And 'You should be careful too.'"

Ji-won shuddered remembering the words she had said. They were clear threats.

Ji-won: "So... that's why Min-su died?"

Jun-ho: "No. Min-su really did commit suicide."

Ji-won: "Then?"

Jun-ho: "But because of your threats, he lost his last hope. Just like Su-min."

Ji-won began to cry. It was hard to accept that she was responsible for two people's deaths.

Ji-won: "What about my memory loss?"

Jun-ho: "It was a real accident. But I... I thought it was actually fortunate that you lost your memory."

Ji-won: "Fortunate?"

Jun-ho: "Because those memories would torment you. So I helped ensure your memory wouldn't return... a little help."

Ji-won: "Help?"

Jun-ho: "Memory suppressants. A very small amount, but... if taken continuously, it can delay the recovery of specific memories."

Ji-won was shocked. Her husband had been manipulating her memory.

Ji-won: "You... you were erasing my memory?"

Jun-ho: "I wasn't erasing it. I was just slowing down the return. To protect you."

Ji-won: "Protect? From whom?"

Jun-ho: "From yourself. And... from people like Kang Min-su."

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening came from the entrance. Someone was entering the house.

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won? Are you there?"

Ji-won felt relieved hearing Su-hyeon's voice.

Ji-won: "I'm here!"

Su-hyeon entered the study. Handcuffs were in her hands.

Su-hyeon: "Mr. Park Jun-ho, I have some questions regarding the Kang Min-su case."

Jun-ho's face went pale.

---

Chapter 5: The Weight of Truth

Su-hyeon: "Mr. Park Jun-ho, there's a witness who says you met with Mr. Kang Min-su the night before he died."

Jun-ho: "That was... we just ran into each other by chance."

Su-hyeon: "Talking for an hour in the hospital parking lot was by chance?"

Ji-won was shocked by the new fact she was hearing in the conversation between Su-hyeon and Jun-ho. Jun-ho had met with Min-su?

Ji-won: "Honey, you don't mean..."

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, let me explain. Min-su contacted me first. He said he wanted to talk about you."

Su-hyeon: "What was the content of that conversation?"

Jun-ho: "Min-su said... he would report Ji-won. That he would have the Jung Su-min case reinvestigated."

Ji-won: "And then?"

Jun-ho: "I tried to dissuade him. I said Ji-won had already suffered enough, that we should let the past remain in the past."

Su-hyeon: "Was it just dissuasion? Or was it a threat?"

Jun-ho remained silent for a while.

Jun-ho: "I... I told Min-su that if he bothered Ji-won, I wouldn't let it slide."

Ji-won: "Jun-ho..."

Su-hyeon: "And Mr. Kang Min-su died the next day."

Jun-ho: "But I didn't kill him! He really took his own life!"

Su-hyeon: "That may be so. But there's a possibility your threat influenced his choice."

Then another memory surfaced in Ji-won's mind. The last conversation she had with Jun-ho on the day of the car accident.

"Ji-won, I'll handle the Min-su problem."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll make sure he can't bother us anymore."

"You're not thinking of doing something dangerous, are you?"

"Don't worry. I'll solve it legally."

Ji-won: "Jun-ho, what was the 'legal method' you mentioned?"

Jun-ho: "I was... going to use Min-su's psychiatric history. To prove that his testimony couldn't be trusted."

Su-hyeon: "Using a patient's personal information in such a way is clearly a crime for medical personnel."

Jun-ho: "But I didn't actually do it! Because Min-su died..."

Only after saying those words did Jun-ho realize what he had said.

Su-hyeon: "So you're saying it was fortunate that Mr. Kang Min-su died."

Jun-ho: "No! That's not what I meant!"

Ji-won couldn't stand it anymore. She had to tell all the truth she knew.

Ji-won: "Su-hyeon, I'll tell you. Everything."

Ji-won told Su-hyeon everything she remembered, from the Jung Su-min incident ten years ago to the last therapy session with Min-su. How she had threatened Su-min, how she had done the same thing to Min-su.

Ji-won: "I... I drove both of them to their deaths."

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won..."

Ji-won: "I didn't kill them directly, but the words I said drove them to despair. Especially Min-su... I put him in the exact same situation as Su-min."

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, don't blame yourself too much. You didn't intend it."

Ji-won: "I didn't intend it? Jun-ho, I clearly knew what effect my words would have on them."

Ji-won remembered Min-su's last expression. The moment when the last hope disappeared from his eyes.

Ji-won: "Min-su gave me a chance until the very end. A chance to acknowledge the truth and apologize. But I..."

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won, that's enough. There's no point in blaming yourself anymore."

Ji-won: "No. I should be properly punished."

Jun-ho: "Ji-won, you didn't commit a crime. It was just morally wrong."

Ji-won: "Just morally? Jun-ho, two people died. Because of me."

Su-hyeon thought for a while and then spoke.

Su-hyeon: "Ji-won, legally it's difficult for you to bear direct responsibility. But..."

Ji-won: "But?"

Su-hyeon: "How you're going to live from now on is up to you to decide."

That night, Ji-won went alone to Min-su's studio apartment. The lease hadn't ended yet, so his belongings were still there.

On the desk was a photo of Su-min. And next to it was a letter. A letter written to Ji-won.

*"To Dr. Lee Ji-won,

If I die, it's not because of you. It's my choice.

For ten years, I lived thinking only of revenge for Su-min's death. But while receiving treatment from you, I realized that revenge doesn't solve anything.

Su-min would have forgiven you too. That's the kind of person she was.

Please forgive now too. Yourself, and the past.

Kang Min-su"*

Ji-won cried as she read the letter. Min-su had tried to forgive her until the very end.

Six months later, Ji-won made a new decision. She closed the clinic and established a foundation in memory of Jung Su-min and Kang Min-su. It was a foundation that helped sexual assault victims and provided free treatment to patients with depression.

She divorced Jun-ho. She understood that what he did was out of love for her, but she could no longer live with him.

Ji-won: "Su-hyeon, did I make the right choice?"

Su-hyeon: "I don't know. But at least it's certain that you faced the truth."

Ji-won: "I didn't know that facing the truth would be such a heavy thing."

Su-hyeon: "Still, isn't it better than living a lie?"

Ji-won looked out the window. She could see the public cemetery where Su-min and Min-su were buried. She visited them every week to bring flowers.

Ji-won: "Can I really be forgiven by them?"

Su-hyeon: "That depends on how you live from now on."

Ji-won nodded. She couldn't change the past, but the future could be different. That was the only atonement she could make.

That night, Ji-won wrote in her diary.

*"Today I wrote letters to Su-min and Min-su again. Will there come a day when they accept my heart? Or will I have to live with this weight for the rest of my life?

I don't know. But what's certain is that I will no longer run away from the truth. That's the last promise I can make to them, and to myself."*

---

To Our Readers

What do you think after reading this story?

Was Ji-won's choice right? Is facing the truth always the answer?

And if you had been in Ji-won's situation, what choice would you have made?

Sometimes it might be more comfortable not to remember. But truth eventually finds us. How should we face that truth when it comes?

Please share your thoughts in the comments. If you have your own experiences or philosophy about memory, truth, and forgiveness, please share them with us.

Previous Episode: 24 Hours of Miracle - Guardians Awakening #2