Chapter: Shattered Hearts
Two months had passed since Aeri and Mark had become each other's world. Life felt like a dream they never wanted to wake up from—full of soft smiles, warm hugs, shared laughter, and sweet little surprises. Mark, once cold and distant, had become the gentlest version of himself with Aeri. And Aeri, who once flinched at the world, now smiled a little brighter, her eyes no longer holding fear but a glimmer of love.
One afternoon after class, Mark wrapped his arms around her from behind as they stood under the cherry blossom tree near campus.
"Hey, baby," he whispered, his voice brushing her ear like silk. "You remember our date tonight, right?"
Aeri blushed, smiling shyly. "Yes, I remember. I've been thinking about it all day."
He kissed her temple. "I'll make it special for you."
And he did.
That evening, Mark took her to one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. Chandeliers sparkled above their heads like frozen stars. The walls were adorned with velvet and gold, the scent of fresh roses filling the air. Aeri's eyes widened the moment she stepped inside.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered, hesitant. "But it looks really expensive, Mark…"
Mark chuckled softly and leaned in close, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "You deserve this and more, my love. You're worth every diamond in this world."
He kissed her forehead, and Aeri's heart melted like snow in spring.
They enjoyed their evening—talking, laughing, occasionally holding hands across the table. For Aeri, it felt like a fairytale.
But neither of them knew that someone was watching.
At a nearby table, hidden by shadows, Mark's father sat stiffly, having spotted them by chance during a business meeting. His eyes burned with cold fury. The moment he saw Aeri, a poor girl clinging to his only son's hand, something snapped in him.
That night, after dropping Aeri home with a kiss on the cheek and a whispered "Drive safe," Mark returned to his own house quietly, expecting everyone to be asleep.
But as he opened the door, he was startled.
The lights were still on.
And his father was waiting in the living room.
The atmosphere was ice cold.
Mark's heart sank. "Dad… you didn't sleep?"
His father didn't respond immediately. He simply stared, silent and sharp. Then in a voice heavy with control, he said, "Where were you?"
Mark fumbled. "I was… out. With friends."
"Friends?" his father scoffed. "You mean the girl you were holding hands with at the restaurant?"
Mark froze.
His father stood, voice rising. "Tell me everything. Who is she? What's her background?"
Mark swallowed, his voice breaking. "She's… her name is Aeri. And yes, she's from a poor family. But I love her, Dad."
That word—"love"—seemed to ignite his father's rage.
"You what?" he barked. "Love her?"
Mark dropped to his knees, begging. "Dad, please, she's not after anything. She's kind. She saved me, she made me better—please, don't do this."
But the slap came fast, hard, and full of fury.
"Call her," his father hissed. "Call her and end it. Or I'll ruin her life. I'll bury her so deep in problems she'll wish she never met you."
Tears streamed down Mark's face.
"You wouldn't…" he whispered.
"I would," his father said coldly. "Choose. Her suffering or your sacrifice."
Defeated and trembling, Mark nodded. "Okay… I'll call her."
In her small apartment, Aeri was scribbling notes for her assignment when her phone rang.
Her face lit up. "Hey baby! Missed me already?"
But the voice on the other end wasn't the same. It was distant. Hollow.
"I need to meet you tomorrow. Steve Park. 12 o'clock," Mark said flatly.
"Mark? What's wrong? Why do you sound like that?"
"Just… meet me. I need to talk."
And he hung up.
Aeri stared at her phone, worry blooming in her chest.
The next day, Steve Park was quiet under the soft sunlight. Mark sat on a bench, his heart racing painfully. He kept looking down, avoiding everyone. When Aeri arrived, smiling brightly despite the anxiety she carried, she ran up and hugged him.
"Hey baby," she said. "You okay?"
He didn't hug her back.
"I'm fine," he mumbled, still staring at the ground.
She pulled back slightly. "You said you had something to talk about?"
His throat tightened. He couldn't even look into her eyes. "Aeri… I can't do this anymore."
She blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I want to break up."
Aeri stood frozen.
"…What?" she whispered.
"I was just… using you. Don't take it personally."
Her face turned pale. "Mark… please. Don't say things like that. What happened? Why are you doing this?"
"You're not my standard," he said coldly, trying to mask the pain tearing his heart apart. "It was fun, but it's over."
Aeri's voice cracked. "You're lying… Tell me you're lying!"
But he didn't respond.
She slapped him, tears falling like rain. "You used me? I gave you everything. I loved you with all I had!"
"I'm sorry," Mark whispered under his breath—barely audible. But she was already gone.
He collapsed to his knees, burying his face in his hands.
"I'm sorry, Aeri. I just wanted to protect you. I didn't know how else to keep you safe…"
Back in her apartment, Aeri cried harder than she ever had before.
"Why, God? Why me? Why does love always come with pain?"
She clutched the teddy bear he'd won for her on their arcade date and sobbed until sleep finally overtook her broken heart.
Meanwhile, Mark entered his home with red eyes, barely able to lift his head. His mother spotted him.
"Sweetheart, lunch is ready. Come eat," she called gently.
"I'm not hungry," he said without looking at her, voice raw.
He walked straight to his room, closing the door softly—but inside, he broke down completely.
To Be Continued…
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Let's see what fate has planned for these two broken souls.
Will love find its way again?
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