The dog jumps into her arms. She begins to smile at the memory of her sixteen-year-old self—
When the dog was just a puppy. Even without food, they were happy. They had each other.
The memory fades, but one thing remains painfully clear: the dog is dead.
"Where are we going to bury him?"
The sound of Weol-So's voice ignites a wave of rage inside her.
"How about we throw him in the nearest trashcan?"
"Joon-He—"
"What? Besides... what am I even saying?"
Weol-So walks closer.
"I wasn't expecting this. He was supposed to live at least seven more years. Maybe two or three."
"I'll send people to check what made him sick."
"What's the point? He's already dead. Knowing what caused it, and seeing how we could have fixed it, would just make me feel worse."
"So that it won't happen again. In case there's a next time. Use your head."
"He... was so precious to me..."
"So you've said. Precious things need to be taken care of properly."
"Meaning—?"
He walks away without another word.
A few minutes later, Hin-Hye enters, holding something in her hands.
"Madam, I'm so sorry I couldn't stay with you."
"It's fine."
"Here, take this."
She hands over the item. Joon-He looks down—
It's a black gown.
"What's this for?"
"Your dog's funeral."
"My what?"
"Mr. Shin insisted we hold a funeral."
"I don't want one."
"I think Tini would be very honored. It might help his soul rest more peacefully."
She clutches the gown to her chest.
"Precious things need to be taken care of properly."
Weol-So's words echo in her mind.
"Do you really think so?" she asks Hin-Hye.
"Mhm."
"You can get changed now. When you're ready, I'll show you where the funeral is being held."
Joon-He nods, still holding the gown close as she walks away.
After a shower, she emerges in the gown—it fits perfectly. A shoulder-length, long-sleeved black dress, adorned with soft, glowing sparkles across the chest.
She steps out and finds Hin-Hye waiting. Without a word, Hin-Hye leads her outside.
She sees Weol-So. Normally, his presence might annoy her, but today... it makes her feel less alone.
He reaches out his hand.
Hin-Hye gently grabs Joon-He's left.
She takes Weol-So's hand—
—and in an instant, she's somewhere else. The scent of sea salt, the softness of sand, a gentle breeze.
"Is this—?"
"Yes. Jeju Island."
To her left: a red carpet, a circle of flowers.
At the center: her dog.
"Carry him," Weol-So says behind her.
She lifts the soft bed he rests on and walks down the red carpet. Pink petals float through the air, brushing her face—though she can't tell where they're coming from. She doesn't care. She focuses on her steps.
She reaches a photo of Tini. Then, a river.
"Place him in the river."
She sets him gently into the water, holding him still.
"Say what you want to say, Madam."
"Tini... Hello. I'm sorry I didn't take better care of you. I promised I'd never leave you. But I guess... you're the one who left me."
She lets out a small laugh, but tears quickly follow.
Hin-Hye steps closer, silently offering comfort.
"I'm so sorry. If I had paid more attention... I could've stopped this. You were my reason for living. After all we'd been through..."
She remembers when they came to the mansion—how well he was treated. He was fed, bathed, happy.
"But... at least you got to enjoy good food. A nice bath. I just wanted to say thank you. For always being there for me. I hope you enjoy your life in paradise."
She kisses his head.
"I'll always be with you. No matter what."
She lets the bed go, letting it drift down the river.
She wipes her tears.
"I'll always be with you... no matter what."
---
Later that night
Joon-He sits on her bed, in her pajamas, back against the wall.
CREEK
The door opens. Weol-So steps in.
"You're not asleep yet?"
No response.
"Okay."
He slips off his slippers and lies down, covering himself with a blanket.
"You should get some rest."
---
Birds chirp. Sunlight filters through the window.
Weol-So stretches as he sits up—then looks to his right.
"Ah!" he yelps, startled.
Joon-He is still awake.
"You didn't sleep?"
"I couldn't..."
"Why not? I thought you fell asleep easily."
"It's not easy without Tini."
He sighs, heading to the closet.
He pulls out a royal blue suit and steps into the shower.
Minutes later, he emerges.
"You should eat something."
"Maybe."
He leaves. Joon-He sighs deeply and collapses onto the bed.
Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
She shuts her eyes tight, but sleep won't come.
She groans, hits the bed, then drops to the floor.
"God."
She sits back on the bed.
Knock knock
"Hin-Hye?"
"Yes, Madam."
"Come in..."
Hin-Hye enters, carrying a tray of food.
"Good morning, Madam."
"Morning, Hin-Hye," she says, patting the bed for her to sit.
Hin-Hye does, setting the tray down.
"Breakfast is served."
She lifts the lid—ramyeon, grilled beef, white rice, and dipping sauce.
"Mr. Shin insisted I make you ramyeon."
"He got me ramyeon? Like I asked?"
"Huh?"
"Thank you, Hin-Hye."
She grabs her chopsticks.
"Madam, have you brushed your teeth? Or taken a shower?"
She leans back and blows her hair out of her face.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Didn't have the energy."
"Please, Madam. Go freshen up. It'll help."
She reluctantly gets up and heads to the shower.
When she returns—
"Did you notice I left? I microwaved them."
"Thank you so much."
She sits, rubs her chopsticks together, and starts eating.
"Madam... I heard you didn't sleep last night."
"Yeah. It was hard."
"The dog has gone to a better place—"
"It's not that. It's just... it's hard."
"Then I beg you—please try to sleep."
"I'll... try."
---
In her room, Joon-He presses her ear to the door.
"It's been days, Mr. Shin. When will she sleep? You have to get her ready for—"
"Yes. I know. Don't worry."
"It's been five days. She doesn't look well. Help her."
Joon-He turns to the mirror. Her eyes are baggy. Dark circles form under them.
"Ha... Has it really been that long?"
CREEK
The door opens. It's Weol-So.
"Joon-He, we need to talk."
"About my sleep issues? I know."
"That, and something else."
"What is it?"
"I have to throw an event. I postponed it, but I can't anymore. You need to be present. And I can't have you looking like this. Please rest."
He checks his watch, then turns back to her.
"It's still early. If you sleep now, you'll be rested by tomorrow."
"What's this event even about?"
"It's... kind of about you. But don't worry about that now. Just sleep."
"You guys don't get it," she says, walking slowly to the bed and collapsing.
"Don't get what?"
"I want to sleep. But I can't."
He walks to the bed, sitting at its edge.
"Why not?"
"I don't know... Before bed, I used to listen to Tini's heartbeat. But now that he's gone..."
"How long have you done that?"
"Thirteen years. So... it's going to be hard to stop. I'm stupid for forming that habit."
She sits back up, leaning on the wall.
"Well then, Joon-He... That can be arranged."
He lies down, pulls her legs gently, grabs her hand and draws her close, wrapping his arms around her.
"What are you—?"
"Can you hear that? My heartbeat. Will that do?"
Her cheeks flush. Her breath catches. Her own heart races.
"You okay now?"
She closes her eyes, breathing in his scent, melting into his arms.
"Weol-So..."
"Mm?"
"I'm... I'm sorry for slapping you."
The memory flickers in his mind.
"Don't worry."
Her eyelids grow heavy.
"Weol-So..."
"Mm?"
"Th... Thank you."
"Joon-He... I wanted to ask you something—"
No response.
He looks at her. She's asleep—deeply, peacefully.
He gazes at her as she sleeps, enchanted by her beauty.
But after a while, he forces himself to look away—
As if admiring her felt like a crime.
"...What I have to say can wait."