Scarlet Strings.

Wrapped in Crimson

***

As the evening deepened, the group returned to the grand Tuscan farmhouse, their temporary home during this retreat. The mansion stood bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, its rustic charm blending seamlessly with the surrounding vineyards. The cool night air carried the distant hum of crickets and the lingering warmth of the thermal springs from which they had just returned.

Everyone had gone inside, laughing and chatting about their spa day, leaving only Ha-Joon and Mr. Kang standing in the quiet parking lot. Ha-Joon had just closed the car door when he heard Mr. Kang's voice. "하준아." (Ha-Joon-ah.)

Ha-Joon turned, slightly surprised. Mr. Kang stood beside him, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. His expression was calm, yet there was a weight to his gaze, something serious but not unkind.

"네, 아저씨?" (Yes, Uncle?) Ha-Joon responded respectfully.

Mr. Kang exhaled, glancing up at the star-strewn sky before looking back at Ha-Joon. His voice was low but filled with gentle sincerity. "항상 그녀를 잘 보살펴 줘."(Always take good care of her.)

Ha-Joon didn't have to ask who "her" referred to. His gaze flickered toward the house, where Scarlet had disappeared just minutes ago.

Mr. Kang continued. "그녀는 마치 연약한 꽃 같아. 부드럽고, 소중하고, 강한 바람에도 쉽게 흔들릴 수 있는." (She is like a delicate flower. Soft, precious, and easily swayed by strong winds.)

Ha-Joon's throat tightened slightly. Scarlet was many things, strong, passionate, and fierce, but there was a quiet vulnerability beneath it all, something he had come to recognize in the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't watching.

Mr. Kang's eyes softened. "넌 아마 아직 완전히 깨닫지 못할지도 모르겠지만, 내가 본 바로는... 그녀는 너를 세상 그 누구보다도 깊이 사랑하고 있어." (You may not fully realize it yet, but from what I've seen... she loves you deeper than anyone else in this world.)

Ha-Joon's fingers curled slightly at his sides. He swallowed, feeling an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. Mr. Kang stepped closer, his voice lowering. "사람의 마음이란 건 쉽게 변할 수 있지만, 그런 사랑은 평생에 한 번 올까 말까 한 거야. 절대 놓치지 마라." (A person's heart can change easily, but a love like that... it's something that may only come once in a lifetime. Don't let it go.)

Ha-Joon's jaw clenched trying to process everything. Mr. Kang said in english finally. "Trust me my son. She loves you deeper than anyone else in this world... A love like that may only come once in a lifetime. Don't let it go."

Ha-joon wasn't the kind of man to dwell on words, but Mr. Kang's sincerity struck something deep inside him. "감사합니다, 아저씨." (Thank you, Uncle.)

There was a beat of silence, the night air settling between them. Mr. Kang simply gave him a firm nod, his wisdom imparted. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the house, leaving Ha-Joon standing alone in the moonlit parking lot.

Meanwhile... Not far away, Ha-Neul stood by one of the large windows, watching the interaction unfold. His father, his own father was offering Ha-Joon his blessing, speaking of Scarlet as though she were the best thing to happen to him.

His jaw tightened. Why? Why was his father such a strong supporter of them? He turned away from the window, his chest heavy with disappointment. It was clear now, his father had already chosen a side. And it wasn't his.

***

As Ha-Joon stepped inside the grand farmhouse, his mind lingered on Mr. Kang's words. "She loves you deeper than anyone else in this world... A love like that may only come once in a lifetime. Don't let it go." A soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Uncle Kang was right.