Ruby is now twenty-seven years old, living alone in the Seoul city
Her life changed completely when her parents divorced while she was only twelve.
Her mother took her younger sister and left after many problems at home, leaving Ruby behind with her father, who at that time was suffering from psychological disorders and addiction.
Despite her young age, Ruby was forced to take care of him.
She was a genius, so outstanding that she was transferred to classes with students older than her.
She graduated at fifteen, becoming the youngest in her class. She chose to study medicine out of love for her father, even though he always asked her not to. In the end, he left the decision to her.
Now, she is a highly skilled surgeon, despite her young age.
"Hello, Dad…"
Ruby knelt in front of her father's grave, carefully removing the fallen leaves, as if she were afraid of disturbing him—even beneath the soil.
"I'm really sorry I haven't visited in a while.
You know better than anyone how exhausting work at that awful hospital is."
She sat beside the grave as she always did and leaned her back against the cold marble.
She sighed softly.
"Dad… there's so much I want to tell you this time.
You know? Yesterday was Rina's birthday. Can you believe she's twenty-four now? I still can't believe she's become a grown woman. She grows more beautiful and feminine every time I see her.
She threw a big, noisy party… isn't that nice? Even at her age, she's still as childish as she was when she was little."
She smiled and laughed softly.
"I know you miss her a lot… I'm sure she only visits you when I force her to. Oh, that naughty girl…"
She fell silent for a moment, then continued.
"I really want her to always remember that you're the only one who deserves to be called 'Dad'… because you are her real father, not that man."
An image flashed in her mind—Rina calling her stepfather "Dad" in front of her.
Ruby lowered her head and clasped her hands sadly.
"Actually… I said some hurtful things to her yesterday, even though it was her birthday. I know if you were here, you would've scolded me. But I'm not sorry for what I said.
So… please don't be upset with me, okay?"
Ruby stayed there, talking to him as if he were right in front of her, listening and smiling with his usual silent warmth.
She closed her eyes…
And remembered her last days with her father.
After her first year in medical school, her father's condition worsened badly, until he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
That day, she went to visit him.
She stood at the door, hesitating.
She raised her hand… then lowered it.
She raised it again and knocked.
"Come in."
She entered slowly.
He was sitting on his bed, staring out the window.
He looked thinner.
Weaker.
More exhausted than she remembered.
She swallowed her tears.
"Dad…"
He turned to her and smiled.
"Ruby… you came."
She walked over and sat beside him.
"How are you today?"
He laughed briefly.
"Fine… I think.
But I feel suffocated. When will I get out of here?"
"I spoke to the doctor. He said you can leave tomorrow. Just endure one more day—for me, okay?"
He didn't object and remained silent.
She sat on the edge of his bed and looked at him.
"I hate seeing you here because of me," he said.
She quickly lifted her head.
"Don't say that."
"You're young… you have a life, studies, dreams.
And I'm dragging you into this place with me."
She gently held his hand.
"Why do you say that, Dad? I'm standing by you because you're my family. Please don't think this way."
She saw sadness in his eyes, so she spoke hesitantly.
"Actually… someone came to the house yesterday."
"Really? Who?"
"My aunt."
He smiled.
"Maybe she heard I was here and came to check on you."
"No… she came for another reason."
"What is it?"
She hesitated, then said:
"She said… Mom is getting married tomorrow."
She would never forget the look on his face—surprised and heartbroken at the same time.
Even though much time had passed since the divorce, she knew he still loved her.
He smiled calmly.
"Really? What surprising news."
A slow, broken smile appeared on his face.
"Congratulations to her."
She felt angry.
"That's it?!
'Congratulations to her'?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"Dad! How can you smile after hearing this? Aren't you angry? Even a little?"
He replied calmly:
"Why should I be angry? On the contrary, you should be happy for someone you care about."
She sighed deeply.
"You care about her? My God… you're really different from everyone. Sometimes I can't stand on your side."
He laughed.
"Why are you laughing? She's my wife, yet I'm the last to know about her marriage. And my aunt even begged me to attend, saying Mom is sad and thinks her sadness will ease if I go.
Isn't it ridiculous? She never came home, never cared about me, and suddenly she wants me at her wedding to complete her happiness with another man. How can someone be so contradictory?"
Ruby laughed lightly.
"Hearing this makes me think she should be in this hospital instead of you. You're perfectly normal compared to her."
He suddenly got angry.
"Ruby! Don't talk about your mother like that. No matter what, she's still your mother."
"There you go defending her again! She abandoned us! I barely remember her face. She doesn't deserve your sympathy at all."
He looked at her and said words she would never forget:
"The fault isn't your mother's… it's mine.
I made her life difficult—with my weakness and my addiction."
Then he said in a broken voice:
"If I had been a better man, she wouldn't have left. I failed to protect my love for the second time. I failed as a husband…"
He paused, then continued:
"…And I failed as a father too. Being in this place proves how weak and helpless I am. I don't even deserve to have you by my side. I'm sorry, my daughter."
A chill ran down Ruby's spine. She rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
She had a thousand things to say, but she only hugged him, because she was about to cry—and she hated crying in front of anyone, especially him. She always tried to be strong for his sake.
"Dad… if I could choose a father, I would choose you a thousand times. You're the best father in the world to me, do you understand?
So never apologize to me. I'll love you in all your conditions."
He hugged her gently and said warmly:
"What did I do to deserve you, my daughter?"
After a moment, he pulled back slightly.
"Ruby…"
"Yes?"
"Please attend your mother's wedding and give her my congratulations."
"What are you saying?! Impossible! I'm sure she wouldn't even recognize me after all these years. My presence doesn't matter, and I don't want to see her!"
He tried to calm her.
"Ruby, I'm asking you for a favor. Your mother wanting you there means she still cares about you."
She said stubbornly:
"Even if that's true, I don't care about her love. I only want to stay by your side. You're my only family. To me… she's dead."
He placed his hand on her cheek gently.
"I understand your anger. I don't blame you. But don't you want to see your sister after all these years? You were so close to her when you were little… don't you miss her?"
He knew her well. Just mentioning her sister calmed her down.
"Consider it an excuse to see her. She was small, but she'll remember you. She loved you so much."
She fell silent.
"Go with Aunt Lucy and choose a beautiful dress that suits my smart… very beautiful daughter."
He hugged her again.
"Do it for me, please, my daughter."
"But I—"
"Ruby…"
He looked at her pleadingly.
"I want to be reassured… that you'll be okay, at least with your sister."
She stayed silent.
Then he said softly:
"I don't want to die while worrying about you being alone."
She felt terrified.
She shouted without realizing it:
"Why are you talking about death now?!"
He smiled.
"Why are you so angry, little one? I'm not immortal, after all. And I've been a burden to you all this time…"
"Stop…"
Tears began to fall.
His eyes widened as he looked at her.
He held her face with both hands.
"Ruby… I'm sorry, my daughter. Even if my words were a bit harsh, they're just reality."
He hugged her again.
"Just go… for me."