Twists of the Heart

The Unseen Collision

Eun Ae’s heart dropped. What? Why? What happened?

“He got hit by a car while walking,” her sister explained, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Without wasting a second, Eun Ae flagged down a taxi, and they sped off towards the hospital. When they arrived, Uncle Dong, a close family friend, met them in the lobby.

“He’s fine,” Uncle Dong reassured them as they rushed in. “Just a bit shaken up, no serious injuries.”

Eun Ae hurried into the hospital room, her heart still racing. Her father was sitting up in bed, looking a bit worse for wear but alert.

“Dad, are you okay?” she asked, her voice tight with worry as she gripped his hand.

Her father smiled faintly. I’m fine, sweetheart. Just a little scared.

Before she could say more, the door opened and a tall, fair-skinned man with sharp black eyes entered, holding some medication. He was on the phone, speaking in a low voice. As soon as he saw the family gathered in the room, he quickly ended the call.

“This is for the headache,” he said, handing the medicine to Eun Ae’s father. If you feel any more pain, take this. You’re free to be discharged tonight.

Eun Ae, still on edge, couldn’t help but snap. Wait, are you the guy who hit him? You hit him with your car, brought him here, and now you're just handing out medicine like it’s no big deal? She pulled out her phone angrily. "I should call the police."

Before she could dial, her father gently took the phone from her hand. I’m sorry, doctor. She’s just worried.

The doctor looked Eun Ae directly in the eye, his voice calm but firm. I’ve already apologized and will cover all the costs. If you still want to call the police, go ahead. I’ll deal with it. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the room.

Eun Ae scoffed in disbelief. “The nerve of that guy!”

Her sister shook her head, trying to defuse the situation. Just stop, okay? Call Mom and let her know Dad's alright.

Eun Ae tossed the phone to her sister, who caught it with a sigh. “I don’t need another lecture from Mom.”

Their father, now standing with the help of Eun Ae, chuckled weakly. She’s right. You don’t want to deal with your mom’s wrath tonight.

With a light-hearted laugh, Uncle Dong chimed in, and soon the family left the hospital, heading home, the night's chaos slowly settling behind them.

The next morning, Eun Ae’s mother was busy folding laundry when she spotted her husband trying to sneak past, using their youngest daughter as cover.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. There would be no escape this time.

Without hesitation, she grabbed a nearby pillow and hurled it at him.I told you not to drink outside! Don’t you ever think about your health? she scolded.

Eun Ae’s father flinched but tried to retreat, mumbling something incoherent. Before things could escalate further, Eun Ae stepped in, placing a hand on her mother’s shoulder.

Mom, leave him be. He’s fine, and we don’t want you stressing out. Your blood pressure, remember?

Before her mother could respond, Eun Ae’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and quickly answered, Yes, sir. I’ll be there in ten minutes.

She tossed a set of clothes to her father. Get dressed. We need to go.

“Where? Why?” her father asked, looking puzzled.

Just get dressed. We don’t have time, she snapped, already dialing for a taxi.

By the time they arrived at the police station, her father’s nervousness had only grown. As they were ushered into an office, his eyes darted around anxiously.

To his shock, sitting across from them was the doctor from last night. He paled, leaning towards Eun Ae and whispering, “You didn’t file a complaint, did you?”

Eun Ae ignored him, focused on the situation. The officer in the room gestured for them to sit as the doctor handed over a small device. The officer plugged it into his computer and began playing footage from the doctor’s dashcam.

As the video unfolded, Eun Ae’s stomach twisted in knots. It showed her father, clearly drunk, stumbling into the street before collapsing into the doctor’s car.

The officer raised an eyebrow. “It seems your father threw himself into this man’s car,” he remarked dryly.

Eun Ae’s face flushed with embarrassment as she turned to her father. You didn’t tell me you were drunk! I couldn’t even smell it on you!

Her father looked sheepish. “It’s from Dubai—no smell, but it packs a punch.”

The officer handed over a report. According to the hospital checkup, your father was intoxicated. This could easily be seen as an attempt to scam the driver.

Before Eun Ae could protest, the doctor spoke up. “I have no intention of filing a complaint,” he said, glancing at her father with a mixture of pity and disdain.

Eun Ae bristled at his tone but held her composure. “I’ll withdraw the report,” she muttered, standing to leave.

As they stepped outside the station, the doctor approached Eun Ae, his voice low and firm. Don’t think you’ve won. This isn’t over.

He turned on his heel, disappearing into his sleek car. Eun Ae clenched her fists, watching him drive away, a mixture of guilt and fury swirling inside her.

Later, Eun Ae returned to her café, trying to focus on work. She ordered her staff to move some boxes of coffee cups meant for Janet’s company when Janet herself walked in, concern written on her face.

How’s your father? Is everything okay? Janet asked gently.

Eun Ae gave a tight nod, trying to keep her emotions in check. Yeah… he’s fine now. Just a lot of crap to deal with.

Janet studied her for a moment. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Suddenly, Eun Ae’s frustrations spilled out. Okay? Really, Janet? Between the hospital, the police station, and that smug doctor—it’s been a perfect day!

Janet gently guided her outside, away from the employees’ curious eyes. “Let’s talk outside. You don’t have to hold it in.”

Once they were alone, Eun Ae let out a long sigh. “I slapped my brother yesterday,” Janet confessed, offering a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Eun Ae placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, her expression serious. “s**t happens.”

Janet cracked a small, appreciative smile, nodding in agreement. “Yeah... s**t happens.”

Inside the office, the employees were peeking through the windows, murmuring to each other. One of them whispered, No one gets this close to Ms. Janet like that.

Another chimed in. They’ve been friends since childhood. Their families are super close, ever since Janet’s grandfather passed away, and they moved to New York. Janet’s father even helped Eun Ae’s dad with his business.

The chatter was cut short as Janet suddenly cleared her throat loudly, and the employees quickly dispersed, returning to their tasks.

Back inside her cabin, Janet received a text from her mother, Mi-Young: Don’t forget, we need to pick up Eun Ae’s family from their house. Be ready by 4 p.m. sharp. Love you.

Janet sighed, putting her phone aside. “This day just keeps getting better,” she muttered under her breath.

Later that evening, at 5 p.m., Janet and her family arrived at Eun Ae’s home to pick them up. As they stepped out of the car, Eun Ae greeted them with a bright smile.

Janet gave her a once-over, eyeing her outfit critically. “Are you seriously wearing that?” Janet asked, raising an eyebrow.

Eun Ae nodded confidently. Yep. Why, what’s wrong with it?

Without another word, Janet grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into the room, rummaging through Eun Ae’s wardrobe until she found a glittering baby pink, sleeveless dress. “Wear this,” Janet ordered.

As Janet’s parents and Eun Ae’s parents exchanged smiles, Eun Ae’s mother, Mi-Sun, reached for a handful of red chili peppers and began performing a traditional evil-eye protection ritual. It was a custom they had practiced since Janet and Eun Ae were children, a ritual that brought back warm memories for both families.

Eun Ae’s sister, Soo Min, joined them, while Eun-woo slid in quietly. Mi-Sun finished the ritual, symbolically splitting the evil eye’s hold on them before tossing the chili into the firewood outside.

Later, at dinner, Janet’s father, Ji-Won, had reserved a large table for twelve. Janet looked at him, puzzled. Why twelve seats, Dad? We don’t have that many guests.

Ji-Won winked at Eun Ae’s father, Ye Joon. “Oh, we have some special guests coming.”

The mothers laughed, already understanding the signal. Soon after, the food arrived, and they began eating. However, Ji-Won excused himself, heading downstairs to greet someone arriving in a sleek black Benz.

Meanwhile, Eun-woo and Eun Ae went to grab some drinks. When they returned, they found Ji-Won introducing a new family—a father, mother, and their younger son, Seo-jun. Everyone greeted them warmly, though Janet seemed preoccupied as she took a phone call and missed the introductions.

When she returned, Seo-jun extended his hand to her. “Hello, I’m Seo-jun.”

Janet hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. There was an awkward pause as they exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

Across the table, Eun-woo noticed Seo-jun and instantly remembered their encounter at the pub. “Wait... that’s the guy Janet helped me with,” he whispered to Eun Ae.

Eun Ae’s eyes sparkled mischievously. Oh really? So, future brother-in-law, huh? she teased.

Eun-woo’s face turned bright red. What? No! That’s not—

Before he could finish, Eun Ae burst out laughing. “You’re too easy to mess with!” She playfully pushed him toward the table.

As they all settled down, Ji-Won asked the new family, What about your older son? Will he be joining us soon?

Seo-jun’s father laughed. “Oh yes, he’ll be here in about ten minutes.”

The conversation continued between the parents, but Janet and Seo-jun still sat awkwardly across from each other. Finally, Janet turned to him and asked directly, “Any idea why we’re here?”

Seo-jun shrugged. “No idea.”

Just then, Seo-jun’s phone rang. “Oh, my brother’s here,” he said, signaling to his father.

Eun Ae leaned over to Eun-woo and whispered, “Go talk to him, future brother-in-law,” teasing him again.

Eun-woo, embarrassed, covered his mouth. “Stop it,” he muttered.

Suddenly, Soo Min, who was eating, choked on her food, prompting Eun Ae to rush over and help her drink some water. As she turned Soo Min around, she gasped, recognizing the older brother who had just arrived—it was the doctor from the hospital.

Our older son, Dr. Su-Jin the new family, was introduced proudly.

Both Eun Ae and Dr. Su-Jin locked eyes. “You?!” they exclaimed at the same time, their mutual surprise clear to everyone.