My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 27: The Ex-Girlfriend Regrets the Past

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With her mother’s support, which had once been the source of her trauma, Chae-yeon’s therapy progressed rapidly.

“My dear daughter, just forget everything I used to say. It’s okay to be honest with the person you love. You can show your heart, and he won’t abandon you.”

Soo-yeon warmly embraced her sobbing daughter, repeating words that directly contradicted the ideas she’d once instilled.

She offered Chae-yeon encouragement at every opportunity, hoping her daughter would overcome her trauma as soon as possible.

Chae-yeon’s father, Dong-hoon, also knew about her struggles and offered his own support.

“Chae-yeon, love is about sharing and giving. Just like your mom and I grew closer, you’ll have a better relationship with your boyfriend if you’re true to your heart.”

Chae-yeon often saw a parallel between Si-hyun’s devoted love and her father’s caring nature. This made her trust her father’s words even more, and she tried to follow his advice.

I have to change myself if I want to be with Si-hyun again.

With her strong resolve, her parents’ unwavering support, and professional therapy, Chae-yeon managed to overcome her trauma in just two months.

As her fear of being abandoned by Si-hyun faded and her hope of a closer, mutual love grew—

I want to see Si-hyun.

Chae-yeon summoned her courage and went to his house.

***

When she met Si-hyun and confessed her feelings, Chae-yeon realized her trauma was truly gone.

I’ve finally done it! I overcame it!

Realizing her success, Chae-yeon’s heart overflowed with a powerful love for Si-hyun. The feelings she had suppressed during their relationship now surged forth with intensity.

“I can finally say it… I love you, Si-hyun!”

“What nonsense is this? You think I’d be swayed by something like that now?”

“I’m sorry for not saying it sooner, but I’ll say it as much as you want from now on…”

Taking a deep breath, Chae-yeon slipped her left hand through the door crack, gently caressing Si-hyun’s cheek.

“I love you, Si-hyun.”

When the door finally opened, Chae-yeon, unable to hold back her emotions any longer, leaned in and—

Smooch.

Almost in a trance, she pressed her lips to his. It had been so long since they’d kissed, and it was the first time she’d initiated it. A thrill of accomplishment filled her heart.

This feeling… It’s been so long.

Chae-yeon gazed at his shocked eyes with love. She imagined he must be happy and, encouraged, tried to deepen the kiss.

But then—

“What are you doing?! Are you insane?!”

Si-hyun roughly wiped his mouth with his sleeve and pushed Chae-yeon away. Stumbling back, she looked at him with a dazed expression as he glared at her with cold anger.

“You just don’t stop, do you? I don’t know what got into you over break, but whatever you’re trying, I’m not getting back with you.”

“Si-hyun…”

Chae-yeon clutched her chest. It made sense that he’d reject her—she’d caused him so much pain that she couldn’t even measure it.

While she wrestled with guilt, Si-hyun unleashed his anger.

“If you wanted to treat me right, you should’ve done it from the start. Why are you clinging to me now? Did you get lonely after pushing me around like a slave?”

“It’s… it’s not like that!”

“Oh, really? Then you should’ve nodded when I asked if you liked me. When I offered to forgive you, you should’ve at least said sorry.”

His voice, dripping with resentment, shook her. Chae-yeon sank to her knees, hands rubbing together, her voice trembling.

“I’m really sorry… I wanted to tell you I liked you, but I couldn’t get the words out because of my trauma…”

“Trauma?”

Surprised, Si-hyun looked at her, wide-eyed, and Chae-yeon nodded, beginning to share her past with him.

She told him about her difficult home life growing up, the trauma that had left her afraid to express affection, and how her fear of losing him to Yerin had made her act controlling and harsh.

Hearing everything, Si-hyun stood frozen, staring down at his ex-girlfriend, who was crying on the floor.

“If you had told me, I would’ve tried to help.”

“I was terrified that if you knew about my mental illness, you’d break up with me…”

Si-hyun struggled to absorb the full story behind Chae-yeon’s behavior. Her desperate confession made him feel dizzy and sick.

Clinging to his leg, Chae-yeon pleaded.

“Si-hyun, I’m all better now… I’ll make up for all the pain I caused you. I’ll do whatever you ask, so please take me back…”

Where had it all gone wrong? Memories of their time together flashed through Si-hyun’s mind, and her past attitude now weighed heavily on his heart.

But no matter what, I can’t get back together with her.

As much as he sympathized with her painful past, Si-hyun had someone else now—someone he was committed to.

“Si-hyun…?”

He took a step back, slipping out of Chae-yeon’s grasp. Looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, she asked in a broken voice.

“Why not…?”

“I’m dating Yerin now.”

Han Yerin.

The realization that her former rival was now dating Si-hyun left Chae-yeon breathless. She covered her mouth in shock.

“T-That’s a lie…”

“It’s not. We’ve been together for 74 days. Yerin and I…”

“Lie. Lie. Lie!”

Like a child rejecting reality, Chae-yeon clamped her hands over her ears, shaking her head. Then, a strange, dazed smile crossed her face.

“Si-hyun, this is all a joke, right? You’re just saying this to shake me off, aren’t you?”

“Hah…”

Seeing her cling to denial, Si-hyun sighed deeply. He took out his phone and turned the screen toward her.

Tock.

He pressed the power button, displaying the background image. Once, it had been a picture of him and Chae-yeon kissing at sunset.

But now…

It was a photo of Yerin against the backdrop of a beach, bathed in moonlight, kissing Si-hyun.

“Wh-What is this… I hate it!”

“It’s the truth, whether you like it or not. You need to accept it.”

Deciding there was no point in dragging this out any longer, Si-hyun turned and started toward his house. Chae-yeon scrambled, grabbing his leg.

“Si-hyun, I’m so sorry… I’ll do better than Yerin ever could. Please, don’t leave…”

Her desperate plea made him bite his lip.

“It’s too late. Besides, I’m much happier with Yerin.”

Shaking off her hand, he walked away, leaving Chae-yeon slowly collapsing.

The further he went, the more a deep despair took root in her heart.

“Please don’t go… I’m begging you…”

The only sound that returned was the creak of the door hinge as he opened it. Without a backward glance, he went inside.

“Ugh… Haah… Haah…”

Chae-yeon panted, her chest tight, vision blurring as dizziness overwhelmed her.

Don’t leave me behind…

She looked up at the door with a forlorn expression, but it didn’t open again. Bowing her head in despair, she heard the door creak once more.

Startled by a sliver of hope, Chae-yeon lifted her head.

“Si-hyun… Did you come back?”

Si-hyun stepped out with a medium-sized box in his hands. Gently brushing aside her disheveled hair, he spoke softly.

“Lim Chae-yeon, thank you for everything. Things didn’t end well, but I did love you.”

Smooch.

He placed a farewell kiss on her forehead, then set the box down in front of her before slowly walking away.

“…”

After he left, Chae-yeon shakily opened the box.

Inside, she found a sky-blue photo album filled with pictures of them, a dolphin-shaped keychain, the wallet she had given him for his birthday, and various other gifts—memories of their relationship.

“Aah…”

Realizing he had decided to close that chapter of his life, Chae-yeon cried out in anguish. From inside the house, Si-hyun listened to her heart-wrenching sobs.

Swish.

Sitting down by the shoe rack, he closed his eyes and took in every painful sound of his ex-girlfriend’s final farewell.

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