The graves of Lee Eunju and Chaewon were located in a small community cemetery on the outskirts of
Seoul. The two headstones placed side by side broke my heart.
'Beloved wife and mother Lee Eunju (1989-2021)'
'Our angel Lee Chaewon (2015-2021)'
I knelt before them.
"I'm sorry . It's far too late, but I've finally come to see you."
The wind blew, scattering fallen leaves.
"Eunju, Chaewon . I'm Kang Minjae. The person who took your lives three years ago."
My voice trembled.
"I won't make excuses. I was drinking and driving, I ignored the traffic light . and I killed you both."
I placed the flowers I had brought—white lilies that Eunju had loved, and sunflowers that Chaewon had
loved.
"For three years . For three years, I ran away. I erased my memories and lived as someone else. But now I
remember. And I will live remembering this for the rest of my life."
Then I heard a voice behind me.
"Are you . that person?"
I turned to see a middle-aged man in his fifties standing there.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Lee Eunju's father. Lee Jongha."
Eunju's father . I bowed my head even deeper.
"I'm sorry. I'm truly . sorry."
Mr. Jongha stared at me for a long time. I could feel anger and sorrow in his eyes.
"Three years . Where have you been for three years?"
"I had lost . I had lost my memory."
"Lost your memory?"
I told him everything honestly—how I had erased my memories, lived under a different identity, and
discovered the truth just days ago.
After listening for a while, Mr. Jongha said, "Was it comfortable living that way?"
" .I'm sorry."
"My daughter and granddaughter have been in the cold ground for three years, while you lived
comfortably without even remembering."
His words pierced my heart.
"But ." Mr. Jongha continued, "at least you came. Though it's late."
"I don't know . I don't know what I should do from now on."
"You don't know?" Anger crept into Mr. Jongha's voice. "My daughter was a single mother. Chaewon's
father disappeared as soon as he found out about the pregnancy. But my daughter didn't give up. She
said she would raise the child on her own."
I could only listen.
"She went to night school while working during the day and studying at night . She lived such a difficult
life. All for Chaewon."
Tears fell from Mr. Jongha's eyes.
"That day too, she was on her way to buy Chaewon a Christmas present. The child wanted a doll . so she
was going to buy it for her, even late at night."
"I'm sorry . I'm truly sorry."
"Will saying sorry bring back my daughter and granddaughter?" Mr. Jongha shouted. "You just lost your
memory and that was the end of it for you, but we have to live with this pain for the rest of our lives!"
I couldn't say anything. His anger was justified.
"Then . what should I do?"
"I don't know. I really don't know."
Mr. Jongha collapsed as if his strength had left him.
"I tried to carry on my daughter's dreams. The things Chaewon would have wanted to do when she grew
up . But it's too hard."
"What were her dreams?"
"Eunju . wanted to become a social worker. She wanted to help people in difficult situations like herself.
And Chaewon . wanted to become a teacher."
I made a decision.
"I will . I will do it in their place."
"What did you say?"
"I will fulfill Eunju's dream in her place. And Chaewon's dream too."
Mr. Jongha looked puzzled.
"How?"
"I run a shop. I'll change it . turn it into a place for people who really need help. For free."
"What meaning would that have ."
"And I'll teach children. I'll share everything I have."
Mr. Jongha stared at me for a long time.
"Do you think you can be forgiven by doing that?"
"No. Forgiveness . I don't expect forgiveness. I just . as long as I'm alive, I want to remember them and
atone."
Mr. Jongha got up and left. But he left me with one final word:
"I'll be watching. To see if you really live that way."