Chapter 178 The eve of the birthday

Chapter 178 The eve of the birthday

Siwoo had just finished showering when Raven and Yoon burst into her room so suddenly that she nearly jumped out of her skin.

She spun around, startled, staring at the solemn faces before her. Raven stood at the front, his jaw clenching tightly as he forced out the words he had avoided for days.

"When are we going to see the grave?"

Siwoo let out a heavy sigh, running a towel over her wet hair before sinking onto the edge of her bed. "Is that why you both barged into my room like this?" She looked from Raven to Yoon, her tone calm and unbothered. "We can do that on the day of her birthday. Just get the flowers ready and anything else we might need. After the party, we'll go straight there."

Raven almost stumbled backward. Deep down, a desperate, irrational part of him had hoped to hear that there was no grave even though he knew it was impossible. He had killed her with his own hands. He had watched the light leave her eyes.

Hearing Siwoo confirm the existence of a burial site tore his heart into pieces all over again.

Siwoo caught his sudden falter and tracked his face carefully. "Oh... did you wish there wasn't a grave? Sorry, brother. There is one, and we'll visit it day after tomorrow. But right now..." She lay back on her pillows, closing her eyes. "I need to rest my head."

Raven stared at Siwoo for a long, silent moment before turning toward the door and walking out, Yoon following close behind him.

Once they were back in the living area, Yoon placed a gentle hand on his arm. "You need to reach the acceptance stage, Raven. It's clear she's gone. You have to try and move on. If Siwoo says she has someone picked out for you, maybe it's for the best that you try opening your heart again."

Raven scoffed painfully, pulling his arm away from Yoon's grip as he collapsed onto the sofa. "It isn't that easy, Yoon. I can't. Everything around me reminds me of her. Every single thing I look at."

Yoon sat down beside him, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You've punished yourself enough. I believe that wherever she is now, she sees all of this. She knows how deeply you've mourned her, and she knows how much you regret what happened."

Raven shook his head as another stray tear escaped his eye, tracing down his cheek. "I still see her eyes when she was pleading with me... I didn't even stop to think. I didn't even try to listen to her. Even after everything she did for me she fought all of this, she bore the burden alone, she brought our father back safely..."

Raven slammed his fist heavily against his own forehead, his voice breaking. "I am a monster. I don't deserve to live."


The next morning was absolute chaos as Siwoo threw herself entirely into final preparations.

This time, she didn't even bother dragging Raven along. She handled every detail herself, leaving Raven to stand by in dark, moody silence while she paced back and forth, barked orders over the phone, and coordinated with decorators.

All through the day, Siwoo ran up and down, driving out to finalize arrangements and returning late into the evening completely exhausted. Raven watched her every move, feeling like a stranger in his own home.

Eventually, midnight struck, officially ushering in the third of July.

Raven was lying awake in his room when Siwoo nudged his shoulder, shoving her phone directly against his face.

"Just sing 'Happy Birthday' to her," she demanded softly.

Raven stared at her in utter disbelief. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand 12:00 AM sharp and then back to his sister's wide, expectant eyes. "Siwoo... it's midnight. You want me to sing into a voice recording for someone who isn't here?"

Siwoo's expression hardened. "Can you just do this without complaining for once?"

Raven let out a long, heavy breath, rubbing his weary eyes. "If I do this, will you finally let me sleep in peace?"

Siwoo brightened, offering a cheerful nod.

Gently, Raven began to sing the happy birthday song into the receiver, his voice quiet, low, and laced with painful sorrow. As he finished the last line, Siwoo began softly clapping her hands in celebration.

Raven turned to her, his brow pulling down in genuine concern. "I think we need to see a therapist, Siwoo. Why are you having me sing to someone who is gone at this time of night? Are you seeing her ghost or something?"

Siwoo offered a cryptic, small smile as she pulled the phone back and tucked it into her pocket.

"Maybe..." she whispered softly.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind her and leaving Raven sitting alone in the dark, completely stunned.