Just before Ria's body went completely still, as the last beat of her heart faded away, a flashback flickered across her mind. In those few seconds between life and death, it was as if Ria saw her entire life at once.
Flashback: The Unspoken Memories
Scene 1: First Meeting (College Life)
That day, it was pouring rain. In the college corridor, everyone laughed at Ria for being tall. She stood in a corner, crying. Suddenly, Adis appeared with an umbrella and stood in front of her. He said, "Why are you crying, tall girl? Don't you know tall girls are closer to the clouds? You're special!" That day, Ria's tears turned into laughter.
Scene 2: Adis's Sacrifice
When Ria dreamed of building a life with Lee Min Ho, she once saw Adis secretly crying. He never showed weakness in front of her. He just said, "Lee sir is a good man, Ria. You'll be safe with him in the palace." That day, Ria didn't understand that Adis was secretly giving her to someone else out of love.
Scene 3: Lee Min Ho's First Love
On a snowy night in Azerbaijan, Lee Min Ho held Ria's hands and said, "Ria, your height or your past doesn't matter to me. I only love your pure heart." For the first time, Ria felt truly like a woman.
Scene 4: Adis's Desperate Kiss
On the rooftop, Adis held her and kissed her. Ria felt not hatred, but a strange pain. She wanted to push him away but froze seeing his tears. In that moment, Ria realized her life was like a valley crushed between two mountains.
The Final Flashback Moment: A Long Sigh
In her memory, Ria saw her twin children holding her hands. She thought, "Sometimes love cannot save, it only destroys slowly. Lee, forgive me. Adis, take care of yourself."
The flat line on the monitor confirmed it. Ria's last breath carried a faint smile, as if she had finally found peace beyond all pain.
Lee Min Ho entered the ICU and held Ria's hand. He felt a small note hidden in her grip. She must have known something was coming. The note read:
"I cannot bear the weight of past mistakes and present honor. Tell my children that their mother loved them dearly."
In the hospital room, Lee Min Ho's sobs merged with Adis's wailing. The 6'3" Ria was now beyond reach, leaving behind two broken hearts.
The Hidden Truth: Ria's Secret Illness
A few days later, when Ria's autopsy report and personal diary reached Lee Min Ho, a terrifying truth was revealed. Lee learned that Ria's cheerful exterior hid a fatal condition.
The doctor came to Lee's cabin with a somber expression.
"Lee, you blamed yourself for Ria's death from psychological shock. But the truth is—she knew she wouldn't live long. Her heart had a congenital defect (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), and her 6'3" height put immense strain on it."
Lee Min Ho froze and opened her diary. On the last page, Ria had written:
"Lee, I know the doctor said I only have a few months. With this heart, I might never have a third child. When Adis acted impulsively, I wanted to resent him, but I couldn't because he was my childhood friend. I knew the day I left, you'd break. That's why I wanted Adis by your side. But destiny had other plans."
Lee Min Ho clutched the diary and cried. Any intense excitement or stress could have triggered a fatal heart attack. Adis's sudden rooftop act and Lee's anger—both were too much for her fragile heart.
Ria didn't die because of betrayal or suspicion; she was a victim of her hidden battle. She wanted to unite Lee and Adis before leaving—but fate wouldn't allow it.
Lee Min Ho decided to spend the rest of his life raising Ria's children properly. And Adis? He remained mentally shattered, sitting under the cherry tree where Ria had first called him her friend.
Years Later
Lee Min Ho, now a CEO running a vast empire, worked day and night, burying himself under responsibilities to forget Ria. His 6'5" tall frame reflected his emptiness.
One afternoon, a knock at the door broke his thoughts.
"Excuse me, Sir… may I come in?"
Lee Min Ho froze. The voice, the calm tone—it all felt familiar. He turned slowly.
Standing there was a young woman. Her face was exactly like Ria's—same piercing eyes, chin mole, enchanting smile.
Height shock: She was also 6'3", wearing a white formal shirt and pants—evoking Ria's presence.
Lee Min Ho was speechless. "Ria? You've… come back?"
The young woman smiled shyly. "No, sir. My name is Maya. I'm the new architect. People said your new recruit is tall, but I didn't expect you to call me Ria. Was she someone very close to you?"
Lee Min Ho took a moment to compose himself. He realized this wasn't Ria—but destiny had brought him face to face with that lost image again.
He decided to attend a business meeting with Maya, where Adis would also be present. Adis, now frozen in Ria's memory, had become a living ghost.
Unexpected Encounter: Adis and Maya
As Lee Min Ho entered the meeting room with Maya, Adis, signing files, looked up. His pen fell from his hands. His whole body trembled. He thought he was hallucinating.
No. This was no mistake. Same face, same height, same walk. Just like Ria in the white outfit on the rooftop.
Adis shouted, "Ria! You've come back? I knew you wouldn't leave me!"
He ran to grab Maya's hand. Maya hid behind Lee Min Ho.
"I'm Maya, sir! Who is this? Why is he yelling?"
Lee Min Ho stopped Adis. "Adis! Calm down! She's not Ria. She's our new architect."
Adis, overwhelmed, cried. "You're playing with me! Ria didn't die, did you hide her? Look, she's exactly like my Ria!"
Maya was shocked at his tears. Though she was not Ria, a strange pull stirred within her. She noticed the unparalleled anguish in Adis's eyes—a love no one else could match.
Lee Min Ho gently removed Adis. He realized Maya's presence had reignited that burning fire in Adis.
The Miraculous Motherhood Moment
At that moment, one of Lee's 7-month-old twins began crying. Even after feeding, the baby wouldn't stop.
Maya entered, heart aching at the baby's cries. She picked up the child from Lee Min Ho's arms.
"Oh… what a cute little baby! Don't cry, little one."
A strange event occurred. Though unmarried, Maya's body had a rare maternal hormonal effect—her breasts could produce milk.
As the baby nuzzled Maya, she couldn't resist. Forgetting Lee Min Ho's presence, she began breastfeeding the child.
The baby, satisfied, made a contented sound, "Hmm…" as if feeling the lost touch of its mother.
Lee Min Ho realized Maya was no ordinary woman. Somehow, Ria's spirit seemed to have returned through Maya, protecting her children. The touch Ria could not give, Maya was fulfilling.
Lee Min Ho said, "Maya, from today, this baby is your responsibility. I don't know who you really are, but my children have accepted you as their mother."
Outside, Adis watched from a distance, pounding his chest. He understood: even if Ria returned as Maya, she had come for Lee Min Ho's children.