Karina's POV Seven years had passed since the day Winter walked away. I graduated from medical school and became a pediatrician. Treating children became my greatest source of happiness. Their laughter had a way of filling the empty spaces inside me. Whenever I wasn't working at the hospital, I volunteered at orphanages. Maybe it was because I knew someone who had once wished for a family. One Saturday morning, an email arrived from a local orphanage asking if I could conduct a free medical checkup for their children. I accepted immediately. The orphanage buzzed with laughter the moment I arrived. Children ran across the courtyard while volunteers prepared meals and activities. After spending the morning checking temperatures, listening to tiny heartbeats, and handing out vitamins, I noticed a little girl sitting alone beneath a tree. Unlike the others, her clothes looked brand new, and the backpack beside her was clearly expensive. A staff member noticed my curiosity. "She's not actually an orphan," she explained with a smile. "Oh?" "Her mother works at a law firm, so she spends most of her time here with the other children until her mom comes to pick her up.” "Really?" The staff nodded. "She donates her toys. She even asks her mother to send food, clothes, and school supplies for everyone here." I couldn't help but smile. "What a wonderful child." I walked over and quietly sat beside her. She was deeply focused on coloring a page filled with stars. "May I help?" I asked. She looked up, then handed me a yellow crayon without hesitation. We colored together in comfortable silence. "What's your name?" I finally asked. She smiled brightly. "My name is Byeol." "That's a beautiful name." "My mama gave it to me," she said proudly. "She said 'Byeol' means 'star.' She told me she became the luckiest person in the world when the universe gave me to her." My heart melted. "Your mama sounds amazing." "She is!" Byeol giggled. "She's an orphan too." I blinked. "She found me in a dark alley when I was just a baby. Then she adopted me." An orphan. The word stirred memories I had buried years ago. I wondered where she was now. Whether she'd achieved her dreams. Whether she was happy. Whether she had ever thought about me. I smiled gently at Byeol. "Is that why you like coming here?" She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Mama knows how lonely it feels not to have a family. So she always tells me to love people who need love." I felt my chest tighten. That sounded exactly like something Winter would say. Before I could speak again— "Byeol Kim!" The voice echoed across the courtyard. I froze. It couldn't be. I knew that voice. Byeol ran toward the woman who had just arrived and wrapped her tiny arms around her. As she hugged Byeol, our eyes met. Her eyes widened. "Karina…" "Winter..." She wore a neatly pressed suit beneath a long coat. She looked... successful. Just like she'd promised. For several seconds, neither of us moved. Seven years of longing. Seven years of unanswered questions. Seven years... Winter forced a small smile. "Long time no see." #winrinaau #winrina #karina #winter #aespa - @tfedensilvs