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“Se-ah, I heard you met your mother again yesterday? Something about preparing for your remarriage?”
“What? Remarriage?”
A deep crease formed between Seunghyun’s brows.
The suspicion he had only guessed at was now confirmed, and a foul sensation washed over him, as if all the blood had drained from his body.
“So you really didn’t know. Se-ah said she was upset because you were too busy to show up.”
Where did these lies end?
The tangled web of falsehoods seemed endless, and Seunghyun wondered how far it extended.
“So Juyeon and I… we just assumed you’d tell us yourself soon.”
“…”
“Se-ah said she hadn’t told you that we knew about this situation, so I kept pretending I didn’t know either.”
Seunghyun gripped his glass tightly.
It wasn’t just anyone—this betrayal came from Se-ah, who had been close friends with Suktae and Juyeon for years. Her actions felt cruel.
“So everything… everything was a lie?”
“Yes. It was all a lie.”
Finally, the puzzle pieces clicked into place in Seunghyun’s mind.
He began to understand why Yewon had no choice but to leave.
Thinking about how hard it must have been for her alone made his chest ache.
Even if he pounded his chest and cried uncontrollably, it wouldn’t ease the suffocating frustration.
“This might sound absurd, but… could Se-ah have been involved in your breakup with Yewon?”
“Probably.”
Suktae couldn’t hide his shocked expression.
Seunghyun finished the rest of his drink in one gulp and stood up.
“I’m sorry for calling you out and then leaving early, but I need to go somewhere.”
“Alright. Go ahead. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“Thank you.”
Seunghyun quickened his pace.
________________________________________
Tak.
Stepping out of the taxi, Seunghyun stared at the familiar standalone house.
This was where Jonghee, the mastermind behind all of this, resided.
“Haa.”
Seunghyun exhaled deeply, clenching his teeth so hard his jaw ached.
Though it was late, timing wasn’t important right now.
With determined strides, Seunghyun approached the tightly shut gate and rang the doorbell.
Without a word, the door opened after confirming his identity.
Climbing the stone steps and passing through the well-maintained garden, Seunghyun spotted Jonghee waiting outside.
As soon as she saw him, her eyes widened, and she hurried over.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Seunghyun immediately understood why she was outside.
“It seems Father is home.”
“He’s resting.”
Knowing Seunghyun rarely visited, she must have anticipated he’d come knowing everything.
Jonghee looked at him like a ticking bomb about to explode.
If it were something else, she might have tried to smooth things over, but when it came to Yewon, compromise was impossible.
“Are you even human?”
Seunghyun spat the words at her, his voice laced with venom.
His throat burned as though scratched by metal, and his chest felt as if it were on fire.
“What are you talking about?”
“That shameless face of yours. Even when you first entered this house after Mother passed away, it made me sick.”
“Seunghyun, what are you—”
“Where is Yewon?”
“Why are you asking me about her? I was worried something had happened when you showed up in the middle of the night, but you’re causing a scene over just that girl?”
Jonghee scanned him from head to toe before clicking her tongue dismissively.
Seunghyun was so furious he wanted to rip her tongue out.
It felt like all the blood in his body was rushing to his head.
“How dare you call her ‘just that girl.’ She was my everything.”
“Cha Seunghyun.”
“How dare you take Yewon away from me after already taking my mother. Where is Yewon?! WHERE IS SHE?!”
Seunghyun roared like a wounded animal.
“What’s all this commotion about at this hour?”
“Dear.”
Seokpil, Seunghyun’s father, emerged from the house and approached where Seunghyun and Jonghee stood.
He stared intently at Seunghyun, who was breathing heavily, then turned to Jonghee.
“Is it true, Seunghyun? Did you make the new daughter-in-law disappear?”
“Dear, it’s not like that—”
“Answer the question I asked.”
“I just wanted what was best for our son…”
“So it’s true?”
Under Seokpil’s cold tone, Jonghee bit her lip and nodded reluctantly.
Her admission made Seunghyun feel as though his chest was collapsing.
“Where is she?”
“…I don’t know. She’s hidden herself too well—I can’t find her.”
“Are you lying again?”
“It’s the truth! Believe me, dear.”
Jonghee, who had been defiant moments ago, now cowered before Seokpil like a mouse before a cat.
Seokpil furrowed his brow, clasped his hands behind his back, and fixed his gaze on Seunghyun.
“Seunghyun.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Five months should have been enough time to look for her. The fact that you haven’t found a trace likely means she doesn’t want to be found.”
“…”
“So I think it’s time for you to let go. You have mountains of work ahead of you—don’t waste your energy on pointless pursuits. Go back.”
With those words, Seokpil turned and went inside, with Jonghee trailing behind him like a shadow.
Tak. The door closed, leaving Seunghyun feeling as if he were stranded alone in an endless void.
—’The fact that you haven’t found a trace likely means she doesn’t want to be found.’
It felt like a stab to the gut.
Seunghyun felt as though invisible ropes bound his entire body, rendering him powerless.
________________________________________
Minho helped carry the watermelon to Yewon’s doorstep and then immediately headed back to Seoul.
Their relationship wasn’t close enough for him to be invited inside, and though Yewon suggested going to a nearby café, Minho politely declined.
“Ow.”
After seeing him off, Yewon winced as she sat down on her bed.
Lately, sharp pains in her lower back and pelvis had become more frequent. The OBGYN warned her it might get worse, leaving Yewon increasingly worried.
“I don’t know if I can handle this alone…”
Muttering to herself, Yewon glanced at the tiny baby shoes placed on her bedside table.
She had brought them with her when she left Seunghyun’s house.
Picking up the box, she unwrapped it and slipped her finger into one of the tiny shoes.
“They say these won’t even fit a newborn. So just how small will Bada be?”
Her curiosity grew alongside her worries.
It saddened her that the excitement of waiting for her baby was hers alone to bear.
But since this path was her choice, she tried her best to shake off the melancholy as quickly as possible.
Hormonal fluctuations often made emotional regulation difficult, but she endured, knowing it was part of the process.
‘I wonder how Seunghyun is doing. Without me around, has he moved on? Is he planning to marry Se-ah?’
No matter how hard she tried to push him out of her mind, there were days like today when thoughts of Seunghyun inevitably returned.
Knowing she’d face such moments countless times after Bada’s birth, Yewon resolved to practice thinking of Seunghyun with detachment.
“Haa.”
Tears still welled up whenever she thought of him, but she believed there would come a day when she could smile instead.
For now, though…
Today, Seunghyun was painfully missed.
________________________________________
“Chairman, I’m here.”
Unaware of last night’s events, Se-ah walked into Seunghyun’s office with her usual demeanor.
‘Shameless,’ was the only thought swirling in Seunghyun’s mind.
Avoiding eye contact with her, he gave a vague response and picked up his tablet.
As Se-ah settled into her usual seat, a cake box caught his eye.
“Chairman, congratulations on successfully completing the acquisition. On such a joyous occasion, we must light candles on this cake and celebrate.”
Chattering cheerfully, Se-ah opened the cake box.
At that moment, a familiar logo caught Seunghyun’s eye.
—’I bought this cake because I love it so much. Let’s eat it together tonight. I think you’ll like it too, Seunghyun.’
It had been uncertain at first, but upon reflection, he was now certain.
Seunghyun’s eyes widened.
“Hey, Yoon Se-ah.”
“Yes?”
“Where did you buy this cake?”
Though Seokpil’s words from last night held some weight, Seunghyun couldn’t let go of his suspicions.
And in that instant, hope sparked within him. Perhaps if he asked the shop, they might know something about Yewon.
To them, she was just another customer—but to Seunghyun, this was a lifeline worth clinging to.
If it meant finding Yewon, he was prepared to do anything.
Thankfully, he had resisted the urge to confront Se-ah last night and demand answers.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought this cake to his office today.
“It’s quite close to the company. It’s on the second floor at the intersection—a really delicious cake shop…”
“Sorry, let’s talk later.”
“Hey! Cha Seunghyun!”
Ignoring Se-ah’s calls from behind him, Seunghyun walked out without a backward glance.
Right now, Yewon was the only thing that mattered to him.
________________________________________
True to Se-ah’s words, the café wasn’t far from the company.
As Seunghyun climbed the stairs to the second floor, he became increasingly anxious about what to say to the owner.
‘Should I show them a photo and ask if they’ve seen her recently?’
Without a warrant, accessing CCTV footage would be illegal, and even explaining the situation might not guarantee cooperation if they claimed not to remember.
‘Did I come here for nothing?’
Halfway between the first and second floors, Seunghyun stopped abruptly.
Standing still, he tried to calmly rethink his approach when he sensed someone behind him.
Just as Seunghyun stepped aside—
‘…!’
He nearly dropped his phone in shock.
The person who had just passed by with a nod was unmistakably the man from the photo—standing beside Yewon.
“Excuse me.”
Seunghyun called out to stop him.
His heart raced wildly at the thought that this man might know something about Yewon.
“Yes?”
Minho paused and turned to face Seunghyun.
Though he had impulsively approached, Seunghyun now hesitated. What if this man was still seeing Yewon? Worse yet, what if he was the father of her unborn child?
“...Never mind.”
This felt wrong—selfish even. As Seunghyun turned to leave, Minho spoke up.
“Are you by any chance Yewon’s ex-husband?”
“...!”
Seunghyun’s insides churned at how Minho knew, but given the situation, hiding his identity seemed pointless now.
After exhaling quietly, Seunghyun met Minho’s gaze.
“Yes, I am.”
Minho’s expression darkened with disapproval.
If their roles were reversed, Seunghyun imagined he’d feel the same way, so he didn’t take offense. He simply wanted to ask whether Yewon was doing well.
Coming all this way in such a frantic state now felt anticlimactic. If Yewon didn’t want to see him again, he would have to accept it.
As Minho chewed his lip, he stared at Seunghyun with a somber look.
“There’s something I need to say. Would you step inside for a moment?”
“Yes, let’s.”
He could already guess what Minho would say.
Minho led Seunghyun to his office—a small, sparsely furnished but neatly organized space that reflected his personality.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then let’s get straight to it.”
Minho sat on the couch across from Seunghyun and gulped down some bottled water.
Seunghyun’s anxiety burned hotter with each passing second.
“I care about Yewon… a lot.”
“...”
Minho’s clear tone left Seunghyun speechless.
He couldn’t exactly congratulate or encourage him—not in this ambiguous situation.
Choosing words felt as difficult as navigating their tangled relationship.
“We’ve only just started moving forward together, so it’s awkward for you to show up like this.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Of course, I feel guilty liking someone who’s married. But the baby in her belly—we need to take responsibility for that, don’t we?”
Responsibility for the baby? So it was true—the rumors about another man’s child.
A bitter smile tugged at Seunghyun’s lips.
When Seunghyun remained silent again, Minho continued, his voice rising slightly.
“Even if Yewon wanted to go back to you, I wouldn’t let her. Not after everything she went through in that house.”
“...”
“If you can’t protect her properly, it’s safer for her to stay by my side.”
“I see.”
It seemed Yewon had told Minho everything.
She must have trusted him enough to share even details about Seunghyun’s existence.
But recalling how guarded she had been around him made Seunghyun ache.
“How could they... How could anyone ignore her consent and force something vile into her body?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Minho clenched his fists tightly, glaring at Seunghyun as if he were vermin.
While Seunghyun vaguely guessed what Yewon had endured, the idea of forcing something vile into her body shocked him.
He realized he had missed a crucial detail.
Seunghyun’s body began trembling faintly.
“While pretending to push pregnancy, they bribed doctors behind the scenes to implant contraceptive devices...”
“Contraceptive devices? What do you mean?”
Suddenly, an old memory surfaced.
—”I found it strange how Mother always took me to hospitals other than Donghwa Construction’s designated ones.”
He had suspected something odd back then but got too busy to investigate further.
“For specifics, you should ask your so-called mother.”
The phrase “contraceptive device” muddled Seunghyun’s thoughts.
“If she finds out Yewon is pregnant, there’s no telling what she’ll do. Yewon wants to keep this baby, so please pretend you don’t exist. Even if it’s your child, no one will know as long as you stay silent.”
“...What?”
“Don’t make things harder for Yewon. Move on with your life. She said she’ll finalize the divorce after safely delivering the baby.”
With that, Minho stood abruptly and exited the room.
Clearly, he had no intention of continuing the conversation.
“My child?”
Now it clicked: Minho’s earlier insistence on taking responsibility wasn’t about claiming the baby—it was a rebuke aimed at Seunghyun.
Left alone amidst this shocking truth, veins bulged along Seunghyun’s temples as he clenched his fists tightly.
________________________________________
Yewon carefully arranged cut fruit on a plate and placed it on the table before sitting in front of her easel.
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
A pencil traced bold black lines across the canvas, forming shapes that hinted at something greater.
Crunch.
A bite of apple burst with refreshing juice in her mouth.
Outside the window lay the beautiful ocean, which served as inspiration for her painting—a cherished pastime.
“Hmm.”
Once again, Yewon paused at the same spot.
She needed to draw figures standing before the sea.
But instead of happy memories, she kept envisioning tender moments between herself and Seunghyun.
Side-by-side silhouettes reminded her too much of their contract marriage—walking forward without truly facing each other.
Instead, she yearned to paint them smiling brightly while gazing directly at one another.
“Can I handle that?”
Yet every time she imagined completing the painting, she feared it would bring fresh heartache.
Regret gnawed at her for not leaving behind even a single photo as a keepsake.
Why hadn’t she saved at least one picture to reminisce over when longing struck?
It felt dirty—as though those two years never existed.
She tried to comfort herself, reasoning it was merely wearing an ill-fitting garment, but it wasn’t easy.
“This isn’t working.”
Ultimately, Yewon set down her pencil at the same unfinished point once more.
“Why does he keep popping into my head? It’s been months already.”
Sinking onto the bed, Yewon swallowed her frustration toward Seunghyun.
And then—
Thump, thump.
Bada sent a gentle kick from within.
Yewon’s face brightened instantly, as if forgetting her earlier scowl.
“I didn’t realize you were awake. Sorry, Mommy got distracted trying to paint again. You’re probably wondering why Daddy keeps coming to mind, huh?”
Bada responded with another soft nudge, as though replying.
Every flutter amazed Yewon, bringing an involuntary smile to her lips.
“Alright. I’ll stop resenting Daddy. Sorry, Bada.”
Yewon rubbed her belly affectionately.
Since feeling these movements, she’d become acutely aware she was no longer alone.
Realizing both her words and thoughts needed caution now, Yewon decided to distract herself.
Opening her laptop, she muttered softly, “Mommy will play some nice music for you.”
She remembered the doctor advising that listening to soothing melodies benefited the fetus.
Perhaps playing videos while tidying up would help.
But just as she pressed play, a notification popped up—a new email.
From Hyojin, Seunghyun’s younger sister.
Though tempted to ignore it given her connection to Seunghyun, the subject line caught Yewon’s eye:
Subject: Sister-in-law, I Had a Dream About You
“It’s just reading—it’s harmless,” she reasoned, biting her nails nervously before clicking open the message.
“Sister-in-law, how are you doing?”
The email began casually, explaining its length warranted written form rather than a simple text.
Surprisingly, Hyojin seemed unaware of Yewon’s disappearance despite Seunghyun surely knowing.
“In my dream, pink dolphins danced gracefully through the waves.
They intrigued me, so I approached alongside you, sister-in-law. Suddenly, one leapt into your arms!”
Yewon smiled warmly as she read further.
Five months in, she hadn’t dreamed of anything remotely resembling a taemong (pregnancy dream). This story felt especially fascinating.
“You stroked the dolphin’s head, and it beamed with such charm...
Just like my brother... Could it be? Are you expecting?
I hope the baby shoes I gifted work their magic! Looking forward to good news.
Have a great day, sister-in-law!”
The email ended there.
Pink dolphins, of all things—how adorable!
“Should I reply?”
Hyojin deserved thanks for sharing Bada’s taemong.
After deliberating, Yewon cautiously placed her hands on the keyboard and began typing.
________________________________________
At the same moment, Seunghyun’s phone buzzed with a new message.
[Found where our sister-in-law is.]
Seeing it was from Hyojin, Seunghyun’s eyes widened immediately.
He tapped the call button without hesitation.
—Your reaction speed is impressive.
“Where’s Yewon?”
—Even in a rush, shouldn’t you at least say thank you?
“Just tell me where Yewon is. Now.”
Seunghyun was desperate.
—’Yewon plans to keep the baby. Please act as though you don’t exist. No one needs to know it’s yours if you stay silent.’
After confirming the baby was indeed his following Minho’s revelation, Seunghyun resolved to set everything right again.
________________________________________
“—’I really like Yewon.’”
Minho chewed softly on the tender flesh inside his cheek as he recalled the words he had spoken to Seunghyun.
Never in a million thoughts did he imagine that Yewon’s ex-husband, Seunghyun, would show up at his café.
But when he saw the man hesitating and stopping Minho after passing by—
Minho instinctively knew it was him.
“Haa.”
He set the glass in his hand down on the desk and buried his face in his palms.
The moment he laid eyes on Seunghyun, he had acted impulsively.
If Yewon were to return to this man, she’d only endure a life devoid of humanity.
“If I’d known nothing, fine. But knowing everything, how could I possibly let her go back?”
Minho clenched his fists tightly and muttered under his breath.
A few days ago…
Minho had unexpectedly visited Busan with a cake he hadn’t been asked to bring.
It wasn’t unusual for him to drop by unannounced, and though Yewon initially seemed surprised, lately she welcomed him with an awkward smile—he guessed she felt lonely living alone.
That day, knowing Yewon often took walks by the sea during this time, Minho headed toward the beach. From a distance, he spotted her talking on the phone.
Not wanting to interrupt, he stayed back and quietly observed. Something about her demeanor struck him as off.
Eventually, Minho cautiously approached Yewon.
“Mother, please just leave me alone! I already told you this baby isn’t Seunghyun’s! Don’t you see I left him on my own?”
Yewon’s cheeks were soaked with tears, and she screamed in a way Minho had never seen before.
“I know what you’ve done, bribing doctors to implant contraceptive devices in me. And those herbal medicines you made me take—they were meant to prevent pregnancy, weren’t they?!”
The horrifying acts committed by her mother-in-law left Minho speechless.
Such things belonged in melodramatic dramas; he couldn’t believe they happened in real life.
“You know all of this, so how could I possibly get pregnant? If I were, you’d surely force me to abort it. There’s no chance this child is Seunghyun’s, so stop contacting me!”
Yewon collapsed onto the sand the moment she ended the call.
Watching her sob like a child, Minho wrestled with uncertainty about what to do.
Her face was always bright, making it impossible for him to imagine such cruelty inflicted upon her.
And yet, that’s why… he felt he couldn’t intrude.
She didn’t want anyone to see or know about these wounds, so stepping in might not be for the best.
They said their divorce was due to personality differences—but clearly, there was more to the story.
Though Yewon still longed for her ex-husband, Minho firmly believed reuniting them would be wrong.
Even knowing Yewon’s feelings, he had sternly warned Seunghyun to stay away…
Still, he wasn’t sure if he’d done the right thing.
“Haa, I don’t know anymore.”
Confused as he was, one thing remained unchanged: Minho wanted to take responsibility for Yewon.
Even if she rejected him now, he trusted that with enough care, she’d eventually open her heart to him.
After all, she couldn’t meet another man while carrying a child.
“No, I did the right thing.”
Minho reassured himself internally.
In the end, he convinced himself that he would be the last man standing by her side, setting aside his complicated emotions.
________________________________________
Hyojin traced the email sent by Yewon and discovered her location.
“Busan…”
Seunghyun murmured the address aloud, testing its sound.
He remembered when they were preparing for their marriage, and he suggested taking a short domestic trip to celebrate.
At the time, Yewon had eagerly agreed.
—”Any favorite travel spots?”
—”Anywhere with a view of the ocean. Watching the open scenery makes all my worries disappear, even if just for a moment.”
They had decided on Busan.
But then Seunghyun’s work suddenly got hectic, and he couldn’t keep the promise of their two-night, three-day getaway.
Now, learning that Yewon was there alone broke his heart.
“I’ve really messed up.”
________________________________________
This must have been how Yewon silently filled her heart with wounds Seunghyun never noticed.
The ignorance he once clung to now felt unbearable.
Though he knew he had no right to face her—the longing for Yewon consumed him.
Selfish as it was, Seunghyun couldn’t help but seek her out.
But first, there was somewhere else he needed to go.
________________________________________
“What brings you here at this hour?”
That evening, as Seunghyun entered his family home, Jonghee greeted him with a faint smile, likely expecting an apology.
“How dare you treat Yewon like that?”
Seunghyun spat his words venomously, causing Jonghee’s brow to furrow deeply.
“What nonsense has that girl been spreading now? Coming here to raise your voice again!”
“What did you say? ‘That girl’?”
Jonghee must have restrained herself in front of Seokpil last time.
Today, Seunghyun finally saw her true colors.
“I can’t take this anymore! Who does she think she is? Last time, and now causing this commotion again? Not even apologizing!”
“Are you seriously asking me to apologize?”
“Cha Seunghyun!”
“To think you’d call yourself my mother, after driving my real mother to her grave through adultery?”
“...!”
This was the first time Seunghyun brought it up, leaving Jonghee visibly shaken.
“You should be grateful I obeyed your ridiculous demands. How dare you take away what’s mine—not once, but twice.”
“Are you going to keep talking like this? Why are you acting this way now, after raising you all these years?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
Seunghyun’s gaze bore into her sharply.
Jonghee laughed bitterly and crossed a line she shouldn’t have.
“She’s just like her mother—a pitiful fool. If another woman cheated on me, I’d cut ties instantly. Yet here you are, unable to forget some worthless woman?”
“Shut your filthy mouth. She’s not someone you deserve to speak of.”
Seunghyun clenched his fists tightly.
He barely restrained himself from lunging at her.
“Do you even know how unlucky that girl is?”
“…”
There was no point responding to such baseless accusations.
With a snicker, Jonghee crossed her arms and tilted her chin arrogantly.
“She’s the reason her own mother died, and her father met an untimely death too. The uncle who raised her went bankrupt because of her.”
“How do you even know all that?”
“It’s only natural to investigate when you’re about to make a big decision. What if something happens to you because of her?”
Listening to Jonghee justify herself sickened Seunghyun.
When he remained silent, she kept rambling.
“If she were still around, you wouldn’t have successfully closed the Eunhwa Construction deal. All of this is for your sake…”
“So that’s why you tried to implant contraceptive devices in Yewon’s body?”
“That… how do you know about that…?”
Finally realizing she had said too much, Jonghee’s mouth snapped shut.
Seeing her face pale slightly gave Seunghyun a small sense of relief.
“Forcing her to drink useless herbal medicine and dragging her to suspicious infertility centers—how can you call yourself human?”
“All lies fabricated by Yewon! After marrying you, what excuse does she have left for carrying another man’s child?”
“Keep repeating the same nonsense, and I’m done listening.”
Seunghyun pulled out his phone and showed it to her.
The screen displayed bold letters: Recording in Progress .
“Delete that immediately!”
“If you have more to say, say it in front of the rest of the family. I won’t exchange another word with you.”
With that, Seunghyun turned and stormed out of the house.
Behind him, Jonghee’s voice screeched in despair.
But Seunghyun didn’t slow his pace for a second.
He hoped she’d pay dearly for tormenting both his late mother and precious Yewon.
________________________________________
Upon returning home, Seunghyun transferred the recorded conversation with Jonghee from his phone to his desktop.
He then sent the file to Hanju, his grandfather, and Seokpil, his father.
“Haa.”
Even if he couldn’t start anew with Yewon, this was something he had to do.
After spending two years together, he couldn’t let her bear the weight of false accusations any longer.
“I need to hurry.”
Checking the time on his wristwatch, Seunghyun headed toward the stairs but paused momentarily.
Turning his head, he looked toward the room Yewon had used as her studio.
He hadn’t stepped foot inside since she left.
Drawn inexplicably, he approached the door and slowly turned the handle.
Opening it felt like entering a frozen moment in time.
The art supplies scattered throughout the studio reminded him of how happy Yewon had been purchasing them from the art supply store.
She had loved all of this…
The thought of her abandoning everything pained him deeply.
“Haa.”
Seunghyun sighed heavily as he surveyed the space.
Whether it was his imagination or not, he thought he could faintly smell Yewon’s scent lingering in the air.
On the easel, a canvas held traces of black pencil lines.
Reaching out, he gently traced the marks with his fingertips, trying to feel Yewon’s presence.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
Caught off guard, Seunghyun awkwardly wiped it away with the back of his hand.
“This is why I avoided coming in here.”
Entering Yewon’s personal space intensified his yearning for her.
Deciding it was better to leave soon and head to Busan, he turned to leave—but stopped.
Leaning against the wall stood another canvas.
Biting his lip, Seunghyun approached and turned it over to reveal its front.
“Ah.”
There, sketched in pencil, was a portrait of himself.
A surge of heat rose in his throat.
Relieved, he realized Yewon hadn’t entirely hated him.
Knowing it was futile, he still found meaning in the fact that the first drawing she had worked on after resuming painting was of him.
For a long while, Seunghyun gazed at the image of himself drawn by Yewon.
“What is this?”
There, tucked in one corner of the canvas, Seunghyun spotted small handwriting.
Frowning as he leaned closer to read it, his eyes widened in shock.
“My first and last love, Seunghyun.”
His heart pounded wildly, and his fingertips trembled.
Yewon’s small, rounded handwriting continued below:
“I’m sorry for hiding my feelings and living as your fake wife all this time.
From the very beginning until now, there hasn’t been a single moment when I didn’t love you.
I never intended to deceive you—I just realized my own feelings too late.”
“Haa.”
In an instant, Seunghyun’s eyes brimmed with tears.
He was grateful to know she had felt the same way about him.
And yet, that realization made him feel even guiltier.
“Since I was the one who recklessly started this, you have every right to hate me.
Thank you for everything so far. I hope this letter never reaches your eyes.
But if it does, I think I’ll be happy knowing I was able to confess to you at least once.
Be happy with Se-ah. I loved you so much.
I’ll do my best to move on as quickly as possible.
I’m sorry for loving you so presumptuously… I’m sorry.”
“Huk.”
Seunghyun broke down in tears.
How could he not have noticed her feelings while she stood right beside him?
He felt utterly pathetic, disgusted with himself.
While he denied his own emotions and pushed her away, how much pain must she have endured?
—’If anyone comes into your life, don’t hesitate to meet them openly. I won’t stop you from that.’
—’Forget remarriage; just date. As long as no child is involved, I can overlook something like dating.’
What had he done?
If it were possible, he wished he could erase from Yewon’s memory every harsh word he’d thrown at her.
“What is this? Who painted this?”
From the day he first saw Yewon’s painting, he had sensed there was something special about her…
Why had he ignored it?
Those days when he dismissed her affection, attributing it only to admiration for her art, now seemed so foolish.
Why… hadn’t he realized? Why?
“Kim Yewon.”
Calling her name through tear-soaked lips felt like piercing his heart with a needle.
“I’m the one who broke our promise not to give each other our hearts. I’m the one who loved too presumptuously… Kim Yewon, it wasn’t you—it was me. I’m sorry. So sorry.”
Seunghyun caressed the small letters of Yewon’s letter with trembling fingers, sobbing quietly.
The figure of himself in Yewon’s painting stared off into an indiscernible distance.
This was how Yewon had always seen him.
“You wretched fool.”
He loathed himself for failing to notice even a fraction of her feelings, driving her to endure such pain before leaving.
He missed Yewon desperately.
________________________________________
By the time he arrived in Busan without stopping once, it was 4 a.m.
Standing in front of the house Hyojin had tracked down for him, Seunghyun parked his car and stepped out momentarily.
—’Trust me! If you put “dream about the baby” in the email subject line, any pregnant woman will definitely open it. You don’t know anything about pregnancy—I do, because I’ve been through it! I found someone who can track her location just by her opening the email, so leave it to me.’
On the day he confided everything to Hyojin in his frustration, she had suggested this method.
Though Seunghyun had initially dismissed it as absurd, astonishingly, it had led him to Yewon.
“Haa.”
The sound of crashing waves greeted him first.
Turning his head, he gazed up at the third floor of the building where Yewon lived.
Knowing she might be there made his heart race.
He wanted to rush upstairs immediately, kneel before her, and beg for forgiveness.
He wanted to see her… as soon as possible.
“Yewon. Yewon.”
Seunghyun whispered her name softly, barely audible even to himself.
Morning would soon break, and official articles announcing Donghwa Construction’s successful acquisition of Eunhwa Construction would go live.
It was the day his long-held wish finally came true.
“On a day like this, I’m grateful to at least see your face.”
If only she could congratulate him—it would make him truly happy.
Behind the faint murmur drowned out by the waves, Seunghyun forced a small smile.
Whether Yewon cursed him or told him to never show up again—it would all be fine.
Seunghyun parked near her place and took a brief nap inside the car.
He considered booking a nearby hotel but decided against it, fearing he might miss her if he left even for a short rest.
‘Please, let nothing else go wrong.’
If Yewon returned, he felt ready to accept any punishment.
He deserved to suffer as much as—or more than—he had hurt her.
________________________________________
After what felt like an endless night, morning finally arrived.
“Kim Yewon.”
He faced the face he had longed for.
The moment their eyes met, brighter than sunlight scattered across the sea, Seunghyun’s nose tingled with emotion.
“Yewon.”
He had so many things he wanted to say upon seeing her again.
But tears threatened to spill over, making even that difficult.
The one sentence Seunghyun chose was:
“Let’s go. I’ve come to take you home.”
Not a confession of love—just an invitation to return home.
________________________________________
Yewon thought she was hallucinating.
That man standing before her with reddened eyes—could it really be Seunghyun? It didn’t make sense.
‘Did I miss him so much today?’
She closed her eyes tightly, thinking he’d disappear like a mirage when she opened them again.
But the more she blinked, the closer Seunghyun came.
Before she knew it, he was right in front of her.
“Seunghyun…?”
Yewon hesitantly called his name, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Her mind raced—why did he look like he was about to cry? How had he found her?
“Yewon.”
Seunghyun murmured softly, staring at her intently.
“Let’s go. I’ve come to take you home.”
Yewon felt her heart plummet into the depths of her stomach.
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms protectively around her belly.
When Seunghyun’s gaze shifted toward her abdomen, her body visibly tensed.
‘Could he have learned that the baby inside me is his?’
He hadn’t wanted children.
It was Yewon who had brought up pregnancy as a condition to extend their marriage contract.
Surely, now that they were apart, any child would be unnecessary to him.
Terrified, Yewon took a step back.
Seunghyun lifted his gaze from her belly to meet her eyes.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“I have nothing to say. Go back.”
Just as Yewon turned away coldly—
“I already know everything. Please, give me some time.”
As Yewon had feared, it was clear he knew the baby growing inside her carried his blood.
She wanted to shout that it wasn’t his child, but then remembered Seunghyun saying he already knew everything.
If lies wouldn’t work, persuasion might be necessary.
“Alright. Then let’s go to a nearby café…”
Yewon’s finger pointed vaguely in one direction before curling back.
People in this small neighborhood already mistook Minho as her husband.
In such a tight-knit community, rumors spread quickly, and Yewon didn’t trust herself to bring Seunghyun anywhere public.
If someone overheard their suspicious conversation at a café…
The mere thought made her head throb.
Finally, she offered another suggestion.
“Let’s just go to my place.”
“Your place?”
“It’s nearby, and this isn’t the kind of conversation for a café. Don’t misunderstand.”
Instead of answering, Seunghyun nodded.
Side by side, they walked silently toward her home.
The house wasn’t far from the beach, so they arrived quickly.
“Come… in.”
Following Yewon’s words, Seunghyun stepped inside and glanced around.
It was a modest two-bedroom house with a small living room.
She hadn’t bought much furniture since she wasn’t sure how long she’d stay, giving the space an empty feel.
To avoid feeling trapped, she had placed her bed in the spacious living room near the large window.
Though meant for no visitors, the sparse decor likely seemed pitiful compared to Seunghyun’s grand standalone house.
“There’s no coffee, only rooibos tea. Is that okay?”
“Anything’s fine.”
“I’ll bring the tea. Sit on the couch.”
“Thank you.”
Seunghyun walked to the couch as Yewon briefly pressed her hand to her forehead, steadying herself.
Opening the drawer where she kept tea bags, she retrieved two and placed them in mugs before turning on the electric kettle.
Leaning against the sink, Yewon took deep breaths, steeling herself to remain calm no matter what Seunghyun said.
But then—
“Kim Yewon.”
Seunghyun’s voice startled her from behind.
Turning reflexively, her mouth fell open slightly.
“Why is this here?”
In Seunghyun’s hand was the baby shoe Hyojin had gifted her.
Her fingertips and lips trembled.
She had completely forgotten she’d left it on the bedside table next to the couch.
Having placed it there daily, she hadn’t thought to move it.
The electric kettle clicked off as the water boiled.
“…I’m sorry.”
No words came to mind, and her lips moved on their own, uttering that apology. Her insides churned.
“Does that answer mean... the baby in Kim Yewon’s belly is mine?”
“Seunghyun.”
“Why do you keep avoiding my questions? You’re driving me crazy.”
“…I know it violates our contract, but I want to have this child.”
Yewon’s voice quivered, but she forced her eyes wide open, determined not to let a single tear fall.
She felt more terrified than ever, unsure of how he would react.
After running away with all her strength, here she was—everything felt so futile.
“How far along are you?”
“A little over five months.”
“What’s the baby’s nickname?”
“...Bada (Bada).”
“Bada… That’s beautiful.”
Seunghyun chuckled softly, murmuring under his breath.
Yewon swallowed hard, unable to take her eyes off him.
“How’s your body holding up?”
“As you can see, not bad at all.”
“They say morning sickness is severe during early pregnancy. How was it for you?”
“It was pretty bad, but after two months, it got better as if nothing had happened.”
Though she didn’t understand why he asked such details, Yewon answered sincerely.
If there was even a small chance these answers could sway his decision to let her keep the baby, she’d do anything.
For a while, Seunghyun fell silent.
Desperate to interrupt his deepening thoughts, Yewon spoke up again.
“I saw the news today about Eunhwa Construction’s successful acquisition. Congratulations. It’s what you wanted, right?”
“Thank you. To be honest… I really wanted you to congratulate me.”
“Did you? You’ve worked so hard. Congratulations once more.”
“Which OB-GYN have you been seeing?”
Despite her efforts, the conversation circled back to square one.
Yewon exhaled quietly, her expression hardening.
“Why do you keep asking things like that?”
“Because it’s something I need to know.”
“Seunghyun... I’m sorry, but I don’t plan to get rid of this baby.”
“What?”
Seunghyun furrowed his brows deeply, looking at Yewon with disapproval.
His gaze inevitably landed on her lower abdomen.
“I won’t tell the child about their father—I won’t breathe a word to anyone. I’ll live quietly, I promise.”
When Seunghyun remained silent, panic gripped Yewon tighter.
“I’ll sign the divorce papers today if you want. No alimony needed. Please… just let me have this baby.”
“Kim Yewon.”
“Everyone already thinks I’m carrying another man’s child. Just pretend you don’t know. Okay?”
Tears streamed down Yewon’s cheeks uncontrollably.
Her mind was too scattered to fully grasp what she was saying.
No matter how many times she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, they kept coming.
“Seunghyun…!”
As she prepared to kneel before him,
Seunghyun abruptly pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Haa.”
His warm breath settled heavily against her nape.
“Enough, Bada. Stop saying such terrible things.”
“...What?”
Confused by his words, Yewon tried to pull away to look at his face, but his arms tightened around her even more.
She was completely enveloped in his hold.
“I’ve never once said anything so cruel.”
“Seunghyun?”
“Have the baby. But do it by my side.”
“You don’t need to feel obligated. From the start, I was the only one who wanted this child.”
Knowing how painful it would be to stay close to him—to protect him—she didn’t want to return.
It was already hard enough. If she were to see him together with Se-ah, she feared becoming a hysterical mother for her child.
The human heart, after all, doesn’t always obey reason.
“This time, don’t let go of Se-ah. Hold on tight.”
“Why are you bringing her up?”
At that moment, a spark ignited in Yewon’s mind.
“Could it be… because Se-ah doesn’t want children, you suddenly need this baby?”
“Kim Yewon.”
“I can’t do that! This baby is mine—I’ve carried them in my belly. Absolutely not!”
Overwhelmed by fear, Yewon trembled violently as she shouted.
At the same time, her vision blurred, and her body swayed forward.
‘No!’
Even as she lost consciousness, Yewon clutched her belly tightly with both arms.
________________________________________
“The mother and baby are both healthy. There’s nothing to worry about. Just make sure she gets plenty of rest.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as the doctor left the room, Seunghyun collapsed into the chair beside Yewon’s bed.
Hearing the assurance that everything was fine drained all tension from his body.
Clenching his teeth, he struggled to swallow the anger bubbling inside him.
—”I can’t do that! This baby is mine—I’ve carried them in my belly. Absolutely not!”
Yewon’s desperate cry as she collapsed replayed in his mind.
He had come here to take responsibility for the child, only to be met with Yewon’s horrifying misunderstanding.
‘How could she misunderstand me like that?’
Seunghyun realized how he must have appeared to her all this time—it pained him deeply.
He had believed he was different from Jonghee or Mijin.
But in Yewon’s eyes, he must have seemed no different—a cruel person trying to harm her.
“I’m sorry.”
Seunghyun clasped Yewon’s hand and bowed his head low.
His shoulders began to tremble faintly.
Why had he taken so long to realize his feelings, causing her so much pain?
If only he’d understood sooner, perhaps this worst-case scenario could have been avoided.
—”It was pretty bad, but after two months, it got better as if nothing had happened.”
Hyojin had told him it was a critical period when she needed someone by her side.
Morning sickness felt like constant seasickness, yet Yewon endured it alone for two whole months.
Seunghyun felt like he might lose his mind from guilt.
Not only had he failed to protect her, but he owed her so much more.
‘Please wake up.’
First, he vowed to tell her he loved her too.
When he found her in Busan, he should have said it immediately instead of rambling nonsense.
Though he knew how flawed he was compared to her, he couldn’t let go of his selfish attachment.
He knew it was wrong to act this way so late, but he couldn’t help himself.
________________________________________
Seunghyun refused to leave Yewon’s bedside, staying put throughout the evening without moving an inch.
Then, her phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Naturally, his gaze shifted toward it—and he saw the name “Minho.”
‘I don’t recognize this name.’
After pondering for a moment, Seunghyun picked up Yewon’s phone.
Something about it reminded him of the café owner near his company.
With slow movements, he pressed the call button and brought the phone to his ear.
Just as he was about to introduce himself as Yewon, Minho’s voice blared through first.
—Yewon, Yewon.
Judging by Minho’s slurred speech and the noisy background, it seemed he was at a bar.
Seunghyun clenched his jaw shut.
—Listen, I really like you. Can’t you just come to me? Don’t go back to that guy. Do you want to spend your life being gaslit and lonely? And what about the baby inside you? That’s not good either…
Minho’s drunken rant abruptly cut off.
Thinking the call had ended, Seunghyun checked the screen, but it still showed an active connection.
Deciding he couldn’t stay silent any longer, Seunghyun spoke.
“Hello. I’m Yewon’s…”
—Hey! Who are you to torment my friend like this?!
A booming voice interrupted, louder than the phone itself.
It sounded like one of Minho’s friends.
—From what Minho says, she’s a poor unmarried mother with no husband or place to go. How long will you cling to your pride?
“…!”
Seunghyun seethed at the offensive choice of words.
What kind of scum talked like this?
—Do you know how hard it is to carry cakes from Seoul to Busan? If she’s playing hard to get because she wants to seem less easy, then...
“Shut your mouth.”
So Minho wasn’t alone in being trash—his friend was just as bad.
“Playing hard to get”?
How could they belittle Yewon like that?
—Is there a man with her? Hey, is someone else answering her phone?
The voice faded momentarily before Minho’s returned.
—A man? Hello? Who is this?
“Hello. I’m Yewon’s husband.”
—What? Why are you answering Yewon’s phone? Didn’t I tell you to never show up in front of her again? She’s going to raise the baby with me!
Seunghyun burst into bitter laughter.
Minho’s desperate protests sounded pathetic.
“The person who shouldn’t appear in front of her is probably you.”
—Put Yewon on the phone now!
“What gives you the right to look for my wife? You’re nothing to her. We’re legally married. Leave. Unless you want trouble.”
Without another word, Seunghyun hung up.
He then gazed down at Yewon.
It was fortunate she hadn’t answered that unpleasant call herself.
“I’m sorry, Yewon.”
He felt sick imagining her hearing those cruel words calling her a pitiful unwed mother with nowhere to go.
Each harsh phrase tore at Seunghyun’s chest like a blade.
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