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Tears streaked down Hyun-soo’s temples as she clenched her eyes shut.
“I have a question.”
After their long, intense session, Yoon Guk was still lazily tracing circles inside her, savoring the afterglow. Hyun-soo spoke up.
“Go ahead.”
“The fire ten years ago. Did you know Han was the arsonist?”
His movements stilled. Slowly, he pulled out of her and met her gaze directly.
“If I said I didn’t know... would you believe me?”
“......”
“I found out around the same time you did.”
So he had only learned the truth a year ago—if he was telling the truth. But would she ever really know?
“You think I’m lying?”
“I don’t know.”
“Just believe me. Then everything’s simple.”
Hyun-soo glared at him. She was done being dragged along by his half-truths.
“Even if it’s hard, I need the truth.”
“And look where that’s gotten us. You still want the painful truth?”
“Yes.”
Yoon Guk’s dark eyes bore into hers, unreadable.
“Even putting everything else aside, isn’t this reason enough for us to be over?”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Han is your brother. Because of what he did, I lost my mother.”
“Kim Hyun-soo.”
“And for over ten years, I lived thinking I was the arsonist. Do you really think forgiveness is that easy?”
“I hate your father, but I still want you. Can’t you do the same?”
His blunt words stole her breath.
“......I’m not you. Not everyone can separate people from their sins.”
“No. I don’t understand.”
An insurmountable wall stood between them—one neither had the strength or will to break.
Hyun-soo shakily sat up, wanting nothing more than to dress and leave.
“If you can’t understand, then fine. Just go today.”
Yoon Guk smirked at her forced dismissal.
“Where am I supposed to go when you’re right here?”
This time, Hyun-soo let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Someone’s coming soon. So just—”
Her words died as Yoon Guk’s expression sharpened. He pulled her close, his grip tightening around her waist.
“Who’s coming?”
Her heart hammered violently.
“......The babysitter.”
“Babysitter?”
The auntie who looked after Wan while she worked was due to arrive soon. Hyun-soo wanted to clean up this mess before rumors started.
“Yeah. Just go, okay? Don’t ask more.”
“If it’s about the kid, don’t worry.”
At the word kid, Hyun-soo froze and turned. She hadn’t told him about the auntie or why she was coming—yet he already knew everything. A chill ran down her spine.
“How did you— No, why are you involving Wan?”
“Our son, Yoon Wan. My bodyguard is taking good care of him, so don’t worry. Just focus on me.”
Hyun-soo’s face paled.
“You—! What did you do to him?!”
Losing all reason, she lunged at Yoon Guk, fists flying. Her weak punches barely fazed him, but her rising hysteria worried him—she might collapse.
“Kim Hyun-soo. Look at me.”
He caught her wrists, then gripped her chin. The pressure made her bones ache. She scowled up at him.
“Hyun-soo. Wan is your son, but he’s also mine. Do you really think I’d hurt our child?”
Our child. He called Wan ours. Her heart pounded violently.
“Bring him back. Now.”
“Kim Hyun-soo.”
“Now! Hurry!”
A strange fear gripped her—what if he took Wan away? Deep down, she knew Wan would have a better life with his wealthy father than struggling with her in this rural town.
Seeing her trembling lips, Yoon Guk finally made a call.
“Bring him.”
Almost immediately, footsteps approached. Hyun-soo hastily straightened her clothes and opened the door.
“Wan-ah!”
Her son was asleep in the auntie’s arms. Hyun-soo snatched him up, checking him over before pressing a kiss to his soft cheek.
“Wan’s mom, what’s wrong? Were you crying?”
Only then did Hyun-soo realize her face was a mess. She wiped her tears and forced a smile.
“No, it’s nothing. Just... something came up. Thank you for today. You stayed way past the usual time—I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I was paid very well.”
“Huh?”
Ahem. A large man behind the auntie cleared his throat—likely the bodyguard. Hyun-soo awkwardly nodded at him, and he bowed back.
“Anyway, I should get going. You two enjoy your time together.”
“What?”
“Everyone thought you were lying about having such a handsome husband! I’ll spread the word tomorrow—no more ‘single mom’ gossip.”
“Wait, that’s not—”
“Please do.”
Yoon Guk’s voice cut in. Flustered, Hyun-soo turned to glare at him, but he just raised an eyebrow.
“Young-hoon. Escort her home.”
The bodyguard—Young-hoon—opened the door. The auntie, unused to such treatment, blushed as she left.
“See you tomorrow, Wan’s mom!”
With a cheerful wave, she and Young-hoon disappeared. Silence fell, leaving just the three of them—Yoon Guk, Hyun-soo, and sleeping Wan.
“He looks like you when he sleeps.”
Yoon Guk had moved closer, gazing at Wan with something like happiness as he gently touched the boy’s chubby cheek. Hyun-soo felt strange.
“Just go.”
“......”
“Please.”
“Fine.”
Had he sensed the desperation in her voice? Finally, he relented.
Grabbing his jacket, he kissed both her and Wan on the head before leaving.
“See you tomorrow.”
Her lips trembled.
“......Don’t come.”
Despite her weak protest, Yoon Guk smiled.
“Call me if anything happens. Or even if nothing does.”
“......”
“I’m leaving.”
The door clicked shut behind him. Silence.
The hum of the fridge was the only sound. Hyun-soo’s legs gave out, and she slumped to the floor.
Wan, warm in her arms, slept on, oblivious. She exhaled deeply, pressing her forehead to his.
Only one thought filled her mind:
“Please... don’t come back.”
________________________________________
Night deepened. Clouds obscured the moonlight, leaving everything dim.
Yoon Guk had said he’d leave, but he couldn’t bring himself to go far. That’s why he was now staking out Hyun-soo’s house like some kind of surveillance operation.
“You should rest. I’ll keep watch.”
“No. It’s still early.”
Early? Young-hoon checked his watch and coughed. If this was early, how long did he plan to stay? The fact that this workaholic had come to the countryside at all was a miracle—but now he was just bored.
Then—
Bang!
The door flew open, and Hyun-soo rushed out.
“What’s wrong?”
Yoon Guk bolted from the car. Hyun-soo, pale-faced, turned to him in panic.
“Wan— Wan is... What do I do?”
“Wan?”
In her arms, the boy lay limp, eyes closed but clearly unwell.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know! He was fine, then suddenly burning up!”
Yoon Guk felt Wan’s forehead and frowned. Definitely a fever.
“If something happens to him—”
“Get in the car. We’re going to the hospital.”
He bundled the shaking Hyun-soo into the car. Young-hoon sped toward the nearest hospital.
“Wan-ah. It’s okay. We’re going to see the doctor soon. Just hang on...”
Hyun-soo’s voice broke as tears spilled over. Yoon Guk pulled her close.
________________________________________
“It’s RSV. He probably had cold-like symptoms—sneezing, a runny nose.”
The ER doctor’s diagnosis hit Hyun-soo like a truck. RSV. She’d heard of it in passing but never imagined it would happen to her child.
“No, nothing like that. The fever just started, and— Wait, now that you mention it, his breathing did sound a little rough...”
“Breathing must’ve been difficult. His throat probably hurt too, but he endured it well.”
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