Episode 11

"So, that's how you ended up meeting."

—Yes. I tried my best to hide the secret, but it seems I was unable to. My apologies.

"No, given the situation, there's nothing you could've done. It's alright. And my sister isn’t the type to run around and gossip."

Anyone would have suspected Hyun's condition. The fact that there had been no commotion at the bar was solely thanks to Kang-chan's quick response. So-jung felt reassured.

"How is his memory these days? Is it getting any better?"

—The CEO hasn't improved. He sometimes asks about the past, but there's no change otherwise.

"Then..."

So-jung paused for a moment and continued.

"Does Han Soo-ah continue to visit the villa?"

—Yes. She's been coming every day lately, at about the same time.

"...I see."

—Oh, don't worry. I'm always there, keeping a close eye on her, Madam.

Sensing So-jung's subdued tone, Kang-chan hastily assured her. So-jung smiled faintly at his words.

"Thank you. It must have been difficult, but please take care of him for a while longer."

—Oh, please don't worry. It's just like working a bit more overtime. Madam, you should rest more.

So-jung had been occupied with various matters, unable to receive a proper rest since the accident. Kang-chan was very worried for her.

"I'm managing to rest well, so don't worry. I'll hang up now. Take care."

—Yes, Madam.

So-jung ended the call as she reached the end of the corridor within the hospital. In front of her was a paper holding a patient's name.

Choi Seok.

As she opened the door and entered, the still air of the hospital room enveloped her entire body. The nurse standing near the bed lowered her head upon noticing So-jung.

"You're here, Madam."

"Yes. Nothing happened while I was gone, right?"

Seok had collapsed several years ago and remained in a vegetative state since then. For years, he lay quietly with his eyes closed as if were asleep.

"It's nothing special, but I brought some drinks. Please share them with the hospital staff."

"Oh, you didn't have to buy these again, madam. Thank you so much."

So-jung handed the drinks to the nurse and observed Seok quietly. The nurse, noticing this, tried to console her.

"With you visiting so diligently, he'll surely wake up. Really, where could he find a daughter-in-law as dedicated as yourself, Madam?"

"...I'm not doing much."

"But you're the only one who visits regularly like this. There's no other daughter-in-law like you in the world."

〈Our daughter-in-law! Take good care of my son from now on.〉

During the early days of her marriage, when no one had acknowledged her, Seok was the only person who greeted her with a hearty laugh. Although his smile was now a distant memory, the brief time she spent as Seok's daughter-in-law remained.

"Ah, actually, your husband visited recently."

"...My husband?"

"Yes. But it was strange how he seemed so shocked to see his father's condition like it was the first time... At first, I thought it was someone else. He left shortly after."

He must have heard about the condition.

It was understandable he was shocked to hear that his healthy father suddenly went into a vegetative state. So-jung replied.

"My husband recently had an accident. He's been under a lot of stress."

"Oh dear, what kind of accident?"

"A car accident. He's much better now... but it's still quite difficult."

"I see. I hope he recovers quickly."

"Yes. I hope so too."

By naturally linking the situation to the accident, So-jung received a sympathetic response from the nurse. In the meantime, her phone vibrated softly.

"I'll be going now. Take care."

"Yes. Goodbye, Madam."

As she left the room, So-jung checked her phone. It was an unknown number. After a moment of hesitation, she answered.

"Hello?"

—It's me.

The person who confidently introduced themselves as 'me' without any explanation was unmistakable to So-jung.

"...Did you buy a new phone?"

—The old one was destroyed in the accident.

Judging by the tone, it seemed his memory hadn't returned. But there must be a drive for his call. So-jung went straight to the point.

"Is there something you need?"

—Right, I have something to ask.

Without hesitation, Hyun continued.

—Choi Hoon. Do you know where he is now?

"..."

—That bastard Kang-chan said he was in Korea, but that's all I got. I have a feeling you know too."

"If I tell you, what will you do?"

—What else? I'll go find him.

As expected...

Although she had predicted it, So-jung couldn't help but sigh.

—The 50th-anniversary celebration. He'll be there, right?

"..."

—So it's true.

Hyun didn't miss So-jung hesitation. She eventually gave up trying to make excuses and asked.

"Are you planning to come?"

—Why wouldn't I?

"There are plenty of reasons."

—Well, I'm still coming.

"...Your mother would be thrilled."

For once, So-jung and Mi-ae's opinions aligned. But Hyun wasn't one to back down.

—I'm not a kid. Stop talking about my mother. I'm hanging up.

"No, wait..."

Click.

"..."

After the call ended, So-jung placed a hand on her forehead. She clearly only gave birth to one daughter, but somehow, it felt like she had gained a big son as well. A son who was going through a monstrous adolescence.

Husband 2

Despite everything, So-jung saved Hyun's new number and added a '2' at the end. He must have looked up the details for the celebration already, so there was no way to stop him...

As she was occupied storing the number with one hand, her mind kept racing. At that moment, someone walked in around the corner.

"!"

Distracted by her thoughts, So-jung noticed too late and quickly stopped, but the momentum caused her to collide with the person and stumble.

Expecting pain, she clasped her eyes tightly, but instead, she felt herself lifted. When she opened her eyes, someone was holding her by the waist.

"Are you okay?"

So-jung raised her head and witnessed a man with a gentle smile looking at her.

---

"..."

Hyun, who had just ended his call with So-jung, stared quietly at his phone and mumbled.

"Nagging, as if she's my wife..."

Right, she is.

Hyun ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Just then, the door opened, and Soo-ah entered.

"I'm here, Hyun!"

Soo-ah, who had been visiting the villa regularly, approached with a bright smile. She noticed Hyun's new phone.

"Oh, did you get a new phone?"

"Yeah."

"Really? Give me your number so I can save it."

Hyun handed her the phone, and she eagerly entered her number.

"Now we can contact each other by phone. Okay?"

She saved her number as 'Soo-ah' on his phone, and his as 'Hyun'.

"Oh, who were you talking to just now? Who was it?"

"It's nothing."

"Okay. I'll set my number as speed dial 1. That way, you can call me faster."

After setting the speed dial, Soo-ah handed back the phone. Just then, a clearing of the throat from beyond the door was heard. It was Kang-chan.

"Do you require anything?"

Kang-chan's attempt to monitor them was clear. The two left the room without saying much.

"Do you want my number too, Kang-chan? It's been a while, so we don't have each other's contact information."

"I don't use a phone these days. I use a walkie-talkie."

Almost immediately, Kang-chan's phone vibrated. Of course, without as much as a flinch, he walked away to receive his call. Soo-ah smiled awkwardly.

"Kang-chan still doesn't like me, huh?"

"Ignore him. He's always like that."

"Still, I wish we could get along like before..."

Soo-ah seemed disappointed. Hyun responded.

"Then let's go to the place where we used to hang out."

"Really? Can we?"

Soo-ah's face lit up at Hyun's suggestion. She held his hand and reminisced happily.

"We used to go on dates there. Have fun. Eat at restaurants. Do you remember how we ate so much that one time, we had to take antacids?"

"Yeah, I remember."

Hyun chuckled as he recalled the memories. Seeing his reaction, Soo-ah cautiously spoke.

"...Hyun, can I bring someone with us?"

"Who?"

"A little kid... I wanted to introduce her to you. She's supposed to come to the villa today."

As soon as she finished, the sound of an engine resonated from outside. Hyun instinctively looked toward the sound and observed Soo-ah's daughter, Ji-hye, leave the vehicle.

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