Episode 18

There was no room for excuses. So-jung's mind rang as she observed the photograph.

That wasn't the photo she had seen then. If that's the case...

There must have been another person. Another who discreetly took pictures of the two.

No wonder they backed off so easily.

Because her attention was focused solely on the perpetrator fleeing, she hadn’t anticipated another individual’s presence. When So-jung clamped her mouth shut, Mi-ae's shoulders trembled.

“They demanded money while showing me this. If I hadn't obeyed their request, they would have released this in the news tomorrow.”

“…”

“So you brought Hyun to the ceremony just for this to happen?"

Mi-ae's agitated voice reverberated throughout the office. Only then did So-jung open her mouth.

“He would have come regardless of my actions. So instead, I brought him officially.”

“You went all the way to the villa yourself to bring him here? That kid?”

“When I arrived, he was already outside. I had no choice either way."

“What are you talking about? The villa is surrounded by guards as we speak."

You really don’t know anything.

What even secretary Kang-chan knew, Hyun’s own mother, Mi-ae, did not. So-jung didn’t desire to explain the details, so she instead changed the subject.

“I should have been more careful since I brought him officially. I apologize.”

“…”

“I will handle the photo situation myself.”

“I'm sorry? Handle it?”

Despite So-jung's apology, Mi-ae remained unconvinced.

“If you were truly sorry, you shouldn’t have done anything in the first place.”

“…”

“I told you not to go to the villa, but you did anyway. Why do you behave this way?”

“There’s something I wanted to ask about that.”

So-jung slowly lifted her head.

“I recently heard that Han Soo-ah's daughter visited the villa.”

“So what?”

“While Han Soo-ah is assigned to help him regain his memory, I don’t think the same applies for her daughter.”

Mi'ae scoffed at those words.

“Look at you. Are you saying it’s wrong?”

“…”

“That child is Hyun’s niece, after all. What's so wrong about that? Why are you condemning the fact as if I had committed a crime?”

“Yes, I know I can’t dictate who he meets. However, Harim hasn’t seen her father since the accident. Why are you hiding Harim while allowing that child…”

Emotions welled up in So-jung, causing her voice to waver. She was well aware of the reason but chose to remain ignorant until it came directly from Mi-ae.

“Mother.”

“…”

“I know very well that you dislike me. Since the beginning of our marriage, and even more so after the accident. But please, don’t treat Harim the same way. She’s your only granddaughter. Your blood.”

So-jung's voice was earnest. Nonetheless, Mi-ae's expression didn’t change; rather, she scoffed.

“Look at you. Anyone would think I’ve been abusing the child.”

“…”

“I haven’t hit her, right? She’s growing up well in a good home, attending a good kindergarten.”

“I don’t mean materially. I mean as a grandmother.”

“Children should behave. Who would like a kid running around like that? And no matter how much a try, she only resembles you. That’s why I don’t really like her.”

“…”

“She doesn’t resemble her father at all. Is she really Hyun’s child…”

At Mi-ae’s mutterings, So-jung's eyes shook violently. Mi-ae sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead.

“Enough. I’m exhausted just talking to you. Leave now.”

“…”

“What are you waiting for? Hurry.”

Despite Mi-ae’s gesture, So-jung did not leave the office. Instead, she walked right up to the old lady. Startled, Mi-ae's shoulders shook.

“Look at you. Just what do you think..."

“I can’t accept what you just said.”

“What?”

“No matter what, Harim is Hyun’s daughter and your granddaughter. And just as you cherish your son, I cherish Harim more than my life.”

“You…”

“So, even if you deny me, please do not deny Harim.”

“…”

“Excuse me.”

So-jung bowed slightly and left the office. The room fell silent after she left. Soon after, Mi-ae's secretary entered and asked.

“Did you have a good conversation, Madam?”

“…”

“Madam?”

“How dare she, in front of me…”

Mi-ae ignored her secretary and fumed. Overwhelmed with anger, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

—Yes, mother. What’s the matter?

A clear voice resonated from the other end of the phone. It was Soo-ah.

---

“…”

The atmosphere inside the car on the way back was extremely silent. Kang-chan, who was occupied driving, kept glancing at the two through the rearview mirror. The two sat quietly with their eyes fixed out the window.

“We’ve arrived. Please go ahead."

As the car entered the villa, all the guards surrounding it seemed to have disappeared.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Once you’re done, allow me to drive you home.”

“No need. I’ll take a taxi.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

Kang-chan, sensing the changed atmosphere, hesitated but allowed himself to be dismissed by So-jung. Finally, the two were left alone.

“...Shall we take a walk?”

“Sure.”

So-jung pointed towards the backyard, and Hyun agreed without complaint.

“…”

“…”

The moonlit garden scenery was quite a sight to behold. However, they remained silent and continued their stroll. So-jung was the first to speak up.

“You said you had something to tell me.”

“…”

“Go ahead.”

Hyun, who had been quietly looking down at So-jung, finally opened his mouth.

“I heard I got hurt badly in the accident because I tried to save you. Is that true?”

“…”

“And I lost my memory as a result of that?"

“That's right.”

So he found out.

So-jung didn’t intend to hide the fact, but she also hadn’t openly discussed it. As she confirmed his suspicions, Hyun’s expression grew more complex.

“Why?”

“…”

"You and I had an arranged marriage. We didn’t love each other. So why did I do that?”

So-jung couldn't respond to the questions Hyun asked himself. She was curious about it as well.

“I don’t know. Why would you do that for me?"

“…”

“At the time, you seemed to have something you wanted to tell me. The accident happened right after. When I came to my senses, I was in your arms. I mean, even though we did have an arranged marriage, we were still a couple. Perhaps it was instinct.”

Because we were a couple, even without love, there was affection.

That was their relationship. However, Hyun still appeared unconvinced.

“That can’t be true.”

“What?”

“I was in a life-or-death situation. But I instinctively chose to save you? Just because we lived together?"

“…”

“If I did that…”

Hyun couldn’t finish his sentence. He frowned deeply and grabbed his forehead. So-jung's eyes widened.

“Are you okay? Does your head hurt?”

“…”

“Where does it hurt? Should I call a doctor…”

“Don’t touch me!”

As So-jung reached out, Hyun took a step back and rejected her. Her hand froze mid-air.

“I don’t know. It’s frustrating. Everything is frustrating now.”

“…”

I don't know why I acted that way, and I don't know why my head keeps hurting whenever I think about you. When I see you, I... everything just feels messed up."

Hyun’s breathing grew more erratic as he continued to hold his head.

“You’re only helping me out of guilt. Isn’t that right? Because you feel guilty that I got hurt saving you.”

“…”

“So stop pretending to care. Do I look that pathetic to you?”

Pity…

Hyun was so convinced her actions were out of pity that So-jung wasn't able to respond. No, she couldn’t. She was unable to fully understand her feelings towards Hyun either. However, she knew one thing—her presence wasn’t helping him, and might even turn out to be a hindrance.

… I don’t know. Now, I just…

First her mother-in-law, now her husband. She felt increasingly isolated within her family. Upon fully realizing her situation, So-jung smiled bitterly. In fact, she wasn’t helping Hyun out of guilt. She wasn’t sure what her feelings were, but they were not out of pity.

“Alright. I understand that you don't desire me in such a way."

"..."

“Should we get a divorce?"

She was just a little tired. So-jung's voice trailed off as she spoke, her smile bitter.

---

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