Episode 20

"Perhaps I should have gone myself. Are you certain you'll manage?"

—You've been overwhelmed with so much lately; you need to rest, Sister. You might collapse at this rate.

"But looking after Harim won't be easy..."

—It's alright. I could use some fresh air and a chance to earn a bit of pocket money. Just relax and take care of yourself.

"...Very well then, I'll leave it to you."

As the call abruptly ended, the hallway was enveloped in silence. So-jung opened the familiar door to find Seok lying down peacefully.

Where did she go?

Perhaps she had stepped out briefly, as the nurse was nowhere in sight. So-jung looked around before slowly approaching Seok's bed. As always, the old man lay there as if asleep.

"I’m here, Father. I arrived a bit earlier this time."

So-jung naturally took a seat beside Seok and remained silent. Despite the stillness and faint scent of disinfectant, this place felt most comforting to her at the moment.

"I might not be able to visit anymore. I believe I am going to get a divorce."

If she divorced, visiting Seok would become exceedingly difficult. So-jung knew this well. However, a divorce from Hyun was inevitable.

"I was the one who suggested the divorce. Please don't be too shocked when you wake up."

Whether it happened tomorrow, in a year, or in ten years, she couldn't know. But she sincerely hoped Seok would wake up. So-jung held his hand.

"When you wake up, I’ll show you Harim. Do you remember? You said you'd attend all her school entrance ceremonies. Well, your grandchild is already in kindergarten. She cried at first and didn't want to leave her mommy, but now she's very brave."

So-jung's hand trembled as she grasped Seok's.

"It's not too late. Please... come to Harim’s elementary school entrance ceremony. And middle school, and high school..."

It wasn’t just her hand trembling now. So-jung's voice shook as well.

"I've always felt grateful towards Father. He remained by my side throughout my father's funeral and has generously supported me in many other ways. I'm aware that he even covered So-jin's university tuition. From my childhood all the way to now, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude."

The man who once delighted the young girl with treats had transformed into a father-in-law who now brought joy to a daughter-in-law with thoughtful gestures. As she recalled those sweet moments he shared his candy, So-jung couldn't help but smile softly.

"Oh, Madam!"

At that moment, the door swung open, followed by the surprised voice of the nurse. It was only then that So-jung slowly rose from her seat.

"Is everything alright? What brings you back so quickly?"

Taken aback by So-jung's unexpected return, the nurse's eyes widened.

"It's nothing specific, I was just passing by and thought I'd say hello."

Actually, something significant did indeed happen. However, there was no need to let the nurse know. So-jung smiled and offered the drinks she had brought.

"Please, have this while you're here."

"Oh, you really shouldn't have brought anything. It's alright."

"No, I simply picked them up while running an errand. And..."

After a moment of silence, So-jung continued.

"I'll leave Father in your care."

"...Of course?"

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Take care."

Though momentarily surprised, the nurse remained silent as So-jung quietly left the room.

Yes, this was it. This was it...

All necessary preparations for the divorce had been completed. After leaving the hospital, she would now have to navigate through the divorce proceedings step by step. Recognizing this, So-jung's footsteps gradually slowed. However, no matter how slow, the hallway she walked through would not extend into eternity.

"..."

Just one step beyond and she would be outside. Beyond that threshold lay So-jung's path back home. She also needed to look into finding a lawyer. There was a possibility she might have to stand in court.

If she proceeded with the divorce, inevitably, Hyun would learn of his child's existence...

But it didn't matter. Harim would be her responsibility to bear. She had no intention of seeking child support from him. From now on, she was to handle everything alone.

That was what had to be done. Without that person, she would stand alone...

So-jung abruptly glanced beside her. Of course, no one was there. Instead, dandelion seeds danced past her in the breeze.

"Hey!"

Amidst the floating seeds was a man approaching, a bright smile on his face.

"We meet again. Remember me?"

It was none other than Do-yoon.

---

"Don't worry, Sister. She's resting well. Yeah, yeah. Alright. I'll go in before dinner."

The park buzzed with people. Holiday events and activities drew many children and their accompanying adults.

"Okay, Harim. Are you ready to have fun?"

"Yeah!"

Among the crowd were So-jung and Harim. Harim, already geared up for excitement, eagerly eyed the various activity zones.

"Okay. Today, we're going to have a great time with Auntie. Understood?"

"Yup yup!"

It seemed there were many families with both moms and dads present, perhaps drawn by the activities tailored for the children. This prompted So-jin to speak up with an even greater excitement.

"Alright, so where should we start first?"

As So-jin, fully prepared to enjoy the day with Harim, scanned the area, her phone suddenly rang. It was Hye-young calling.

"What's up?"

—Hey, where are you right now?

"Me? I'm at the park, outside."

—What? You're not at home?

Hye-young was taken aback.

—What are you doing outside at this hour? A kid who doesn't stray more than a meter from their bed?

"...I can't deny that's a fair point, but I do go out, my friend."

—Alright, I get that, but... Ah, so what should I do then?

"Why? What's going on?"

So-jin had a bad feeling.

—Actually, I happened to run into Choi Woon a little while ago.

"What? How did that happen?"

—Turns out, the hotel where Choi Woon is staying is very close to my workplace. Anyway, we bumped into each other, and he asked me outright if you were home and where you lived.

"What? Why would he do that?"

—I'm not sure. He said he was trying to pay for the bus fare.

Ah...

Understanding everything from Hye-young's words, Sojin pressed her hand to her forehead.

—So naturally, I told him you'd probably be holed up at home at this hour. Then he said he would head to your place.

"...I once lent him bus fare, and he said to repay it a hundredfold."

—Wow, a hundredfold? If I'd known, I would've stayed to give him a ride in a luxury taxi.

"Regardless of the taxi, let's put a stop to this for now."

After confirming Woon was heading to her house, So-jin abruptly ended her call with Hye-young. Moments later, her phone rang again, displaying the ominous words "My Worst Nightmare."

—Why aren't you picking up my calls?

Reluctantly, So-jin answered as she was greeted by the familiar voice that caused her brows to furrow.

"If anyone overheard, they'd think we're always chatting it up. Are you really planning to come to my house right now?"

—Yeah, that's why I called.

"...Hah. Since I'm not home, just turn around and head back the way you came."

—What? Why aren't you home?

"Do you think I'm always cooped up at home? I have plans too, you know?"

Bewildered by her response, Hyun persisted.

—Who's more important than me right now? I'm personally paying you a visit!

"It's so important that I won't tell you. You don't have to pay back the bus fare. Just use that money to treat yourself and then go home."

—Hey, I don't know about anything else, but I can't stand being in debt. Where exactly are you right now...

"Oops, my hand slipped."

After quickly ending the call, So-jin promptly blocked Hyun's number. She lowered her phone and pretended to act apologetically, only to find Harim missing. The space where she should have been stood empty. Realizing the situation, So-jin anxiously scanned her surroundings. Fortunately, Harim wasn't far away. However, the issue was the man standing in front of her.

"..."

The man was unmistakably familiar to So-jin, yet wholly inappropriate to be in Harim's presence at the moment. Oblivious to this, Harim joyfully ran towards the man.

"Daddyyyyyyy!"

With a resounding voice, Harim rushed towards Hyun, who stood there. Harim then wrapped her arms tightly around Hyun's legs.

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