Episode 24

"You met him there? With Harim?"

So-jung's eyes widened in surprise. So-jin put Harim to bed and continued.

"Yeah. I had no idea we would encounter Brother-in-law there, but Harim found him on the spot, and... Without realizing it, I said she was my daughter."

"Daughter? You said she was your daughter?"

So-jin briefly explained the situation at the time—what occurred between Hyun and Harim, and why Hyun had come to that park. Only after listening did So-jung finally grasp the situation.

"...I see. That's how it happened..."

"Yeah. I did claim Harim to be my daughter in a hurry... But this won't last long. It was all so rushed."

"That makes sense. There are limits to everything, after all."

Then, So-jung asked.

"How did Harim seem? It's been a while since she's seen her father."

"Don't even mention it. She was so happy. She even woke up in the car and sang 'Daddy, Daddy'. He was also the one who took charge of playing with her. Not me."

So-jung merely stroked Harim's hair as So-jing continued. So-jin stood silently, then opened her mouth.

"Sister."

"Yeah?"

"Are you thinking of divorcing Brother-in-law?"

At the mention of divorce, So-jung's hand froze. So-jin let out a small sigh.

"I'm not in a position to meddle in your marital relationship... But, sister, know that I'm on your side."

"..."

"Whatever decision you make, I will support you. So, don't struggle alone."

"Okay, thank you. And... you've worked hard today too."

After that, the two emerged from Harim's room. So-jung handed So-jin an envelope as she prepared to head home.

"What's this?"

"You spent time playing with Harim today. Here's some pocket money and the taxi fare back home."

"Oh, it's okay, keep it. I didn't do anything today, and taking the bus home won't be a problem."

"Still, Harim insisted on taking you."

"To be honest, her father deserves that pocket money more than I do. Frankly, I'm not entirely fond of his recent behaviors, but he truly acted like Harim's dad. I must admit."

As So-jin turned to leave through the front door, she paused.

"But, Sister. It's kind of funny how I'm asking this now."

"Asking what?"

"Have you ever felt genuinely attracted to Brother-in-law?"

"..."

"Honestly, I remember how he was before losing his memory, and I used to think, 'If I ever get married, it should be to a guy like him.' He was so family-oriented. He treated you and Harim very well."

To others and So-jin, the Hyun from before and the current Hyun seemed vastly different.

"You both had Harim together... So I thought maybe you two have feelings for each other. Even after the accident. I mean, isn't it strange? It's a reflex to protect oneself first when in a crisis."

"Yeah, that's true, but..."

"Well, perhaps you and Brother-in-law didn't start off right when you got married."

"..."

"Think about it. How does Sister feel, seeing another woman besides her husband? Not good, right?"

So-jung nodded in affirmation.

"Then, why do you think that is?"

"...It's probably because of Harim. He is her father. With Soo-ah beside him, they can't meet..."

"No. I'm asking about your feelings towards your husband, aside from being Harim's father."

So-jin cut So-jung's words sharply.

"Now, let's think about it again. You and Brother-in-law have no child, and suddenly this Soo-ah woman comes up and sticks close to him. How does that make you feel?"

"...Not good."

"Exactly. Why?"

"Well, that's..."

So-jung couldn't respond to her inquiry. Only then did So-jin shrug.

"See? It's confusing when you try to explain without mentioning Harim."

"..."

"Well, love isn't just a fiery passion between lovers, right? So, Sister, think carefully before considering divorce."

So-jin opened the door and waved her hand lightly.

"Oh, and if you ever end up needing to grab someone by the hair, feel free to call me anytime. I'll happily straighten things out voluntarily. You know me. That's one thing I'm unbelievably good at."

"Speaking of which, you didn't happen to get into another accident or something, did you?"

"Hey, come on. I'm a responsible adult, I wouldn't act so rashly. But seriously, if you ever need help, I'm not joking when I say I'll bring back the show. Anyway, I'm off!"

With a punch on her shoulder, So-jin grinned and slipped out through the door. So-jung, now left alone in the quiet hallway, stood there as if rooted to the spot.

...Did I like him? Romantically?

Their relationship had originated with marriage in the first place. Because of that, there had been no opportunity to confirm or deny each other's feelings.

After the wedding, they were both flooded with work and parenting, leaving no room to focus on dwelling emotions. Hyun behaved affectionately towards her but never expressed his feelings.

So, she had never really thought about it in such a way.

However, to imagine them as lovers, not parents...

So-jung pondered So-jin's words deeply. And then she recalled. Their relationship not as a politically arranged couple, but as lovers. Whispering love to each other, kissing affectionately, those moments when she could see herself reflected in his eyes.

"Oh my, Madam. Why are you standing here?"

The housekeeper, who returned from running a few errands, was surprised to find So-jung standing quietly in the hallway. It was then that So-jung snapped out of her thoughts and awkwardly smiled.

"Well... I was just looking for my shoes. Please come through."

"Yes. But... Madam, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

The housekeeper bore a concerned expression as she observed So-jung's face.

"Me?"

"Your face is quite flushed right now. Please take a look in the mirror."

At the worried housekeeper's suggestion, So-jung turned her gaze to the mirror by the hallway. Indeed, her cheeks were noticeably flushed.

"..."

So-jung blankly stood there and gently patted her face. She could feel the warmth where her fingers lingered.

---

If one were to ask for the worst situation in his life, it would be right now.

Waking up with a pounding headache, the man discovered himself confined to a hospital bed. To his astonishment, more than a decade appeared to have slipped away in an instant, and his cherished partner had transformed into someone who had wedded his cousin and started a family. Meanwhile, the man found himself entangled in a marriage with another woman. His once vibrant circle of friends, who used to enthusiastically support his relationship, had matured with time. While their connection endured, the fervent emotions of the earlier days had faded into the past.

It felt as if he were stranded on a deserted island. Even this villa, which existed solely for himself, now felt suffocating. Amidst everyone bustling about, the man felt like a fool, unable to do anything.

"..."

People believed Hyun to be transparent with his emotions, but that was not entirely accurate. He had his method of concealing unpleasant feelings, emotions, and thoughts—every aspect of them.

Meeting Soo-ah and Hoon was simply an attempt amidst this confusion to uncover clues. However, the more clues he seemed to unearth, the bleaker the outcomes appeared. Despite the man's efforts to recall memories by racking his brain, nothing resurfaced. It was truly exasperating.

Lee So-jung.

Amidst everything, there was one woman who consistently evoked an involuntary physical reaction. This sensation had gripped him from the moment he first laid eyes on her in that hospital room. Since then, her presence lingered in his thoughts during every moment of quiet. It dawned on the man—he came to understand that this woman, whose identity remained a mystery, had left a profound impression on himself.

〈Do you want to start seeing each other again?〉

Soo-ah's proposition may have appeared appealing to Hyun initially. It offered a chance for a former lover, forcibly separated, to reenter his life. However, he wasn't able to respond immediately, as So-jung surfaced in his mind.

For the first time, his heart raced. It wasn't a feeling of joy. Amid the rapid pounding, his thoughts were consumed by her. By now, Hyun couldn't deny it. His body was signaling clearly—his heart belonged to So-jung, not Han Soo-ah.

"Why aren't the lights on? What were you doing?"

The room's lights brightened. The one who turned them on was none other than Mi-ae.

"You haven't even eaten dinner and you're sitting here like this? I see you haven't touched your food."

"I'll take care of that myself."

Hyun was irritated by Mi-ae's unexpected appearance.

"What brought you here all of a sudden?"

"Oh my, look at this child. This mother wanted to see her son. Is that a crime nowadays?"

"Just get to the point."

Although Hyun's tone remained cold, Mi-ae continued, familiar with the situation.

"I heard you went to the park today with Soo-ah and her daughter?"

"..."

"Soo-ah mentioned you didn't even respond properly and returned home."

Hyun seemed to realize Mi-ae's purpose in coming here. He raised his brows.

"So you two are keeping in touch now? Enough for trivial chatter?"

"Trivial chatter? This is a very important matter."

"..."

"Why didn't you accept her? It's something you must have wanted so badly."

At Mi-ae's words, a trace of annoyance crossed Hyun's face.

"If I had agreed, would you have gone so far as to push for a divorce, with me and this woman So-jung?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

"...What?"

"Divorce and marry your former lover. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"..."

"Of course, people will surely gossip, but even then, it's only temporary. You two will not have an affair if the divorce proceeds accordingly. Who would openly gossip about it, especially when you belong to the Kyungmoon Group?"

Just imagining the scenario made Mi-ae's lips curl upwards.

---

Prev || Toc || Next