Episode 26

"Please take a seat. Let the child mingle with the other youngsters."

"Yes, of course. Ji-hye, go and play quietly, alright?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Soo-ah settled into her seat. Coincidentally She found herself directly across from So-jung. Their gazes met as they faced each other.

"Come to think of it, you two aren't strangers, are you? Since you're family."

One of the mothers, who had been discreetly observing them, interjected. Soo-ah responded with a gracious smile.

"Yes, though I've been abroad, we've crossed paths once or twice. Isn't that right?"

"...Indeed, that's correct."

They had encountered each other once at a department store play area and once at the villa, so the statement held true. However, this was their first formal meeting.

"By the way, thank you for considering both Ji-hye and me. Having just returned from abroad, I'm still adjusting, so your kindness means a lot."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all. We're all mothers here, coming together for the children. Please, make yourself comfortable."

The other mothers warmly echoed Soo-ah's gratitude with smiles.

"So, when will Ji-hye start kindergarten?"

"In about a week. Thanks to Mother's support, everything has progressed swiftly. I'm truly appreciative of that."

Soo-ah openly addressed Mi-ae as 'Mother,' causing a drastic shift of topic. The atmosphere subtly shifted, with all eyes now on So-jung. Slowly, she began to speak.

"Well, I suppose she helped in hopes of Harim and Ji-hye bonding."

"…"

"Harim hasn't had any cousins her age thus far. She often mentioned wanting a younger sibling. I should be the one thanking Mother. I didn't realize she cared for her granddaughter this deeply."

So-jung's seemingly innocent response was met with a brief silence, broken by another mother's voice.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard about the upcoming children's recital?"

"Yes, indeed. My child has been eagerly anticipating it."

As one mother smoothly changed the subject, the others joined in, and the mood lightened. So-jung resumed sipping her drink.

The gathering continued as usual, save for Soo-ah's sudden appearance. Fortunately, Soo-ah didn't steer the conversation back to that topic and naturally engaged in the discussion. To an outsider, it would have seemed like a friendly gathering of mothers.

Time passed, and as the meeting concluded, So-jung held Harim's hand and opened the car door.

"Just a moment."

Just as So-jung tried to enter the car after seating Harim, Soo-ah called for her. So-jung closed the car door and turned to face her.

"Yes, what is it?"

Soo-ah glanced at the receding cars before speaking.

"I believe all the mothers here today are aware of my past relationship with Hyun."

"…"

"A few days ago, Hyun, Ji-hye, and I were at the park together. One of the mothers from today's meeting saw us there. She witnessed the three of us together."

So-jung let out a small sigh.

"So, what exactly are you implying?"

"No matter how much you pretend otherwise, the other mothers now know why Mother enrolled Ji-hye in this kindergarten. Today's meeting only reinforced their suspicions regarding where her support lays."

Soo-ah's explanation, though tactful, carried a clear message.

"What is it you want? Money? Child support for your daughter? If that's the case, our family can provide that. We can even arrange for Harim to study abroad if you wish."

"…"

"Wouldn't it be better for both of you to resolve this cleanly rather than prolong the issue? Yours and Hyun's marriage was arranged. You didn't have feelings for each other in the first place..."

"Who said arranged marriages never contained love?"

So-jung interjected sharply, cutting off Soo-ah's claim.

"Besides, it doesn't make sense. If what you're implying is true, my husband could have simply divorced me and moved on. Why do you insist on offering support or any of that other nonsense?"

"…"

"Could it be that he rejected you? Did you ask to get back together, and he didn't respond?"

Soo-ah's lips tightened at So-jung's precise questions. So-jung silently observed the woman and turned away.

"Regardless, I don't want anything from you, whether it's money or anything else."

"…"

"So, I'll be leaving now."

With that, So-jung entered the car. Inside was Harim who watched with wide eyes.

"Mommy, who was that?"

"Just.. someone Mommy knows. Please leave now, sir."

As the car slowly advanced, So-jung glanced through the side mirror to find Soo-ah glued to her spot. So-jung couldn't help but tilt her head in wonder.

...Could it be true that she was rejected?

It was a casual question she had thrown, but it seemed to strike a nerve more deeply than So-jung had anticipated. Considering Hyun's attitude at the time, she had expected him to immediately suggest reconciling with Soo-ah, but evidently, that wasn't the case.

"Why do you keep acting this way, confusing everyone..."

So-jung murmured softly to herself, her thoughts consumed by Hyun. Meanwhile, the car sped down the road.

---

"…"

"…"

So-jin's day could have been peaceful as she strolled through the neighborhood, clutching money tightly in one hand, if not for Woon's surprise appearance before her.

"What in the world... just who are you?"

As if witnessing a calamity, So-jin blinked in disbelief at Woon's unexpected presence in her neighborhood. Woon replied confidently as he took in So-jin's reaction.

"I told you, I can't live in debt."

"What debt… and how did you even know I would be here?"

"I got a tip from your friend."

"…"

"Every week at this hour, you come here to purchase stir-fried sundae from the food truck."

Kim Hye-young, that traitor...

So-jin silently cursed her friend's name.

"Did she willingly provide you with that information?"

"I compensated her generously for it."

"Are you kidding? Is our friendship really that cheap to be swayed by money…"

"A department store gift card worth one million won."

"…How shallow."

So-jin, despite herself, found the amount surprisingly convincing. However, it was still absurd.

"Are you crazy? Spending one million won just to find out where I am? That's more than what you owe for the bus fare!"

"I have plenty of gift cards. I just gave her a few."

"…"

"Anyway, we finally meet."

While Woon appeared triumphant, So-jin couldn't help but sigh deeply in annoyance. Meanwhile, the sound of an engine drew closer, and a truck approached from the distance.

"Mister!"

At that moment, So-jin's face lit up, and she pushed past Woon, running towards the truck. Il-gwang, the truck owner, greeted her warmly.

"Oh my. So-jin, you're first again today. Just wait a moment. I'll set up the ingredients and prepare your share."

"Yes! And please add extra cheese today."

So-jin, clutched the cash in one hand and licked her lips in anticipation. Il-gwang, with a smile, glanced to the side.

"And who’s this next to you? Your boyfriend?"

"Not at all. He's not my boyfriend, not even a friend, just a guy. A guy."

"Oh, really? Well, So-jin's guy, wait a bit. I'll give you a generous portion."

Il-gwang laughed heartily at So-jin's remark and returned to the driver's seat. Woo, who stood beside So-jin, frowned at the situation.

"So, you came all this way with a big smile just for this? A stir-fried sundae or whatever?"

"…"

"Eating such cheap stuff will give me hives—"

"Mister! I'll be right back!"

As Il-gwang emerged, So-jin quickly covered Woon's mouth and dragged him away from the truck. Once they were at a distance, she finally let go. Woon fumed.

"Are you crazy? What are you doing?"

"You're the crazy one! If you don't want to eat stir-fried sundae, keep your mouth shut and stand quietly. If you mess with my sundae time, you won't get away with it."

So-jin's admonition was stern, revealing her seriousness about her stir-fried sundae. Woon visibly recoiled at the intensity, while Il-gwang, having finished setting up, now began cooking the sundae on the griddle.

"Why is your friend hanging back there? Not hungry?"

"He's just quite shy. I'll take two portions, with extra cheese."

Ignoring Woon, So-jin focused on the tantalizing sight of the stir-fried sundae forming. While Il-gwang cooked, he struck up a conversation.

"Oh, by the way, I saw your brother-in-law while I was driving earlier. Were you two supposed to meet up today?"

"...Who?"

"Your brother-in-law. So-jung's husband. I saw him in the alley over there just a while ago."

So-jin's jaw dropped in response to Il-gwang's unexpected words.

"But he seemed busy. I called out to him from a distance, but he just continued walking."

"Uh, are you sure it was my brother-in-law? You're not mistaken?"

"Of course, I've seen enough people over the years. I wasn't sure at first because his style had changed a bit, but his profile gave it away. He's quite distinctive-looking."

"So, what was he doing? Was he alone? Was there a woman with him or anything?"

"No, he was just by himself?"

Why? Why is he in our neighborhood?

So-jin couldn't fathom why Hyun had suddenly come over. But it was clear who she needed to contact at the moment. So-jin quickly pulled out her phone.

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