Episode 29

Upon receiving So-jin's call, the first person So-jung reached out to was Kang-chan. At the time, Kang-chan was also fervently searching for Hyun.

–He must have realized I could trace his phone because he left it behind. We combed the villa area, but I never anticipated this. I'll head there immediately."

"Do you have any insight as to why he would be at such a location?"

–Well, the reason may be...

Kang-chan paused briefly before responding.

–It is a place the CEO used to frequent for dates. I believe that is why he visited.

At his words, So-jung tightened her grip on the phone.

"...Alright. I know that area well, so I'll investigate."

Just then, So-jin, breathless, urgently called out upon spotting So-jung.

"Sister, he headed up towards the hillside!"

The hillside. It was a location familiar to anyone acquainted with the area. So-jung let out a sigh.

"Why of all places, did his dating spot have to be...?

The once-familiar ascent felt unusually arduous today. No, she didn't dare to ponder it. The sight of Hyun and Soo-ah climbing this hill together.

Focus, gather yourself...

Now was not the time for such reminiscences. With renewed resolve, So-jung ascended the hill once more, and there, before her, stretched a vast expanse of white flowers, beside which stood Hyun.

"You..."

So-jung witnessed Hyun and opened her mouth before holding herself back. Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, she momentarily forgot their last meeting.

"..."

Hyun seemed to understand why So-jung reacted the way she did. However, there was something about her expression. After a moment, Hyun alternated his gaze between the flower field and So-jung, then approached her.

"You..."

"..."

"Have you been here before?"

"Yes."

"When exactly?"

"I used to live around here. Everyone in the neighborhood visited this place at least once. It is quite a renowned spot."

So-jung almost chuckled at Hyun's incomprehensible actions. Hyun inquired.

"You lived here?"

"Right. So-jin mentioned you were coming up here. That kid still lives nearby."

"..."

"I was told you didn't even bring your phone. Since people here know you, you should be more cautious."

Hyun remained silent. He slumped down on a bench and reclined.

"Oh, right. I'm having a mental breakdown, so I can't go around alone. I have to report wherever I go."

"...A mental breakdown? It's merely a temporary lapse..."

"What if it lasts a lifetime? You think it's that easy to just wake up and live like this?"

So-jung clenched her jaw at Hyun's sharp remark.

"I'm sorry."

"..."

"That day, thanks to you, I was fine, but because of that..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about."

Hyun declared abruptly.

"It was my decision. You didn't plead for my protection. It was simply a reflex, my body acting on its own accord. Though I still don't understand why."

"..."

"And what I said just now wasn't intended for your ears. I was merely venting out of frustration."

Was there a misunderstanding? So-jung blinked, noticing the subtle shift in Hyun's demeanor. Meanwhile, Hyun furrowed his brows as he gazed at So-jung's feet.

"What's wrong with your feet?"

"Oh... I came straight from a meeting. Since I wore heels, they seem to have gotten a bit worn from climbing up the hill quickly. They tend to wear out easily. I'm used to it."

"Used to what? Sit down quick."

As So-jung responded, Hyun, still boring a displeased expression, tapped the bench. Quietly, she took a seat.

Ah.

At that moment, a sudden gust whisked dandelion seeds far into the distance. Unintentionally finding themselves seated side by side on the bench, both silently beheld the scenery for a while.

"...We met when we were young."

"We did?"

Only when the wind gradually subsided did Hyun inquire. Momentarily startled, So-jung cast a reminiscent glance as if in thought.

"That's right, I guess you could say we've known each other since we were kids. Our fathers have been childhood friends. Though I can't quite recall your face from kindergarten."

"..."

"They interacted occasionally, and we crossed paths a few times after that. But we haven't met since. I didn't realize it was the same child I met until after the engagement meeting."

"Why me?"

"You didn't know? You were quite the crybaby then. You ran over to show me dandelion seeds, but they all scattered in the wind, and your father had to comfort you..."

"When, when did I!"

Even in the dimness, Hyun's ears visibly reddened. So-jung unconsciously smiled at the sight.

"Anyway, that was it. It seems like you still have a fondness for dandelions."

"What?"

"I heard. This place was your go-to spot for dates."

There was a brief silence after that. Then Hyun spoke up.

"It is a good spot for dates, but I didn't come here today for that reason. I visited to check something."

Hmm?

"...Anyway, it wasn't because I planned to come with Soo-ah."

At that moment, So-jung could feel it.

"So don't jump to any strange conclusions."

He was now making excuses. As So-jung realized this, her eyes widened.

"What? What do you mean?"

"No, I mean... it's just..."

Hyun seemed to notice that too. He turned his head irritably. As So-jung glared at his back, strangely curious, Hyun suddenly stood up.

"Anyway! We've seen enough, let's go."

"..."

"What's with that, again!"

As Hyun swiftly moved to tidy up and vacate the bench, So-jung noticed more and more. Not only had this man offered an explanation, but he also seemed visibly flustered by it.

This behavior was unfamiliar, even from the Hyun she remembered before losing her memory. So-jung rose and continued to observe him.

However, her scrutiny was short-lived. A sudden pain in her heel distracted her, prompting So-jung to furrow her brow reflexively.

"What's wrong? Why... your shoes?"

"Yes. You go head first. I'll catch up later."

But Hyun remained rooted to his spot. After scrutinizing her feet for a moment, he moved forward abruptly and embraced So-jung.

"What, what are you doing?"

So-jung squirmed briefly in surprise. Nonetheless, Hyun continued to stride forward while she remained in his arms.

"Are you planning to sleep here using newspapers for a week? It'll take you forever to walk down with those feet."

"But what if someone sees us?"

"They'll just look. Isn't it more embarrassing to go barefoot?"

"Well, it's not that, but... it's just..."

So-jung struggled not to feel unsettled by how close she had become to Hyun. Of course, given their proximity, it was inevitable that she had to suppress the loud beating of her heart as much as possible.

Come to think of it, they haven't once mentioned the divorce.

It was their first encounter since their divorce talk, but Hyun didn't bother to point that out.

So-jung also chose not to. She simply nestled into Hyun's embrace and moved forward.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Why are you speaking so formally with me? We're the same age."

"We used honorifics after we got married. It just stayed that way."

"Just drop the formality. It's funny how we speak differently when addressing each other."

"It's been several years, I might have a hard time."

"There's nothing we can't do. Give it a try."

"Well then..."

After rolling her eyes briefly at his comment, So-jung said.

"Can't you do your job properly? My skirt is slowly lifting."

"...For someone who said it wouldn't be easy, you seem quite the natural?"

"Yeah, it seems so."

So-jung finally burst into laughter as she saw Hyun's eyebrows raise absurdly.

---

〈Right. Choi Woon, he's cousins with that man.〉

While escorting Harim, So-jin immediately asked So-jung what she had been curious about. Upon receiving the answer, So-jin's feelings became quite complicated.

Oh my god, so that means even that guy's genes are in my cute and adorable nice... No, no way. My Harim could never be like that.

So-jin vehemently denied the thought of Harim doling out money to kids.

"Harim."

"Yeah?"

"...Harim will grow up to be a good kid, right? You won't tell your friends you have more things in your house than they do, right? You would never, right?"

"What things?"

"...No, never mind. That's right, he's probably the only guy in the whole world with such a unique DNA configuration... Yeah, our Harim should just grow up healthy like she is now. Got it?"

"Yeah!"

So-jin, struggling to deny reality, urged Harim. All Harim did was smile brightly.

"Hey, it's Auntie's house!"

As they walked a little further, Harim excitedly pointed her hand toward So-jin's house. So-jin replied.

"Right, that's Auntie's house."

"That's the dog's house!"

"Yes, that's the dog's house."

"That's a car!"

"Yeah, that's a car..."

The car Harim pointed out was very familiar to So-jin. But more familiar than that was something else. No, it was so familiar that she wanted to deny reality.

"...Harim, how many people are in front of Auntie's house?"

"Two people!"

"Right, two. I was hoping Auntie's eyes were mistaken..."

The first person she saw was Woon. Right, Woon was naturally expected to be there, but the problem was the other person beside him. The man glared at Woon fiercely and, noticing So-jin, warmly called out her name.

"So-jin!"

The man who greeted So-jin so happily was her ex-boyfriend.

At that moment, So-jin's face distorted.

---

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