Episode 3

“What did they say?”

On the hospital terrace, So-jung and Kang-chan were deep in conversation. So-jung's visibly anxious stance and repeated questions caused Kang-chan's expression to falter.

"It seems he has lost all his memories entirely. He perceives himself as a twenty-year-old."

"Twenty years old..."

"Yes. I studied abroad with him at that time... Madam, it would be wise to avoid engaging in precarious conversations with the president from that period."

"..."

"He was truly a man with nothing to lose back then. Unpredictable and reckless... Without my presence, he would likely break the hospital window to escape. No, he definitely would."

So-jung could guess the same, having spoken with her amnesiac husband. He was like a lawless rogue.

"Ah, and Madam."

"Yes?"

"Do you know the person named Han Soo-ah?"

Kang-chan asked cautiously. So-jung nodded slowly in response.

"I met her once, years ago."

"..."

"It was at a business event, we ran into each other by chance. Even while conversing, I had a feeling she was strangely mindful of my husband."

At that time, the two had stepped away to talk, leaving So-jung alone. However, she never witnessed Hyun and Soo-ah together again.

Despite the fact, So-jung didn't mind. The main reason lay in the conversation she had with Hyun during their wedding night.

〈We are married, but I won't mind if you have a lover.〉

It wasn't something one expected to hear from a newlywed husband, but So-jung understood. They were bound by an arranged loveless marriage, and it was Hyun who was clearly at a disadvantage.

So-jung assumed Hyun would have a lover, but surprisingly, Hyun fulfilled his duties as a loyal husband without any significant issues.

Perhaps the conversation he was trying to have in the car that day was related to Han Soo-ah? No, that wasn't important now.

So-jung lightly shook her head to dispel the thoughts that were creeping through her mind.

"Him and Han Soo-ah, they were dating, right?"

"Yes. During their study abroad, they were together until Han Soo-ah broke up with him to get married to someone else. After that, the president returned to Korea."

"They must have liked each other very much."

"Back then, the president was deeply in love with her."

Kang-chan hastily added.

"But that’s all in the past. Since his marriage, the president hasn't had any improper meetings with Han Soo-ah."

"Yes. It's in the past. But to my husband now, the past is the present."

"..."

"No need to be so cautious. What my husband needs now are the people who were around his twenty-year-old self."

In his current memory, she didn't exist. So-jung knew this well and smiled faintly to reassure herself.

Meanwhile, a limousine was parked in front of the hospital. Both of their gazes naturally shifted downward and observed a woman step out of the vehicle.

"Mrs. Oh is here."

"It seems."

At the sight of Mi-ae, So-jung reflexively grazed her cheek with her fingers. Though the swelling had subsided, facing her was still difficult. Kang-chan cautiously asked,

"Should I go in first?"

"It's fine. Let's go together."

So-jung understood the heart of a mother who almost lost her child. Besides, it was true that Hyun received more damage thanks to her, so she couldn't help but lower her head in respect and remorse.

"Mom's here, Hyun. How are you feeling? Any more pain?"

In the hospital room stood the worried Mi-ae and Hyun as he lay in bed. Despite Mi-ae's fussing, Hyun remained indifferent.

"No."

"But you were in such a big accident; you can't be perfectly fine. When you're discharged, let's rest at the villa instead of home for a while. You're so thin... you need some herbal medicine too."

Even as Kang-chan and So-jung entered, Mi-ae's attention was solely centered around Hyun.

"What's all this blood? Did it come from your arm?"

"..."

"Call the nurse immediately. What kind of hospital treats their patients like this?"

The blood was from when Hyun had forcibly pulled out the IV earlier. Seeing this, Mi-ae's anger directed towards So-jung.

"You were right beside him, and you didn't notice this?"

"..."

"Honestly, nothing about you is satisfactory. Where is your brain?"

Now that Hyun had lost his memory, Mi-ae's words towards So-jung became even more merciless. Kang-chan was ready to intervene if necessary, but it was Hyun who stopped their confrontation.

"Get out."

"What?"

"Both of you, get out. It's noisy."

Hyun rubbed his forehead in frustration. Mi-ae, startled, approached him.

"Why, does your head hurt again? Should I call the doctor?"

"No, just take her out. She's making me more annoyed."

Hyun's hand pointed directly towards So-jung. Seeing this, Mi-ae pulled So-jung's arm.

"Alright. You rest well. Mom was being thoughtless. Call a doctor if you feel any pain, okay?"

"..."

"What are you doing? Hurry up and get out."

Under Mi-ae's implicit pressure, So-jung had no choice but to leave the room. Even as the door closed, she kept sneaking glances at Hyun, who had already turned his back on her.

"..."

"..."

The silence in the hallway felt even more oppressive. Aware of Hyun's condition, Mi-ae glanced at the hospital room door and lowered her tone.

"Don't come to the hospital anymore."

"What?"

"Look at his condition. He’s more troubled with you around. Is there any reason for you to stay? There are nurses here."

It was true that Hyun's attitude towards So-jung was particularly different. Mi-ae, conscious of Hyun's reaction, didn't want So-jung in his sight anymore.

"We can manage here. Go home. You need to see the child too. Right?"

"I'm visiting Harim every day at home. My sister is there, and we have a caregiver too."

"But a mother should be there. That child is trouble. Do you think she'll stay still? She's already such a handful."

Mi-ae’s subtle criticism of Harim caused a faint wrinkle to appear on So-jung's forehead for the first time since the incident. Unaware, Mi-ae continued.

"By the way, did you tell Hyun about the child?"

"No, not yet. We haven't had a proper conversation."

"Good. Don't mention the child for now."

"What?"

"Must you inform an already confused person that he has a child? Do you think he'd be happy about it?"

〈I can't accept you as my wife.〉

Hyun's previous words echoed in So-jung's mind. She imagined the impact that such words would have on Harim.

If Hyun were to say something similar in front of Harim...

There could be nothing more horrifying than a father denying his child. Just imagining the dreadful scenario caused So-jung's lips to shrivel.

"...Alright, I won't."

"Of course. The last thing he needs is more stress."

"But we need to help him regain his memories. I plan to do my best."

The longer Hyun's amnesia lasted, the harder it would be for both of them. So-jung was determined to help him regain his memories.

"I will try to find people that were around him ten years ago. If he feels psychologically stable, it might be easier for him to regain his memories."

"Is one of those people Han Soo-ah?"

"Yes. For now."

Mi-ae clicked her tongue in disapproval.

"You're so naive. As his wife, do you truly want to ask his former lover for help?"

"He's looking for her. I promised to find her."

"Fine. I'll meet Han Soo-ah myself, so you focus on other things."

"Will you do it personally?"

Mi-ae rarely sought people out unless they approached her. Her statement surprised So-jung.

"My son is looking for her. As his mother, I should investigate."

"..."

"So don't worry about it and go home. There's no need to crowd this small room."

Mi-ae intended to send So-jung away. Understanding her intention, So-jung bowed slightly.

"Alright, I will go home first."

Having been in and out of the hospital for days, So-jung was quite familiar with the structure. Yet, the room where her family existed—her husband and mother-in-law—felt profoundly alien.

The gazes, tone, voice, and attitude.

At this moment, the nurses' smiles felt warmer to her than her own family. It was almost laughable, but So-jung simply moved quietly.

"..."

And as she exited the hospital, someone was watching her from a distance. It was Hyun.

"Is it alright to let her go like this?"

"I told you not to speak so formally."

"...Then, I'll speak casually when we're alone. So, are you not going to stop her?"

"Why would I stop that woman?"

The person who was supposed to be his wife seemed like an emotionless robot, no matter the circumstance. Even during his mother's rage, she merely lowered her head.

"She's just a nuisance. Besides..."

That emotionless woman was certainly not Hyun's type.

"I don't know. She just irritates me."

Every time he saw her, his head ached even more. Hyun held his forehead and observed So-jung's retreating figure.

---

All I'm worried about is that poor baby girl Harim, give her to me.

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