Episode 31

Fortunately, Harim was fast asleep as she lay on So-jin's back. So-jin, on the other hand, appeared flustered and darted around nervously. She did not anticipate Hyun and So-jung to be together.

"Ah, that... I heard my sister visited the neighborhood after a long time, so I came to see her... I didn't know you'd be here as well, brother-in-law. I hope I'm not interrupting. Should I come back later?"

Mindful of Harim behind her, So-jin took a step back. Hyun responded to her hesitation.

"It's fine. I'm about to leave soon anyway."

Despite Hyun's words, S-jin continued to seek So-jung's approval with her eyes. So-jung sighed quietly as she beheld So-jin's predicament.

Right, now isn't the right time to talk about this...

Soon, So-jung glanced at Harim, who was still asleep, and spoke.

"Since you're already here, why don't you ride with me? I'll give you a lift."

"Really? Taking care of Harim all the way here has worn me out... Yeah, I'll take the ride."

Ahahaha.

So-jin's awkward laughter echoed. At that moment, So-jung's phone vibrated. It was her driver.

"Yes, sir. I'm at the intersection right now. Yes, just come a little closer. I'll meet you there."

So-jung walked a few steps away with her phone in hand. Meanwhile, Hyun's gaze turned to Harim, who remained asleep behind So-jin.

"You carried the child all the way here?"

"Yes, well, I couldn't leave the kid at home alone."

So-jin laughed awkwardly, praying So-jung's car to arrive soon. However, Hyun's gaze remained fixed on Harim.

"Is the child's father Mr. Choi?"

"Yes?"

"The child's name is Choi Harim. Why didn't you use your last name instead of your husband's?"

"Oh, well... that's..."

So-jin's mind rambled at the unexpected question.

"...I loved him so, so much. That person."

"..."

"That's why, in case he comes back... I used his last name."

A brief silence ensued. So-jin glanced at Hyun nervously. After a moment of contemplation, Hyun spoke again.

"Does he know about the child?"

"I don't think so. Our breakup was quite ambiguous back then... Anyway, we hardly ever meet now."

Hyun's brows furrowed at her words.

"He doesn't even know he has a child?"

"..."

"Why are you waiting for such a fool?"

"You're right. It's really foolish of him not to know he has a child. I think so too. He is indeed such a stupid, idiotic fool."

So-jin gazed at Hyun and agreed passionately. Just then, Harim, who had been sleeping behind So-jin, slowly opened her eyes.

"..."

Awakened by the conversation, Harim blinked slowly until her eyes focused on Hyun. So-jin noticed Harim waking up and tried to put her back to sleep.

"Harim woke up? I'm sorry. It was too noisy, wasn't it? I'll be quiet so Harim can go back to sleep."

"Daddy."

However, such exhausting efforts were meaningless, as the child had already discovered Hyun. Harim, still half-asleep, reached out for Hyun and smiled dazedly.

"Hug me, Daddy."

"..."

"Daddy."

Harim's small hand waved slowly in the air. Despite being drowsy, her eyes remained fixated on Hyun. Unable to watch any longer, So-jin spoke up.

"Oh, the strain of raising a child and the back pain... Brother-in-law, could you hold Harim and put her back to sleep for a moment?"

"What?"

"Just for a moment. Let me get a quick back massage."

Exaggerating her shoulder and back pain, So-jin quickly handed Harim over to Hyun. As he awkwardly held Harim, Hyun couldn't help but raise his brows.

"Does she drool?"

"Harim's saliva is very clean, even cleaner than Brother-in-law's. Don't worry."

"Thanks for the insight."

Despite his words, Hyun gently adjusted his hold on Harim. Harim, nestled in Hyun's arms, murmured softly.

"Daddy."

"..."

"Daddy."

"Why do you keep calling if you're not going to sleep?"

"Don't go, Daddy."

It was a small whisper that only Hyun could hear. Although Harim fell back asleep, her hand continued gripping Hyun's collar. Hyun tensed slightly, but as Harim's grip loosened, she fell into a deeper sleep. Hyun watched Harim in silence.

"..."

"Oh, the car's here. Brother-in-law, you can hand Harim back to me now."

"It's fine. She might wake up again, so I'll carry her to the car."

He rejected So-jin's offer and walked slowly while gently patting Harim's back.

"..."

Having finished her call with the driver, So-jung looked back to see Hyun and Harim from a distance. She watched them, unable to approach, as the sight of the two brought back memories.

---

"..."

In the hotel lounge, guests either reclined in relaxation or worked at their own leisurely pace. Among them sat a man, lost in contemplation, neither resting nor working. This man was Woon.

"…"

Typically, Woon admired his reflection in the mirror or busied himself with tasks in the lounge. Today, however, he leaned back in his chair, a slight frown marring his features as he wrestled with his thoughts.

"Why did she say that?"

After a protracted silence, Woon finally broke the stillness. Across from him, Byeol remained absorbed in her phone, barely acknowledging his words.

〈Though I hate to admit it, she’s technically your niece too.〉

So-jin's voice reverberated in Woon's mind. Niece? The little girl was supposed to be So-jin's niece. Why, then, did So-jin refer to her as his niece as well?

Woon had been grappling with this perplexing thought ever since he had walked back with his sundae stir-fry after parting ways with So-jin. Unable to unravel the mystery, he directed his questioning gaze toward Byeol.

"I have to ask you something."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I can't fully grasp this from a woman's perspective, so I'm asking you. A woman introduces her niece and says she's my niece too. What could that mean?"

Byeol finally looked up from her phone, her eyebrows arching in surprise.

"Why are you asking me about your girlfriend?"

"Are you crazy? She's not my girlfriend. Anyway, what does it mean?"

Despite his denial, Woon's curiosity was palpable. Byeol studied him for a moment before replying.

"So your girlfriend introduced you to her niece and said she's your niece too?"

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Then it's obvious. She wants to be family with you."

"...What?"

"If you marry that woman, her niece becomes your niece too, right? It means she wants to marry you."

Byeol's words were casual, but the content was not. Woon's eyes dilated.

"So, when are you getting married?"

"..."

"Make sure it doesn't clash with my Europe trip. I don't want to change my schedule."

Byeol, uninterested in her brother's love life, returned to her phone. However, Woon's expression drastically changed.

She really meant that? Lee So-jin?

Woon thought of So-jin. He recalled their turbulent relationship from childhood, filled with constant arguments and fighting. The idea that her words held a romantic implication was startling.

"With my looks and wealth... Of course, she'd fall for me eventually."

The conclusion was swiftly reached. Admiring the reflection through his phone, Woon brushed back his hair and smiled confidently.

"Yeah, it would have been strange if she hadn't fallen for me by now."

"…"

"Should I give her a chance to date me? No, Lee So-jin doesn't deserve it. But if she really begs, maybe."

Despite his dismissive words, Woon's grin widened. Byeol glanced up from her phone and clicked her tongue at her brother's behavior.

At that moment, someone entered the lounge. It was Hoon and his father, Nam. Byeol and Woon immediately reacted to their arrival.

"...Hey, look."

"I just saw them."

Despite staying in the same hotel, they hadn't crossed paths before. Woon and Byeol scrutinized the two as they entered the lounge.

---

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