Episode 32

"Over there?"

"I heard you were staying here, but I didn't anticipate encountering you. If it inconveniences you, we can go elsewhere."

"No, it's fine. Just sit."

Similarly, Nam had noticed Byeol and Woon, but they did not hold much significance for him. Nam and Hoon took their seats a slight distance away from the pair.

"So, how have you been doing these days?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly. The new investment I embarked on recently is promising, and I'm also venturing into a new business. If you look here..."

The conversation between father and son was starkly professional. Nam, who had been silently listening to Hoon's report, finally spoke.

"How are things progressing with Choi Hyun these days?"

Nam's gaze was chillingly cold, far from what one would expect from an uncle addressing his nephew.

"He had a car accident, but I heard he's recovered sufficiently to attend the founding anniversary ceremony."

"Yes, that's correct. He came with his wife."

At the mention of his wife, Nam frowned.

"Right. Lee Jun-hwan, that man's daughter."

Lee Jun-hwan, a long-time ally of Seok and father to So-jung and So-jin, had played a significant role in Seok's ascension to chairman. Thus, from Nam's perspective, Jun-hwan was a rather inconvenient figure. The same sentiment extended to Jun-hwan's daughter, So-jung.

"That daughter of his, too. She has an unsettling quality, just like her father. I hear she was currently managing things in Choi Hyun's stead."

"Yes. Hyun is recuperating at the villa, and his wife is handling the urgent matters."

Nam also found Hyun's wife, So-jung, particularly troublesome. He clenched his fist.

"You know this well, don't you? Remember that the position Choi Hyun holds was originally yours. If not for Lee Jun-hwan, the chairman position would..."

"I am well aware of that as well, so you need not worry."

Long ago, the chairman position that Nam believed rightfully his had gone to his younger brother Seok. This had remained Nam's deep-seated grievance for decades. Nam, barely containing his anger, gazed at Hoon.

"Speaking of which, there's a rumor circulating."

"What rumor?"

"Choi Hyun is getting a divorce."

Nam was aware that Mi-ae didn't particularly like So-jung. But to suddenly bring up divorce, when there had never been any prior discussion. Nam tapped his finger on the table.

"Although I'm unsure, but if it's true, there must be a new marriage partner in the picture. Do you know anything about that?"

"…No, I do not."

"Well, it might just be a rumor, but once this matter is settled, you should also remarry. I'll look into suitable families for you."

"…Yes."

It was a rare moment when Hoon's response was delayed. Despite the hesitation, Hoon's face remained calm. Meanwhile, Nam raised his glass and slowly took a sip of his drink.

Still, it was strange. Sending a seemingly well-functioning son to a villa to recuperate amidst such urgent times...

Nam was aware how much Mi-ae desired to see Hyun become chairman. So, in this situation, it was odd for her to send Hyun to recuperate in a villa instead of presenting him to the public.

"Do you know where the villa Choi Hyun is staying at is?"

"Yes, I know. I was planning to visit soon."

"You? To that place?"

Nam reacted to Hoon's intention to visit Hyun's villa.

"Yes. I've recently discovered some things... I wish to discuss them with him."

Slowly, a smile formed on Hoon's lips. He, too, sipped his coffee leisurely, mirroring Nam's mannerisms.

---

"Hello? I came with Ji-hye again today."

"…Yes, hello."

It had become customary for Soo-ah to bring Ji-hye to the villa. Kang-chan reluctantly greeted them and stepped back. Meanwhile, Soo-ah peered around the house.

"Where's Hyun?"

"He's in his room for a bit. He'll be out soon."

As soon as Kang-chan finished speaking, the door opened, and Hyun appeared. Soo-ah smiled brightly.

"Ji-hye wanted to see you again, so we came together. Is that alright?"

"…."

"Ji-hye, you said you had something to show, right? Show it quickly."

As Hyun appeared, Ji-hye, who had been standing by Soo-ah's side, began to sparkle. Soo-ah nudged her daughter forward.

"I drew this."

Ji-hye hesitantly presented a drawing she hid behind her back. It depicted a man and a woman, presumably Hyun and Soo-ah, and a little girl.

"Ji-hye must have really enjoyed playing with you that time. She kept drawing such things at home. How is it? Did she do well?"

Hyun, who had taken the paper and was examining it, spoke.

"Yeah, she did well."

"Right? Ji-hye seems to have a talent for drawing. I even consulted with an art teacher recently, and they said she really has potential."

Seeing Hyun, Soo-ah, and Ji-hye standing together appeared harmonious to anyone. However, Hyun's brow furrowed as he stared at the drawing.

Something, something...

The man, woman, and little girl in Hyun's mind evoked a vague, hazy part of his memory. It felt like he was missing something crucial. For a moment, Hyun's grip on the paper tightened.

"Daddy."

At that moment, Hyun reacted to Ji-hye calling him daddy. Ji-hye, who had approached closer to Hyun, was looking up at him with bright eyes.

"Let's play together."

"…."

"Let's draw."

Despite Ji-hye's shy approach, Hyun couldn't utter a word. Soo-ah watched this and laughed.

"Shall we draw and play together? The three of us like this?"

Soo-ah was already excitedly preparing paper and colored pencils. But at that moment, Hyun spoke.

"No, drawing can wait."

"Huh?"

"Let's talk instead, just the two of us."

"...Oh, is that so?"

"Kang-chan, take the child outside for a bit."

Kang-chan, who had been drinking cold water and suppressing his frustration since Soo-ah and Ji-hye arrived, reacted immediately to Hyun's words.

"Yes, understood. Shall we go this way?"

At Kang-chan's words, Ji-hye glanced at Soo-ah. Soo-ah nodded gently, and Ji-hye obediently took Kang-chan's hand and stepped outside. However, Ji-hye kept glancing back at Hyun, disappointed.

"What's going on? You even sent Kang-chan and Ji-hye out."

Now they were alone in the villa. Soo-ah asked, and Hyun spoke.

"The reason you come here is to help me recover my memories anyway. There's no need for those two to be here."

"That's true, but there's no need to send Ji-hye away. She came because she wanted to play."

At that, Hyun quietly looked down at Soo-ah. Sensing the unusually different atmosphere from Hyun, Soo-ah shut her mouth.

"I recently visited a place."

"…Where?"

"The hill where we first met."

The living room fell silent for a moment. Hyun was the first to break the silence.

"What did you say happened when we first met?"

"...It's been over ten years, so I don't remember well..."

"Just tell me what you remember."

Soo-ah reluctantly replied to Hyun's words.

"I went up the hill at night to exercise, and I met you there. We had small talk."

"What kind of conversations?"

"You were pretty hurt at the time, so I asked if you were okay. Then I asked your name and age. I also asked where you lived. You mostly answered my questions. That's how we talked."

"…Right, and you said you laid me down on the bench and came back the next day because you were worried."

"Yes, that's right. But hey, Hyun, should we go out? How about going to the department store with Ji-hye for some shopping...?"

"But did I really answer all your questions back then? My name, age, and where I lived?"

"…."

In fact, the two of them had never talked in detail about their meeting on the hill. Hyun himself couldn't remember it properly, and Soo-ah hadn't brought it up either.

Still...

Hyun felt the need to talk about this. The strange emotions and inconsistencies in the story were odd.

"Look me in the eyes and answer."

All this time, the questions had been building up in his mind. Soo-ah's way of depicting the encounter felt somewhat alien. However, he hadn't mentioned it because he thought it didn't matter much.

The incident on the hill, he thought, could remain as a piece of memory in the corner of his mind.

"Did you really..."

However, as his emotions and thoughts towards his former lover gradually changed, Hyun could finally ask.

"Did you really meet me on the hill that time?"

---

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