Episode 5

“Sorry, I’m a bit late. I was going to leave my child at the playroom, but she wouldn’t let go of me today.”

“No worries at all. Kids can be like that. I just arrived myself.”

Mi-ae and Soo-ah smiled warmly and moved elsewhere. Beside them, Soo-ah's daughter, Ji-hye, quietly drew, her small hands moving busily.

“She’s so well-behaved. How old is she now?”

“She is four years old. I could also agree that Ji-hye is calmer than her peers.”

“It’s evident she’s been well-raised. This is what all children should be like."

Mi-ae showered Ji-hye with praise, and Soo-ah responded with a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Mi-ae’s gaze turned contemplative.

Good. With a good temperament and decent family background, children could always be had again.

Despite being slightly concerned over Soo-ah's previous divorce, Mi-ae found the remaining conditions favorable. Her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she concluded her assessment of Soo-ah.

“I didn’t expect you to arrive at the department store. If it was urgent, I could have gone to see you first.”

“No, as a mother myself, I completely understand the desire to spend time with your child. I just hope I’m not taking away too much of your time with her.”

“No, my daughter is content to play quietly wherever she goes. So, what did you wish to discuss?”

Soo-ah brought forth the topic. Mi-ae placed her teacup down and proceeded to speak.

“I wanted to meet you because of my son.”

“Your son…?”

“Yes, my son, Choi Hyun. I heard you two dated during his time abroad. Because of that, I have a favor to ask you, Soo-ah.”

Soo-ah's eyes widened at the unexpected revelation.

“Did you hear about my son's recent accident?”

“…Yes, I heard. They said it was a traffic accident.”

“Yes, that’s right. While he has recovered and been discharged, there is a certain fact others are unaware of."

“…”

“Due to the trauma from the accident, my son has lost about ten years of his memory. He believes he’s still twenty and has been looking for you.”

Mi-ae wiped her eyes with her fingers as if deeply saddened.

“…He’s looking for me? Hyun?”

“Therefore, if you don’t mind, I would like you to stay with him for a while. He’s currently residing at our private villa, separated from his wife. Hyun is waiting for you, Soo-ah.”

“Hyun… Hyun is looking for me.”

Soo-ah's lips trembled, unable to comprehend Mi-ae's words. Seizing the moment, Mi-ae smiled.

“Of course, this request isn’t without compensation. I will give you whatever you want.”

“…”

“I'm not speaking materialistically. This could also be an opportunity for our families to unite. Don’t you think so?”

Mi-ae’s intentions became evident. At her subtle suggestion, Soo-ah's mouth gaped slightly, then closed.

---

So this was their meeting place.

So-jung, leaving Harim in So-jin's care, recalled the earlier encounter while seated in the playroom. Soo-ah, with her child in tow, had smiled brightly at the approaching Mi-ae.

She had a truly enchanting smile.

She hadn't paid much attention during their first encounter, but So-jung could now draw out Soo-ah's face more clearly. Her lovely smile was enough to make anyone's first love, not simply Hyun’s.

To think that such a person was my husband’s first love...

It became somewhat apparent why Hyun was so desperate to find her. As So-jung remained lost in thought, someone entered the playroom.

Ah...

It was Soo-ah, holding her child’s hand, who faced So-jung. While So-jung was taken aback, Soo-ah remained calm. She approached So-jung with a smile on her face.

“Hello, it’s been a while.”

Soo-ah offered her greeting first. After sending her child to the playroom, she naturally sat opposite So-jung.

“The department store's playroom here is big and nice, isn’t it? I come here occasionally as well.”

“…Ah, yes. Hello.”

“I saw you playing with your daughter earlier. That’s why I came to say hello.”

Although Mi-ae hadn’t seen So-jung, Soo-ah seemed to have recognized her. And now she was here to see her.

“You saw me and your mother speak earlier, right? Then you must know why we met.”

“Yes, that's right.”

Surely, Mi-ae must have asked her to aide Hyun. After all, Hyun’s favorite person was Soo-ah. However, Soo-ah's next words surprised So-jung.

“But I wanted to hear that request from you, So-jung, not your mother.”

“From me?”

“I understand a mother’s heart for her son, but you’re his current wife. I wanted to hear your opinion.”

The unexpected words made So-jung’s grip on her cup tighten. Still, Soo-ah smiled brightly.

“Of course, you want Hyun to regain his memory quickly, so you would naturally ask me.”

“…”

“Fortunately, it’s a marriage of convenience, right? There should be no problem with me being with Hyun since you have no feelings for each other.”

“…That’s right. Yes.”

No feelings...

The lingering taste of tea felt unusually bitter on her tongue. However, Soo-ah was right; their marriage was one of convenience, and So-jung genuinely wanted Hyun to regain his memory. Even if it meant his former lover was the one needed to stabilize him.

“I heard Hyun is at the villa now. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. His mother gave me the villa’s address and asked me to visit soon.”

“…”

“But I can’t just show up unannounced. Can you go ahead and let him know? I’ve written the time and date here.”

Despite her bright smile, Soo-ah's words were not light. So-jung accepted the note silently.

“Mom!”

At that moment, Harim’s voice resounded as she rushed towards them, hair flying. So-jin stumbled behind in exhaustion.

“Mom! I played with Auntie and the ball, and…”

Still excited from running around, Harim gestured energetically. So-jin, who had caught up, chimed in.

“She's my niece, but who does she resemble to act so energetically… Hmm?”

As she naturally joined the conversation, So-jin noticed Soo-ah and inquired with her eyes. Soo-ah stood up.

“I enjoyed our conversation. See you next time.”

Soo-ah took her child and left the playroom. So-jin scrutinized the scene and asked.

“Who was that? Someone you know?”

“…Just an acquaintance.”

“Oh, a mom’s group or something? Her kid seems the same age as Harim, but she's very calm. Unlike our niece…”

“Moooooom!”

“…who’s a little too energetic.”

Harim had bumped into a pillar while running around.

“It's okay, it’s okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore, hmm?”

Even while comforting Harim, So-jung walked out of the department store in a daze.

“Take Harim home first. I need to stop by somewhere.”

“Where are you going?”

“…Just a quick errand.”

After sending Harim and So-jin home, So-jung headed towards the parking lot. She held the note in her hand.

---

“…”

It took quite a while to drive from the department store to the villa. By the time So-jung arrived, it was already dark, and the villa's lights were on.

So-jung utilized the card key from her bag to enter the building.

Was he sleeping?

The living room lights were on, but no one was inside. She checked her phone for any messages just in case, but Hyun didn't seem to have gone out. So-jung looked past several rooms until she found one with a light on.

"Is anybody in here?"

So-jung knocked on the door once, but there was no response. The door wasn’t fully closed and pushed forth as she applied force, revealing an empty room.

Maybe he’s in the garden.

So-jung stepped inside and glanced around. At that moment, the bathroom door opened.

“…”

Steam billowed from the open bathroom door, and Hyun emerged, a towel wrapped around his body.

“…”

“…”

Their eyes met.

The room fell silent.

---

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