“Oh, what good timing! I was just about to have some tea. It’s boring to drink alone. Shall we have some together? Are you busy by any chance?”

“No, it’s alright.”

As Ga Eul answered with a gentle smile, the lady called for An San Daek.

“Please bring us some tea. The chrysanthemum tea we received as a gift recently. Ga Eul, let’s go to the tea table.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The tea table was located right next to the window where the outside scenery could be clearly seen.

Sitting here and looking outside in spring or autumn, the garden filled with seasonal flowers was beautifully visible. But now, with the chill coming in, the flowers had withered and only bare branches remained, giving a somewhat bleak feeling.

Still, once it snowed in a little while, the garden would unfold another charm.

When the bare branches were blanketed with snow, it exuded an elegant and graceful charm that made you want to capture it in a painting. They were mostly expensive landscaping trees.

Ga Eul looked at one side of the empty flowerbed. Until autumn, there had been a tree that was uprooted without a trace. It wasn’t recognized for its usefulness.

Ga Eul looked at the landscaping trees again with a heavy heart. The trees were still beautiful.

Indeed, there was nothing useless in this mansion. Those trees too were chosen because they shone. The criteria for that usefulness were determined by the chairman’s discerning eye.

Ga Eul, who had just reaffirmed her usefulness for the time being, swept her chilling heart as she gazed out the window.

After a moment, two teacups and a transparent heat-resistant glass teapot were placed in front of Ga Eul, who was admiring the garden.

“Ma’am, I brought the chrysanthemum tea.”

“Thank you, An San Daek.”

“Not at all, please enjoy. If you need anything else, please call for me again.”

An San Daek set down the teapot and cups and quickly moved away. Ga Eul spoke to Mi Jeong, who was reaching for the teapot.

“Ma’am, let me pour it for you.”

“Alright. Then could you pour it, Ga Eul?”

“Yes.”

Ga Eul took the teapot and pulled the teacup placed in front of Mi Jeong. Inside the teapot, a single chrysanthemum flower was beautifully embroidered, and as the teapot swayed, a yellow hue seeped out like watercolor spreading.

Ga Eul’s gaze lingered on the teapot for a moment, as the color resembling spring felt warm.

Then, raising her head, she asked Mi Jeong.

“Did something good happen to you today?”

“…How did you know?”

Recalling Mi Jeong’s unusually bright countenance since she grabbed her, Ga Eul replied.

“You seem to be in an even better mood today.”

“Oh my, this girl…”

Mi Jeong glanced at Ga Eul and answered haughtily.

‘She’s the only one who asks about things like this…?’

Although Mi Jeong answered haughtily, her true feelings were actually crumbling and melting away.

What’s the use of having a wonderful husband and two sons who appear on the front page of newspapers? Mi Jeong thought of her two sons and shook her head again.

Mi Jeong was always struggling with the three men who were so indifferent.

−Son! Guess what Mom did today!

−I’m busy. Please ask Secretary Kim for whatever you need.

‘…That’s not it.’

Did she call them because she needed something? She could buy what she needed with her own card, and ask the live-in helpers.

Every time that happened, even though they were her sons, it truly hurt. In this vast mansion, Mi Jeong was always lonely with the four cold men.

She just wanted to brag about what she did today, what she ate, what compliments she received from another wife, and get some attention…

Compared to the indifferent four men, Ga Eul noticed before she could even brag herself and asked attentively.

Nine years ago, when her father-in-law suddenly brought the mother and daughter without informing her husband and her, she had screamed to kick them out in shock.

Even after hearing all that scolding, Ga Eul was polite and amiable, so Mi Jeong let her guard down. Far from being fox-like, she was an innocent and righteous child, unlike kids these days.

“I went for a massage today.”

“Oh, you did?”

“Today is skincare day, you know.”

“Your skin looks even more beautiful today.”

Mi Jeong laughed at Ga Eul’s answer.

Yes, this is it.

Mi Jeong fluttered like a fish in water. Her casual tone that subtly praised her without exaggeration made her words feel more sincere, and Mi Jeong’s mood soared.

“No, no. Ga Eul, that’s not what’s important right now. I met the wife of a distribution company CEO there. And guess what she said to me?”

“What did she say?”

“She thought I was Dae Gyun’s daughter! His wife, but she thought I was his daughter. Aha ha−! I must look that young.”

Ga Eul nodded and listened to her story intently.

As if her own thoughts didn’t matter, obediently.

Mi Jeong was satisfied with even that.

* * *

Ga Eul’s university studio.

The classroom and studio with several large windows for good ventilation was filled with the smells of paper, paint, and oil.

With the graduation exhibition approaching, her classmates seemed busy looking over their paintings without any small talk. The trash can was full of various energy drink cans and coffee cups.

Everyone was focused on putting their heart and soul into their work.

Ga Eul prepared a total of five paintings. The work she was finalizing now was the last of them.

‘Should I layer the petals a bit more?’

It was when Ga Eul was having a happy dilemma while looking at her painting from a distance with a brush in hand.

At that moment, someone carefully approached behind her and surprised her with a loud ‘Whoa!’

“Whoa! What’s this…? Ga Eul’s paintings are all flowers.”

“Oh, you startled me!”

“You got surprised? Why do you get surprised every time.”

“Because you suddenly call from behind. Anyone would be surprised if you call like that.”

Ju A let out a chuckle at Ga Eul, who had her eyes wide open, truly startled.

Then she poked her cheek.

‘Ah. Paint got on it.’

The paint on her hand, which she didn’t even know was there, fully soaked into Ga Eul’s white paper-like cheek. Ju A, who was about to wipe it off immediately with her work clothes sleeve, suddenly withdrew her hand that hadn’t even touched.

The red color that beautifully settled on her cheek like a blush looked cute, so she wanted to look at it a little longer.

‘Cute. It’s always fun to tease her. How can a kid be this adorable?’

Despite wearing a work apron and being splattered with paint here and there, she was white like flour, and her long straight hair made her look feminine. Yet she was also docile and modest, giving the impression of a rich family’s daughter.

Her posture, always straight without faltering even in simple attire, also gave that feeling.

‘She must be from a well-off family for sure.’

Ju A thought they had been close for quite a while, but they always only met outside. Ga Eul never talked about her home, so Ju A reached that conclusion on her own.

As Ju A stared at Ga Eul, Ga Eul asked.

“Why…?”

“No, nothing. Anyway, our Ga Eul’s paintings are really colorful.”

To change the subject, Ju A properly took in Ga Eul’s painting that she had glanced at from the corner of her eye.

‘Wow… What kind of paintings does she make.’

It was a skill level that made her feel inferior. Of course, there were many artists with even greater skills, but compared to her classmates, it was outstanding.

In fact, she had stood out since the beginning of her admission. As Ju A lingered around Ga Eul out of curiosity, she somehow became her closest friend without realizing it.

Her kind heart melted away any sense of inferiority, so there was no jealousy. She was simply envious of that talent.

“…How is it?”

“What do you mean how is it??”

“Yeah.”

Ju A let out a deflated sound at Ga Eul’s nervous question, who had never missed being at the top of her class.

“Why do you even ask? It’s obviously great.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Ga Eul seemed genuinely relieved. Ju A looked at Ga Eul with an expression as if finding her cute.

“You need to enjoy it a little.”

“Haha…”

Still, Ga Eul had only one thought.

‘That’s a relief. The chairman seemed like he would come to this exhibition too. Since everyone says it’s okay, the reaction won’t be bad…?’

Then, Ju A suddenly spoke playfully.

“But why are you so fluffy.”

“No. I’m tired too. Look at these dark circles.”

Even though Ga Eul appealed her fatigue, Ju A shook her head as if it was out of the question.

“You’re just white. Ga Eul, do you see? This is what you call dark circles?”

Ju A sat next to Ga Eul and abruptly pulled over Do Jin, who was painting next to her. Then she pointed to the shadow drooping under his eyes and corrected her.

“Baek Ju A, what are you doing now.”

Do Jin reproached as if he was upset at Ju A’s words. Then, as his eyes met Ga Eul’s, Do Jin scratched his head as if he was embarrassed and spoke to Ga Eul with a kind voice.

“I’m a bit tired, that’s all. Usually I have good complexion?”

“I know, oppa. Everyone is just tired right now.”

When she agreed, Do Jin cleared his throat and complimented Ga Eul’s painting.

“Ahem! Is that so? But Ga Eul’s painting is great as always.”

“Thank you. Oppa’s painting is great too.”

“Thanks. Ga Eul, your painting is also… pretty.”

As they were chatting away, vibration occurred in Ga Eul’s apron. Ga Eul hurriedly took out her phone and checked the message.

[Chairman: Come home early today. Let’s have a meal together.]

‘…What could it be?’

It was rare for him to call on the same day without notice. With that, Ga Eul’s head tilted.

[Yes, Chairman.]

Despite the puzzlement, Ga Eul sent a reply first and hurriedly put away her phone and stood up.

As Ga Eul quickly wiped the oil paint-stained brush on a paper towel, the two asked simultaneously.

“Ga Eul, where are you going?”

“Yoon Ga Eul. It’s not all finished yet, where are you going?”

Ga Eul answered while hurriedly taking off her apron.

“Ah… Something came up at home so I think I’ll have to stop here for today and go.”

Ju A looked down at Ga Eul’s last work again and spoke with a regretful expression as if she herself was disappointed.

“It seems like you’re almost done with a little more work, it’s a shame. You have to do more tomorrow.”

“I know. I wanted to wrap it up and go today too.”

Then I’ll go wash my brushes. With those words, Ga Eul waved her hand and moved away.

Ju A, who was also waving her hand and smiling, paused for a moment. She just remembered the paint on Ga Eul’s cheek that she had forgotten.

‘Ah, right! I didn’t wipe off the paint?’

But Ga Eul was already far away.

“Hey, Baek Ju A. Are you going to keep embarrassing me in front of Ga Eul like this?”

“Oh, what!”

Ju A, who was groaning for a moment, retorted somewhat snappily to Do Jin, who was voicing his dissatisfaction next to her, and thought.

‘Well… She’ll wipe it off herself?’

* * *

In front of the main building of a mansion owned by Chairman Han located in Hannam-dong.

The mansion became lively after a long time. It was because he had arrived at the mansion.

“Yes, Gi Tae, you’re here.”

“Yes, Grandfather. Have you been well?”

“Of course, of course. The Venice side wrapped up well?”

“Yes.”

“How long are you planning to stay this time before leaving?”

Knowing that he doesn’t stay long in Korea, Chairman Han assumed in advance, but he shook his head.

“I’m planning to settle down in Korea now.”

Chairman Han, who had widened his eyes for a moment, asked again with a nonchalant expression.

“Oh ho. Is that so? Then what about Venice and the other overseas branches.”

“I’m getting regular reports, so it’s fine. I’m going to manage the Korea branch and visit from time to time.”

“Hmm, I see. Let’s go inside for now.”

“Yes.”

There was no longer a reason to visit various places abroad.

His galleries, which he had established in various places overseas, including the water city of Venice that perfectly suited art, had taken root almost perfectly.

It’s the right choice. As always.

His gallery, located in a place with a beautiful view of the Grand Canal, was a perfect match for art. Since he had checked that the paintings were selling well too, there was no need to linger any longer.

So he had returned home as soon as he washed his hands of it.

At that moment, a boisterous sound of footsteps echoed through the mansion’s stairs from afar. The owner of the footsteps was Mi Jeong.

As soon as she came out to the mansion’s entrance, Mi Jeong scolded him.

“Gi Tae! If you’re coming, give a heads up in advance! You’re making your mom sad!”

“It’s the same whether I see your face or not.”

“Still! Mom didn’t even prepare anything delicious. I didn’t know my son was coming!”

“Anything is fine.”

“What…? You’re really my child that I gave birth to, but you don’t understand your mother’s heart at all!”

As Mi Jeong kept grumbling that he was indifferent, Gi Tae pushed her back, using the excuse that it was cold outside. Mi Jeong went inside, grumbling as if she was upset that her son interrupted her.

While ushering Mi Jeong inside, Gi Tae glanced back. As he signaled with his eyes, the secretary who was standing guard got into the car.

As Gi Tae was about to avert his gaze, he suddenly noticed the presence of a woman standing next to him.

“…?”

“…!”

As their eyes met, she showed a startled reaction.

The woman, who was small the last time he saw her, was standing there having grown a bit.

‘She was still here.’