“Don’t be suspicious, we don’t even have enough time to play like this.”

Ji Yeon Woo realized Nam Do Hyun’s heartfelt feelings, which were even pitiable, far too late.

She wished she had conveyed her upset feelings from the moment she discovered Jee Eun’s lipstick.

“I was jealous of you and senior Jee Eun, not knowing it was a misunderstanding.”

“Are you sorry to me?”

How could she not be sorry when she had pushed away the approaching Do Hyun while speaking harshly?

If Do Hyun had asked her to apologize properly, she was willing to rub her hands together.

“Of course I’m sorry, I was mean to you all day.”

“If you’re sorry, then sleep with me tonight too.”

“Senior!”

“Yes, Yeon Woo.”

The focused gaze looking straight at Do Hyun crumbled and dropped downward.

Ji Yeon Woo’s cheeks faintly blushed at her name being called affectionately without warning.

Hmm. Do Hyun exhaled softly and bent down, tapping Ji Yeon Woo’s cheek with his index finger.

Nam Do Hyun wouldn’t miss such an obvious weakness.

“I should call your name often, to make our Yeon Woo speechless.”

“You know you’re being quite mischievous, senior.”

“You like me being like that.”

She had to admit it. Do Hyun was like a great wave, and she had been swept away for a long time.

She was so deeply in love that she didn’t want to escape from these waves. If possible, she wanted to live swimming in them forever.

She loved everything. Even that heart that loved her…

She even loved that heart.

***

The next evening.

Ji Yeon Woo visited Seongbuk-dong, not the nursing home, to meet Lee Jung Hye.

Ji Yeon Woo entered an old residential area and stood in front of a brown brick building with a blue roof.

When she pressed the worn doorbell, a short, plump lady came out.

“Oh my, Yeon Woo. You’ve come all this way.”

“Auntie, have you been well?”

“It’s bearable now that I’m discharged. So bearable that I’m just gaining weight.”

The homeowner, Lee Mi Kyung, was a patient who shared the next bed when Jung Hye was hospitalized for cerebral hemorrhage.

Mi Kyung was also a long-term patient, so she had built a long-standing relationship with Jung Hye and kept in touch until now.

Ji Yeon Woo handed over a gift box of drinks she had bought at the convenience store.

“Here. It’s nothing special, just some drinks.”

“You didn’t have to bring this. I told you to come empty-handed.”

“Still, I couldn’t come empty-handed on my first visit to your house.”

“I’ll enjoy them. Come in quickly.”

Mi Kyung took the gift box and led Ji Yeon Woo inside.

The cozy house was filled with Mi Kyung’s crochet works in every corner.

Not only the sofa cover, but they had taken over the table and even in front of the bathroom.

“Jung Hye. Your daughter is here.”

Jung Hye came out of the kitchen with crutches under her arms at Mi Kyung’s call.

Jung Hye, who had always worn white hospital gowns, was now wearing a purple two-piece outfit after a long time.

If it weren’t for her trembling left leg, Jung Hye would have looked no different from before.

“My daughter, you’ve come?”

As Jung Hye spread her right arm, Ji Yeon Woo naturally fell into her embrace.

Ji Yeon Woo, who had fully embraced the smaller and frailer Jung Hye, asked worriedly.

“Mom, are you sure it’s okay to leave the hospital?”

“I got permission from the doctor before coming out, so of course it’s fine.”

Ji Yeon Woo had rushed over upon hearing that Jung Hye, who had been in the nursing home for a long time, had received her first outing permission and gone to Mi Kyung’s house.

Ji Yeon Woo asked, looking at the large silver pot visible over Jung Hye’s shoulder.

“What were you making?”

“I boiled some beef bone soup, would you like to taste it?”

Jung Hye, smiling brightly, laboriously made her way to the kitchen on her crutches.

Ji Yeon Woo walked behind Jung Hye, who was standing askew with her weight on her right leg.

“It must have taken a long time to boil beef bone soup, how did you manage this?”

“Don’t even mention it. I went to the market early in the morning and boiled the bones for over ten hours.”

When Mi Kyung explained on Jung Hye’s behalf, Ji Yeon Woo was startled.

“Mom. How did you go to the market in your condition? And how did you stand in front of the stove for ten hours?”

“Mom can use crutches well now. Going to the market was just buying some beef bones, and I wasn’t in front of the stove the whole time.”

Whenever Ji Yeon Woo looked at Jung Hye, she always felt precarious, as if walking a tightrope.

The hospital said there had been no further bleeding after the first cerebral hemorrhage, but they warned to be cautious as bleeding could occur again at any time.

So she couldn’t help but worry that if Jung Hye overexerted herself, she might have another cerebral hemorrhage like before.

“Why did you suddenly make beef bone soup?”

“It’s madam’s birthday tomorrow. I made it for her health.”

“How did you know it was mother’s birthday when I didn’t even tell you?”

“I remembered because I felt bad about not being able to celebrate it last year.”

Ji Yeon Woo had thought Jung Hye’s first outing from the nursing home was just to chat with Mi Kyung.

She hadn’t expected at all that it would be to prepare for Park Young Ran’s birthday.

“I was going to take care of everything…”

“Your mother-in-law probably wouldn’t, but I was worried she might dislike you because your mother is lacking. Now that I’ve recovered, I’ll take good care of your in-laws too.”

Ji Yeon Woo felt a sting in her heart, as if it had been scratched.

All she wanted from Jung Hye was for her to stay healthy and by her side for a long time.

But how could Jung Hye in the hospital have been at ease? Her daughter’s well-being had always been her priority over her own health.

It couldn’t be helped. Parents always want their children to walk on beautiful, fine flower paths, not on prickly and harsh thorn paths.

“Thank you, Mom. I didn’t know you were thinking about this.”

“I made plenty, so take it and eat with Nam.”

Jung Hye, with a gentle smile, poured the bone broth into large food containers she had prepared in advance.

The well-boiled bone soup showed at a glance how much care had been put into it.

Perhaps even Park Young Ran, who usually didn’t think favorably of her existence, would be pleased with Jung Hye’s sincere gift. With such expectations, she packed two containers of bone soup in a yellow wrapping cloth.

“I’ll deliver it well to mother tomorrow.”

“If madam says it’s delicious, I’ll bring more. If I boil it until tomorrow, it’ll taste even better.”

“Okay. I will.”

Ji Yeon Woo picked up the wrapping cloth, tying it tightly so the knot wouldn’t come undone.

Seeing Jung Hye who came out to see her off as she was about to leave, she strangely didn’t want to go today of all days.

Although she could meet Jung Hye anytime if she made time, Ji Yeon Woo oddly wanted to stay with Jung Hye just for today.

“Can I sleep with mom tonight? Auntie, is it okay if I stay here tonight?”

Even before Mi Kyung, standing behind Jung Hye, could nod.

“You should go sleep at Nam’s house.”

“What’s wrong with sleeping with mom just for one day?”

“You shouldn’t leave the house empty while your husband is there.”

Jung Hye strongly objected and even opened the front door herself.

Seeing Jung Hye outside the hospital, was it because she was lost in memories? Ji Yeon Woo tried to cling to Jung Hye’s side, acting spoiled in a way she usually didn’t.

“I’ll just sleep here. Or at least let me have dinner before I go.”

“You should go eat with Nam.”

“I want to be with mom today.”

“You can see mom later.”

“But still…”

Jung Hye carefully adjusted Ji Yeon Woo’s collar, perhaps worried about the cold wind seeping in. Sending an affectionate gaze, Jung Hye stroked Ji Yeon Woo’s arm.

“It’s cold. Go now, daughter.”

“Okay. Call me when you go to the hospital.”

“Yes. Go in.”

After finishing the long farewell, Ji Yeon Woo turned around, sent off by Jung Hye.

Ji Yeon Woo descended the long stairs leading to the bus stop after closing the rusty gate, and looked back at the path she had come.

It was only after leaving Mi Kyung’s house that she realized she hadn’t told Jung Hye she loved her.

Why did she feel like she absolutely had to say those words that day?

Ji Yeon Woo, who was about to go back, saw the already dark street and moved her stopped feet towards the bus stop.

***

Ji Yeon Woo arrived in Samseong-dong in time for her appointment with Nam Do Hyun.

In the kitchen, internationally recognized chefs were busy cooking, while housekeepers decorated the interior of the restaurant brightly with fresh flowers they had prepared in advance.

Instead of Park Young Ran, the party host, a housekeeper came out to greet Ji Yeon Woo and Do Hyun.

“Welcome, young master, young madam.”

“Where are mother and father?”

“They are still preparing. Please wait in the dining room.”

“We’ll do that.”

As they entered the dining room connected to the kitchen following the housekeeper, Nam Seung Hee, who was already seated at the table, gave a cursory glance.

“Oh. You’re here?”

“Hello, elder sister.”

Seung Hee just nodded slightly and looked at her phone with a bored expression.

As Do Hyun pulled out the chair across from Seung Hee, Ji Yeon Woo sat down with a slight smile.

Not long after Do Hyun sat next to Ji Yeon Woo, Park Young Ran appeared.

Ji Yeon Woo quickly stood up as she saw Young Ran rushing into the dining room.

“You came on time?”

“Hello, mother.”

Young Ran naturally embraced Ji Yeon Woo as she always had.

“You must want to rest on the weekend, thank you for coming, Yeon Woo.”

“…It’s nothing, mother.”

Young Ran, who had released Ji Yeon Woo from her embrace, stroked her back affectionately.

She wanted to accept Young Ran’s gesture without questioning it, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

Young Ran’s usual behavior was almost the opposite of now. She treated Ji Yeon Woo like a non-person, barely acknowledging her existence.

She knew better than anyone that this affection was created to show Do Hyun.

Nam Jong Pil, who had entered the kitchen shortly after, came out next to Young Ran standing at the entrance.

Ji Yeon Woo’s stiff face brightened up as if it had never been that way when she saw Jong Pil.

“Hello, father.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited often.”

“It’s fine as long as you’re doing well.”

Do Hyun, who was welcomed by no one, interjected.

“Looks like only the son is getting the cold shoulder here.”

“We see you often at the company.”

Jong Pil sat at the head of the long table, throwing those words as if telling him not to mind.

Then, employees who had quietly entered the dining room placed the dishes neatly on the table and withdrew.

“Let’s eat.”

As Jong Pil gestured to the warm food, Ji Yeon Woo and Do Hyun also sat down again.

Before the sound of utensils could be heard in the dining room, a surprise birthday party guest appeared.

“I guess I’m not too late.”

Ji Yeon Woo’s head turned towards the opened dining room entrance.

Did I see that wrong?

Even blinking her eyes wide, the figure entering the dining room didn’t change.

“It’s been a while. Mother, Father.”

The one who entered with both hands full of gift bags was none other than Bae Jee Eun.