Until the appointed time, Hae Yeon conducted the now routine investigation of the incident at home. Following the advice of the doctor who visited during the day, she looked in a different direction and found a part that bothered her.

However, unfortunately, time ran out, so she had to finish up for now and rushed out. Thanks to leaving a bit early, she arrived at the department store earlier than the scheduled time to meet Do Hee.

The department store was crowded with people, even though it was a weekday evening, as it was a large and famous place.

“Unnie!”

Do Hee, who was leaning against the wall on the 1st floor lobby to avoid people, smiled brightly and waved her hand when she spotted Hae Yeon. Hae Yeon also gave a radiant smile to Do Hee.

“It’s so nice to meet at the department store after a long time, right?”

“I’m sorry, little one. I’ve been neglecting you lately.”

When Hae Yeon sincerely apologized, Do Hee waved her hand.

“Ah, it’s okay. I forgive you for anything, Hae Yeon unnie!”

Do Hee, who was always bright and cheerful, spoke spiritedly. Hae Yeon, finding that even more heartbreaking, warmly held her hand.

“Let’s go eat first.”

“Okay. But what should we eat?”

“Let’s go eat the meat our little one likes.”

“Sounds good. Meat is the best for eating out!”

The two went upstairs. On the upper floor of this department store, there was a quiet restaurant, a cozy place that Hae Yeon deliberately chose as she had something special to tell Do Hee.

“What’s the occasion for my little new unnie to come to a place that spends money like this?”

Do Hee, the daughter of a wealthy family, widened her eyes. Hae Yeon burst into laughter and walked side by side to the seat guided for them. Do Hee was slightly taller than Hae Yeon, so Hae Yeon linked arms with her, and anyone could see that they were sisters.

As soon as they sat down at the reserved seat, Do Hee eagerly asked, as if she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“So what happened with new unnie’s work! I only heard from dad that unnie is working, so I was dying of curiosity!”

Do Hee, showing a lot of interest, looked mischievous as she poured out the words. That appearance was just like a cute puppy wagging its tail and asking for a treat. Seeing Do Hee’s immensely lovely appearance, it seemed understandable why Do Ha liked to tease his wife and enjoy it.

“I ended up working by chance. It was boring to just stay at home too.”

“So good, so good! That’s right, what reason do you need.”

Hae Yeon was grateful to Do Hee who was happy as if it were her own work. It was a completely opposite reaction from Chairman Yoon, who indirectly expressed a ‘threat’, and her father-in-law, who got angry for no reason. Well, parents-in-law and Do Hee were incomparable subjects.

“What about mom? How was mom?”

Did you get scolded a lot? Do Hee, who knew her mother’s personality better than anyone else, added with a worried tone and pouted her lips. Hae Yeon’s heart ached at the sight of her genuine concern, and she smiled slightly.

“She allowed it.”

“Mom did?”

“Yes.”

Do Hee found it hard to take Hae Yeon’s answer at face value. So her big eyes got even bigger. Her mother would have definitely opposed Hae Yeon working. But getting permission was nothing short of a revolution, so it was hard to believe.

“How?”

“She didn’t say much and just allowed it.”

Do Hee, who felt sorry for Hae Yeon smiling quietly as if it was nothing, reached out and held her hand. Even though they were talking comfortably like this, it was clear how her mother would have responded even without seeing it.

In that process, the only one who got hurt would have been Hae Yeon.

Do Hee looked at Hae Yeon anew once again. A young and pure face with almost no makeup. The clear, black eyes elegantly smiled.

In addition to this pretty appearance, Hae Yeon’s true value was in that personality. Do Hee couldn’t forget when her brother first brought the new sister-in-law home. Do Hee, who was a teenager at the time, naturally thought that a person could be this pure.

It was no wonder that her little brother, who had no interest in women, fell for her.

Hae Yeon had no pretense or falsehood that Do Hee often saw in the upper class. The soft-spoken and quiet tone, kind eye smile, modesty and consideration were really sincere. Do Hee thought it was no exaggeration to say that the best thing Do Ha did in the world was meeting Hae Yeon.

“Unnie, tell me honestly. How was it really?”

“It’s true. She was a bit taken aback, but didn’t say anything.”

Even if Do Hee noticed that Hae Yeon’s words were false, she didn’t show it.

“Ah, but which company is it?”

“Dali Coffee.”

“Don’t tell me it’s Joo Ah unnie’s company?”

Do Hee blinked her eyes quickly. Hae Yeon nodded.

“Yes. It somehow ended up that way. I’m sorry for this too, little one.”

“Haa. You two didn’t even tell me. I forgive you, new unnie. But Joo Ah unnie is infuriating.”

Hae Yeon chuckled. Do Hee was also close with Joo Ah, a friend, since she was close with Hae Yeon. Do Hee, sticking out her plump lips, continued.

“But still, new unnie is amazing. At such a big company! Joo Ah unnie really recruited a talent, huh?”

“Well.”

When Hae Yeon responded with an embarrassed smile, Do Hee also laughed, hehe. The two, who were talking in an excited atmosphere, calmed down to some extent when the food they ordered came out.

Finally, Hae Yeon, thinking the situation was appropriate, decided to ask what she was curious about. Her heart pounded at having to probe her beloved little one in this way.

“Little one. Last year…”

The words started, but the heart was heavy. The reason for suggesting shopping today was also to apologize for not being able to care for Do Hee. But having to ask what she wanted like this felt uncomfortable.

Hae Yeon sighed, but held it back. If it was a situation where she could ask at any time, now when they happened to make an appointment was better, so she deliberately put on a pleasant expression. On the other hand, Do Hee’s expression was clearly surprised.

“Yes? Why last year, unnie?”

“Ah. It’s nothing, just about last year’s accident…”

Is this how to say it? It was difficult without knowing the information. Hae Yeon tried to manage her expression while watching Do Hee’s reaction. As the answer was delayed, Do Hee asked again in a heavy voice.

“New unnie. Why the accident…?”

Hae Yeon raised the corners of her eyes. She pretended to be casual, but her heart sank. Because Do Hee’s face noticeably turned pale to the point of being noticeable.

‘I shouldn’t have asked little one.’

She hadn’t even asked properly, but seeing the pitifully drooping eyelashes and the visibly shaken face, she felt self-reproach and guilt at the same time. Do Hee was family that her beloved husband cherished the most and was like a blood tie to her as well. Hae Yeon, whose fingertips tingled, finally opened her lips.

“…Little one.”

“Yes…?”

When Do Hee showed an expression that looked like she was about to cry with big eyes, Hae Yeon bit the inside of her lip.

‘I should stop.’

It seemed like it was enough to stop. If Do Hee also knew about it, that alone was sufficient. Hae Yeon felt even more complicated. Because Do Hee knowing about last year’s accident was not a simple matter.

If it were Do Ha, he would have taken measures so that it would never reach his sister’s ears, so the fact that Do Hee knew about it like this meant that it was either a big deal that couldn’t be hidden to the extent of being able to stop it from becoming news, or it was a situation that couldn’t be hidden at all.

If so, it seemed that both Do Ha and Do Hee had some share in the incident.

The information was controlled to the extent that it didn’t become news, but it was to the extent that it couldn’t be hidden from close family members.

That was the weight of last year’s incident. Hae Yeon raised the corners of her mouth.

“I brought it up to tell you not to worry too much since I’m okay now.”

“Re-really, new unnie?”

“Of course. I don’t even think about it now.”

When she smiled again, Do Hee finally relaxed her face and awkwardly smiled and continued the meal.

“Oh right. Little one, what did you decide about studying abroad?”

Hae Yeon immediately changed the subject. It didn’t take long for the atmosphere to return to normal. Seeing Do Hee, who was happy just having a meal with her, Hae Yeon thought once again that it was a good thing she didn’t ask more earlier.

After finishing the meal in a good mood, the two went down to the shopping floor. This time, Do Hee’s steps, with her arm linked to Hae Yeon’s, were light.

“Unnie, then follow me well today. I’ll take care of you since it’s your first day at work.”

Do Hee led Hae Yeon. During the meal, Hae Yeon said she needed clothes to wear at work, and Do Hee was full of enthusiasm, saying that from the first day of work, we have to let the world know about our pretty unnie.

The place Do Hee, who kept chattering even while walking, took her to was the 2nd floor. It was where brands favored by young women in their 20s were located.

“Wouldn’t this look too young?”

When Hae Yeon showed reluctance at the clothes Do Hee recommended, Do Hee laughed, covering her mouth.

“Unnie is really like an old person at times like this. You and I, we’re in our 20s.”

It was a true statement. Of course, Do Hee was in the prime of her 20s and Hae Yeon was at the tail end, but still, Do Hee was on a high.

“If you only look at the appearance, they would see us as friends, right?”

As Do Hee spoke with a proud expression, Hae Yeon rubbed her forehead.

“Believe my words and try it on once! Little brother will like it too.”

“…Then I’ll trust little one’s words and try it on just once.”

The pleated wide pants and the set blazer that Do Hee picked out had a very stylish color and style.

Hae Yeon went into the fitting room, receiving excessive praise from Do Hee and the staff. The overall voluminous feeling of the clothes was difficult to pull off and it was an unfamiliar style that she didn’t usually wear, so Hae Yeon was at a loss.

‘Haa. It’s embarrassing.’

“Unnie, are you still far?”

Do Hee urged from outside, asking when she was coming out.

“I’m coming out soon.”

Hae Yeon spoke shyly and opened the door. As soon as she came out, both Do Hee and the store staff made a fuss. They were making such a big deal that she wanted to quickly escape the place.

In the end, after trying on clothes several times and making the payment due to Do Hee and the staff’s persistence, she was able to be released from that store.

However, at Do Hee’s insistence that there would be no chance for new unnie’s monotonous wardrobe to become diverse if not for this opportunity, Hae Yeon looked around other stores as well.

“This time, try this on, unnie.”

“Okay.”

When Hae Yeon readily wore it and came out, Do Hee gave a thumbs up.

“It really suits you well! Your sister has great sense.”

The staff, who saw Hae Yeon and Do Hee as sisters, spoke. It was something they often heard when going out with Do Hee.

“She’s already pretty, but my sister has perfect sense too.”

When Hae Yeon praised Do Hee to the staff, Do Hee rubbed her arm as if her hands and feet were cringing. The two decided to give themselves a break after the pleasant compliment.

“New unnie, shall we rest a bit?”

“Sure.”

“Then, let’s go over there.”

Do Hee pointed to a space where benches were visible and moved without giving her a chance to refuse, carrying the many and heavy shopping bags alone. Where does she get such strength from?

“Little one, don’t carry them alone.”

Hae Yeon tried to grab Do Hee’s bag from behind as she took the lead, but she abruptly stopped. Little one? Hae Yeon looked at her questioningly, and Do Hee’s gaze went to a certain place. Hae Yeon’s gaze also followed hers. In the distance, at the store where Do Hee and she had been until just now, two women could be seen.

“Why are they here…?”

Do Hee muttered with a blank face. Hae Yeon was as dumbfounded as the slightly surprised Do Hee.

Lee Su Rin and Han Yoon Seo.

That sight was an unexpected and surprising combination.