“There are no women’s watches purchased last year under your name, ma’am.”

The neatly dressed employee answered under the bright lights inside the department store. Although Min Hae Yeon’s expression upon finally learning the truth was not visible to others, her stiff eyes revealed her current feelings.

This luxury watch boutique kept thorough records of its customers. Just in case, she had checked several department stores and confirmed that it was not true that she had gifted a watch to Joo Ah for her birthday last year.

Hae Yeon left the department store. An inexplicable tension hung over her face as she verified Joo Ah’s lie.

Cha Do Ha’s fender bender.

The words of a member from the Han Woomul gathering.

Joo Ah’s lies.

There were many other trivial things. Though it was uncertain if they were related, considering Do Ha’s unusual behavior, she had no choice but to acknowledge it in the end.

‘I lost a year’s worth of memories.’

Returning to her car, Hae Yeon felt her heart sink as she accepted that fact. Biting her lip, she looked at the numerous cars parked tightly on both sides. Trying hard to turn her thoughts elsewhere was of no use.

“Sigh− get it together. Now’s not the time for this.”

Placing a hand on her chest to calm her heart, Hae Yeon soothed her unsettled feelings. The only thing she had discovered so far was the fact that she had lost her memories. There was no time to wallow in sentiments if she wanted to reach the truth that Lee Su Rin had spoken of.

“Let’s start by checking the article again.”

With no special clues, she had to retrace her steps from the beginning. Suddenly, as Hae Yeon was searching for the article about Do Ha’s fender bender from last year, her hand froze in place.

The article that she had even bookmarked just in case had vanished without a trace. Hae Yeon stared blankly, unable to even blink.

* * *

A sweet song flowed from the radio. Hearing the radio sound after a long time, Hae Yeon opened the window while looking at the garden where wild roses were in full bloom. The bright yellow buttercups were also in full bloom, clamoring for attention. She had been neglecting household chores lately.

“I have a date with Do Ha tomorrow.”

This weekend was a rare day they had planned to go on a date. She wanted to forget her complicated thoughts, even if just for tomorrow.

And so, the weekend morning arrived.

Even after sleeping in late for once, it was only 8 a.m. when she woke up. Stretching out her arm, Hae Yeon carefully reached out her hand over Do Ha’s back.

His body was toned with muscles here and there, and seeing his triangular back and angular shoulders made her feel excited anew.

Leaning her face against his broad back, she felt his steady breathing. Hae Yeon inhaled and exhaled in sync with his breathing. It felt like she had become a cat on her owner’s stomach.

“I love you.”

Whispering almost inaudibly with just her mouth, Hae Yeon kissed the back of Do Ha’s head and turned her body to get out of bed. That’s when she heard a low, baritone voice from behind.

“Me too.”

Huh? Hae Yeon turned around and looked down at Do Ha.

‘He’s asleep.’

It seemed he had responded to his wife’s words in his sleep. The corners of Hae Yeon’s mouth curled up prettily.

After eating, they finally set off.

“Is there anything you want to do?”

Do Ha asked, lightly stepping on the accelerator. Due to his always busy schedule, Hae Yeon hadn’t been able to enjoy cultural activities at all, so she answered right away as if she had been waiting for his question.

“I want to watch a movie or a play. What about you?”

“Whichever you like.”

Hae Yeon pouted her lips.

“You always tell me to choose. Hmm− then let’s watch a play today.”

“Okay.”

“What are people watching these days?”

“Who knows. Hae Yeon, it’s been a really long time since we’ve gone out on a holiday.”

Do Ha’s long eyes creased as he smiled awkwardly. He seemed to feel bad about being busy even on weekends and holidays. He always apologized when he worked late or went on business trips.

“Don’t be sorry. It’s not like you did it on purpose. Instead, let’s have fun today.”

“Let’s do that.”

As Do Ha grabbed one of Hae Yeon’s hands, a smile spread across her lips. While Do Ha was driving, Hae Yeon searched for plays to watch on her phone.

“Hmm− this one looks good.”

“Which one?”

“This one…”

Until then, Hae Yeon had been looking at the screen, but she turned her head. Not knowing that Do Ha had also turned his head when he stopped the car at a red light. In an instant, Do Ha leaned forward and their lips collided. As Hae Yeon’s face turned red, Do Ha teased her.

“You’re so mischievous. No one knows my wife is this mischievous, you know?”

“Wh-what do you mean? Jeez, Do Ha.”

Hae Yeon pinched Do Ha’s side, and he made a pained noise, pretending to be hurt. They had only just gotten in the car and left, but the two were already so happy and joyful.

“Look at this. It’s about the love story between a radio station PD and a DJ.”

“A romance drama?”

“It seems so. The man likes the woman but doesn’t have the courage to confess and just watches her from the side. The woman also likes the man but only expresses her feelings passively. It sounds just like our story when we were dating.”

At Hae Yeon’s words, Do Ha raised one eyebrow as if displeased with something. Hae Yeon only realized why he was so displeased after hearing his next words.

“I didn’t just watch you from the side. I confessed like a man.”

Do Ha touched his chin, boasting a little. Finding him cute for bragging despite his large build, Hae Yeon readily acknowledged it.

“That’s right. With my timid personality, I probably wouldn’t have been able to confess even if I had fallen for you.”

“Really? But Hae Yeon.”

“Yes?”

As the light turned red again, Do Ha stopped the car and gazed at Hae Yeon intently.

“Even if you hadn’t confessed, I would never have let you go.”

Hae Yeon’s face flushed. Do Ha kissed her forehead, and as the light changed, he gently stepped on the accelerator. Hae Yeon’s left hand was held by Do Ha’s right hand again.

“Oh? Do Ha, let’s take a picture too.”

Arriving at the building where the theater was located, a photo zone symbolizing the play was visible at the entrance. Although it was a bit crowded with everyone wanting to take a picture here, isn’t this the fun of taking photos?

As the CEO of a company, how often would Do Ha have the chance to take this kind of picture?

Knowing Hae Yeon’s intention was slightly to tease him and mostly to create memories, Do Ha readily agreed despite the potential embarrassment. They handed their phone to a passerby and affectionately took a picture together.

After taking the photo and fully enjoying themselves, the two entered the simple interior of the theater. Although they were in the back row, Do Ha and Hae Yeon’s seats were in the center, allowing them to view the play from the front.

As expected, the play was about romance. It naturally unfolded experiences that anyone could have while dating, especially realistically portraying the differing perspectives of men and women, eliciting empathy from the audience. Hae Yeon also became emotionally invested in the play.

After the performance ended, the two got back in the car and arrived at a luxurious restaurant on an observation deck. While waiting for the food to come out, they shared their impressions of the play with each other.

The sirloin steak and red wine that came out during the conversation were enough to make the atmosphere even riper. The slight intoxication from the appropriate amount of alcohol, the story heating up the mood, and the delicious food pleasing the tongue. Confirming the perfect conditions, Hae Yeon quietly broached the subject to Do Ha.

“Do Ha, I have something I want to do.”

“Something you want to do?”

Do Ha’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Hae Yeon. It was a reasonable reaction since she rarely expressed her desires. Having been startled, Do Ha soon became happy that Hae Yeon was showing her wishes and asked.

“What does my wife want to do?”

In fact, Hae Yeon thought that if she had lost her memories, Do Ha and Joo Ah would surely share information with each other. So she expected that Do Ha would already know what she was about to say.

Since Joo Ah would have definitely told Do Ha that she, having lost her memories, suddenly wanted to work.

Hae Yeon moistened her lips with wine, stalling before speaking about the food in front of her. Despite her actions, Do Ha didn’t rush her and waited calmly.

“…I want to work.”

“Work?”

“Yes. I feel like it’s a waste of time to just stay at home. I want to improve myself and take on new challenges. Is it too sudden?”

“No, it’s just unexpected.”

There didn’t seem to be any particular hidden meaning in Do Ha’s voice as he said that. It would have been natural for him to be surprised for a moment, but he gave a positive answer.

“I’d be happy if you worked. I was worried about you being alone at home all the time. Still, it would have been even better if it was playing rather than working, but you wouldn’t do that.”

Jokingly teasing, Do Ha added with a gentle smile.

“But if you’re going to work, ask Joo Ah and find a good company. I can concede that much.”

Anticipating Hae Yeon’s behavior of finding a job without reaching out to him, Do Ha took the initiative first. Hae Yeon also had no intention of being stubborn about that, so she agreed.

In a situation like this, if she refused both Do Ha and Joo Ah, it might be difficult to start working, and even if she somehow started working, they could assign someone to watch her without her knowledge. If she had to choose someone to monitor her, it was better to pick Joo Ah.

“Okay. I’ll talk to Joo Ah about it next time I see her.”

“Thank you. So, have you said everything you wanted to say?”

Satisfied with Hae Yeon’s answer, Do Ha’s eyes crinkled even more than before.

Hae Yeon had a question that came to mind, but in the end, she didn’t voice it and changed the subject.

“Yes, that’s all.”

“Really? Then eat some more.”

Do Ha kindly said, placing the dish closer to her. The words Hae Yeon hadn’t been able to say lingered on her tongue.

‘Did you delete the article?’

She recalled the question she had wanted to ask since the day she discovered the deleted article, but she would find out the answer anyway as she uncovered the truth. Hae Yeon enjoyed the date, eating the food Do Ha had sliced for her.