Taeein pulled Arin closer and tickled her side. Arin twisted her body with a laughter.

“Oh, the child looks so cute.”

Eunseon was still worried that Taeein didn’t look like a baby.

“Mom gave me a lot of strawberries when she had me, too.”

With those words, somehow her heart felt touched. Mom, who gave birth to her at a younger age than she is now, seemed incredibly great and respectable.

She must have been more scared than me.

“So, do you feel proud?”

Arin stroked Eunseon’s head, just as she did for Taeein.

“Mom is also admirable.”

Then, she chuckled as if it was funny.

While the three women were chatting, Nokhyeon finished her work and returned home.

“I’m back.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Kang Seobang.”

“Welcome back, brother-in-law. But what’s that?”

Arin, noticing the cake box in Nokhyeon’s hand, intentionally asked although she already knew.

“A cake. To celebrate the last day of the year.”

“Wow, it’s a strawberry cake.”

Taeein, who had eaten strawberries to her heart’s content, squinted at Nokhyeon.

These days, her body didn’t feel like her own, and she was constantly overwhelmed by drowsiness.
“Go take a break.”

After putting down the cake box, Nokhyeon gently embraced Taeein.

“I’ll go.”

He said so, but Taeein didn’t make an effort to leave. It was because Nokhyeon’s embrace was spacious and comfortable.

Nokhyeon took Taeein to the second-floor bedroom and went straight to the bathroom to wash up.

“I’ll take a ten-minute nap and then wake up.”

Although it couldn’t be heard over the sound of running water, Taeein said as if making a promise and closed her eyes.

About two hours later, Taeein, awakened by hunger, opened her eyes.

For Taeein, who used to eat at most two meals a day, this appearance was unfamiliar.

As Taeein was about to go downstairs, she admired the ion drink and grape tomatoes on the bedside table.

It seemed like Nokhyeon brought them.

Taeein drank the ion drink in big gulps and put a grape tomato in her mouth. Then, she looked at the sleeping Nokhyeon with a dreamy gaze.

I have a child from such a beautiful person.

It felt like half of the wish she made in front of the birthday cake had come true.

‘May I and the people around me become happy.’

Since she was so full of happiness.

“Are you awake?”

Taeein’s round eyes widened at the soft voice.

“Haven’t you slept?”

“Yeah.”

Nokhyeon, who got up from bed, looked at the clock.

Fortunately, it was before twelve o’clock.

“Let’s eat cake, cake!”

Taeein, who was chewing grape tomatoes until her cheeks were about to burst, took Nokhyeon’s hand and went downstairs.

She greeted Eunseon and Arin, who were watching TV.

“Sister, let’s watch the bell-ringing.”

“Arin seems sleepy. Did you get permission from Mom?”

“Yeah. Mom said I could listen to the bell ringing at twelve and then go to sleep.”

Arin replied with sleepy eyes.

“Oh, I have to watch the acting awards!”

Suddenly remembering, Taeein held up the remote control and changed the channel.

“Wow, it’s my friend!”

Hyesung received an award. It was the Excellence Award.

Wearing a dress in the same color as her hair, Hyesung held the trophy in her hand and shed tears.

[I’ve been acting for a long time, and it’s the first time receiving an award, so I’m very nervous. If I knew I’d get it, I should have prepared in advance.]

Hyesung conveyed her acceptance speech with a trembling voice.

“Didn’t you prepare?”

Taeein marveled and mumbled. Hyesung, who held her breath, opened her mouth again.

[And my friend Taeein…]

“Did you hear? My name? Did you hear? My friend! My friend!”

Excitedly shouting, Taeein was about to be calmed down by the surprised Nokhyeon.

“Wow, I succeeded. I succeeded…!”

[Thank you so much. I will strive to be an even more hardworking actor.]

Taeein, who was cheering, suddenly burst into tears. Hyesung, who overcame the false accusation and continued to work hard without letting go of acting, was so proud.

“Oh, why am I crying? Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant.”

Nokhyeon sat Taeein on her lap and wiped away her tears.

“Sister, don’t cry.”
Taeein, who was trying to comfort Arin, also burst into tears.

Eunseon, who was looking proudly at the closely resembling sisters, took out a cake from the refrigerator.

“Let’s eat cake, cake.”

Nokhyeon cut a piece of cake and put it on a plate.

After receiving her share, Taeein quickly emptied her plate and looked at it with a melancholic gaze.

“On a day like this, it should be chicken and beer.”

Even though she couldn’t drink beer, not being able to eat chicken was too sad and heart-wrenching.

I can’t eat chicken. I can’t eat chicken drumsticks.

Tears welled up in Taeein’s eyes.

“No, you can eat later. It’s okay.”

Afraid the baby might hear any complaints, Taeein tried hard to nod.

Nokhyeon felt sorry for Taeein in such a state. It seemed like she had been quite upset.

Nokhyeon, looking at the drink Taeein was about to have, laughed while watching Taeein who had fallen asleep.

Soon, the sound of the New Year’s bell rang.

“Sister, ring the bell!”

“Uh, I wasn’t sleeping.”

With her hand raised, Taeein closed her eyes again. The sight was amusing, and Eunseon and Arin couldn’t help but laugh.

“Arin, let’s go to sleep quickly, brush your teeth.”

“Yes!”

Eunseon took Arin away.

“Taeein, let’s go to sleep quickly and brush your teeth too.”

“Uh…”

Nokhyeon went upstairs carrying Taeein. Entering the bathroom right away, Nokhyeon moistened Taeein’s toothbrush with toothpaste and put it in her mouth.

Taeein, with Nokhyeon supporting her, brushed her teeth slowly.

At that moment, Nokhyeon’s phone on the table vibrated.

Glancing at the screen, the name ‘Kang Jiwoon’ was displayed.

Nokhyeon sat Taeein down and went to the terrace to answer the phone.

Our hyung, Happy New Year!

Jiwon, with his tongue halfway out, shouted excitedly.

“What is it.”

Hyung, congratulations. You got the company as you wanted, and we got kicked out, right?

Jiwon chuckled and teased.

Thanks to you, I’m doing well at the hotel.

“I’m glad you’re doing well. I was worried you might not adapt even at the hotel.”

Looking into the bedroom, Nokhyeon dryly replied. Finished with brushing, Taeein lay down on the bed without even covering herself with the blanket.

Opening the terrace door to cover her with the blanket.

Thanks to you, well, you know.

Nokhyeon stopped in her tracks, holding the phone tighter.

I’m going to ruin what you value the most, hyung.