Jeongdon responded as if it were obvious, answering Arin’s question. Lately, Jeongdon had been busy playing with his male friends, leaving no time for Arin. Although Arin also made new female friends, they were all busy attending academies. Arin didn’t go to any academy because she had nothing she wanted to learn.

“Grandma said she would make delicious sweets. How about playing with soap bubbles?”

“Next time. You can ask her to make sweets again at home.”

When Jeongdon responded nonchalantly, Arin felt strangely upset.

“Grandma al
Mumbling, they soon arrived in front of the house. Arin pressed the bell and was about to go inside when someone grabbed her by the back.

Arin, who had stumbled on the ground, exclaimed in pain.

A tall woman pushed Arin aside and entered the house. Startled, Arin immediately followed.

The back view was undoubtedly Seyoung.

Something felt ominous. Neither her sister nor brother-in-law were home. There were staff members residing in the house, but it was lunchtime now.

Arin dialed Taein’s number, put the phone in her pocket, and followed Seyoung. Her heart was beating incredibly fast, to the point where she wanted to run away.

Seyoung, walking across the garden, suddenly stopped. Arin, who was following, also stopped. Seyoung, who had been looking around, grabbed Arin’s wrist.

“Where’s the baby, the one Taein had?”

Was she targeting her sister’s baby?

Terrified, Arin took a step back.

“I-I-I don’t know! G-Get out of our house!”

“This is, ta-da!”

Seyoung, who was about to hit Arin, changed her attitude.

“What are you scared of? It’s a joke, just a joke.”

Seyoung said it was a joke, but Arin found nothing amusing about it.

Seyoung always teased Arin, calling it a joke. So, the word “joke” itself was terrifying for Arin.

“Look at this; I bought a gift. I’m going to give it to the baby. My niece, you know.”

Seyoung smiled, shaking the shopping bag in her hand.

“Niece…? A gift…?”

Arin looked at Seyoung with suspicion. Director Min said people don’t change, and people can’t be fixed.

Seyoung was a person who wouldn’t change.

She was definitely after the baby, perhaps for revenge against Taein.

Arin had always been protected by Taein. It was because Arin was young and weak.

Arin made a promise. Just like Taein protected her, she would also protect the baby.

Fortunately, she was wearing a leather jacket. She felt a newfound courage.

Arin bit her lip.

She was no longer the seven-year-old Arin, innocent and fearful.

“The baby isn’t here. My s-s-sister took him! Don’t come to our house again!”

“Arin, you blink your eyes quickly when you lie.”

Seyoung chuckled and quickly walked away. Seyoung was heading for the main building. It was lunchtime, so the staff would probably be in the separate dining area.

‘In the main building, there’s probably only one staff member taking care of the baby…….’

There was no way a staff member could physically overcome the imposing Seyoung.

Arin checked her phone. Taein didn’t answer the call. Coincidentally, Jeongdon came into the garden.

“What are you doing?”

“Why didn’t you go play soccer?”

“It’s raining.”

Jeongdon pointed to the sky.

“Can you lend me this for a moment?”

Arin snatched the soccer ball from Jeongdon’s side and kicked it with all her might.
There was no time to explain. Somehow, Seyoung had to be prevented from entering the main building.

The soccer ball flew fast and accurately, hitting Seyoung on the back of her head. Seyoung screamed.

Jeongdon’s mouth dropped open at the precise shot.

Seyoung, who had crouched down, got up.

Realizing that Arin had thrown the ball, Seyoung started running towards Arin. Arin grabbed Jeongdon’s hand, and they both ran at full speed. Their destination was the annex with the playground.

“What’s the plan?”

“My sister can’t swim.”

“Okay, got it.”

Jeongdon and Arin each took a bubble gun and started shooting towards the passage leading to the swimming pool. Large soap bubbles hit the floor and burst.

“Se Arin! Come out right now!”

Seyoung shouted like a monster as she entered. Arin hid behind the slide. Seyoung, who discovered Arin and Jeongdon’s heads, quickly ran towards them.

‘Please!’

Arin and Jeongdon prayed with their hands together. Please let this work.

Seyoung, who had lost her composure and was running, slipped according to Arin’s wish.

“Huh? Why is it so slippery here?”

Then, losing her balance, she fell into the swimming pool. A loud splash was heard.

“Save me!”

Seyoung, who had been staggering as if she were about to die, stopped moving.

What? Her feet touched the ground.

As it was a children’s pool, it wasn’t deep. Seyoung stood up.

“These kids dare!”

Seyoung waded through the water, parting it with her hands. The thick eye makeup turned into black water droplets, dripping down like spider legs sticking to her cheeks.

Arin grabbed Jeongdon’s startled shoulders.

“Now!”

Arin and Jeongdon pushed with all their might on a large container filled with plastic balls.

The container toppled over, and plastic balls rolled into the swimming pool.

“What is this again!”

Numerous plastic balls blocked Seyoung’s path. Arin and Jeongdon quickly escaped and locked the glass door.

“We did it…”

Arin exhaled a breath that had risen to her chin and muttered.

As exhausted Arin sat down, Jeongdon supported her.

“Arin, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Let’s quickly inform the adults.”

Arin and Jeongdon met palms. There was a cheerful sound, ‘pair,’ as their palms slapped together.