The guest room Yeon Soo prepared for Soo Min was as excellent as a luxury hotel room.

It was already a room for guests, but this time she took special care and even replaced the bedding and curtains.

Opposite the large bed was a large wall-mounted TV, and next to it were a mini-fridge, a two-person sofa, and a tea table.

Soo Min finished unpacking roughly and went out to the living room.

“Soo Min, come sit here.”

Yeon Soo was waiting, having prepared some light refreshments and tea on the sofa table.

“What was that thing you wanted to talk about earlier?”

“Oh, it’s about Ji Ho’s girlfriend. You met her earlier, right?”

Soo Min sat down next to Yeon Soo on the sofa.

As if about to bring up a difficult topic, she paused a moment before continuing.

“About Yi Soo. Actually, she’s… my husband’s daughter from his previous marriage. Well, legally she’s my daughter too now.”

“What?”

Yeon Soo’s surprised mouth fell open weakly.

Unable to easily continue speaking due to the unexpected connection, she was at a loss for words.

“I asked if she knew Ji Ho since they go to the same school, and she said they’re in the same club. So at first I thought they were just friends, but…”

Yeon Soo hadn’t asked for details earlier because she was flustered.

Though she hadn’t paid close attention, she recalled bits of what Soo Min had said about her stepdaughter.

She had said that she rarely lets people get close, making it difficult to approach her, and that it’s hard to know what she’s thinking, so though she’s young, she doesn’t seem childish.

“Oh my, you should have told me beforehand. I was so surprised when I saw her earlier.”

“I was going to, but since Ji Ho didn’t say anything, I felt awkward bringing it up first.”

In truth, she hadn’t said anything because she hoped Yeon Soo would remain unaware until the two broke up.

“Oh, this child. What does that matter between us?”

Seeing Soo Min’s expression, Yeon Soo finally relaxed the tension she had been feeling.

Though surprising, she thought it might be good to hear Soo Min’s perspective as someone who had observed from up close, rather than a complete stranger.

‘Come to think of it, she said earlier her mother was in London. So she came to meet her mother.’

She thought Yi Soo must have had a hard time emotionally, going through her parents’ divorce and remarriage during such a sensitive time.

‘But I didn’t sense any of that darkness in her face…’

“My husband didn’t tell me, so I didn’t know Yi Soo was coming with Ji Ho today either. Yoo Mi and I were so surprised when we saw them at the airport. We were the ones who got the surprise, not Ji Ho.”

Soo Min laughed incredulously, still unable to believe it.

“I’m sure you were.”

Yeon Soo laughed along, imagining the situation.

“Oh, and Yeon Soo, it’s late today so we’ll just sleep here, but tomorrow I think we’ll find a place to stay and go out with Yoo Mi.”

Soo Min said this as she took a sip of black tea and set it down.

“What are you talking about? I invited you, where would you go?”

As Soo Min expected, Yeon Soo jumped up in opposition.

“Well… I think if we don’t leave, Ji Ho will say he’s leaving.”

“What? What in the world are you talking about? Where would Ji Ho go?”

Yeon Soo looked at Soo Min with a face of complete incomprehension.

“I have a feeling Yi Soo will tell Ji Ho to do that. Actually…”

Soo Min sighed deeply with a troubled expression.

Yeon Soo looked at Soo Min intently, as if urging her to continue.

“Ugh, this is really awkward to bring up, but Yoo Mi has liked Ji Ho as more than a brother for a long time.”

“Oh my, really?”

Yeon Soo looked at Soo Min with surprised eyes at this new information.

“Yes, the reason Yoo Mi was so determined to go to Korea University was because she wanted to attend the same school as Ji Ho. I think she was planning to confess her feelings when she started university this year.”

Soo Min sighed long and deeply with a regretful expression.

“Yi Soo knew all about how much Yoo Mi liked Ji Ho. But, good heavens…”

Soo Min looked up at Yeon Soo as she spoke.

“Yi Soo started dating Ji Ho knowing all that. One day she brought Ji Ho home and introduced him to my husband as her boyfriend, right in front of Yoo Mi. Haa… I felt like my heart was breaking watching Yoo Mi. Ji Ho didn’t know anything so he couldn’t help it, but Yi Soo…”

Soo Min took a deep breath and continued speaking.

“Even though we’re not blood-related, how could she do that when she clearly knew the guy her sister liked? I was really dumbfounded. I had been so kind and caring towards Yi Soo. I wasn’t expecting anything in return, but I felt so hurt. Haa… It just drained all my energy.”

Yeon Soo listened with her hand covering her gaping mouth in shock.

“You have no idea how hurt Yoo Mi was that day. She hadn’t even had a chance to properly confess to Ji Ho, and then she heard he was dating her sister. The poor child couldn’t eat for days and was a complete mess. On top of that, I don’t know what Yi Soo said to Ji Ho, but he started treating Yoo Mi coldly. But still, Yoo Mi came this time wanting to go back to how things were with Ji Ho before. When she saw Yi Soo again at the airport, she was in tears the whole way here.”

Seeing Soo Min’s dark expression, Yeon Soo was at a loss for what to say.

Yeon Soo just let out a small sigh and rubbed her forehead.

“Oh my, Yoo Mi must have had such a hard time.”

“You have no idea. Even today, Yi Soo already knew we were coming but pretended not to know and showed up at the airport. Ji Ho must have known too, but he didn’t say anything to you, right?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“I’m sure that was all Yi Soo telling him to do so. I’m telling you, she’s so cunning.”

Yeon Soo frowned as she recalled something Ji Ho had said at the airport.

The more she heard Soo Min speak, the more Yi Soo’s good first impression was fading.

“I’m worried Ji Ho might say he’ll stay at a hotel because of Yi Soo. That’s why I think it’s better if we leave first on our own.”

“You’re my guests. Just stay here, regardless of Ji Ho.”

Yeon Soo patted Soo Min’s hand as she spoke.

“It must have been hard for you to watch from the side too. I feel bad – it would have been better if Ji Ho had known Yoo Mi’s feelings earlier.”

Yeon Soo let out a deep sigh.

She had been expecting to have a cozy time together like in the old days, seeing Ji Ho and Yoo Mi after so long, but it had turned into an uncomfortable situation for everyone instead.

“Yoo Mi was so excited for days at the thought of coming here and spending time with Ji Ho… You have no idea.”

“Oh dear, what to do.”

“But Ji Ho doesn’t know anything about this situation, so don’t pretend to know. I wasn’t going to tell you either, but I did because I felt so upset and frustrated.”

Yeon Soo held Soo Min’s hand tightly and patted it comfortingly.

She couldn’t help feeling sorry for Yoo Mi.

**

“Yi Soo, what should we do tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“We’ll probably wake up early because of jet lag. Want to meet at the park in the morning?”

“Ugh, I think I’ll be too tired. Why so early in the morning…”

On the way to Yi Soo’s house, Ji Ho was already thinking about plans for tomorrow.

“Then when should we meet?”

“Hmm. Let’s spend tomorrow with our families. We won’t be here long since we’re going on a trip in 5 days.”

When Yi Soo wanted to politely refuse Ji Ho’s suggestions, smiling brightly was quite effective.

“…”

“…You don’t like that?”

Yi Soo clung to Ji Ho’s arm and smiled cutely.

“If that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Yi Soo patted Ji Ho’s head as he replied glumly.

“Good. You’re so pretty when you listen well.”

“I wonder when you’ll ask to see me first. I don’t know if that day will ever come.”

“Hey, what are you saying? I want to see you too, it’s just that you always say it before I do.”

Ji Ho’s tightly closed lips drooped downward.

His expression showed he couldn’t believe Yi Soo’s words.

“It’s true. You don’t believe me?”

Instead of answering, Ji Ho pulled Yi Soo close and hugged her tightly.

He wanted to make up for not being able to see her tomorrow by at least doing this.

As if understanding his feelings, Yi Soo also wrapped her arms tightly around Ji Ho’s waist.

A short while later, the Uber entered the neighborhood where Yi Soo’s mother lived.

“We’re almost there. Ji Ho, you take this straight home.”

“Straight home?”

“Yes, my mom will be waiting, so I need to go quickly.”

Though he hadn’t planned on doing anything after getting out, Ji Ho felt disappointed that Yi Soo had been thinking only of sending him away since the airport.

Even now, Yi Soo didn’t seem to feel any regret at all.

Noticing Ji Ho’s feelings, Yi Soo smiled gently and spoke softly.

“What if my mother gets jealous of me for stealing her beloved son?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s not. Women are like that. My mother is a woman too, so of course she would be. If you don’t understand, just do as I say.”

“Haa…”

Ji Ho let out a big sigh.

“Right now, your job is to go straight home. Understand?”

Yi Soo patted Ji Ho’s shoulder.

By then, the car had arrived in front of the house.

After taking all the luggage out of the trunk, Ji Ho gave Yi Soo a light hug.

“Get home safely. Don’t turn off your phone. Answer right away if I call and reply right away if I text.”

“Alright. I’ll keep it on and have it with me at all times.”

With a face full of lingering regret, Ji Ho got back in the car.

**

Having been used to preparing meals for just her and her husband every day, Yeon Soo was completely flustered trying to prepare a guest meal for once.

Despite her desire to make a delicious and plentiful spread, Yeon Soo’s cooking skills and speed weren’t quite up to the task.

Thanks to the help of the skilled Soo Min, she was barely able to finish dinner preparations on time.

“You must be tired, what are you doing in the kitchen as soon as you arrive?”

Unable to refuse Soo Min’s offer to help, Yeon Soo smiled awkwardly.

With so many dishes started but unfinished, it would have taken until the middle of the night to properly complete everything, so Soo Min had stepped in when she couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

“Really, you don’t consider your own cooking skills at all. What is all this? Your sincerity is admirable, but don’t overdo it next time.”

Soo Min clicked her tongue in exasperation at the state of Yeon Soo’s cooking station.

She had no choice but to step in, feeling that if she listened to Yeon Soo and just sat waiting, they might end up going hungry tonight.

Soo Min put on an apron and started cooking like a professional.

“Wow, you’re truly a master chef.”

“Well, I am a cooking instructor after all.”

The two women, whose hearts had been heavy talking about the kids earlier, smiled again as they prepared dinner together.

Delicious smells filled the whole house.

“Is Yoo Mi asleep? It’s so quiet.”

“She couldn’t sleep at all on the plane, so she must be exhausted.”

Soo Min sighed and shook her head.

“Then we should wake her up when dinner is all ready.”

“When is Ji Ho’s father coming?”

“He’s coming on the weekend because of a seminar. We can have a cozy meal just us. It worked out well.”

“But is Ji Ho coming right away?”

“He didn’t say anything about that when he left. I’m sure he’ll come home for dinner.”

They moved the appetizing finished dishes one by one to the dining table.

“By the way, what’s Yi Soo’s personality like?”

She was curious if Yi Soo’s personality might be difficult, having grown up in a troubled home from a young age.

“She’s actually very sensitive and prickly by nature. She may not seem like it, but once you get to know her, she’s cold and you can never tell what she’s thinking. I told you earlier, right? She really knows how to backstab someone while pretending not to. I’m not sure if Ji Ho truly understands Yi Soo’s personality and is dating her anyway.”

Soo Min shook her head worriedly as she spoke.