Seo Ha suppressed her confusion and carefully opened her mouth.

“Director, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“The reason I haven’t told Kim teacher until now is because Hyun Young asked me not to. Actually, Hyun Young and I are distant relatives but we grew up like friends, like sisters.”

Seo Ha’s mouth gaped open involuntarily at this unexpected connection.

“Ah… I see…”

“It was 5 years ago. Coincidentally, after Kim teacher settled in Yangpyeong, I got a call. Hyun Young asked me to take care of Kim teacher. She said it would be hard raising a child alone, and that she would cover all the costs for Kim teacher and Min Joon if I helped out.”

Seo Ha’s mouth fell open in shock at the fact that Hyun Young had asked for her to be taken care of.

Was the salary I received ultimately money from Hyun Young?

As if knowing Seo Ha’s question, Yoon Hee continued her explanation.

“It wasn’t bad for me. Our kindergarten was short on teachers anyway, and we were short on children too. Aside from Hyun Young, I really liked Kim teacher working, so it was perfect for me. But don’t misunderstand, Hyun Young didn’t pay Kim teacher’s salary.”

“Ah. Then was it you, Director, who requested that I be scouted to Onnuri Kindergarten?”

“Yes. I asked for you to be sent to our kindergarten.”

“But why did the Chairwoman want me at Onnuri…?”

“Hyun Young felt very sorry for Kim teacher. There were issues with your mother, and issues with Congressman Jin, so she must have had a lot to worry about. For me, I think Hyun Young did wrong, but in her own way she must have judged it to be for both you and Tae Kyung. Though it was a misjudgment.”

Yoon Hee took a deep breath in and out as if it was tiring. Then she continued speaking with a gentle smile again.

“I hope you won’t hate Hyun Young too much. She’s Min Joon’s only grandmother. Hyun Young really loves Min Joon. She brags about him so much it makes me sick.”

“Director…”

“I’m not saying Hyun Young did well. Congressman Jin pressured Hyun Young a lot. He tried hard to match his daughter with Chairman Han. It seemed to be for various political reasons. Hyun Young wanted to separate Min Joon and Kim teacher from Congressman Jin. Congressman Jin is a person from a completely different world than we imagine. A very scary person.”

“I had no idea at all.”

“It’s a world that ordinary people like us can’t understand.”

Seo Ha’s mind went blank as she heard more and more of the story she didn’t know.

She felt guilty for resenting Hyun Young and Tae Kyung when she herself knew nothing.

“Yeah. Actually, Chairman Han doesn’t know this either. Congressman Jin had been pushing Hyun Young for a political marriage for a very long time. Chairman Han just thought Hyun Young was pushing for a political marriage to grow the company.”

“Ah…”

“But it wasn’t just for business. Even after Chairman Han newly became independent, Hyun Young was in a position where it was difficult to oppose Congressman Jin, worried that he might mess with Chairman Han’s company. After all, Chairman Han is also a precious son to Hyun Young.”

Yoon Hee gave Seo Ha a faint smile.

As if asking her to understand Hyun Young’s heart for her son Tae Kyung as well.

“But, why are you telling me this now…”

“Still, Chairman Han said he would be with you, so I thought you should know. As a friend, I feel sorry for Hyun Young too. She lived lonely all her life, it’s pitiful to live lonely separated from her child until the end. It’s just my meddling.”

“But I, I yesterday to the Chairwoman…”

Seo Ha’s heart felt heavy as she thought of Hyun Young’s remorseful face. Why had Hyun Young silently endured Seo Ha’s resentment without saying anything?

“It’s okay. I understand Kim teacher’s feelings too. Know that Hyun Young tried in her own way. And, Hyun Young didn’t tell you what to do with the child. But she did give money to Kim teacher’s mother. Still, since she was the mother, she gave 100 million won thinking it would be used for Kim teacher’s postpartum care and child-rearing, but it seems Kim teacher’s mother took that money.”

“Ah…”

Seo Ha felt her chest tighten.

How should she resolve this situation?

She should have told her everything and cursed out her own mother. Why did she just take Seo Ha’s harsh words?

The root of all problems was ultimately her own mother. She didn’t want to call her mother. It was because of that woman.

Seo Ha bit her lip and swallowed her tears, feeling sorry for Hyun Young.

That evening, a text message from Tae Kyung arrived for Seo Ha, who was tired from being caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

Seo Ha hesitated for a moment after reading the text message.

If she saw Tae Kyung’s face now, she didn’t know what to say.

On the other hand, she wanted to see Tae Kyung too. She felt sorry for him. Should she tell Tae Kyung everything?

Seo Ha hurriedly put on her clothes and went over to Tae Kyung’s house.

Tae Kyung was dressed in comfortable training clothes. Water was dripping from his hair as if he had just washed.

“Oppa. I’m here.”

“Come in.”

Tae Kyung kissed Seo Ha’s cheek with a smack. He hugged her and buried his face in her neck.

“I missed you. All day.”

“Oppa.”

“There’s no better fatigue recovery. Do you know you’re my fatigue recovery?”

Seo Ha’s heart tingled at Tae Kyung’s sweet words. Even after 5 years, Tae Kyung showed extreme affection.

Seo Ha hugged Tae Kyung even tighter.

Tae Kyung laughed contentedly, his breath tickling Seo Ha.

“Why are you doing such cute things? What if I don’t let you go today?”

“If you don’t let me go, I can’t leave.”

Unlike her provocative answer, Seo Ha quietly nestled in Tae Kyung’s arms, feeling his heartbeat soothe her tired heart.

“Is it okay if I don’t let you go?”

When Tae Kyung smiled suggestively, Seo Ha rolled her eyes prettily.

However, Tae Kyung kissed all over Seo Ha’s face as if even that was lovable.

“I need some comfort today.”

“What kind of comfort do you need? I’ll do anything you want.”

“Just, hold me. Like this.”

Seo Ha didn’t want to think about the painful things.

She felt ashamed thinking that she had hurt Tae Kyung and Hyun Young because of her unforgivable mother Seung Ae.

But thinking of Min Joon, she should marry Tae Kyung, his biological father, but could she live as a family with Hyun Young?

How should she deal with this complicated emotion that can’t be explained simply? A terrible mix of apology and resentment weighed Seo Ha down.

Moreover, how should she tell Min Joon about the circumstances of the past 5 years, the fact that Tae Kyung is his father?

Seo Ha’s mind was just complicated.

Tae Kyung slowly stroked Seo Ha’s small back of the head.

“What’s making you so troubled? Is it something I can’t help with?”

“…I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, it’s written all over your face.”

“Oppa. What if, if it’s hard to meet the Chairwoman because of our mom?”

“Your mother? Did something happen?”

“…”

“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. But you don’t need to force yourself to do something difficult. There must be a reason you’re having a hard time. Something you can’t tell me right away. But I’m okay with that. If there’s anything to meet or tell Mother, I can do it.”

Tae Kyung, who fully trusted her and would be her shield.

Why couldn’t she trust Tae Kyung?

Why couldn’t we be honest with each other back then?

“Can you listen to what happened 5 years ago?”

Tae Kyung carefully nodded at Seo Ha’s words.

Now, they had to reveal the truth to each other without hiding.

But suddenly Seo Ha’s phone rang. It was Myung Hoon.

“Yes, Dad.”

− Seo Ha, where are you now? Min Joon seems to have had a nightmare and woke up, he keeps crying looking for his mom and won’t stop at all. I think you need to comfort him.

“Okay. I’ll go right now.”

Seo Ha hung up the phone and looked at Tae Kyung.

“I guess it won’t work today. It seems Min Joon had a nightmare. They say he’s crying now. Oppa, sleep well.”

“Okay. Go quickly then.”

Tae Kyung had to let Seo Ha go, putting aside his regretful feelings.

[This is the timeline separator]

Yoo Na picked up Hyung Jin’s business card she had received, holding it between her index finger and thumb and fluttering it.

She should leave Kim Seo Ha and the child to this man and pull herself out.
If she gets involved wrongly, it could become troublesome instead.

She pressed the phone numbers written on the business card one by one firmly.

She was unwavering until pressing the final call button. It was inevitable for her to marry Tae Kyung.

Hyung Jin’s voice was heard through the phone.

− Looks like you’ve made up your mind now?

“Let’s meet. Tomorrow at 8 PM. Come to the address I’ll send you.”

Yoo Na hung up the phone before hearing Hyung Jin’s answer.

The next day, Hyung Jin and Seung Ae visited the officetel that Yoo Na had secretly obtained without Congressman Jin knowing.

Yoo Na inwardly mocked Seung Ae, who looked ridiculous thanks to her excessive cheap accessories. And that mockery extended to Seo Ha.

Kim Seo Ha, how dare a vulgar and lowly thing like you covet what’s mine?

“Sit down first. I didn’t know you two would come together.”

“Hmm. It’s an important matter where money will be involved.”

Seung Ae twisted her mouth corner and raised her eye corners crookedly towards Yoo Na.

“Well, it doesn’t matter if it’s two or alone. As long as the deal with me is properly made.”

Yoo Na said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders as if it didn’t matter.

It didn’t matter to Yoo Na whether Hyung Jin did it or Seung Ae did it, or if they did it together. She just needed Seo Ha and Min Joon to disappear.

Yoo Na asked in an emotionless tone.

“Can you take care of both Kim Seo Ha and that child?”

“It depends on how much compensation you give us.”

Hyung Jin answered Yoo Na’s question. Seung Ae fidgeted with her fingers, seeming anxious.

Ignoring Seung Ae, Yoo Na looked at Hyung Jin and stated her demands.

“I want them unable to set foot in Korea.”

“Wow. You’re more vicious than I thought, miss.”

Hyung Jin opened his eyes wide, then crossed his arms and laughed.

Yoo Na was quite displeased with Hyung Jin’s behavior.

“Cut the nonsense. Can you do it or not?”

“This is difficult for us too. If it was just in Korea that’d be one thing, but smuggling them overseas? You must know how much preparation and cost is involved.”

Hyung Jin spoke while lazily picking his ear.

His leg-shaking behavior was utterly frivolous.

Meanwhile, the chubby Seung Ae grumbled, asking if there was anything to drink.

“If you can’t do it, then forget it. There will be others who can do this job instead of you.”

“Whoa, whoa. Who said we can’t do it? I’m just saying to understand this is a high-difficulty job.”

“Are you saying you’ll do it or not?”

“Let’s hear how much you can pay before deciding.”

The tension between Hyung Jin and Yoo Na was palpable. Watching the two of them, Seung Ae’s lips were burning up.