The large TV screen made it feel like driving a real car, and Min-joon was ecstatic, not knowing what to do with himself.
He jumped around, playing the driving game with his whole body, leaning left and right as he turned corners.
Tae-kyung and Min-joon were completely immersed in the game, looking like a real father and son.
Watching them, Myung-hoon smiled contentedly.
Seo-ha felt a turmoil in her heart. The scene she had dreamed of was unfolding before her eyes, but rather than happiness, tears welled up.
‘How can I separate these two? What if Min-joon becomes too attached to him? How can we leave?’
Seo-ha’s mind was in turmoil.
Sighing, Myung-hoon came over and patted her shoulder.
“Let things flow naturally. Don’t strain yourself. It won’t necessarily go as you want it to.”
“But Dad…”
“Min-joon also needs a father. Don’t just push Mr. Han away without thinking.”
Seo-ha bit her lip, unable to continue speaking.
Tae-kyung felt Seo-ha’s trembling gaze but pretended not to notice.
That evening.
When it was 9 o’clock, Seo-ha prepared to put Min-joon to bed.
“Kim Min-joon, brush your teeth and then it’s time for bed.”
“Whining. Can I play a little more?”
“No. You can play tomorrow.”
“Teacher! Can I play the car game again tomorrow?”
“Sure. Let’s do it tomorrow morning. Good children should go to bed early. That way, you can grow tall and cool like the teacher.”
Surprisingly, Min-joon readily agreed to Tae-kyung’s suggestion.
Seo-ha took out Min-joon’s pajamas, toothbrush, and toothpaste from their luggage.
She skillfully bathed Min-joon and changed his clothes.
Seo-ha and Min-joon had a fun time in the bathroom, laughing together.
After taking care of Min-joon, Seo-ha also showered and came out.
“Sleep well, Min-joon.”
“Yes. Goodnight, teacher.”
Min-joon bowed and went to his room.
Seo-ha followed him with a light nod.
Seo-ha struggled to fall asleep, whether due to the unfamiliarity of the house or the bright lights. Min-joon also seemed restless.
“Mom, it’s too bright.”
“I’ll hold you. Close your eyes tight and pretend we’re playing the stone game. You have to stay still like a stone.”
“Okay. But I still can’t sleep.”
Seo-ha hugged Min-joon and patted his back. She was extremely afraid of the dark and always slept with a night light on.
‘I should have brought the mood light. What now?’
Seo-ha regretted not bringing it. Then, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
“Ahem.”
The door opened slightly after someone cleared their throat outside.
Tae-kyung stood there with a paper bag in his hand.
“It’s me. This is for you.”
“What’s this?”
“A mood light. You need it, don’t you? The child can’t sleep with the lights so bright.”
Seo-ha took the duck-shaped mood light Tae-kyung offered.
“Thank you.”
“It’s not very pretty since I bought it in a hurry, but it’ll do its job.”
“Okay…”
Tae-kyung responded nonchalantly to Seo-ha’s thanks.
‘He still remembers.’
Seo-ha’s heart fluttered.
One of the few people who knew her small habits, someone who had deeply ingrained himself in her life.
Memories of her time with Tae-kyung flashed before her eyes.
The man who used to lie beside her, watching her until she fell asleep, careful not to break her.
On nights when she had nightmares, trembling, he would rush over at her call, even in the wee hours, to comfort her.
Tae-kyung, who always found a way to reach her heart unexpectedly, despite her efforts to block him.
“Let me know if you need anything.”
“Okay…”
Tae-kyung left quietly, closing the door behind him.
Turning on the duck-shaped mood light and turning off the room lights, the soft orange glow filled the room, comforting Seo-ha’s heart.
The warmth of Tae-kyung’s gesture, going out to buy the mood light despite the cold, made her feel even sadder.
Min-joon fell asleep quickly, his body relaxing deeply into the warm, soft bed after shivering in the cold. Seo-ha stroked his head.
Hyun-young’s words to dissuade Tae-kyung echoed in Seo-ha’s mind.
Seo-ha knew she should be the first to give up on Tae-kyung, but as time passed, she found herself being drawn back to him.
Hyun-young hadn’t asked her to give up her own feelings, so maybe she could cherish them for a little while, a somewhat selfish thought.
Seo-ha realized her intention to dodge Hyun-young’s request and felt ridiculous for it.
Seo-ha realized her own ridiculousness in trying to dodge Hyun-young’s demands.
And now, after having pushed him away and spoken harshly to him, what audacity did she have to harbor feelings for him?
She hugged her knees and bowed her head.
After a while, Seo-ha left her room to get some water.
In the living room, Tae-kyung lay sprawled on the sofa, his eyes closed.
Seo-ha felt drawn to him and approached Tae-kyung.
She observed his sleeping face, his furrowed brow. Unconsciously, her fingers found their way into his soft hair, gently stroking it, just like she did five years ago.
Meanwhile, Tae-kyung, unable to go to his own room, lay on the living room sofa, exhaling deeply through his teeth.
“Still afraid of the dark.”
Tae-kyung woke up at the sound of the door opening but stayed still, pretending to be asleep, as Seo-ha might return to her room if she knew he was awake.
Though his eyes were closed, all his senses were keenly attuned to Seo-ha. He felt the touch of her hand as she softly brushed his hair.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
