Seung Ae’s interest was in the money Yoo Na would give. Whenever Hyung Jin coolly played it tough, Seung Ae grew anxious.

With no other source of money available, she had to somehow extract money from her.

Since neither Hyun Young nor Tae Kyung, whom she had trusted, were swayed by Hyung Jin’s threats, Yoo Na was now the only source of money left.

“Three sheets. This is the money for sending Kim Seo Ha and that child out of Korea, and if I end up marrying Mr. Tae Kyung, I’ll give you more compensation.”

“You should pay two sheets upfront as a retainer. We need that to prepare for the job, don’t we?”

Yoo Na replied with an unwavering expression.

“No, one sheet. I’ll lend you one of my villas to hide Kim Seo Ha and the child until they leave the country.”

“Fine. Well, the retainer is a bit small, but I’ll be generous.”

“It might take quite some time for me to marry Mr. Tae Kyung, so if you want more money, you’ll need to make a solid plan.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll contact you when we’re ready to start the job.”

Hyung Jin smiled with satisfaction. It’s just one woman and a child. All they need to do is take them abroad and abandon them.

“How can I trust you?”

“We’re partners now. If you can’t trust your partner, you can’t do business.”

Hyung Jin gave a sinister smile.

Yoo Na placed the hidden camera she had been secretly recording with on the table. The camera was still recording.

Without evidence, these types might deny everything when things turn unfavorable and try to pin all the blame on her.

The moment this video is revealed, Hyung Jin won’t be able to turn his back on her. Even in the worst-case scenario, Yoo Na won’t be the only one to face punishment.

“Don’t forget, everything you’ve just said is recorded. Don’t even think about trying anything foolish.”

“Haha. You’re a cunning young lady. Alright. Just because I do this kind of work doesn’t mean I’m that bad of a person.”

Hyung Jin let out a vulgar laugh, whether he understood Yoo Na’s intentions or not.

Yoo Na also gave Seung Ae a meaningful look.

“Am, am I included too? Why me?”

“Then, should I send all the commission to this gentleman?”

“How can that be!”

“So you are in on this, right?”

“Ah, fine.”

Seung Ae reluctantly nodded and answered to Yoo Na’s words.

Yoo Na found it amusing how Seung Ae was anxiously greedy for money.

Picking up the hidden camera again, Yoo Na said with a smile,

“Handle it as quickly as possible.”

“My, aren’t you impatient. How can we rush such a delicate matter?”

“This kind of job shouldn’t be done carelessly, but there’s no benefit in dragging it out either.”

“Anyway, I get it, so stop nagging. We’ll start preparations as soon as the retainer comes in.”

Yoo Na pressed her lips tightly. She felt disgusted looking at these two people who only cared about money.

After Hyung Jin and Seung Ae left, Yoo Na checked the recording on the camera.

Parts of Hyung Jin, Seung Ae, and Yoo Na were visible, and their voices were clearly recorded.

Yoo Na put the camera into her bag with a meaningful expression.

[This is the timeline separator]

Seo Ha lay down next to Min Joon to put him to sleep. Min Joon rested his head on Seo Ha’s arm. Since having a nightmare the day before yesterday, Min Joon had been afraid to sleep alone and clung even more to Seo Ha’s embrace.

Seo Ha gently stroked Min Joon’s hair and asked softly,

“What did Min Joon play at kindergarten today?”

“I folded mini cars. And we watched a puppet show about si-jong yu-ge prevention education.”

“Si-jong yu-ge?”

“Yeah! They said we shouldn’t go with strangers!”

“Ah, you mean missing child and kidnapping prevention education?”

“Yes. They said it could be a bad person. And if I get lost, I should stay still like ice. That way mommy can find me. Or I should go to a police officer or nearby store and ask for help!”

Min Joon said with his round black eyes sparkling, seemingly without much thought.

Like the intelligent child he was, he remembered well what he had learned at kindergarten.

“What if someone else comes and says they’ll take Min Joon to mommy, what should you do?”

“Then I should say no. I have to wait until mommy comes.”

“Our Min Joon knows so well? You must have listened very carefully to your teacher at kindergarten. What a wonderful child.”

Seo Ha hugged Min Joon tightly. Min Joon also hugged Seo Ha tightly with his tiny hands.

My beloved child. When did you grow this big?

Unaware of Seo Ha’s overwhelming emotions, Min Joon was excited to share what he had learned with her.

“And mommy. They said we shouldn’t help if strangers ask for help. At those times, we should say ‘Please ask other adults.'”

“That’s right. Adults are taller and stronger than Min Joon, so they don’t often ask children for help. You learned well. You shouldn’t take things from strangers or go with them. You know that, right?”

“Yes! I know.”

Min Joon answered bravely. Seo Ha stroked Min Joon’s head and kissed his forehead.

“Now our son should sleep. You have to go to kindergarten again tomorrow.”

“Mommy, good night.”

“Yes. Good night, son.”

Min Joon closed his eyes tightly and snuggled into Seo Ha’s embrace. Seo Ha rubbed Min Joon’s back and sang him a lullaby.

She fervently prayed that all the worries and troubles of the world would pass by this small child. She wanted to take on all of this child’s worries and hardships herself.

Isn’t this what a parent’s heart is like?

Seo Ha felt her heart tighten as she thought of Seung Ae, who only saw her as a source of money.

But now she would no longer be dragged around by Seung Ae. To protect Min Joon, she couldn’t keep running away.

Seo Ha steeled her resolve.

She wanted to stop suffering by considering someone who wasn’t worthy of being a parent as one.

[This is the timeline separator]

Tae Kyung pursed his lips at the text message that arrived on his mobile phone.

[I have something to tell you, elder brother. Can we meet?] [Of course, anytime. Come to my house. I’ll be waiting.]

Tae Kyung was nervous about what Seo Ha had to say, but he was more excited at the thought of seeing her.

Until now, it had mostly been Tae Kyung asking Seo Ha to meet.

He was glad to see Seo Ha quietly taking a step towards him.

Tae Kyung couldn’t stop smiling when he thought of Seo Ha.

When Seo Ha entered Tae Kyung’s house, it was obvious that he had prepared various things while trying to appear casual. On the coffee table were fruits and cheese prepared for her, along with a Moscato wine that was easy to drink.

Tae Kyung greeted Seo Ha and asked considerately,

“Is wine okay? It’s sweet and refreshing, so it should be easy to drink.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Ha smiled and sat on the sofa. Tae Kyung sat next to Seo Ha and couldn’t take his eyes off her.

No matter how much he looked at her, he wanted to see more; no matter how much he looked, his woman was beautiful.

Tae Kyung couldn’t take his eyes off Seo Ha, busy just taking in her appearance.

On the other hand, Seo Ha stared at the wine glass in front of her, composing herself.

She took a small deep breath and raised her head to meet Tae Kyung’s eyes.

“Elder brother.”

“Yes. Talk to me. Whatever you say, I’ll listen to all of it.”

“Elder brother. Aren’t you curious about Min Joon’s biological father?”

Tae Kyung’s mind raced at Seo Ha’s sudden question.

For a moment, he wondered if he should show that he knew he was Min Joon’s father, or if he should just wait.

But he decided to pretend not to know, as he had decided to wait until Seo Ha was mentally prepared rather than revealing that he had found out first.

“Min Joon’s biological father? Should I be curious?”

Tae Kyung spoke as if he wasn’t interested to avoid pressuring Seo Ha, but he couldn’t help his heart pounding.

His heart felt like it would burst with the desire for her to quickly acknowledge him as Min Joon’s father. He tried to hide this, but it only made him seem more unnatural.

Seo Ha was equally nervous.

What if he resented her? What would Tae Kyung think?

She hoped he would welcome the fact that Min Joon was his child, but she was overcome with anxiety about what if he resented her for running away from him.

But now it had to be revealed.

If they weren’t going to cut the tangled thread, they had to unravel it one by one.

Seo Ha took another deep breath and opened her mouth.

“Min Joon is your child, elder brother.”

“……”

Tae Kyung was so overwhelmed by Seo Ha’s confession that he couldn’t say anything.

He couldn’t even guess what expression he was making.

Tae Kyung took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.

It was the moment he had been waiting for most, so he didn’t know what to say first.

Seo Ha bit her lower lip anxiously.

Unable to bear it any longer, she carefully called out to Tae Kyung.

“Elder brother Tae Kyung?”

“……”

Tae Kyung rubbed his face with both hands, but he couldn’t hide his reddened eyes. Tae Kyung gritted his teeth at the pain that tightened his throat.

Seo Ha waited for Tae Kyung, her eyes trembling slightly.

“Seo Ha.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Ha’s throat also choked up with tears at Tae Kyung’s forced words.

It was an unexpected and hoped-for response from Seo Ha.

Tae Kyung swallowed hard, cleared his throat, and continued

“Thank you so much. For giving birth to Min Joon. For coming back to me.”

Tae Kyung hugged Seo Ha tightly. His body shook. His sobs were transmitted to Seo Ha.

Seo Ha had imagined this moment dozens, hundreds of times over the past 5 years. In her imagination, Tae Kyung was mostly cold or fierce. Very rarely, the image of Tae Kyung welcoming her and Min Joon flashed by briefly.

The Tae Kyung she had hoped for most was now standing in front of her.

It’s like a dream. It’s an unbelievable moment.

“You’ve been through a lot. I’m sorry. I should have realized earlier, 5 years ago. I’m sorry I found out so late.”

Seo Ha finally burst into tears at Tae Kyung’s apology.

Seo Ha raised her arms and wrapped them around Tae Kyung’s back.

This man’s familiar scent and familiar warmth.

Now she had to lean into his embrace and tell the misunderstandings of the past, each other’s circumstances.

To move forward, for the child more precious than life itself.

“Elder brother….. Will you listen to what happened 5 years ago?”

“Yes.”

Tae Kyung nodded. Tears wouldn’t stop flowing from Seo Ha’s eyes. He kissed her forehead and eyes, looking at her tenderly.

Don’t be afraid.

No matter what happens, I will believe in you.

I will stay by your side. Even if the truth tears me apart.

Tae Kyung sat Seo Ha on his lap and held her hand. As if proud of Seo Ha for her courage, he gently stroked her hair.

The two people smiling with tears in their eyes showed the emotions they had built up over time through their intense gazes.

Tae Kyung firmly planted his feet amidst the swirling emotions and held Seo Ha’s hand.

“Now tell me. I’ll listen.”