The distance from the parking lot to the gallery building was quite far, but the path was made interesting by regularly spaced metasequoia trees lining the way.

Immersed in the varying charm and beauty of each season, one would find themselves in front of the building before they knew it.

Hye Kyoung really liked this path.
Just walking on this path, which clearly had a huge investment, made one feel indulged in luxury.

Today was no exception.

As Hye Kyoung walked, her lips twisted bitterly.

“Ugh, Mom. How much farther? My legs hurt, and my feet are killing me.”

Su Jin, walking alongside Hye Kyoung, grumbled with a pout.

Usually, Su Jin would move even short distances by car, accompanied by a driver, enjoying the envious glances she inherited from Hye Kyoung.

Years of such behavior had taken a toll on Su Jin’s physical fitness.

Especially today, the pain in her feet from the high heels she wore to complete her carefully chosen outfit made her oblivious to the beauty of the metasequoia path.

“Choi Su Jin, relax your face and hold your head up high.”

Hye Kyoung coldly reprimanded her.

Startled, Su Jin instinctively turned to look at Hye Kyoung.

However, Hye Kyoung did not spare her a glance.

It was a very different demeanor from usual.

“This path you’re walking now is the path you must take.”

“…….”

“The path that leads to Han Kyung, Su Jin.”

Hye Kyoung couldn’t take her eyes off the continuous metasequoias.

No matter how many times she saw it, it was a mesmerizing sight.

With each step, she felt the wealth and honor of Han Kyung coming into her hands.

“Even if it’s hard, you have to endure to reach your destination. Only then can you have everything in your hands.”

Ambition flickered in Hye Kyoung’s eyes.

She reminisced about all the efforts she had put into walking this path alongside Su Jin.

Getting Su Jin back on track when she was developmentally slow, supporting her education to catch up, sending Su Yeon to TK Group for higher prestige, and longing for Dong Hun, who was abroad.

And finally, today.

She was about to grasp the last puzzle piece of the perfect picture she had dreamt of all her life.

The thought of having this perfect picture within reach made her heart react warmly.

Hye Kyoung straightened up even more, as if she owned the path she was walking on.

“Choi Su Jin. Straighten your back and walk properly. This is not a place for you to throw tantrums like a child. Endure it, even if it’s hard. That’s the only way you can have Dong Hun.”

Hye Kyoung asserted firmly.

Startled by Hye Kyoung’s unusual coldness, Su Jin clenched her mouth shut.

Then, she put more effort into walking straight.

Images of Dong Hun filled her mind.

“Madam, how have you been? It’s been a long time since I’ve visited.”

As soon as Hye Kyoung entered the gallery, she greeted Yoon Jung, whom she encountered, warmly.

Yoon Jung, who was about to head to the director’s office after seeing off a client, stopped reluctantly.

“It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

Yoon Jung received Hye Kyoung’s greeting with a refined smile, every movement graceful.

Su Jin, watching them, stood rigidly between the two women.

“Hello, Director. I’m Choi Su Jin.”
Only then did Yoon Jung notice Su Jin and, realizing Hye Kyoung’s intentions, wore a lukewarm expression.

But she quickly welcomed Su Jin with a public smile.

“Nice to meet you like this. I’ve heard a lot about you from your mother. It’s a pleasure.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Su Jin tried to appear calm, but she was clearly nervous.

It was partly because she was in front of someone who might become her mother-in-law, but also because Yoon Jung exuded an indescribable charisma.

“Su Jin has been wanting to meet you for a while, but we kept delaying until today. I hope it’s not rude of us to come without contacting you first.”

To Hye Kyoung’s polite words, Yoon Jung just smiled silently.

She should have returned a formal reply, but she didn’t want to extend even small courtesies in response to Hye Kyoung’s attitude, which was too revealing of her intentions.

However, she couldn’t let the awkward silence continue.

“Oh, I see. But what to do? I have a prior engagement soon. The exhibition was just renewed with new paintings; please take a look around. If you need a curator, I’ll arrange for one.”

Yoon Jung firmly refused to spend time with Hye Kyoung and her daughter without changing her expression.

Hye Kyoung, realizing the intent, bit her lower lip briefly but soon responded as if nothing was amiss.

“I should have contacted you in advance; I apologize for dropping in suddenly. If you have a prior engagement, there’s nothing to be done. I’ll visit again another time.”

If she didn’t plan to cling to her only son for life, marriage was a decision that had to be made eventually.

Resisting with polite words was a sign that such resistance had its limits.

Hye Kyoung stepped back, anticipating the moment that was soon to come.

She could endure this much.

As long as she could eventually grasp Han Kyung in her hands.

Lost in thought, Hye Kyoung’s eyes glinted with a cunning light.