“I’m okay. I was actually planning to be discharged from the hospital. And this person is also doing well. Her complexion is a bit off because life in the hospital has been tough, but I think she’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”
In Ho spouted his unusually lengthy speech without taking his eyes off Su Yeon for even a second.

Su Yeon had a very bewildered look on her face.

Her constantly shaking pupils seemed to represent the confusion she must be feeling.

She seemed that unfamiliar.

To her own self, revealing such weakness.

In Ho averted his gaze that had been entangled with Su Yeon, and halflowered his head.

An indescribable bitterness came over him.

Although he was definitely in a good condition to be discharged, the feeling of falling into an abyss grew as the call with his mother prolonged.

He thought it would be best to wrap things up around this point.

Despite feeling that Su Yeon’s gaze was firmly fixed on him, In Ho turned his body to avoid her.

As a result, Su Yeon’s hand, which had been holding onto his sleeve, easily fell away.

Although that bothered him quite a bit, In Ho gripped his phone tighter.

Prioritizing the conclusion of this call, even over Su Yeon.

“If there’s nothing more you want to say, I think I should hang up now. I need to prepare for my discharge.”
－Ah, is, is that so? Okay, got it. You need to prepare for discharge. But I’m still worried since Se Ah looks really pale. Can you switch her on for a moment?
In Ho’s pupils, which had been directed downwards, sharpened abruptly.

Noticing his unexpectedly determined attitude, she hesitated, then immediately moved to get Su Yeon involved.

In Ho felt extremely annoyed.

She was coveting Su Yeon even while on the call with him. He wondered how bad it must have been when he wasn’t around.

His already cold heart started to cool down even more.

“No. I’m stepping away for a moment. And by the way, from now on, if you have something to say, please contact me. This person has had a hard time taking care of me, so she needs to rest for a while.”
In Ho conveyed his intentions more firmly and coldly than ever before.

He thought that this much was necessary for Yeong Seon to accurately understand his intentions.

On one hand, he wondered if his suddenly determined actions might have shocked Su Yeon.

From Yeong Seon’s perspective, it would have been enough to think that his sudden change in attitude was due to Su Yeon’s influence.

But considering that, he thought this was the only way to make her at least think twice before treating Su Yeon carelessly.

She would start by reducing the number of calls.

In Ho, whose thoughts reached that point, moved his lips again.

He had to put the final nail in the coffin.

“Then I’ll hang up.”
－Ah, yes, okay. Alright, In Ho. Did mom call too early in the morning? I’m relieved that you’re well enough to be discharged, but always be careful. You might ruin your health if you overdo things. You understand, son?
“Yes. Please take care of your health, too.”
After a formal goodbye, In Ho hung up the call without hesitation.

A silence rushed in.

A heavy atmosphere that made even breathing seem cautious.

In Ho let out a quiet sigh within it.

In Ho closed his eyes and then opened them.

He could feel both Su Yeon and Myeong Woo’s gazes fixed on him.

From their perspective, this side of him must seem strange.

He had never been this cold to his mother before.

It was strange enough for him, let alone for them.

But he didn’t have the energy to worry about that.

In Ho was chewing on the concerns that were lined up one after another.

He had passed today, but the problem was the future.

Taking Su Yeon’s call on her behalf was impulsive for him, and unexpected for Yeong Seon.

She might have been caught off guard for now, but he, as her son, couldn’t guarantee how she was feeling after he hung up.

Perhaps by now, she couldn’t hold back her anger and was looking for ways to stir up Su Yeon.

Which meant, he would have to pay a lot of attention to Su Yeon in the future.

There should never be a situation where Su Yeon gets hurt because of something he did.

In Ho firmly determined his mind and handed the phone to Su Yeon.

Su Yeon, who had been restless throughout, took her cell phone with trembling hands, then licked her lips after a long while.

“Why are you being like this all of a sudden?”
In Ho didn’t respond to Su Yeon’s words, only staring intently at her face.

Her eyebrows drooped heavily, her eyes moist as if about to spill tears any moment, and her lips which she couldn’t leave alone for a second, turning vividly red.

Su Yeon was clearly unable to hide her anxious feelings.

Even in these brief moments when he wasn’t responding, she had no respite, constantly restless and looking out for his reactions.

That brought forth an indescribable amount of anger.

Of course, the feelings weren’t directed towards Su Yeon.

This small and fragile woman was constantly on her toes because of no one else but himself.

In Ho was extremely angry at himself for causing this.

“Get dressed.”