An unwelcome noise had abruptly interrupted Su Yeon’s sweet slumber.

Su Yeon’s eyelids fluttered irregularly as she was soundly asleep.

Not much time had passed before she struggled to open her eyes and yawned languidly.

At the same time, the faint noise, which seemed to have paused for a moment, began to drill into her ears again.

“……”
Su Yeon turned her head toward the source of the sound.

What reflected in her eyes was the firmly closed bedroom door.

Her mind, still halfawake, rotated slowly, but she could clearly recognize the noise coming from outside the door.

The sound of water pouring at dawn, just beginning to break.

“……Must be showering.”
Halfrising, Su Yeon looked at the space beside her.

In Ho, who had been lying next to her just before she fell asleep, had disappeared as if it were a lie.

As if all the events of the last night were nothing but a dream.

Yet what assured her that it wasn’t a dream was the fact that the side of the bed, which had always been neat, was disheveled.

“……Should I, go out.”
Su Yeon murmured with a voice full of hesitation, remaining motionless.

The thought of leaving the room to care for her husband getting ready for work was strangely worrisome, making it difficult.

After marrying In Ho, she had prepared breakfast for him every morning.

During the offseason without shooting, she set up a typical household meal, and during the season with shooting, she offered health drinks for body management.

That life lasted for about 2 years.

After her closely kept secret was discovered, she obsessed over pregnancy to win back Yeong Seon’s heart in some way, and the relationship with In Ho gradually became more difficult.

That was how a whole year had passed.

Maintaining a relationship as a married couple for a year that was no different than strangers.

“……”
Su Yeon bit her lower lip hard.

She wanted to leave this room. And she wanted to prepare a health drink for In Ho.

But the reason she couldn’t move was because she was afraid she would end up getting hurt again, just like yesterday.

She hesitated for a long time.

She had no idea how long she had been sitting still without moving.

Eventually, Su Yeon cautiously got up from her seat.

Recalling the words he had said last night at her slightest movement.

“I know it’s too late. That’s why I’m not sure what to say to ask for your forgiveness and another chance, no matter how much I think about it. But, Su Yeon.”
“……”
“I know I must sound really shameless saying this, but I want to try to get along well with you again. I want to strive to be a good husband and a good man to you.”

Just recalling those words made her face heat up instantly.

But how could she endure this feeling?

Su Yeon cautiously opened the door and left the room.

The harsh sound of pouring water continued even then.

After scanning the dead silent living room once, she headed straight to the kitchen.

Despite having lived here for already 3 years, her walking steps and the movement of her hands searching for various things felt unbearably awkward.

She had found all the proper ingredients, although they were lacking compared to the recipe from a year ago.

“What are you doing at this time?”
“Ah, ah, mom!!”
Startled by the sudden voice, Su Yeon lost her balance and started to wobble.

She was so surprised that she couldn’t even think about stabilizing herself.

That caused her already shaky body to start falling backward.

Realizing the situation belatedly, Su Yeon squeezed her eyes shut.

Pain was sure to follow soon.

Feeling humiliated to the point of wanting to die in a pathetic fall would be something to deal with later.

Thinking about that already made her want to burst into tears, but no matter how long she waited, no pain came.

Instead of pain, she clearly felt something solidly supporting her waist.

Su Yeon slowly opened her tightly closed eyes.

And there, filled to the brim in her pupils, was the handsome face of her husband who had just woken up, showing no signs of swelling.

“Ha, are you thinking about getting hospitalized with your own body this time?”
“……What, what?”
“Last time it was me who ended up in the hospital, and now you want to end up there yourself? That was a close call.”

In Ho, unable to smooth the deep furrow formed above his brows, helped Su Yeon steady herself so she could stand upright.

Once stable, Su Yeon hung her head low. She felt so embarrassed that she wanted to die.

“I’m… I’m sorry. I surprised you, didn’t I? That was not my intention…”
In Ho stared at the flustered Su Yeon.

He could hardly contain his laughter seeing her startled expression and awkward demeanor, as if a screw had come loose.

She was incredibly cute. His wife, not someone else’s.

“Why apologize? You’re the one more startled than me.”
In Ho, suppressing a laugh ready to burst out, leaned in to meet her eyes.

As their eyes locked, Su Yeon, terrified, took a few steps back.

Her face was flushed red.

The moment he saw that, he felt a strange tickling sensation in his heart.