Su-yeon, who had left for a moment, returned and gently placed a tissue in Yeong-seon’s hand.

Yeong-seon silently gazed at the slender hand overlapping hers.

The fingers, full of warmth and deep affection, seemed so fragile they might break with the slightest pressure.

It wasn’t just the fingers.

Every line that defined Su-yeon was delicate and frail.

Only now did Yeong-seon notice this.

‘How could anyone lay a hand on such a child? Such heartless people.’

Yeong-seon internally cursed the feelings that arose as soon as she saw Su-yeon.

At the same time, she realized she was no different from those people.

She, too, had subjected Su-yeon to verbal and physical abuse.

How had she intended to bear it all?

This guilt she felt now was foreseeable from the moment she mistreated Su-yeon.

Yeong-seon, gripped by late regrets, couldn’t stop her tears.

After sobbing for a while, Yeong-seon cautiously grasped Su-yeon’s hand.

In Su-yeon’s palm, there was not a single rough edge.

She had always been such a warm child from the beginning; why had she forgotten that?

Yeong-seon recalled the words In-ho had always said.
Here is the translation of the given passage:

“Su-yeon must have her own reasons too. How comfortable must it have been for her to hide the truth all this time? So, Mother, just pretend you don’t know. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this incident.”

Now, she could be certain.

In-ho’s words were right.

This child, whose every touch was warm like its owner, hadn’t deliberately deceived her and In-ho.

Like In-ho, who knew nothing of greed, this child couldn’t have hidden the fact that she was an adoptee just to become a part of the TK Group.

Perhaps even that wasn’t her own will.

The young Su-yeon, who stubbornly went to school despite limping and having a bruised neck and burning with fever from the cruel violence.

The adult Su-yeon, who had to endure all sorts of abuse and inferior treatment while desperately trying to withstand her mother-in-law.

In all those moments, Su-yeon might have been continuously struggling in pain because of those heartless people who were nothing like parents.

It was a realization that came too late.

In front of her, Yeong-seon couldn’t help but crumble helplessly.

“Uhuh…….”

“…Mother.”

Su-yeon called out to Yeong-seon with a trembling voice.

The relentless, piercing sobs were filled with regret.

There was no response from Yeong-seon.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar situation. Yeong-seon’s silence wasn’t a new thing.

But today was different.

It wasn’t neglect.

Yeong-seon just couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Her unending tears were laden with deep regret.

That alone made Su-yeon certain.

Having reached that point in her thoughts, Su-yeon silently held her breath.

An indescribable mix of countless thoughts and emotions seemed to flow through her veins.

A feeling spread throughout her body, and tears fell on Su-yeon’s cheeks.

Suddenly, she had this thought.

A moment when emotions stir and the heart swells without having done anything.

A moment when, without words or actions, hearts seem to fully understand each other’s thoughts and feelings.

If such a moment existed, perhaps it was right now.

Su-yeon slowly lowered her head.

Yeong-seon was trembling, yet holding on to her desperately.

It was her hand that Yeong-seon was holding, but it felt as if her heart was being caressed.

Memories of pain and hardship were surely engraved all over her body.

Yet, with every tear that fell from Yeong-seon, the once painful scars seemed to fade away.

That’s why she couldn’t hold back her tears.

It wasn’t pain but overwhelming emotion that kept stimulating her tear ducts.

Their tearful conversation lasted quite a while.

Yeong-seon continuously apologized through her tears, and Su-yeon repeatedly shook her head and reassured her that it was okay.

If at the end of these trials, the harmonious family and peaceful happiness she longed for awaited, Su-yeon could bear this much without complaint.

She could forgive.

The tears that flowed down each of their cheeks mingled on the back of their joined hands, soaking them.

And at the end of it all, Yeong-seon’s sincere voice gave Su-yeon the strength to keep going.
Here is the translation of the given passage:

Toward the happy future she had always dreamed of.

“……I’m, so sorry.”

“…….”

“……I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“Re, ally, I’m sorry, Su-yeon.”

Su-yeon wept with a face enveloped in emotion.

The simple words brought such a profound impact that they seemed to heal not just her heart but even the scars that had turned into permanent wounds.

Su-yeon, struggling to continue speaking, shook her head.

“No, it’s not like that. No, Mother.”

“…….”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for making your heart heavy.”

She once again poured out the sincerity she had continuously expressed.

These were the words she had shared so earnestly, words that had always led to despair and collapse in the face of Yeong-seon’s unresponsive attitude.

But now, she didn’t need to despair or crumble helplessly.

“I’m sorry, Su-yeon. I’m so sorry. I really am sorry.”

As if Yeong-seon couldn’t hear Su-yeon’s reassurances, she kept apologizing incessantly.

Su-yeon, with her face drenched in tears, couldn’t help but smile brightly.

She expressed the overwhelming joy flooding her heart with tears and smiles.

It was as if she had finally come full circle.

Back to the very moment when she first met In-ho, decided to marry, and became a daughter-in-law of the TK family, creating a new family.

Back to that point which seemed impossible to return to.

That’s why she could finally smile genuinely, overwhelmed with happiness.

Even though it was a smile soaked in tears, Su-yeon was more than happy.