“Don’t tell me, did Grandmother just tell you that story? About a child?”

As soon as he got home, Seo Woo Jin gulped down a glass of cool water and asked her accusingly. Perhaps he was displeased with Grandmother’s actions of urging Min Tae Eun about having a child at that moment.

“Hah… really, Grandmother…”

He sighed, pressing his temples as if he had a headache. Seeing Woo Jin react almost hysterically to the talk of children, Tae Eun shrank back for a moment.

“Tae Eun, whatever Grandmother said, you don’t need to pay attention to that story. It’s our life. How we live, what kind of life we lead, that’s for us to decide. Not others.”

“I know. That’s why… that’s why I brought it up. Because our life is for us to decide. And I… I don’t want to give up on a life as a mother.”

For a moment, Woo Jin’s dark eyes shook as if shocked. It seemed he hadn’t expected such words to come from her mouth. Well, since she had come out about her infertility at their first meeting, perhaps it was natural for him to think that way.

“We’re still young to give up without even trying.”

“Really? You didn’t try? I haven’t used contraception even once while sleeping with you for the past 6 months.”

As he pointed out the stark reality, Tae Eun’s dark eyes sank deeply.

Woo Jin’s words were true. Not once had they used contraception. Yet, if no child had come in 6 months, it was a fact that pregnancy was difficult. However, Tae Eun didn’t give up. She had brought up the topic intending to persuade him three times even if he refused.

“Still, we… haven’t tried the power of medicine yet.”

“If medicine has power…”

“I mean, like in vitro fertilization, for example.”

“Do you know how hard that is on a woman? And are you confident you won’t be hurt if the in vitro fails? Are you confident you can accept reality as it is?”

“I…”

She hadn’t thought that far, but truthfully, she wasn’t confident. If the last resort of in vitro fertilization failed, it would be like confirming the death of her already half-dead life.

It couldn’t be okay. It would hurt. It would be painful, like her internal organs were being sliced by a sharp knife, painful again and again.

Nevertheless, Tae Eun wanted to try until the end. She didn’t want to give up the chance to become a mother. Of course, only if Woo Jin agreed.

“Perhaps, you… really don’t want children?”

“To be honest, I’m fifty-fifty. I’m not particularly fond of children. If we have one, we’ll raise it, and if not, we’ll live our life cozily just the two of us. I don’t think we should have a child out of necessity, to have an heir. That’s not fair to the child either.”

“That’s right. So it wasn’t an easy decision. But what’s clear is, I… want to have… a child. Your child and mine.”

“…”

“Can’t we try?”

Woo Jin couldn’t bring himself to say no. Because her large eyes reflected such desperate earnestness. No one could shake their head seeing those eyes.

But in fact, he was afraid. Not afraid of having a child. He was more scared of the shock Tae Eun would receive if the last resort of in vitro fertilization failed. And he had even less confidence in watching her suffer.

What should he do?

“Give me some time to think too. I’ll think about it for a few days.”

In the end, he could neither say no nor yes.

* * *

A few days later.

Unable to bear the anxiety any longer, Tae Eun ended up making a hospital appointment. This afternoon, she would undergo various tests at a women’s hospital.

Of course, Woo Jin didn’t know about this yet. Although she had boldly told him they should have a child, she couldn’t guarantee whether she was in a situation to receive in vitro fertilization. Tae Eun wanted to make sure of that first. Moreover, since that day, Woo Jin hadn’t mentioned anything about children. It seemed he didn’t want children after all.

A small sigh escaped Tae Eun’s lips.

She was afraid of both the test results and Woo Jin’s thoughts. What should she do? Let’s solve one thing at a time. First, the tests.

But then she received a call from Woo Jin.

“Hello.”

[Are you home?]

“Yes. Mrs. Hong said she would make handmade dumplings today.”

[Oh? Then you haven’t had lunch yet?]

“No, not yet.”

[Good. Secretary Park will bring sushi. I ordered plenty, so eat with the housekeeper.]

No sooner had he said that than the doorbell rang. And Secretary Park’s voice could be heard too.

“Secretary Park seems to have arrived already.”

[He arrived faster than I thought.]

“Why are you worrying about things here when you’re so busy? We would have eaten on our own.”

It was a cute complaint. She was grateful and thankful that he cared about lunch for those at home in the midst of his busy schedule. But that deep voice responds gently to such a complaint.

[You need to eat well. We’re… trying for a child, aren’t we?]

Suddenly Tae Eun’s eyes widened. It was completely unexpected. Could it be that she had misheard?

“Are we… having a child?”

Her voice, asking for confirmation again, was tinged with hesitation and trembling. But his low, resonating voice that penetrated her confirmed that she hadn’t misheard.

[Yes. Let’s have one. If you can handle the results…]

Woo Jin’s words made her eyes turn red. But she gritted her teeth to keep from crying and answered in as bright a voice as possible, bravely.

“Yes! I can do it. I’ll accept whatever the result is well. If I give up without even trying, I think… I’ll regret it more.”

His low laughter echoed through the phone. Tae Eun felt so good hearing that resonance. Thanks to that, although her vision was blurred with tears pooling in her eyes, her mouth was smiling non-stop.

“Woo Jin, actually I have something to tell you too.”

[What is it?]

“I made a hospital appointment for today. I want to hear in detail about the state of my endometriosis and ask about the possibility of in vitro fertilization.”

[Today? What time? Which hospital?]

“Three o’clock, Blessing Women’s Hospital. But you don’t need to come. I can get the tests done alone.”

[No. You’re not without a husband, why would you go alone for such tests?]

“I want to go alone. If they say it’s impossible, I don’t think I could face you.”

[…]

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. Then, as if he had made a decision, he spoke in a low voice, gently as if soothing her.

[Alright. But only this once. Next time, you’re definitely going with me.]

“Okay.”

[And… whatever the results are, make sure to let me know.]

“Yes.”

[One more thing, even if it’s not the result you want, remember this one thing.]

“…”

[It’s absolutely not your fault.]

Knowing her personality too well, Woo Jin emphasized that once again. Tae Eun nodded her head vigorously and answered, even though she knew he couldn’t see her.

“Yes. I understand. Thank you.”

[Okay. Eat well.]

“I will.”

After hanging up, the tears Tae Eun had been holding back finally flowed down.

At last, Woo Jin had agreed to have a child. Of course, everything would become clear after today’s tests, but just confirming Woo Jin’s positive mindset about children was enough to make a small hope spring up in her.

Maybe, she might be able to have a son who looks just like him.

Maybe, she might really be able to become a mother – that kind of hope.

* * *

Blessing Women’s Hospital.

Having finished her tests, Tae Eun was facing the doctor with a tense expression. Her hands on her knees were tightly clasped, seeming nervous.

What results would come out?

Although Woo Jin had said it wouldn’t be her fault whatever the results, it seemed impossible to avoid the feeling of guilt.

After a moment, the doctor shifted his gaze from the monitor to her and finally spoke.

“I think it’s better not to have surgery. It would be good to remove it cleanly through surgery, but doing so would remove part of the ovarian tissue along with it, causing damage and leading to decreased ovarian function. Especially if you’re thinking about pregnancy.”

“…Yes.”

“Fortunately, since you said there’s no pain, drug treatment would be best.”

“Then, in vitro fertilization…”

“You can try while undergoing treatment.”

“Does that mean… there’s a possibility?”

Tae Eun asked the doctor again in a trembling voice. Just the fact that he didn’t say it was impossible made her feel like she could live, but human greed is endless, so she wanted to get a more accurate and positive answer from the doctor.

“There is a possibility, of course. You’re young, so there are plenty of chances.”

“Ah… Thank… you.”

Yes. That’s what she wanted to hear. Just one word that it was possible. That was so desperate.

“But in vitro fertilization is not an easy procedure. You know that, right? So you need to take good care of your body. It’s a procedure that puts a lot of strain on a woman.”

The doctor spoke worriedly, looking at her fragile body. But Tae Eun nodded her head bravely.

“Yes. If I can just have a child… I’ll really take good care of my body. I can even gain weight!”

If she could have a child, if she could become a mother, what couldn’t she do?

Tae Eun was so desperate for a child that she could give up half her heart. Perhaps reading that desperation, the doctor looked into her eyes and quietly murmured.

“A child is a blessing. No matter how they’re born, they’re definitely a being that should be blessed. I’ll do my best so that such a blessing can come down to our Tae Eun as well.”

At those words, Tae Eun’s eyes turned red. The words that a child is a blessing, those words touched her heart.

After thanking the doctor several times and making her next appointment at the reception, Tae Eun got on the elevator. Though she tried to hold back, her nose kept tingling and her vision blurred.

As people started to glance at her, Tae Eun quickly got off the elevator. She wanted to find a safe place and cry her heart out. Gritting her teeth and sometimes biting her lips, she held back her tears and went outside.

The cool air seemed to cool down her heated heart a bit as it reached deep into her lungs.

Still, she couldn’t cry yet. There were too many people passing by. If she were an ordinary person, she could cry anytime, anywhere, anyhow, but as the daughter-in-law of the Jang Won family, she absolutely couldn’t. It was unknown what kind of rumors she might get involved in.

Tae Eun walked quickly towards the parking lot. But perhaps because she was so distracted, she started to get confused about where she had parked.

Where did I park my car…

As she looked around, she saw a familiar shadow getting out of a car in slow motion over there.

Above the custom-made shoes without a speck of dust, endless long legs seemed to stretch gracefully.

And when she finally recognized who had gotten out of the car, Tae Eun burst into the tears she had been holding back.

“…Hic, W-Woo Jin?”

It was Woo Jin.

Even though she had told him not to come. Really, he was a man who never listened. But today, more than ever, she was so grateful for this man who didn’t listen. At least she now had a chest to hide and cry on.

Tae Eun ran into his arms without hesitation.

Then, forgetting all about embarrassment or awkwardness, she cried out loud. It felt like all the heartache and sorrow she had been holding in was scattering into the air with her sobs.

Woo Jin held Tae Eun in his arms, patting her and murmuring.

“I… knew this would happen.”

His hand stroking and comforting her head conveyed unparalleled affection.

However, there was one person watching this scene between the two. A man with his hat pulled low sat quietly in his car, pressing the shutter button diligently as he watched the two.

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of the rapidly pressed shutter echoed particularly ominously.