As soon as Yi Hyun finished speaking, the steering wheel jerked sharply and the car came to an abrupt stop on the shoulder of the national highway. Ha Jun’s startled gaze turned toward Yi Hyun.

“Wow, you’re a good driver?”

Yi Hyun said in a playful voice. However, Ha Jun was angry. She couldn’t understand why he was deceiving her to this extent. Her large eyes were brimming with intense resentment.

“No way. Why are you lying like this? Am I that easy to fool? Are you trying to seduce me with lies? You want me to be your mistress! Just tell me to repay the debt instead! That threat would be better!”

“I don’t lie. And isn’t asking you to repay the debt too petty? I have much more money than you.”

“You expect me to believe that? Why did I come all the way here? Why! With what feelings did I come!”

It was all for Yi Hyun’s sake. Even though it was an impossible relationship and a fleeting emotion that would crumble and disappear with time, she hoped he would live well without falling out of favor with Chairman Jang In Hwa because of her.

She sincerely hoped and wished that he would meet a woman who could shine just as brightly by the side of Kim Yi Hyun, the second son and director of Jae In Group, rather than an inadequate woman like herself, and live an extraordinary life as he had done so far, and that she would not remain a blemish in his life.

Kim Yi Hyun, the savior who pulled her out of the gutter when she was living with a dead heart. Because it was the first love experienced by Lee Ha Jun, who had been like a broken doll… Because it was a beautiful memory she would keep in her heart until she died…

Even if it hurt her, even if it was difficult, Ha Jun didn’t mind.

The tears that had been welling up in her large eyes flowed down her flushed face.

The moment the clear droplet that had traced her jawline fell onto her knee with a plop, Yi Hyun’s desire, which he had been forcibly suppressing until now, also exploded.

“Ah, this is driving me crazy. I can’t hold back anymore, so we’ll talk more later.”

In an instant, the passenger seat belt was unfastened and Yi Hyun’s upper body leaned over to the driver’s seat. As the driver’s seat belt was unfastened, Ha Jun’s body was trapped in Yi Hyun’s arms and their lips collided fiercely.

In the brief moments when their lips parted during the intense storm-like kisses, Yi Hyun whispered to Ha Jun without pause.

“I love you.”

“Only you, until I die.”

“I love you, Ha Jun.”

“I love you.”

“I can’t live without you.”

Her struggles to break free were futile. The storm named Kim Yi Hyun that had struck without warning had consistently overwhelmed Ha Jun with heat from the very beginning until this moment, rendering her powerless.

When the kiss that seemed like it would never end finally stopped, Ha Jun pushed away Yi Hyun’s upper body and collapsed onto the steering wheel.

“I really hate you… Really… I hate you so much…”

Her voice was choked with tears as her slender shoulders shook slightly.

Yi Hyun, who had obediently pulled away, wiped his thoroughly wet lips with his thumb and immediately pulled out his phone from his pocket and pressed the call button.

“Are you busy right now?”

− No, what’s the matter?

“Just a moment.”

Yi Hyun took the phone away from his ear, switched it to speaker mode, and continued speaking.

“I’ve found Ha Jun.”

− It took longer than I expected. You weren’t at work and were playing around, so the director’s information network has weakened a lot. Well, is she alright?

As In Hwa’s voice flowed from the speaker, Ha Jun, who had been lying face down, suddenly lifted her head. Her tear-filled eyes were shaking violently.

Yi Hyun saw this and lifted the corners of his mouth.

“She’s not okay right now, but she will be soon.”

− Treat her well. Don’t throw tantrums like a child. Speak nicely.

“When we get to Seoul, I’m going to marry Ha Jun.”

− You were planning to do that anyway when you found her, so why are you announcing it now?

“Just because I want to.”

− Well, the timing is perfect since we’re in the final stages of the joint venture with Hankyung Finance. You can wait about a month, right?

“That much is nothing,”

Ha Jun’s mouth fell open at the continuing conversation between mother and son.

It wasn’t… a lie?

− How’s your leg? Dr. Kang said it’s almost completely healed now, but he says not to overdo it. Unless you want it to ache every time it rains.

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll bring Ha Jun to greet you soon.”

− Alright then.

The call ended. Ha Jun’s voice trembled slightly as she met Yi Hyun’s triumphant gaze.

“It was… real?”

“Yes. It was real.”

“Why… Why me of all people…”

“The woman Kim Yi Hyun, the second son of Chairman Jang In Hwa, loves more than his own life.”

Isn’t that enough? A low chuckle followed the quiet murmur.

But Ha Jun couldn’t understand at all. All of this felt like a distant dream and was just confusing.

“I… I…”

“It’s okay. Just trust me and follow me. That’s all you need to do. And before that, take care of that Yun Woo guy. Hah… Just thinking about it annoys me again.”

At the sudden mention of Yun Woo’s name, Ha Jun’s fading consciousness barely managed to find its place again.

“Yun Woo…?”

Take care of Yun Woo? My son… Your and my baby?

“Yeah. That grandmother’s grandson you mentioned. The guy you lied about loving more than your life.”

“It wasn’t a lie…”

Ha Jun’s small murmur caused Yi Hyun’s face to contort terrifyingly.

But at that moment, Yi Hyun’s phone rang. It was Ji Won.

“Did you find him?”

− No. There’s no such person. He’s not among Choi Hyun Ju’s relatives, and there’s no one by that name among the residents of that neighborhood either. Are you sure about the name? Didn’t you mishear it?

“No. He definitely said Yun Woo.”

− Maybe his resident registration was cancelled…? Isn’t that suspicious?

“Find him.”

Yi Hyun’s burning eyes turned to Ha Jun as he abruptly ended the call.

“This Yun Woo guy. Where is he now?”

“Are you having people investigate Yun Woo right now?”

“Isn’t that obvious? From the way you say his name, is he the same age? Or younger?”

“Younger…”

“Ah, I’m really going to lose it.”

Yi Hyun roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“So, where is he now?”

“At home…”

“You mean… you’re living together now? With a man?”

“…”

Ha Jun was dumbfounded as she watched Yi Hyun burning with jealousy. Who was jealous of whom, and how would his face change if he knew the truth?

Ha Jun silently shifted gears and started the car. Yi Hyun’s crooked gaze stared intently at her. Feeling his hot gaze, Ha Jun glanced sideways at Yi Hyun and suddenly lowered her eyes to his leg.

“Your leg… why does it hurt?”

“Are you curious about that?”

“…If you don’t want to talk about it, then don’t.”

“I was in a traffic accident. Everywhere else was fine, but my leg was injured a bit. It’s almost completely healed now.”

Ha Jun tightly gripped the steering wheel at Yi Hyun’s nonchalant answer. She almost stopped the car again.

“Were you worried?”

“…”

Ha Jun didn’t answer. But it was enough without hearing it.

“Now, answer me. Is it me or that guy?”

“Why are you suddenly…! What if I answer?”

“If you choose me, we’ll just go to Seoul like this, and if you choose that bastard, I’ll do whatever it takes to bury him.”

“…You’ll regret it…”

“Regret? Did you just say regret?”

“Meet him in person. The man I love, Yun Woo.”

“…”

Yi Hyun stared intently at Ha Jun, who was driving silently, with an extremely angry expression. Fierce anger and jealousy continued to burn fiercely without pause.

The bright red compact car had already passed the community center and was climbing the alley. Ha Jun parked the car in the open space in front of the house and got out, followed by Yi Hyun with a very stiff expression.

Ha Jun immediately opened the slightly ajar blue gate and entered the house. But she stopped in her tracks after taking just two steps. Yi Hyun, who had stopped in turn, looked in the same direction as Ha Jun.

“Hush-a-bye baby, our little one. Hush-a-bye baby, sleeping so well. Black dog, don’t bark. Rooster, don’t crow…”

The sound of Bok Seon’s lullaby, exactly the same as on the day she first came here, was softly echoing from the wooden platform in the yard.

The small old woman sitting on the platform and gently swaying seemed to be holding something precious in her arms.

Her kind back view was beautifully peaceful enough to bring tears to one’s eyes.

“Oh, how pretty~ Yun Woo~ Our clever grandson, so well-behaved too. Hehe~ I wonder how far your mother has come~ Is she late because she’s passing through the lower village, or is she late looking for Yun Woo’s father~”

The gentle touch patting the baby, so small that it was completely hidden in the frail old woman’s arms when viewed from behind, was affectionate, and her voice was thick with deep love.

Yi Hyun, not immediately understanding what Bok Seon was muttering, just stood there blankly.

At that moment, Ha Jun, who had been smiling while quietly observing her, called out to Bok Seon.

“Grandmother.”

“Oh~ Has Yun Woo’s mother finally arrived?”

Whether her hearing was really good today or not, Bok Seon acknowledged it right away.

“Yes.”

Bok Seon’s head slowly turned back. As her body turned, the fair face of the small baby tightly wrapped in swaddling clothes and cradled in her arms was also revealed.

At the same time, Yi Hyun’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened. The baby, who had fallen asleep with closed eyes and slightly parted lips, looked just like it had jumped out of a photo of his own childhood.

Seeing the large shadow standing behind Ha Jun, a broad smile bloomed on Bok Seon’s wrinkled face.

“Yun Woo, your father has finally come.”