‘What should I do?’

Originally, it wasn’t supposed to be overtime work, but due to going out in the middle, it became a situation where overtime was necessary. Yu Min’s pick-up time was approaching.

Seol Ah felt like her heart was pounding loudly.

“Ms. Representative, is something wrong?”

At Yoon Jin’s question, who was making copies, Seol Ah managed to smile.

“It’s okay.”

“Is it because of what Executive Director Kang said earlier? Don’t worry. I get scolded all the time too.”

Yoon Jin gently stroked Seol Ah’s arm.

“It’s not that, it’s just that my child is about to be picked up, but there’s no one to take care of him.”

“I see. Then you should have said so. What about the child’s father?”

At Yoon Jin’s question, Seol Ah was at a loss for words.

It would be a natural question. Seol Ah had never mentioned that she didn’t have a child’s father. But whenever situations like this arose, Seol Ah felt like a part of her heart was being cut.

Since childhood, whenever she saw friends casually talking about their moms and dads, she would despair at not being able to fit in there.

Even as an adult, Seol Ah still had to swallow her pain and despair alone because she didn’t have what others ‘all had’.

“Yes, he said he’s busy.”

As Seol Ah spoke with an awkward smile, Yoon Jin nodded.

“I see. I’d like to take care of him myself, but I can’t leave work today either. What should we do?”

“No, it’s okay. Thanks for the thought. There must be a way.”

After saying this, Seol Ah suddenly pondered Yoon Jin’s words again.

‘The child’s father.’

Right, it’s not that there isn’t a child’s father. Although he’s nothing to me. It’s not my business, but Yu Min’s. Maybe. Just for today.

Seol Ah picked up her phone.

About to dial the number, Seol Ah put the phone back down.

No. I shouldn’t give an excuse to someone who’s already looking for opportunities to take the child away.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll finish this work at home, so could I leave early just for today?”

In the end, Seol Ah had no choice but to bow her head again in front of Executive Director Kang.

“What are you saying? Not only did you suddenly go out, but now you want to leave early? Are you in your right mind?”

“I’m sorry. Just this once today. Please.”

Someone I wouldn’t even want to acknowledge if I met on the street.

Seol Ah bit her lip and bowed several times.

“Alright, go, go! But keep your promise.”

“Yes, thank you, really thank you.”

As Seol Ah raised her head again, Hee Sun passed by her side and muttered lowly.

“What kind of leaving work is this early. People like this shouldn’t be paid.”

Everyone knew that Hee Sun came and left work as she pleased. Seol Ah turned around, suppressing the anger rising inside her.

At that moment, something was placed in her hand.

“You said you’d do it at home, right? Then please take care of this too.”

Hee Sun, smiling brightly, handed over a report that needed to be finished today. No doubt the content would be a mess.

She’s doing this on purpose at times like this. Knowing full well it’s a situation where I can’t refuse.

“Yes, I understand.”

Seol Ah slowly turned around.

It was sad that she had to become a criminal just for raising a child. But she couldn’t ignore her child just to avoid being a criminal at work either.

Seol Ah swallowed bitterly and then left the company. Forcing a smile, she tightly wrapped her coat and walked out into the chilly wind.

*

Seol Ah quickly got to work after just feeding Yu Min. Knowing Seol Ah was busy, Yu Min played board games alone, acting out both roles, before falling asleep.

After finishing her work, Seol Ah saw Yu Min collapsed asleep next to the board game and approached.

“You’re sleeping. I’m sorry. Mom was too busy to play with you.”

As she quietly stroked his face, Yu Min raised the corners of his mouth and said,

“It’s okay.”

“You weren’t asleep?”

“Mm-mm. I waited for Mom. Is Mom all done?”

Looking at Yu Min, whose eyes sparkled open, Seol Ah smiled gently.

“Yes, I’m all done, but it’s time to sleep.”

Seol Ah, who had been stroking Yu Min’s face, caressed near the wound on his forehead.

“It must have hurt a lot, right?”

“It’s okay. Shin Young said she was sorry.”

Is a single word of apology enough for forgiveness? Seol Ah felt her insides boiling again at that thought, but since Yu Min said it was okay, she couldn’t say anything more and just forced a smile.

“Alright. Let’s sleep without thinking about anything. When you wake up tomorrow, it will all be better.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Yu Min spread his arms.

“Hug me.”

As Seol Ah leaned down to hug Yu Min, he rested his head on Seol Ah’s chest and said,

“I love Mom the most.”

Seol Ah tightly closed her eyes. Caressing Yu Min, she said softly,

“Me too.”

Soon, quiet breathing sounds could be heard.

After soothing the sleeping Yu Min, Seol Ah got up.

Although she couldn’t protect her child from all dangers, she still wanted to protect him as much as possible.

‘He said he can’t speak up at kindergarten either.’

Should we change kindergartens? Not one at the border of rich and poor areas like this, but somewhere with children from similar backgrounds.

No. It was hard enough to get in here. It’s not easy to find a kindergarten with openings either.

After contemplating, Seol Ah made a phone call.

[Hello?]

Shin Young’s mother’s voice was lively, as if she hadn’t been sleeping. Judging by the sounds in the background, she seemed to be watching a drama or movie.

“Yes, this is Yu Min’s mother.”

[Ah, Yu Min’s mother. What’s the matter?]

The sound of chewing and eating something was mixed in with her voice.

Seol Ah took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“Well, it seems there was a fight between Shin Young and Yu Min today. Shin Young threw a toy and Yu Min’s forehead got cut a little.”

[Oh, is that so?]

Despite hearing that his forehead was cut, Shin Young’s mother’s voice remained nonchalant.

[Well, kids that age fight and hit each other all the time. If you don’t like that, you shouldn’t send them to kindergarten.]

“Excuse me?”

Seol Ah was so taken aback that she couldn’t say anything for a moment.

When Yu Min hit Shin Young, she had so much to say. Now she says it’s everyday life.

“Yu Min’s forehead was cut today and we had to go to the hospital. The director accompanied us. It doesn’t seem like a situation that can be casually considered everyday life.”

Seol Ah spoke as calmly as possible, trying not to get excited.

“And when something like this happens, shouldn’t we try to understand the cause and properly discipline if there was any wrongdoing, to make sure it doesn’t happen again?”

[Hey, this woman is talking strangely.]

Suddenly Shin Young’s mother’s voice grew louder.

[Do you know how much shame we suffered because of that Gold Land or whatever? How much of a headache and money we spent because of some trial or whatever. And what? Proper discipline? Discipline your own child properly!]

Startled by the shouting that seemed to burst her eardrums, Seol Ah quickly closed the door and went to the kitchen.

“No, Mrs. Shin Young. What do you mean by Gold Land? What are you talking about?”

For now, she had no choice but to pretend not to know about Gold Land.

[You think I don’t know you’re all in cahoots? I don’t know how you seduced such a man, but don’t you dare show your face in front of Shin Young again! It seems like Yu Min provoked Shin Young first today, and Shin Young couldn’t stand it anymore. I’ll ask to change classes altogether.]

“I understand. Then please do so. That’s what we want too.”

Feeling that further conversation would only give her a headache, Seol Ah hung up the phone.

She hadn’t even expected an apology. She just thought to explain the situation and say let’s both make an effort. But the other party was too far below that level to have such a conversation.

‘Why is my life in this state?’

Would it have been different if she had reliable parents? If not parents, then at least a reliable husband. If only there was someone who could yell on the phone instead of me at times like this.

Seol Ah sat dazed.

It felt like darkness was covering her bit by bit. Seol Ah took a deep breath. Her chest felt tight and she couldn’t breathe properly.

It seemed this couldn’t go on. Seol Ah called In Sook.

“Where are you?”

[At home. Why? Did something happen?]

In Sook seemed a bit flustered by the sudden call.

“Just, I was thinking of you. Did you have times like this too?”

When she was young, she thought life might be different when she grew up.

But the more she lived, the heavier the burden on her shoulders became.

She had lived reluctantly, but only more reluctant living remained ahead.

The longer she walked, the longer the shadow grew.

What was even harder to bear was the prediction that Yu Min’s life probably wouldn’t be much different from Seol Ah’s.

Just as I still haven’t escaped from unhappiness.

[Something must have happened. What is it?]

“Just, I feel like I’m alone in the world. And it feels like it will be that way for my whole life.”

Seol Ah only said that much, without explaining what had happened.

It felt like her blood pressure would only rise if she explained what happened.

[Tsk. If you only seethe inside, it will fester and burst later. Tell me at least, okay?]

In Sook kept asking, but Seol Ah responded quietly.

“I’m sorry.”

[It’s okay. If you don’t want to talk about it, there’s nothing we can do. But Yu Min’s mom, why are you alone in the world? You have Yu Min. To Yu Min, mom is his whole world.]

Her heart melted at the kind words. Seol Ah raised her head while leaning against the door.

“You’re right, I’m everything to Yu Min, but I feel so shabby right now.”

[Shabby? Everyone has times like that. I’ve lived through countless times of seething inside too. How much people look down on you for not having a child’s father.]

In Sook’s heart seemed to be Seol Ah’s own.

[It’s okay. Yu Min is growing up well and properly, isn’t he? Just live looking at that. Don’t mind what other people say.]

“Growing up well and properly? I’ve never been able to satisfyingly buy him what he wants to eat, wear, or have.”

As she spoke, Seol Ah bit her lip, feeling choked up again.

[Don’t think like that. Do people live only on what they have? From what I see, Yu Min has grown up well. He’s smart, kind, and knows how to care for others. That’s how you should raise him.]

It wasn’t just empty words. In Sook was speaking from her heart. It was the path she had already walked, and the truth she had realized after countless falls like Seol Ah.

“Really?”

[Yes. It will be very difficult in the future too. Whenever that happens, think. The child grows by feeding on such a mother. He grows up wonderfully by feeding on the mother’s memories and hardships. So what you’re doing is not meaningless work.]

That’s right.

Yu Min had grown through those difficult memories. Babbling, rolling over, crawling, standing up, running and speaking.

The life she thought was darkness was actually the fertilizer that made Yu Min grow. Without it, the current Yu Min wouldn’t exist.

“Thank you.”

Seol Ah raised the corners of her mouth.

“I won’t give up.”

Seol Ah’s eyes sparkled brightly.

*

At the same time, Seung Jun was driving on a dark road after receiving a call from the hospital.

[He’s in critical condition. I think you need to come now.]

It was from the hospital where Grandfather Chairman Han was admitted.