“…”
The car was suddenly enveloped in silence. Even the voice of the radio DJ, who had been reading a story, stopped for a few seconds, as if there was a broadcast error.
Tae Jo just stared ahead, silent. Outwardly, he showed little change in expression, but he was greatly flustered.
‘How did she figure it out?’
Tae Jo reflected on the conversation he had just had with Jung Ran.
No matter how much he thought about it, he hadn’t said anything suspicious enough for her to guess he was the father of the child.
He had only acknowledged knowing about Se Kyung’s pregnancy and asked if anything else was mentioned.
Given Se Kyung’s intention to delay introducing him to her mother, it was highly unlikely she would have brought it up herself.
So, did Jung Ran test him based on his knowledge of Se Kyung’s pregnancy?
While considering various possibilities, Tae Jo ended up laughing at the absurdity of it all.
After all, wasn’t he planning to tell Jung Ran anyway? What did it matter who brought it up first?
“Yes.”
“…”
“The child Se Kyung is carrying is also mine.”
Tae Jo, who had adjusted his grip on the steering wheel nervously, glanced sideways.
Mrs. Choi’s cup was slightly crumpled in her hand. Tae Jo continued speaking as if he hadn’t noticed.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. Actually, I wanted to during dinner yesterday…”
“I know. Se Kyung told you not to tell me, right? Not to talk about it with me.”
Jung Ran cut him off as if she already knew everything.
In fact, when Se Kyung said yesterday that she couldn’t introduce the baby’s father right away, Jung Ran had thought that they must have already discussed everything.
But she hadn’t expected the baby’s father to be the CEO.
“Se Kyung was very worried. She was afraid that you might cry after hearing about her pregnancy.”
“…”
“Were you very surprised?”
“At first.”
It seemed like Jung Ran was recalling the events of yesterday as she sighed deeply.
“I didn’t find out because Se Kyung told me.”
“Then when…”
Startled, Tae Jo widened his eyes at Jung Ran’s revelation.
“I accidentally found it a few hours before dinner. Se Kyung’s maternity notebook.”
“…”
“I wondered if I had seen it wrong. Or maybe she was holding it for a role in a drama. But when I saw the ultrasound photo, I knew for sure. Ah, this is really Se Kyung’s.”
Though she spoke calmly, the somber tone in Jung Ran’s voice conveyed the complexity of her emotions at that moment.
“At that moment, my mind went blank. I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. My heart was racing. I didn’t know what to do.”
Tae Jo turned the radio volume down to the lowest. Only Jung Ran’s voice filled the car.
“I had so many thoughts, but couldn’t sort them out. So I just went outside and walked aimlessly. After cooling my head, I realized what I needed to do.”
“And what was that?”
“To trust my daughter and wait.”
Jung Ran smiled gently. Her face looked relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.
“So I pretended not to know. Until Se Kyung told me. Even now, she doesn’t know that I already found the maternity notebook.”
So, pretend you don’t know about it either, Jung Ran whispered.
“Se Kyung doesn’t need my protection as a child anymore. She’s an adult, capable of making her own significant life decisions. Whether those decisions are right or wrong isn’t important. After all, there’s always some regret in everything we do. What matters is whether she can take responsibility for those decisions.”
“…”
“A parent’s role isn’t to meddle in their child’s life but to provide a place to return to and rest when things get tough. Fortunately, I have enough experience and resources to help. Well, just…”
Jung Ran, who had been speaking fluently, glanced at Tae Jo to gauge his reaction.
“The father being you, CEO, and my daughter’s boldness was… surprising.”
She meant Se Kyung’s pregnancy was unexpected.
“I… I’m ashamed.”
“You drive so cautiously, yet it seems you enjoy speed in other areas?”
Jung Ran’s pointed remark was followed by a playful smile.
Tae Jo liked her, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed.
Wouldn’t it be better to date or marry first before having a child?
Thinking about Se Kyung’s future worries, this was a minor issue.
“Did you propose to Se Kyung?”
“Yes. But she rejected me.”
As if it was something to brag about.
Tae Jo said this proudly with a laugh, causing Jung Ran to let out a deflated sigh.
“What did Se Kyung say when she rejected you?”
“She said she didn’t want to marry out of a sense of responsibility.”
“…”
“She’s probably unsure about her feelings for me. That’s why I’m trying. Slowly getting to know each other.”
Jung Ran looked at Tae Jo with a troubled face.
‘I like him, but I don’t know if he likes me back.’
‘I didn’t want to marry because of the baby, in case he felt obligated.’
Se Kyung’s words weighed heavily on Jung Ran’s mind.
Despite being happy about the proposal, Se Kyung couldn’t purely enjoy it, feeling like it was her fault.
Her own divorce, though a thing of the past, must have left a scar on Se Kyung.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
