“Yeo Reum. If you’re done brushing your teeth, let’s have breakfast!”

Bo Mi called out towards the bathroom while carrying plates. Bo Mi’s mornings were always hectic and busy.

After firing Hyun Min, Bo Mi had taken on the role of filling his vacant position. The problem was that due to the work increasing several times over and frequent overtime, she often woke up later than her usual alarm time in the morning. She would regret it, thinking she should wake up early tomorrow, but always succumbed to the temptation of those 10 minutes of sweet sleep in the morning.

Tomorrow for sure! As Bo Mi clenched her fist and pressed her lips together, Yeo Reum found her expression amusing and started laughing.

“Ahaha. Mom.”

A round face with tiny teardrops at the corners of his eyes, and dimples that sank in deeply.

Would Do Jae Kyung look like this when he smiled? The face of the man who resembled Yeo Reum so much overlapped in her mind.

She hadn’t seen Jae Kyung since they had coffee together a few days ago.

He seemed busy with external schedules, and all she had done was watch him from afar, surrounded by his secretaries and bodyguards.

‘It seems CEO Han Bo Mi is very interested in you.’

At his words, she felt foolish for feeling excited like a teenage girl, expecting to exchange even a single word with him.

Get a grip, Han Bo Mi.

A man with a fiancée. A man who lived in a different world from Luckyland.

To be shaken like this, entranced by a face resembling Luckyland… Were you always so fickle?

“Mom! You’ll get wrinkles.”

Yeo Reum reached out his finger and pressed firmly on Bo Mi’s forehead.

“Ah. Sorry.”

To be thinking of other things during precious meal time with Yeo Reum… Focus.

“It’s delicious. You should eat too, Mom.”

Noticing that Bo Mi’s spoon movements had become infrequent, Yeo Reum placed a sausage in Bo Mi’s rice bowl.

“Thank you, Yeo Reum. Should Mom make you some kimbap?”

As Bo Mi picked up a sheet of seaweed, Yeo Reum shook his head.

“I can do it myself. Mom, you should hurry and get ready or you’ll be late for work.”

“Who’s the parent here? Our Yeo Reum has grown up. Unnie, hurry and get ready.”

Mi Rae said with a laugh as she passed by with a towel on her head.

“I’m done eating. Mom, hurry up. It’s bad to be lazy just because the company is close by.”

Bo Mi tightly hugged Yeo Reum, who had started nagging more and more, though she wasn’t sure who he took after.

“When did our son grow up so much?”

The child’s soft body had a faint scent of baby powder. It felt good. It seemed like she could forget all the stressful situations of the past few days.

“It tickles, Mom.”

Yeo Reum giggled and squirmed. Bo Mi found herself thinking of that man again without realizing it. She was crazy. Bo Mi shook her head vigorously.

Had five years been too long? To think of that man before Luckyland…

“Mom!”

“Uh… Yes?”

“Are you coming home early today?”

“I’m sorry. There’s a company dinner today, so…”

“If it’s work, it can’t be helped. I’m a big boy, so I understand that much.”

Although Yeo Reum didn’t know much about company dinners, he nodded and continued speaking.

“Even if I miss you, Mom, I’ll endure it. So come back as soon as it’s over!”

“I’m sorry. Have fun with Aunt Mi Rae, okay?”

No matter how much she apologized, she couldn’t shake off the guilt of being a working mother. When was the last time she had dinner with Yeo Reum? Maybe Bo Mi had forced the child to grow up too quickly, making him speak so maturely.

When Bo Mi came home late from work and looked down at her sleeping child’s face, a corner of her heart felt heavy.

‘Bo Mi, if you want, you can come live in my house. Your child can receive the best education, and you won’t have to work like this.’

If she took CEO Hwang Min Jun’s hand as he suggested, her life would become easier.

The memories of living with Madam Hwang and the Ga Young siblings in her childhood still made Bo Mi shrink back. Living dependent on others meant enduring such hardships.

She wanted Yeo Reum to be able to live proudly without having to be mindful of others’ eyes.

With her own strength…

“Mom, but…”

Yeo Reum hesitated, watching Bo Mi’s expression. What was he trying to say?

“Unnie, can I use this?”

Mi Rae, who seemed to be preparing to style her hair, shook Bo Mi’s sunscreen and asked.

“Sure, go ahead.”

Bo Mi blinked and then gently stroked Yeo Reum’s cheek.

“Give it to me when you’re done. I need to apply some on Yeo Reum too.”

She rubbed the sunscreen Mi Rae handed her onto Yeo Reum’s round, plump cheeks. The soft skin felt like it was melting under her palm, like a rice cake, and it felt good.

“Hehe.”

Yeo Reum wrinkled his nose, laughing as if it tickled.

“Should we apply some on our Yeo Reum’s legs too?”

As she slightly rolled up his pants that came down below the knee, Yeo Reum’s wounds stood out prominently.

“Yeo Reum, did you get hurt?”

“I fell while running.”

“It wasn’t written in the notice app…”

“The teacher doesn’t know. I didn’t cry even when I fell.”

“Oh no, Yeo Reum! You should tell us when you get hurt. Your aunt didn’t know either. We should have at least applied some medicine.”

Mi Rae bent down to look at Yeo Reum’s wounds, looking surprised.

“It doesn’t hurt! I’m a strong boy. So this is nothing at all.”

Yeo Reum raised both fists and grinned, as if to reassure his mom and aunt. Perhaps this expression was exactly like that person’s.

“Still, you should tell an adult when you get hurt. If you don’t treat wounds quickly, bad germs can get in and make it hurt more.”

Bo Mi applied ointment, saying, “What if it leaves a scar?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Yeo Reum nodded and pressed his lips tightly together. Yeo Reum too was accumulating things he couldn’t tell his mom.

‘If only your mother hadn’t given birth to you, she could have married into a good family.’

That’s what Winter Grandmother used to say every time she saw Yeo Reum. He pretended not to know and just smiled brightly, but Yeo Reum knew it wasn’t a nice thing to say. Yeo Reum couldn’t be a burden to his mom. He couldn’t worry his already busy mom.

The daycare Yeo Reum attended was run by the Seoul city government. It was next to a library sponsored by Dowon Group, and they used the park in front of the library as a playground.

Yesterday was a day to play in the park. Some friends were observing grass, collecting leaves to stick in their notebooks and making observation notes, while Yeo Reum and other friends who finished early played ball. Well, Yeo Reum’s role was to pick up the balls thrown by the other children.

The shoes Yeo Reum wore were bought by Winter Grandmother. They were a bit big for Yeo Reum’s feet, but Yeo Reum didn’t mind the large shoes because he liked the Gigatron robot drawn on them.

As Yeo Reum went to pick up a ball, he fell and his shoe came off. One of his friends picked up the fallen shoe and threw it away.

‘They say he’s a beggar from the countryside! They say he doesn’t have a dad.’

Someone shouted over Yeo Reum’s fallen head.

He felt frustrated and angry, but Yeo Reum swallowed his tears.

‘I do have a dad…’

Yeo Reum mumbled the words that filled his throat, unable to spit them out.

As he vaguely stared at the shoe hanging on the railing, he spotted a large man.

The sunlight shining behind the man’s back was so bright that he squinted one eye. When the man turned his body towards Yeo Reum, a shadow formed beside Yeo Reum like a tall oak tree.

Dad! The moment he saw the man who resembled the dad in the photo his mom had shown him, Yeo Reum knew. Dad came to see us!

“Mom, is it true that our dad is in heaven?”

Yeo Reum carefully asked, knowing that his mom became uncomfortable when he brought up the topic of dad. Mom probably doesn’t know dad came, right?

“Uh… That’s right…”

Bo Mi trailed off.

“Is it possible that he might get a vacation from heaven because he misses you and me?”

“Our Yeo Reum must miss dad, huh? Dad is very busy, so he probably can’t take a vacation. Mom has to go to work now, so let’s talk when I get back.”

Bo Mi looked at the clock and then grabbed her bag, seeming to flee the awkward situation.

“Oh… Mom, have a good day!”

“Unnie, take care!”

Bo Mi’s heart ached as Yeo Reum seemed to be feeling the absence of his father more acutely as he grew up.

Won Il… Why did you leave just us behind?

Both Yeo Reum and I miss you so much…

The blue sky with puffy white clouds blooming, now in early summer, was so bright it made her eyes water as if she might cry.

[This is the timeline separator]

The first company dinner for the augmented reality team of the Paradisus Project, created by Narae Creative, Dowon Distribution, and Hwangdo Resort, was held. To accommodate Director Kim from Dowon Distribution, who likes sashimi, they chose a live fish restaurant.

The live octopus wiggling and twisting under the chopsticks made mouths water. With the appearance of fresh, glistening sashimi on wooden plates shaped like boats, the atmosphere among the people became even more lively.

“Everyone, next we’d like to ask Team Leader Yeon Ga Young to say a few words.”

Deputy Manager Kang Sun Young held out a spoon instead of a microphone to Ga Young.

“Oh… Why make me do such a thing.”

Ga Young tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling as if she didn’t mind, and stood up.

“I apologize for having such a late company dinner when it’s been almost two months since we became a team. Please eat and enjoy a lot. The Narae Creative staff who work hard day and night probably eat poorly usually, so please eat more.”

Ga Young lowered her eyes and glanced at Bo Mi. While some Narae Creative employees’ expressions hardened, Bo Mi patted their backs as if to say, “Endure it.”

“Let’s make a big success with this project. The contract might even be extended. So, I hope this becomes a good opportunity for Dowon Distribution and Hwangdo Resort to build friendships.”

As Ga Young raised her glass high, glasses were raised here and there.

“To our metaverse!”

“Cheers!”

The Narae Creative employees were exhausted from the power struggle between Dowon Distribution and Hwangdo Resort’s business teams and the continuous meetings day after day.

Moreover, with frequent overtime work, they were honestly burdened by the very concept of a company dinner, but being in the position of the underdog, they had no choice but to pretend to enjoy it cheerfully.

Deputy Manager Kang Sun Young sat close to Ga Young as usual, smiling and trying to please her.

“Is the director not coming?”

“The director is on a business trip today. It seems he has to visit the factory again because of the Dowon Motors recall issue.”

For Ga Young, who intended to hand over a drunk Bo Mi to Ga Jin today, Jae Kyung’s business trip was rather welcome. She didn’t want Jae Kyung to interfere and cause variables in her plans…

“Oh, that’s a shame. I was looking forward to seeing the director taking care of his fiancée…”

“Jae Kyung oppa said he was sorry he couldn’t come too.”

Ga Young didn’t want to admit in front of Deputy Manager Kang Sun Young that Jae Kyung was cold towards her. She had thought that Jae Kyung’s lack of enthusiasm and coldness towards her was due to his shyness from not having much experience with women.

But the moment she saw Jae Kyung and Bo Mi in the elevator a few days ago, something changed in her mind. The gaze and smile Jae Kyung directed at Bo Mi were what she had been wanting all along.

After hearing reports that the two had coffee together in the cafeteria, Ga Young was beside herself.

He refused to have meals with his fiancée saying he didn’t have time, yet he had time to have coffee with the CEO of a mere partner company? Her insides were boiling with anger.

Even someone like her brother was too good for Bo Mi.

At least Ga Jin had been single-mindedly devoted to Han Bo Mi for years. Even though he was being rejected by Bo Mi due to his rough way of expressing himself…

Isn’t it rather fortunate if Ga Jin, who has money and isn’t bad-looking, seduces Bo Mi? She doesn’t know her place.

This situation was perfect for both Ga Jin and Ga Young.

[What time should I come?] [You’re eager, huh? Wait. I haven’t gotten her drunk yet. I’ll contact you when I see the right timing.]

It was arranged for Ga Jin to take a drunk Bo Mi to a hotel. Whatever happened between two adults overnight was none of Ga Young’s business.

If things went well between them, Ga Young would be happy to receive a new bag from Ga Jin instead of noodles.

Ga Young glanced towards where Bo Mi was, keeping an eye on her.

Whenever Bo Mi’s glass emptied, Su Young would fill it with water, watching the surroundings carefully.

Ha! Really… Has that fox bewitched every man? Why is CEO Ha Su Young acting like that?

How can I get rid of Ha Su Young?

Ga Young judged that CEO Ha Su Young was the biggest obstacle.

“CEO Ha Su Young?”

Ga Young called out to Su Young in the most coquettish voice she could muster and sat down close to him.