The Returned Father of My Child (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
—I just went to the bathroom for a second… and she’s gone.
“Kim Mi Rae. Where are you right now?”
Yeo Reum… Yeo Reum.
Bo Mi’s fingertips grew icy cold and began to tremble.
—I’m at a cafe near your office. I suddenly got a signal and went in to use the restroom… but she’s just… gone. Waaah… Haaah… Unnie, what should I do?
Mi Rae’s voice sounded unreal, distant.
“I’ll come right there.”
Bo Mi felt frustrated with Mi Rae, who couldn’t even give a proper reply through her tears.
Ga Young grabbed Bo Mi’s arm as she headed toward the elevator.
“President Han Bo Mi, lunch break’s over—where are you going?”
“I’m sorry. Something urgent came up.”
“What? Even if it’s not your own company, this is ridiculous! You can’t just ignore the rules like this!”
Recalling the humiliation Jae Kyung had inflicted on her, Ga Young held tight to Bo Mi’s arm, which had turned pale with dread. She didn’t know what had happened, but she certainly wasn’t about to just let Bo Mi go.
“This isn’t a playground—you can’t leave during work hours whenever you please. Don’t you have any basic common sense, President Han Bo Mi? Don’t you know you’re supposed to properly report to your team leader—me?”
Bo Mi was furious at Ga Young’s nitpicking, but she had no time to argue. If something happened to Yeo Reum while she stood here…
“Please let go. I really am in a hurry.”
“Then at least come to my desk first and file an official request for leave.”
Bo Mi forcefully shoved Ga Young’s hand away. The coffee cup in her hand dropped, spilling ice onto the floor with a clatter.
“I’m sorry. I’ll accept whatever punishment—reprimand or anything—when I get back.”
Without looking back, she jumped into the open elevator.
“Hey! Han Bo Mi!”
Ga Young rubbed her slapped wrist and glared furiously at the coffee stain splattered on her shoes.
“How dare you ignore me like that! Just you wait—I’ll get you for this!”
Ga Young’s furious shout never reached Bo Mi’s ears.
Even if she got fired, Yeo Reum came first.
The trembling that hadn’t stopped since earlier plunged Bo Mi straight into the heart of terror.
She was terrified. She’d had enough of helplessly waiting for someone precious—like the day she lost her mother, like the day she lost Nak Won. She would search every nook and cranny until she found Yeo Reum.
Yeo Reum… my baby.
Just imagining her child, alone and trembling in an unfamiliar place with nowhere to go, made Bo Mi feel as if all the blood was draining from her body.
‘Mommy… where are you? Mommy… wahhh.’
Yeo Reum, don’t cry. Mommy’s coming right now. Bo Mi tapped her foot impatiently, thinking the elevator was moving far too slowly.
Her eyes kept welling up, hot and ready to spill over at the slightest touch.
Not yet—she couldn’t cry yet. Bo Mi pressed hard with her fingers, trying to cool the heat burning at her eyes.
Was this punishment for thinking about another man?
Mr. Won Yi… I was wrong.
If you’re watching from above, please protect our Yeo Reum.
I’ll live only for Yeo Reum, so please… please let me see her right in front of me. I’m begging you.
Bo Mi felt as if everything was her fault. Barely holding herself up, legs weak as if about to collapse, she dashed out through the opening doors.
[This is the timeline separator]Thirty minutes earlier, a young woman and a little child entered a cafe in front of the office building. The woman, with a frantic look, scanned the surroundings before seating the child. Even her manner of ordering seemed as if she were being chased.
“Your juice is ready.”
The woman snatched the juice the instant it arrived and set it down in front of the child. With a face pale as paper, she rapid-fired instructions at the little one.
“Ugh… I’m losing it. Yeo Reum, Auntie will be right back from the bathroom. Drink your juice and stay put—promise me you’ll wait right here!”
Mi Rae’s stomach was churning so violently it felt like it was screaming. Gritting her teeth, Mi Rae extracted a promise from Yeo Reum before rushing off to the restroom.
“Okay! Auntie. Go and come back.”
Yeo Reum waved her hand and gripped the juice cup tightly with both hands.
She swung her legs idly and turned her gaze toward the window. Unlike the place she usually lived, this area was crowded with cars and towering buildings. Yeo Reum’s bright black eyes sparkled as she looked around curiously.
“Dooowon Gruup.”
She read aloud the huge letters embossed with “Dowon Group.”
Yeo Reum remembered watching something similar on TV with Gyeo Ul. Across the street stood a building that looked exactly like the one she’d seen on screen.
Department Head Do Jae Kyung of Dowon Group.
Great-Aunt Winter had said this was where Mommy worked.
Not knowing what “Department Head” meant, Yeo Reum assumed the entire phrase “Do Jae Kyung Department Head” was the company’s name.
She wanted to see up close the “Dowon Group Do Jae Kyung Department Head” where her mommy worked. Besides, the big letters ahead had left out the part that said “Do Jae Kyung Department Head.”
She had to tell Mommy.
Yeo Reum realized she had been given an important mission.
“It’s right in front of me—I’ll go and come back super fast.”
With a grunt, she slipped off her chair. In the bustling cafe near the subway station, no one paid any attention to a small child confidently walking out alone.
“When I find Mommy myself, she’ll be so happy!”
Yeo Reum had already forgotten she was supposed to wait for Mi Rae; now she only thought of surprising Mommy by showing up. The sign ahead looked so close—she was sure she’d reach it in no time.
She slipped out of the cafe and blended into the stream of busy pedestrians.
It wasn’t as scary as she’d thought. Believing Mommy was just across the street made her little heart flutter with excitement.
She felt like a Gigaton Robot setting off on an adventure.
Mommy will be so happy to see me—she’ll hug me tight!
Just that thought gave her strength.
“I won’t lose my courage! I’m a brave robot!”
Yeo Reum sang as she reached the crosswalk. When the light turned green, she raised her hand and crossed between the grown-ups.
“Oh my, how adorable!”
She heard an elderly woman passing by praise her cuteness. Yeo Reum puffed up proudly, her lips curling into a smile.
Back in Great-Aunt Winter’s neighborhood in Garim City, lots of people knew Yeo Reum.
Whenever she went to the supermarket with Great-Aunt Winter, the grandpas and grandmas they met along the way would give her candy or pocket money and pat her head when she said hello.
When she finally reached the end of the seemingly endless crosswalk, a realization hit her.
No one here knew her. It was a strange place.
Only then did Yeo Reum notice she was somewhere unfamiliar. Unlike Great-Aunt Winter’s neighborhood, no familiar faces appeared no matter how much she looked around. Which way was the cafe she’d come from with Auntie?
Though the round sun in the sky looked exactly the same as the one above Great-Aunt Winter’s house, the towering buildings and endless cars overwhelmed Yeo Reum, making her feel as if they might swallow her whole.
Fear struck her like a cold wave. Since she didn’t even know where she was, she had no choice but to keep walking toward the building marked “Dowon Group.”
“My cou… coura… age…”
Her voice began to quiver.
“Mommy…”
Yeo Reum realized that the Dowon Group building—just across the street in her mind—was actually quite far away.
She puffed out her cheeks and swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to plop down on the ground and cry.
‘Yeo Reum, remember—you mustn’t cry even if Mommy isn’t here, okay? If you miss me, just call any time.’
Her beautiful mommy had told her not to cry. She missed her and wanted to call, but right now she couldn’t—so she had to hold it in.
Daddy… if you’re watching me from the sky, please help Yeo Reum!
Yeo Reum had only ever seen her father in a blurry photograph.
‘Why don’t we have any other pictures of Daddy?’
‘Daddy hated taking photos. But Mommy remembers him well.’
Nak Won used to say cameras made his stomach upset—even phone photos bothered him.
Yeo Reum blinked back tears and looked up at the sky.
Daddy, Yeo Reum won’t cry. Now that I’m six years old, I’ll protect Mommy in your place.
Honk! Screeeech! The blaring sounds of speeding cars echoed around her.
“Wow… it’s huge.”
Yeo Reum gazed up at the Dowon Group building.
She felt proud of herself for making it all the way here alone.
Screeeech!
A loud braking sound sliced through the air as a yellow sports car stopped just a short distance from Yeo Reum.
Startled, Yeo Reum plopped down onto the ground.
“Damn it! Who leaves a kid alone like this!”
A man in a red shirt and white slacks cursed as he jumped out of the car.
“Phew! Good thing I’m a good driver. How could anyone let a little kid wander alone where cars are running? Where are your parents?”
Ga Jin folded his arms and walked toward the frightened child sitting on the pavement.
Passersby began to gather, but no one stepped forward claiming to be the child’s parent.
“Hey. You okay? Hmm? You look kinda familiar…”
Ga Jin crouched down and studied the child’s face closely. Those big, tear-filled eyes in that round little face seemed oddly recognizable.
When would I ever run into a brat like this?
Ga Jin clicked his tongue and asked again.
“Hey. Where’s your mommy?”
“Mommy… h-hic…”
Terrified, Yeo Reum hiccupped and extended her tiny finger straight ahead.
“Over there…”
“Over where?”
“Over there—Dowon Group.”
“Your mommy works at Dowon Group?”
Ga Jin tried hard to recall which employee this kid might belong to, but since he rarely came to the office, no one came to mind.
For a little brat, she’s even got a beauty mark near her eye. Reminds me of that jerk—ugh, annoying.
“Hey. Get up. I’ll take you to Dowon Group.”
“Waaahh!”
Yeo Reum burst into loud sobs.
“Hey, hey, hey! What did I do? I’m trying to help you!”
“Mommy said… not to go with strangers…”
“Hey. You’d have to walk all the way over there anyway. And listen—I’m your hyung. See this? I work at Dowon Group too.”
“Waaahh…”
As Yeo Reum cried even louder, Ga Jin panicked.
“Hey, should I show you my business card? I can prove it!”
“Sno… sob… that’s not it.”
“Are you hurt? Did you get hurt when you fell? Do you want to go to the hospital? Damn it—what am I supposed to do?”
Feeling the eyes of the crowd on him, Ga Jin grew impatient. His uncle had already warned him that if he caused another accident, he’d scrap his car—but he hadn’t even had an accident! He’d just gotten out because it was dangerous for a child to be walking alone!
Of all the days for Yeon Ga Jin, the benevolent soul trying to do a good deed, to end up like this! He’d only come to see Bo Mi after Ga Young mentioned they were on the same team. He’d been avoiding this floor precisely because it housed Do Jae Kyung’s office.
Wait… hold on…
“You said ‘Dowon Group Department Head Do Jae Kyung,’ right? *sniff*”
“Whoa… you know Department Head Do Jae Kyung?”
“Dowon Group Department Head Do Jae Kyung.”
Holy crap! Could it be? Could it really be? Is this Do Jae Kyung’s kid? Ga Jin suddenly felt his horizons broaden.
“Hey, kid! Smile for me.”
“Sn… sniff… I can’t smile. Waaahh.”
“Stop crying for a sec and smile. I’ll take you to Dowon Group Department Head Do Jae Kyung.”
“If you laugh right after crying… sniff… horns grow on your bottom.”
“Pffft—hahah! Do kids still say corny stuff like that these days? Who told you that?”
“Mommy…”
Yeo Reum answered in a tiny, embarrassed voice, flustered by Ga Jin’s laughter.
“Okay. See that entrance over there? I’ll walk you all the way in. See this? Without this, the security guard will kick you out.”
Ga Jin held up his security access card.
“Do I have to show that to get in? Is it like a Gigaton Robot certification?”
“Uh… yeah, something like that. I’ll take you in.”
“Hmm… okay.”
Yeo Reum stopped crying, captivated by Ga Jin’s security card.
“Mister, please walk with me then.”
She seemed a little more at ease now—Yeo Reum even offered a shy smile. That beauty mark tucked near her eye, the dimples indenting her cheeks… cute.
Wait—hold on. She’s a dead ringer for Do Jae Kyung! I shouldn’t be calling her cute!
“Look forward to it. I’ll help you meet your daddy.”
They say even a well-behaved cat will jump on a stove—turns out Do Jae Kyung’s been hiding a secret child. It’d be a shame to keep such a juicy scoop to himself.
He’d always thought the guy was a robotic workaholic with zero interest in women—yet here he was, clearly having done all the essentials. If Yeon Ga Young found out, she’d probably collapse foaming at the mouth, but to Ga Jin, this was thrilling gossip. If Do Jae Kyung’s reputation took a hit from this, that’d be the cherry on top.
Man, I wonder what that arrogant jerk will say when I show up with a kid who looks just like him?
“But I’m going to see Mommy!”
“Yeah, you’ll see Mommy—and Daddy too.”
Ah-ha! So Do Jae Kyung’s been messing around with someone from the company. If Deputy Chairwoman Lee Hae Young finds out, will she really stay quiet?
Right in the middle of pushing his engagement to Ga Young for Dowon Group’s future, a secret child would be nothing but a liability for Jae Kyung in every possible way.
And the more I look at her, the more she’s an exact copy of Do Jae Kyung.
Ga Jin reached to take Yeo Reum’s hand—but seeing the sooty smudge on his palm, he scooped her up instead.
“Whoa! This is fun!”
The child flailed briefly, then burst into giggles. Kids really are something else.
The moment Ga Jin stepped into the company lobby, a group of people—bodyguards and secretaries surrounding someone—appeared from across the hall. Ga Jin spotted Jae Kyung at the front, deep in serious conversation with Secretary Kim, and felt more delighted than ever.
Perfect. Now I get to watch your haughty, dismissive face crumble.
“Hey! Department Head Do Jae Kyung!”
Ga Jin shouted, waving one arm high while holding the child tucked under the other.
An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most
One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.
This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:
1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.
It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.
(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)
2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.
The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.
3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.
Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).
Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.
Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.
4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).
5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!
Ga Jin is such an interesting character. If FL had been friends with him, she might have had an even more terrible childhood because of Mrs. Hwang. But he’s exactly the type of person who could be a friend or family member.