“Hae Joo…”

He had found Hae Joo.

Do Jun consoled himself that it was enough she was safe.

Hae Joo reached his heart.

Yet, feeling it wasn’t enough, Do Jun wrapped his arms around her.

Her small frame wriggled in his embrace.

Soon, tears filled with sorrow soaked his shirt.

“Why did you bear all this alone?”

Who would have thought the situation would turn out like this in just one day?

He had even blamed himself, wondering if his actions, meant to protect Hae Joo, had somehow turned against them.

But nothing was over yet.

For Do Jun, it was just the beginning.

As the light illuminating the entrance dimmed, he stepped into the room.

“I missed you, Do Jun.”

“Don’t endure it alone. From now on, never… do that.”

Just that morning, Hae Joo had thought Do Jun had deceived her.

But he hadn’t lied to her.

It was merely fate’s play that they had learned of their marital status a bit earlier.

Now, it was time for them to share untold stories.

“You might not be ready, but listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

Do Jun confessed the anxiety and worry he felt after learning from Jin Han that Hae Joo was staying in his provided accommodation.

He was unsure whether Hae Joo, still psychologically unstable, could handle the truth of their marriage while pursuing her acting career.

Moreover, when Kyung Ae and Yu Ra disappeared leaving debts everywhere, debt collectors including Song Yeong Suk became desperate to find Hae Joo.

Then, through an illegal errand service, Do Jun learned that he was married to Hae Joo and they immediately sought him out.

“Are you living with Hae Joo? Where is she now?”

That day, Hae Joo made her debut as an actress after a film shoot. Song Yeong Suk wanted to chase her down, but Do Jun earnestly asked her to wait.

“Just wait a little longer.”

“I can’t wait indefinitely. You have exactly one year to sort this out.”

As the one-year deadline set by Song Yeong Suk approached, Do Jun revealed the truth to Hae Joo in an unexpected way. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have met as they did now.

As Do Jun finished speaking, tears welled up in Hae Joo’s eyes.

She hadn’t known about these circumstances and bowed her head heavily.

“I doubted you, Do Jun.”

“It’s okay. It’s natural to feel that way.”

He still held Hae Joo in his arms.

Then he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to her cold ear.

“What should I do now? I’m scared.”

Unfulfilled dreams lingered in Hae Joo’s heart since she left home.

Becoming an actress.

As a child, Hae Joo had played the lead in a play at her kindergarten’s big event.

She was introverted, but once on stage, she transformed completely.

Her father wanted to nurture her talent. However, he passed away suddenly one dawn before an audition.

Just when she was about to give up everything, she met Jin Han and realized her dream of acting. Hae Joo, always hiding, felt she had nothing to fear.

That was until her marriage to Do Jun became known.

The marriage, once thought to be a shackle of the past, forced Hae Joo to confront her unresolved history.
Though Hae Joo opened up to Do Jun, things took an unexpected turn.

“We can start all over again.”

The despair of possibly never being able to act again tormented Hae Joo.

In defiance of this, Do Jun remained steadfast.

He gently pressed his lips against Hae Joo’s wet cheek.

Slowly, he moved to her swollen lips, softly caressing them.

“It hurts so much. I want to give up.”

Hae Joo’s hands trembled as she spoke of surrender.

Her small shoulders shivered, more than the cold of the harshest winter.

“From now on, I’ll take care of everything. You just need to breathe.”

“……!”

“Let’s live, Hae Joo.”

Hae Joo’s breath was caught in Do Jun’s mouth.

It felt like being submerged in water, muffled and distant.

“…I’m pregnant.”

“I know.”

“How did you find out?”

Hae Joo looked up at him, lifting her head.

His eyes, gazing down at her, were filled with a gentle light.

“I met Hyun Seong before coming here.”

“Ah, Hyun Seong.”

Hae Joo, feeling guilty about Hyun Seong, buried her head in Do Jun’s chest.

Already overwhelmed, the added resentment from Jin Han had driven her to the edge.

She had no strength left and had fled.

“Hae Joo, thank you for waiting.”

He kissed her lips tenderly.

The moist warmth of their breath mingled deeply.

Do Jun, feeling the situation was surreal, caressed Hae Joo warmly.

The thought of her, so small and fragile, carrying a child made him blissfully happy.

“I’ll go down to get the bag.”

“Don’t go!”

“I’ll be right back.”

“No, I don’t want you to go.”

Hae Joo clung to Do Jun from behind, like a child, as he tried to leave the room.

Unable to fully wrap her arms around his large frame, she gripped his waist tightly.

“I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“Who said you’ll be alone? I’ll never let that happen again.”

Do Jun kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek.

Finally, Hae Joo stepped back.

“I’ll go to the parking lot and come back. Call Hyun Seong in the meantime.”

“Come back quickly.”

After handing her his phone, Do Jun left the room.