Tae-ha decided to stay at the hotel with Leon for the time being.

Returning from Su-yeon’s shop, Si-hyun helped Tae-ha pack. There was more luggage than expected, and even with both of them organizing, it seemed endless.

“Stop and go to sleep. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“What are you saying, without loyalty.”

Eventually, they continued working until late at night. Faced with the disarrayed room, they decided to move to Si-hyun’s place briefly to catch their breath.

“Wow, I’m dying!”

When Si-hyun groaned, Tae-ha approached.

“I’ll give you a massage.”

His large hands kneaded the tense muscles of her shoulders. Relieved, she unintentionally let out a sound resembling a groan.

“Oh, that feels so good!”

However, Tae-ha quickly stopped his hands.

“Why stop?”

Curious, Si-hyun suddenly felt Tae-ha embracing her from behind and kissing her on the nape of her neck. It was a kiss with a decidedly intimate tone, surprising Si-hyun.

“W-Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“Well, someone suggested making such provocative sounds.”

Then he picked Si-hyun up and placed her on the bed. Under his large frame, Si-hyun struggled futilely. When did I!

“Wait, you have to pack!”

“For now, you’re in a bigger hurry.”

“Eek!”

While they were in this state, the doorbell suddenly rang. Both of them looked towards the entrance in surprise.

“Who could it be at this hour?”

Si-hyun quickly pushed Tae-ha away and rushed to see. Reflected on the intercom screen was none other than Su-yeon.

“Oh, Aunt. What brings you here? What’s the matter?”

Although she had given her the address just in case, it was Su-yeon’s first visit to her home. For some reason, Su-yeon didn’t spare a glance at Si-hyun and instead stared through her at Tae-ha.

“…”

A faint scent of alcohol emanated from Su-yeon.

“Aunt?”

Suddenly, Su-yeon staggered and leaned forward. Tae-ha quickly reached out to catch her.

“Are you okay?”

However, Su-yeon hadn’t fainted. With teary eyes, she looked up at Tae-ha and murmured with a trembling voice.

“…Our son.”

Si-hyun thought Su-yeon was mistaken, possibly due to being drunk, imagining Tae-ha as her son. Tae-ha seemed to understand the situation, and despite his bewildered expression, he didn’t push Su-yeon away.

Su-yeon reached out with both hands and cradled Tae-ha’s face, gently stroking and caressing his cheeks.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry…”

Su-yeon repeated apologies tearfully.

“I’ve never forgotten you for a single moment. I’ve lived with just one hope, that I’ll meet you someday. I’ve never, ever abandoned you.”

Si-hyun’s eyes welled up with tears. Glancing at Tae-ha, she saw that tears had gathered in his eyes as well.

Leaning on Tae-ha, Su-yeon cried for a while before finally falling asleep, exhausted. Placing Su-yeon on Si-hyun’s bed, Tae-ha and Si-hyun stepped outside to talk.

“I made a mistake.”

Si-hyun sighed. She seemed to understand why Su-yeon acted like that after hearing about Tae-ha living with his father when they visited Su-yeon’s shop.

“When I stopped by Aunt’s shop earlier, I mentioned that you would be living with your father. It seems she missed her son a lot after hearing that.”
Somehow, from the moment she heard that story, Su-yeon seemed like someone who had lost her mind. Si-hyun blamed her dull self. It wasn’t something to say to someone missing their son.

“I almost called her mom without realizing it.”

Tae-ha muttered.

“I envy the son. Having such a mom…”

“I’ll love you more.” Instead of saying that, Si-hyun wrapped her arms around Tae-ha’s broad shoulders. The large man willingly leaned on her.

‘Tae-ha’s mom. Do you miss Tae-ha a lot?’

Looking up at the night sky, Si-hyun silently spoke to his late mother.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll make Tae-ha happy.’

The next day, as Si-hyun was leaving the office after work, she was surprised. A large limousine was waiting in front of the company.

“Sent by Chairman Kennedy.”

The driver approached and bowed politely.

“Oh, yes.”

Worried about who might see her, Si-hyun quickly got into the car. She was grateful that she had taken extra care with her makeup and dressing today.

When the car stopped in front of the hotel, an employee rushed over and opened the door.

Leon, standing in front of the hotel in a well-dressed suit, looked like a prince.

Smiling, Leon extended his arm towards Si-hyun as she got out of the car.

“Shall we go, Miss?”

With Leon’s arm around hers, Si-hyun walked into the hotel. Because the employees were lined up to greet them, she felt the gazes of people in the lobby turning towards them. It truly felt like going on a date with a prince.

Once again, Si-hyun thought it was a shame that Leon was alone. He was such a young and handsome man.

Leon took Si-hyun to the French restaurant inside the hotel. Although she had been there before with Tae-ha, this time the view was much better. A dedicated waiter was waiting, giving a sense of the owner’s dignity.

Leon, gazing at Si-hyun sitting across from him, looked at her with admiring eyes.