Although her body was in pain, her mood wasn’t all that bad. After all, they had been together for 6 years. If it ended without her even getting sick once, it would feel somewhat impolite. She considered this sickness a kind of rite of passage to end it all.

That’s why Si Hyun had flatly refused when Tae Ha suggested she go to the hospital to get an IV drip. She felt that only when she was done with this illness, would it truly feel like the end.

Tae Ha took the day off from work to stay by Si Hyun’s side. He made sure she ate her meals and took her medicine regularly. Even when she told him to go to work, he refused adamantly.

“What do you think people will say if you and I both skip work and then go in together?”
“They can think whatever they want, it’s fine by me.”
Si Hyun gave up. Right, what could I say to you?

“Did you hit him a lot?”
She saw him land the first punch, but after Tae Ha had gone out and closed the front door, she had no idea what had happened.

Tae Ha answered without cracking a smile,

“I gave him a beating that will last him two lifetimes.”
She didn’t understand what he meant, so she couldn’t laugh.

While she was suffering, she suddenly remembered Su Yeon and felt a pang in her chest. Right, I promised to pay her that money!

Knowing Su Yeon couldn’t contact her, Si Hyun was sure she must be in a panic by now.

“Tae Ha, I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“The money you gave, it’s in the drawer. Could you deliver it to Aunt Su Yeon?”
Although she refused to accept the money, Tae Ha eventually handed her the envelope before leaving her apartment. Having no choice, she put the envelope in the drawer.

“I’m sorry, but I need to use it first. Once I get back the deposit I put into our newlywed home, I promise I’ll pay you back.”
“I told you it’s not a loan.”
Tae Ha said flatly. With no energy left to argue, Si Hyun retreated for now.

“Anyway, her shop is nearby, can you deliver it to her? Since she can’t contact me, she must be having a hard time now.”
“Can you be alone?”
He asked, as if worried to even leave her for a moment, which made her laugh.

“Do I look like a kid to you?”
“You’re a kid to me.”
It felt odd hearing the same words from Tae Ha’s mouth that she had once said to Woo Jin. Had Tae Ha heard her say that?

She tried to gauge his reaction, but as usual, his calm face gave away nothing.

Looking at Si Hyun’s forehead, after checking her temperature with his hand, Tae Ha rose from his seat.

“She’s asleep. I’ll be quick.”

((()))

Tae Ha quickly walked towards the curry shop that Si Hyun had told him about. He wanted to deliver the message as quickly as possible and get back to Si Hyun.

How would a woman feel who had seen her fiancé rolling around on their newlywed bed with his best junior? Thinking about it made his heart feel like it was being torn apart. It was only natural for her to get sick.

Yet, he was more worried about Si Hyun not shedding a single tear. If she had cried, he could have comforted her, but since she didn’t, all he could do was stay by her side.

He seemed to understand why people in love were called ‘baby’ in English. Like a child, she was worrisome, pitiful, and he wanted to take on whatever troubles or anything else she had.

When Si Hyun referred to herself as a ‘baby’, Tae Ha thought it would be nice if it had some of that meaning too. Of course, it would literally mean a young child.

As he walked with these thoughts, he quickly arrived at his destination. He sneakily peeked through the glass wall into the shop with a sign that read ‘Mother’s Hand Curry’.

It seemed like the shop had just opened since there were no customers, and a woman who looked like the owner was busy wiping the tables.

According to Si Hyun, the woman was in her midforties, but she looked much younger.

Tae Ha was usually shy, but strangely, he felt familiar with her at first sight. Maybe because he heard that she was the only person Si Hyun had relied on when she was young.

Seeing the quiet and elegant face full of thoughtfulness, he wanted to quickly deliver the envelope.

“Excuse me.”
Tae Ha pushed the glass door and entered the shop.

“Welcome.”
Su Yeon, who was welcoming him, looked surprised when she saw Tae Ha.

“……!”
Her eyes widened as she stared at Tae Ha. It was as if she had seen a ghost.

Tae Ha felt a little embarrassed. He often received attention because of his striking looks, but rarely did anyone stare at him so intensely.

“My name is Yoon Tae Ha. I came on behalf of Kang Si Hyun.”
Only then did Su Yeon seem to regain her senses, shaking her head as if waking from a dream.

“I’m sorry. You look so much like someone I know.”

Tae Ha waited for Su Yeon to sit before taking out the bag from his pocket and placing it on the table.

“Ms. Si Hyun Kang is currently suffering from a severe fever and is unable to move. Her mobile phone is broken so she couldn’t contact you, so she asked me to deliver this instead.”
But Su Yeon didn’t even open the bag. She was just staring at Tae Ha’s face as if she was still entranced by something.

His feelings turned strange when he felt the poignant and desperate look in her eyes.

“I heard that you’ve been kind to Ms. Si Hyun Kang since she was young.”
Tae Ha said, wondering why she was looking at him with those eyes.

“That makes you someone I’m grateful to as well. If there’s anything I can help with, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Tae Ha took out his business card and handed it over.

“I’ll excuse myself then.”
Just as he bowed his head in farewell and stood up to leave the shop, Su Yeon stopped him.

“By the way, have you eaten?”
Tae Ha wasn’t particularly hungry. Above all, he was worried about the sick Si Hyun and was about to decline when Su Yeon continued.

“You look so much like our son, I want to send you off with a meal.”
Tae Ha was a bit surprised. She looked young, did she have such a big child? Unable to refuse her earnest gaze, Tae Ha sat back down.

A moment later, a steaming plate of curry was placed in front of him. The abundant rice and curry gave the feeling of a meal made by a real mother.

“I’ll eat well.”
As Tae Ha started to eat with his spoon, Su Yeon asked cautiously.

“Your parents, by any chance……”
Understanding the intent of the question immediately, Tae Ha quickly swallowed his curry and answered.

“My father is American. My mother was Korean, but she passed away early.”
“I see.”
Su Yeon nodded and added.

“Our son is also mixed race, you know. He’s the same age as you, Tae Ha. He’s in America now.”
Only then did Tae Ha understand Su Yeon’s inexplicable behavior.

“I wish our son would grow up to be as cool as you, Tae Ha.”
From her words, it seemed like it had been a very long time since they’d met. Tae Ha felt sympathy for Su Yeon. How much would she miss her son to look at a complete stranger with those eyes.

At the same time, he was incredibly envious of that son whose name he didn’t even know. If my mother were still alive, would she have looked at me with such warm eyes?

“Eat some more, okay?”
Throughout the meal, Su Yeon took care of Tae Ha attentively.

“I ate well. Then I’ll visit again later with Si Hyun.”
As Tae Ha bid farewell and left the restaurant, Su Yeon followed him out a bit. She stood by the road, watching Tae Ha’s retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.

Her son, whom she lost right after giving birth, so she didn’t even have a chance to know his name.

While missing her son, whom she had never forgotten for a single moment in her life.

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