The vast plain, stretching to the horizon, was enveloped in pitch-black darkness and a tranquil atmosphere.

The film crew, who had been waiting until now to capture the beauty of the night on camera, finally began shooting swiftly.

As soon as Director Yoon, holding a walkie-talkie instead of a megaphone, uttered the cue sign, two horses waiting in the distance galloped to where the staff and cameras were positioned.

Seo Jun, atop the majestic horse, was wearing a long, wide cape. Perhaps liking the slight fluttering movement and the warm temperature seeping through the armor, he subtly curved his haughty lips. At that moment, a small voice leaked from behind Seo Jun.

“Are we there yet?”

“Keep quiet if you want to live.”

“I’m suffocating.”

“Don’t whine. You won’t die.”

“Hmph……”

A little later, Seo Jun dismounted the horse with So Yeon, whom he had hidden under his cape.

At that moment, a staff member who received a signal from the lighting director shone a bright light on the spot where the two protagonists were facing each other.

Now it was the scene where So Yeon had to leave alone.

So Yeon, with her prettily sparkling eyes cast down, began to tear up from her first farewell line.

“I’m indebted to you. More than I can ever repay.”

“Still, you should repay it.”

“Who said I wouldn’t? I’m just grateful.”

“If you’re grateful, live well wherever you go.”

“…I’ll go.”

The woman, tightly gripping the horse’s reins with both hands, walked away with her back to the man.

So Yeon’s steps were hesitant and unsteady, while Seo Jun stood rooted to the spot like an immovable tree, his black cape fluttering.

And it wasn’t long before.

Seo Jun, who had rushed over in one breath, turned So Yeon around and said,

“Remember my words.”

“What…?”

“Wherever you go, don’t die. I don’t know if we’ll meet again, but a piece of your breath might spread far and wide and reach me.”

His low, resonating voice shook even her breath.

“Hic……”

Even though it was just a line, Seo Jun’s words struck So Yeon as sincere, and she choked up for a moment.

Perhaps because his feelings, no different from the male protagonist’s, were fully projected in his deep voice, So Yeon’s tears streaming down in droplets were also real, not acting.

So So Yeon cried more sorrowfully, biting her lower lip hard, and Seo Jun, lowering his head to those lips, stayed like that for a long time.

Her trembling.

As if engraving her breath and scent deep in his heart, one by one.

Around the two protagonists, pink muhly grass, having lost its red hue to early winter colors, swayed like waves in the wind. The moonlight of the full moon sprinkled over the wonder of nature was piercingly blue.

“And the kiss between the two was at the end of their farewell!”

The assistant director, who quietly recited the last stage direction of the script, had tears filling his eyes.

“I really ha―ate sad endings……”

“Me too. The two leads’ acting is tearing through the camera and my heart.”

“Why is it so sad. Sob sob……”

Sniff…

As Seo Jun and So Yeon’s acting, sad emotions, and tremendous immersion reached their peak, the staff members each uttered a word and sniffled their stinging noses.

Perhaps if the grand background music had been playing here, everyone present would have had reddened eyes, to the point where no one would not have been sobbing.

Even though filming at this location was over, Director Yoon did not shout ‘cut’.

As if he had just watched a complete film, even though this was just the beginning and there were still months of shooting schedule left, he simply stared silently at the two protagonists in the monitor with a numb expression.

“Director, you wrote the screenplay yourself. Hmph, I hate you!”

“Everything’s good, but why didn’t you make it a happy ending?”

“That’s right, it would surely be a masterpiece even without the sad ending.”

At the staff’s successive grumbling, Director Yoon, unable to resist, opened his mouth.

“I like sad endings. They’re more beautiful. What, is there a problem?”

At Director Yoon’s words, everyone shook their heads. It was natural that the sad yet beautiful masterpiece scene would linger long in memory, just like the title .

Though his words were short and cold, the real reason he made this movie sad was known only to Director Yoon. It was an early wedding gift, a last jealousy, and a grand blessing for the couple’s future.

Director Yoon Ji Wan curved his lips languidly and finally shouted ‘Cut!’. Then he announced to everyone the end of the filming that had been pushed through without rest all day.

“Great work today, everyone!”

[This is the timeline separator]

“Medical Distinction and Approach to Accidental Death and Homicide.”

Professor Eom, who had been staring at the title of the paper for a while, added a meaningful sentence to the end of his completed writing.

“Should we, as doctors, abuse medical skills as tools for crime? We who should uphold the dignity of life and demonstrate humanity, fulfilling that noble duty and mission faithfully.”

The ultimate purpose of writing this article, which he had put his heart and soul into for several months, was to expose the social evils eating away at the medical community. This paper, which compiled such extensive knowledge and evidence that could be used as evidence of crimes, is scheduled to be published in a medical journal in the first month of the new year.

Eom Eun Hyuk, who had taken the first step in what he had to do, turned off his laptop, took off his glasses, and leaned his head back against the chair.

When Eom Eun Hyuk stayed in Korea around the time of So Yeon’s engagement party, he didn’t just meet Hospital Director Yang Chan Soo. He had painstakingly tracked down and met the family of the young businessman who had suddenly disappeared from the hospital. The facts he confirmed then were even more miserable than he had anticipated.

They said he was found at the bottom of a cliff where he had thrown himself off, a month and a half after he went missing.

But isn’t it ironic? Before falling from the cliff, he was already in a state of intestinal rupture and fracture from another accident. Even if the aftereffects of the intestinal rupture could be overlooked, how could a person who could barely walk due to a right femur fracture climb to the middle of a mountain?

How? This didn’t make sense.

Not only that, but the businessman was disgraced even in death with false accusations of embezzling company funds. Moreover, the , which had swallowed his company through improper means, even took away the house where his family lived, citing the obligation to repay.

It was clear they had killed a person to obtain a coveted company, nipped any potential problems in the bud, and even touched his family who could be a thorn in their side.

Over 10 years ago, that man who was brought to the emergency room was covered in blood from head to toe.

As that image vividly came back to him, Eom Eun Hyuk let out a deep sigh and gently closed his tired eyes.

“Haa……”

If only I hadn’t left Korea like that back then…

[This is the timeline separator]

Pointing to find prey, flushing to chase targets, retrieving to bring fallen game back.

Though not a dog enthusiast, Han Seung Jae, who enjoyed hunting with such a full complement, led his hunting dogs into the forest early in the morning from his villa, despite it being quite a cold day.

Bang!

As a single gunshot rang out loudly in the forest, one of the hunting dogs swiftly moved to quickly retrieve what had fallen in the bushes and returned to its master.

“Good boy, I like you!”

Han Seung Jae, praising and patting the dog’s head, handed the pheasant, which he had roughly confirmed was shot in the heart, to his secretary.

In fact, Han Seung Jae, who enjoyed shooting a shotgun more than hunting, handled guns very well, no less than a shooting athlete. However, he had thought his shooting skills might have gotten a bit rusty since he had been doing more sea fishing and golf for a while, but confirming that wasn’t the case, the look in his eyes was no longer human.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a beast hungry for blood.

Resuming the hunt, Han Seung Jae went deeper into the forest. The dogs also followed his movements, barking loudly. However, no prey worth shooting was particularly visible.

Like that, there’s still no notable movement.

If he just stays in Canada like that, there’s no reason to strike first from this side. But if Professor Eom Eun Hyuk comes to Korea, the story changes. The moment he becomes visible…

Bang!

It’ll be like this.

In an instant, something caught Han Seung Jae’s eye, and at that moment, a pheasant flying low at a height of 2m was hit by the gun and tumbled into the undergrowth.

Woof woof, woof woof woof…

The hunting dogs barked fiercely and ran like arrows towards where the prey had fallen.

“What’s so different about Professor Eom Eun Hyuk? To me, he’s just a target like that pheasant.”

Heh…

White breath puffed out from his crooked smiling lips.

Han Seung Jae’s wicked smile was like a hunting dog waiting only for that day.

[This is the timeline separator]

Seo Jun carefully got up from the bed and looked down at the soundly sleeping child.

It was at that moment.

“!”

Black, who had been resting his head on Hyun Woo’s leg, perked up his ears and raised his head sharply, looking at Seo Jun with wide eyes. He thought they were sleeping together, but was asking where he was going.

When Seo Jun gently stroked his head, the loyal and intelligent dog seemed to understand immediately and rested his chin back on Hyun Woo’s leg, slowly lowering his dark eyes. It was as if he was saying, I’ll protect Hyun Woo, so you can go now.

Seo Jun, amazed at Black who never left Hyun Woo’s side, smiled and shifted his gaze back to Hyun Woo.

The child with long eyelashes and fair skin seemed to take after his mother a lot, but his distinct features and deep eyes were clearly a spitting image of himself. Why did that keep making him feel so pleased? Seo Jun bit his lengthening lips leisurely.

The hand sticking out from under the blanket wiggled. The white cheeks like rice cakes twitched along with the smacking lips, which was nothing short of an invitation to take a big bite.

Seo Jun planted an affectionate kiss on Hyun Woo’s cheek and left the room with careful steps.

Crossing the spacious living room to the window, Seo Jun stretched his long legs on the armchair. As he tilted his head back, the pure sentiment of the winter night poured into his eyes through the skylight right above.

Winter has come again.

The winter four years ago that was exceptionally cold but felt warmer because of it. That winter has come back to me. Among the countless moments that have passed, the most vivid one remaining, the spring sunshine-like Eom So Yeon who came to me in that season.

The movie filming that had been continuing on a murderous schedule for three weeks was temporarily suspended last week and is set to resume next month after the new year dawns.

Director Yoon Ji Wan made this decision due to the circumstances of actors who had to attend award ceremonies at the end of the year, as well as his own schedule of being invited to a major international award ceremony. A trip to America was inevitable for taking another step towards Hollywood.

Even in that gap, So Yeon was diligently fulfilling other schedules.

With the drama that aired all summer coming to an end, Eom So Yeon’s popularity was soaring higher day by day. While that good result would have come from her ability and effort, Tae Seo Jun’s support, knowingly or unknowingly helping from behind, played a part.

Also, as much as Eom So Yeon was busy, Seo Jun was taking care of Hyun Woo and steadily building a strong father-son bond.

Although judging and mediating corporate values had become his main job to the extent that it could be called his primary occupation now, analyzing businesses and giving instructions was possible from home. Therefore, he was a caring father during the day and a perfect lover for Eom So Yeon at night, lacking nothing.

These days, as he was comfortably handling his future and role as the head of the family, Seo Jun was more joyful and proud than ever. On this night when his vigor was rising, who would have thought a winter night without Eom So Yeon would feel so empty.

Looking at the thin snow settling on the edge of the window frame, Seo Jun recalled Eom So Yeon from the day they first met until now, and looked at her photo saved on his phone. Thinking of her made him miss Eom So Yeon even more.

A gentle smile spread across his face as his eyes were fixed on her heavily pregnant appearance. Could there be a more beautiful woman than this? This photo, separately saved from the album that came from Canada, was Seo Jun’s alone.

As he was thus soothing his longing for Eom So Yeon, it was at that moment.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

“Oh.”

−Oh my, you answered right away even though it didn’t ring?

When Eom So Yeon’s voice, whom he missed so much that even two days of phone calls were no longer enough, was heard, Seo Jun’s lips curved widely.

“How’s work.”

−Due to unusual weather, instead of the expected snow, it rained, so the director gave up on the ski resort snow scene and decided to replace it with CG. So today we finished shooting all the necessary cuts indoors.

“So the filming is done?”

−Yes.

“When are you coming home?”

−I’m planning to stay here overnight and leave tomorrow morning. Right now, our team is having drinks in my room, and I’ve come over to Do Soon’s room for a moment to make this call.

It meant that Do Soon and the stylists were gathered together having fun.

“That’s nice.”

My side is freezing to death because of someone.

Originally, the schedule was set until the day after tomorrow. At the news that all that filming was finished, Seo Jun’s heart was already heading towards the ski resort in Gangwon-do.

−How’s Hyun Woo?

“Put him to sleep.”

−Thank you.

When Seo Jun puts Hyun Woo to sleep, he places him on his chest and pats him until he falls asleep. They say the sound of dad’s heartbeat makes the child fall asleep faster or something. So Yeon’s voice carried a lovely smile as she naturally imagined the sight of Seo Jun patting tiny Hyun Woo with his large hands.

−I saw the video you sent. Jessica bragged so much. Said Hyun Woo is a skiing prodigy.

For the past few days, Seo Jun had been teaching Hyun Woo how to ski. Being his own son, how diligently must he have taught him? The child must have been excited to learn from his dad too. So it was natural that his skills were improving by leaps and bounds.

Jessica had filmed and sent a video of Hyun Woo succeeding in slope skiing at the indoor practice area today, and So Yeon watched it again and again whenever she had a chance. She was so proud of the child and so grateful to him and Jessica that she could cry.

“He’s my child after all.”

−I see. It seems your son is good at everything because he’s yours.

“I am your man.”

−I called because I was missing my man. What should I do? Hearing your voice makes me miss you even more.

“I’ll be there soon.”

−What? Where are you……?

Seo Jun’s voice had been clearly wavering for a while now. No wonder, as he had already changed clothes in the dressing room in one breath and was now opening the car door in the parking lot.

“I said I’m coming. To pick up my fiancée.”

−You, you’re coming here now?

“Yes. I’m coming now. To where you are. I’ll arrive before midnight.”

Since he was a man of his word, it was impossible for So Yeon to stop him.

Vroom, vrooom……

This sound was clearly the engine of the sleekest sports car among those parked in the lot. So Yeon spoke in a startled voice.

−How can you get here in an hour?

“That’s rich coming from Eom So Yeon, who could put a race car driver to shame.”

−I’m telling you to drive slowly, please listen to me!

As if. Seo Jun chuckled and only then began to drive the car gently.

“I’m doing as you say.”

−Well done.

“Don’t hang up.”

Seo Jun needed to hear her pretty voice instead of rushing.

“Let’s stay like this until I arrive.”