Snow fell.

A child who came down to the world with snowflakes like a gift from God.

It seems unbelievable that the child is already 4 years old, and in a few days, he will turn 5.

Time that flows so slowly yet quickly cannot be stopped by anyone, and there are no exceptions. It is fair to everyone, whether they like it or not. Because moments you want to hold onto for a long time or the opposite never stop or skip.

We have walked, filling that time with joy and sorrow, or laughter and tears. And even greater fulfillment and frustration will be waiting at every path ahead. What must be in my life is not social success or material abundance, but my family.

So I am very happy now being with Tae Seo Jun and Tae Hyun Woo.

While thinking this, So Yeon smiled slightly as she rested her head on Seo Jun’s arm that was draped over her.

Seo Jun and So Yeon were looking out the glass window.

Hyun Woo, perhaps because he grew up in Canada, was happily running around with Black in the garden, excited to see snow.

It seemed like the small child was following the much larger dog, but soon Black was barking and chasing after Hyun Woo excitedly. Then Hyun Woo threw a snowball, and Black jumped up and down, circling around the child.

Watching this scene from the living room, So Yeon and Seo Jun’s lips curved into identical smiles.

“Did you like snow at that age too, elder brother?”

“I loved it.”

“Hehe. Me too.”

Their gazes, which had been looking in the same direction, met each other. The warm temperature transmitted from their naturally overlapping lips was now normal. But their two hearts, still not used to it, continued to flutter noisily even when just meeting eyes.

“…!”

So Yeon’s eyes suddenly widened as she glanced towards the garden while kissing.

Tae Seok Ho and Cha Yeo Jin, who were supposed to arrive about 30 minutes later, had abruptly appeared in the scene with only the child and dog. Black, knowing the visitors, wagged his tail and barked first. Soon after, Hyun Woo ran with his arms outstretched to Seok Ho and Yeo Jin, who hugged him.

The reason Chairman Tae and his wife visited Nonhyeon-dong was to take their grandson for the weekend holiday, but more than anything, it was because they wanted to spend as much time as possible with Hyun Woo, who they missed terribly when he was out of sight.

“They’re here already?”

“I know.”

“…mph!”

Why wouldn’t he have seen what she saw. There were still a few minutes before his parents would enter the house. Seo Jun used even that short time efficiently.

Instead of letting go of her tempting lips, he sucked them in deeper, his dark eyes growing even more intense.

“…”

Even though we’re together, I miss you so much. Even though I’ve held you in my arms all night, I want to embrace you even more desperately. Eom So Yeon.

As if understanding the words he conveyed through the kiss, So Yeon parted her lips slightly and looked up at Seo Jun squarely, saying:

I… miss you unbearably every moment too. You…

With a smile as white and pretty as the snow falling now.

It was evening when Seo Jun moved to the meeting place with So Yeon after Chairman Tae and his wife left with Hyun Woo for Gahoe-dong.

“Oh my, is this where we were supposed to meet the CEO?”

So Yeon asked in surprise as Seo Jun entered the instant tteokbokki shop she used to frequent as a high school student.

“Yes.”

“Did Do Soon say to meet here?”

“No. I chose it.”

“How did you know about a place like this…”

“I heard it was delicious and wanted to try it myself.”

“Sss…”

It strangely overlaps.

Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside bindaetteok, soft homemade tofu, special cuts of beef, etc. – all the foods Tae Seo Jun had recently bought for her himself or packaged to bring home.

Until now she hadn’t thought much of it, but at this point So Yeon inevitably realized something.

He had taken her to various delicious restaurants. He had even sent fresh seafood directly from the source and local delicacies that could only be eaten in certain regions to the filming set, allowing the entire crew to feast.

And most of those foods were things she had craved when she was heavily pregnant, foods she had been sad she couldn’t even see in Canada.

“All the foods you’ve been buying for me or diligently sending lately, they were all things I really missed when I was in Canada. This shop’s tteokbokki too. But how did you know when I didn’t even mention it? That’s really strange, isn’t it?”

“What’s strange about it? The food people eat is all the same.”

Seeing Seo Jun’s attitude of raising his eyebrows and smirking, So Yeon finally realized. Although she didn’t know how he knew, he was thoughtfully providing her with the foods she couldn’t eat during pregnancy, one by one.

After sitting down in a corner seat out of sight of others, So Yeon continued to stare at him with a suspicious gaze.

Seo Jun crossed his long legs beside the table and smirked again. Though his visuals didn’t match the instant tteokbokki shop at all, the fact that he looked surprisingly stylish wasn’t just her love-struck perspective.

The tteokbokki shop owner approached the table quickly, as if drawn by the aura of the man sitting with his back turned. But as soon as she came close, forgetting the man, the owner recognized So Yeon at a glance and was overjoyed, as if she had found a long-lost daughter.

“Oh my, student So Yeon! How long has it been?”

“Have you been well?”

“Of course, of course! I’m the same as always, as you can see. But you’ve become even prettier, I almost didn’t recognize you. When I saw you appearing in dramas, I was so happy!”

“Do Soon will be here soon too.”

“Really? You two are still stuck together like before. But who is this handsome young man? He’s so tall and handsome, is he your boyfriend…”

When Seo Jun took off his mask, the owner was stunned for a moment. There was no one in Korea who wouldn’t recognize Tae Seo Jun.

In fact, Seo Jun and So Yeon had never explicitly agreed to publicly reveal their relationship. But both of them, by taking her to public places and willingly going along, had silently conveyed to each other that they wouldn’t mind if rumors or scandals arose.

Therefore, Seo Jun’s open behavior flowed as naturally as a sailboat in a fair wind.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

Though he didn’t go so far as to say he was already legally her husband and would soon marry Eom So Yeon, the owner’s expression was utterly shocked at Seo Jun’s voice.

“So, so, you’re not boyfriend and girlfriend, but you’re close enough to eat tteokbokki together?”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“Hm…”

Unlike So Yeon’s simple answer, Seo Jun’s expression holding back a smile somewhat acknowledged his relationship with Eom So Yeon.

From then on, the owner became even busier, quickly bringing out the ordered items and placing them on the fire. In the meantime, Won Hoo and Do Soon, who arrived a little late, sat down at the table.

A little while later, when the tteokbokki on the fire was starting to bubble and boil:

“Wow, this looks so delicious!”

Saying the chewy noodles and ramen taste best eaten now, Do Soon was the first to scoop some hot noodles into her bowl, blowing on them and slurping them up.

As everyone was eating deliciously, So Yeon asked:

“You’re eating so well. Did you crave this too?”

“Not really, but now that it’s in front of me, I suddenly want it.”

“Looks like you don’t have morning sickness. I couldn’t eat anything in early pregnancy.”

“Right, right! When you were pregnant with Hyun Woo, you couldn’t even touch food. I was so worried then, not knowing you were pregnant and thinking you were sick.”

Remembering So Yeon diligently eating only green grapes instead of rice, Do Soon glanced at Seo Jun as if to say it was all because of him. Then, after scraping clean the now empty pan, Won Hoo added two more servings of tteokbokki, ready to do anything for her.

Watching Gu Won Hoo taking such good care of pregnant Do Soon, Seo Jun was overcome with mixed emotions, reminded again that he had truly been a terrible person. He had left for Korea, forgetting that he couldn’t move past his first night with Eom So Yeon, not knowing what trials he had left her to face. So he hadn’t been able to do anything for her when she couldn’t eat and struggled because of him.

However, Tae Seo Jun, who was born with arrogance and composure armored over his entire body, would never be discouraged.

He was grateful because he was sorry.

Because he was grateful, he wanted to treat her even better.

His desire to love her was even greater than his desire to treat her well.

So much that a lifetime of love wouldn’t be enough.

Seo Jun, his mind filled only with thoughts of Eom So Yeon, teasingly threw a playful joke at Won Hoo, who would become a father next year.

“Were you that envious of me being a dad?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. No matter how fast you are, I’ll have my wedding before you, you know?”

Won Hoo, who hated losing more than anyone, countered Seo Jun’s teasing.

“Don’t you remember at all? You said you’d never get married even if you fell in love.”

“That was just talk. I had no idea I’d meet Yeo Do Soon, who’s like oxygen in my life.”

“Still, a person shouldn’t say one thing and do another with the same mouth.”

“Hey now! Why are you being like this? You’re not in a position to talk big when you haven’t even proposed yet.”

Tae Seo Jun, who had balked at wearing a character suit for his son. Judging from that, Won Hoo was certain he would have skipped the embarrassing proposal, and laughed mischievously, his white, even teeth showing.

“Is that so?”

Seo Jun’s expression, with confidence on his clear lips, was self-assured.

“So Yeon, did that guy do it?”

When Won Hoo asked incredulously, “Surely Tae Seo Jun didn’t do such a cheesy thing?”, So Yeon nodded slightly and answered, blushing as if embarrassed:

“Yes. I even received 108 roses.”

“Wow, unexpected!”

At Won Hoo’s chuckle, Seo Jun’s triumphant gaze turned to Do Soon.

“Did you receive a proposal, Do Soon?”

“Well, I guess he sort of did it.”

Though she spoke gruffly, Do Soon pointedly raised her left hand to touch her hair. It was to show off the sparkling diamond ring on her finger.

So the proposal wasn’t so-so after all.

Meanwhile, Seo Jun boldly put his arm around So Yeon’s shoulders. It meant that no matter how hard Gu Won Hoo tried, he was first in both fatherhood and love. And that was an undeniable fact that had to be acknowledged. Because of that, Won Hoo said irritably:

“Fine, you win everything! Anyway, I’m going to marry Yeo Do Soon and live happily!”

But the end of his words was a refreshing laugh that said, “What does it matter?”

Though it was chilly outside, the greenhouse was warm with the gentle sunlight of midday shining through.

The housekeeper who entered hurried over to Yeo Jeong to announce a visitor.

“Madam, a guest has arrived. Shall I show them to the reception room?”

“Hmm… Tell them to come here.”

Yeo Jeong, who had been cutting off the dried parts of plants with scissors, said in a voice tinged with a sigh.

“Shall I bring out some tea?”

Looks like they’ve come to talk, but there’s no need for me to move. It’s not someone I’ll talk to for long. Yeo Jeong shook her head and took off her white gloves.

As So Yeon entered the greenhouse, Yeo Jeong gestured to the chair opposite her and said:

“Sit.”

“Thank you.”

The reason Eom So Yeon visited Seongbuk-dong was because of her still awkward relationship with Cha Yeo Jeong.

Though she wasn’t sure where or why things had gone wrong, if it was because she still misunderstood her relationship with CEO Gu Won Hoo, she wanted to clear that up completely and ask for so-called “reconciliation”.

If harsh words were spoken because of that, she would listen without complaint, and if scorn was given, she would accept that silently as well. For the sake of Lady Cha Yeo Jin, who had warmly embraced her and Hyun Woo without objection, and for her friend who was about to marry CEO Gu Won Hoo, she should make this much effort.

With such resolve, So Yeon sat down demurely in the chair.

“So, what business do you have coming to see me?”

“I’ve come to receive payment for car repairs.”

The car accident she had caused intentionally in the summer. So Yeon’s words asking for the repair costs from that time now contained her will to eliminate the unnecessary emotional waste that had arisen before and after that collision. Quickly understanding that intention, Yeo Jeong raised one eyebrow crookedly instead of saying “Is that so?”.

“Now, I’m sure you’re not really asking for money, so it might be better to speak frankly.”

“Since you say so, I’ll speak honestly too. As I said before, you misunderstood my relationship with CEO Gu. I love the CEO. And that love is respect. He’s a warm and good person in many ways.”

“Misunderstanding, love, respect… Alright, that’s all in the past anyway, so let’s leave it at that. So what do you want?”

“I wish you would open your heart to me, even just a little.”

“You’re engaged to Seo Jun, and it seems you’re receiving plenty of love from your sister and brother-in-law. Isn’t that enough to satisfy you? I’m wondering what your intentions are in trying to win me over too.”

From her stiff tone to her sour expression. Yeo Jeong was quite displeased with Eom So Yeon, but after finishing her words, she smiled gently.

But knowing that it was a habitual smile close to a smirk, So Yeon calmly continued with what she had to say.

“Intentions? I have no such thoughts at all. I just want to clear up the misunderstanding and see you with a good heart before hatred breeds more hatred.”

“Are you wearing a mask because you’re a popular actress these days? You probably don’t like me very much. Looking at it now, it seems you want to look good to your future mother-in-law, but isn’t that a rather shallow motive?”

“To be frank, I hope there will be no occasions where you frown because of me, lady. That way, mother, you, and all relatives can face each other in a harmonious atmosphere. If that can be achieved, I don’t mind looking even shallower than this.”

Yeo Jeong leaned back comfortably against the backrest. However, she maintained the tense atmosphere.

“Well. I don’t think we’re the kind of people who can improve our relationship with just a few words.”

“Even if it takes a long time, I will make the effort, lady.”

Yeo Jeong’s eyes moved slightly at So Yeon’s proactive attitude. It was clearly a smile, but somewhere in that expression, there was no small amount of bewilderment.

She wondered why someone who was set to become the youngest daughter-in-law of the top-ranked Elstella Hotel family in the business world would lower her pride to her.

Anyway, since it was unexpected that she came all the way here, Yeo Jeong opened her wallet and took out several million-won checks.

“Will this be enough?”

So Yeon, taking only one sheet from the pile of money on the table, said with a slightly brighter expression:

“This is more than enough, so I’ll return the rest next time, lady.”

“It’s fine. How much could it be.”

“If you insist, I’ll gratefully accept it. Then, I’ll see you again in Gahoe-dong.”

So Yeon stood up and bowed politely.

Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and also Yeo Jin’s birthday. Because of that, a modest dinner was planned at the main house in Gahoe-dong.

Yeo Jeong, who had been having a headache about how to view Eom So Yeon when everyone gathered there, thought this was good timing and replied coldly:

“Well, do as you please.”

From the moment So Yeon left the greenhouse, Yeo Jeong was lost in thought for a while.

Yeo Do Soon seemed simple yet strong, and Eom So Yeon seemed upright yet weak.

If those two were playing with her…

“These wicked ones, really…!”

At the end of her thoughts, Yeo Jeong shook her head and bit her lower lip.