As summer gradually receded, the sun, shorter than yesterday, hastened the arrival of autumn.

At the time when the mild darkness deepened, Yeojung was at the house of Gahoe-dong Unni.

Bright lights adorned the spacious garden, casting an even glow over the outdoor pool and the grassy field. A white muslin curtain, touched by the light, fluttered in the gentle breeze over the pagoda. There, Yeojin and Yeojung, sitting facing each other, lightly clinked their champagne glasses.

“Yeojuni, there’s still no news of Yongjuni’s grandson, right?”

Yeojung asked, scrutinizing her sister’s face as if investigating something.

“Well, I don’t know. The kids are so busy; it doesn’t seem easy.”

“And Seojun? I’ve been diligently watching that drama these days. But there’s this girl in there. Why, the one I saw at the hotel before…”

“That Miss Um Soyeon?”

“Yes, her. Unni probably noticed too. Even I could see that she likes Seojun. By any chance, has Seojun said anything?”

Feeling that her sister was beating around the bush again, it turned out to be about that topic again.

Yeojin, who had heard rumors about the affectionate acting between Seojun and Soyeon in the drama, spoke before her sister could bring up unnecessary words.

“Entertainers are naturally talkative. I don’t care. I can’t imagine Seojun paying attention to such nonsense.”

“But you know, there’s always a possibility. What if Seojun is somehow interested in her, what would you do, Unni?”

“You too… Looks like you have a lot of free time. Just saying unnecessary things.”

Even the thought of it was not appealing. Yeojin, who didn’t like the idea of her son being involved with an entertainer, frowned.

“Maybe it’s because I believe in things like instincts. These days, girls are a bit bold, right? Especially Um Soyeon seems like the type who doesn’t hesitate if the man is decent. I’m just saying, not that it concerns you.”

“It doesn’t seem right to rush to judge without experiencing it. Why, are you afraid that your pride will be hurt? Is it because she likes Seojun more than Wonho?”

“!”

Caught off guard, Yeojung showed a bewildered expression in her eyes.

“Don’t be surprised. Except for you, everyone knows this fact. Aren’t you shining only because of me?”

“What’s so different about you? Even when we were kids, Mom and Dad favored only you. Since then, you’ve had everything, so there’s no need to be greedy. Human greed is all the same.”

“I don’t know if that saying is right. But jealousy and greed come from the heart. Even if it seems pointless when viewed from a step back.”

“Okay, got it! I should stop talking. Our Unni was a big Buddha!”

“Really? The radiance is coming from my face, isn’t it?”

With a light joke at the end of the conversation, Yeojin put down the champagne glass.

“The cool breeze feels good. Looks like summer has completely passed now.”
The fragrance of the evening breeze from the mountain, blended with the scent of silver apricot blossoms, was delightful. Yeojin inhaled the fragrance deeply, wearing a pleasant smile.

Yeojung also smiled, but it was far from a joyful one.

In fact, since childhood, Yeojung disliked everything her sister liked. However, pretending to like what her sister liked allowed her to receive more attention, and imitating her sister’s actions brought more praise.

It wasn’t just that; whenever Yeojung compared herself with her sister, it always felt like she was lacking and at a disadvantage.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

He embraced Eum Soyeon, who was lovely just to look at.

He held her tightly, even capturing her subtle trembling.

Although it was the second time, it was overwhelmingly different from the first night.

Seojun’s nape was tingling due to her lingering fragrance and the still-lingering excitement. A pleasant chuckle escaped from his lips.

Was the human heart so easily swayed?

Long ago, the woman he desired disappeared, leaving inexplicable lingering feelings and longing within him. And before the joy of meeting her again could fully settle, the realization of having a child brought endless betrayal and discomfort. He didn’t want to see her again.

However, it took just a moment to realize that it was because of his fondness for her.

After that, various emotions became entangled like a tangled thread. He loved her, hated her, and missed her. Eventually, he discovered that her actions were efforts to protect the child, that she deceived him.

But how could he hate her? How could he not love her?

When my heart and eyes are focused only on Eum Soyeon.

Seojun’s lips, sipping from the glass, curled even more. In that state, away from the mini-bar, his destination was his own bed where Soyeon was.

Lying down next to her again, Seojun propped his elbow on the pillow and quietly observed Soyeon’s distinctive features.

It was at this moment that Soyeon’s eyelids, which seemed already asleep, blinked open. As her brown eyes, seemingly already morning, scanned the dark surroundings, they soon returned to Seojun. Perhaps due to drowsiness, Soyeon’s eyes squinted slightly.

“…”

“It’s still dawn.”