Suddenly, swallowing a blocked lump in his throat, Seojun grabbed his finger with his small, delicate one.

“Because you’re smart, from now on, no backing out!”

Hyunwoo, gripping the much larger finger tightly, said confidently.

Seojun raised his moistened eyes sharply.

“Dad will tell you a secret, okay?”

“Hyenu likes secrets.”

The rosy cheeks of the child, who had been looking at Seojun’s face for a long time, puffed out. His expression clearly indicated extreme curiosity about the next story.

“In fact, I am Gold Iron Man. You’re Little Gold Iron Man.”

“Really?”

“Of course! So, from now on, Mom will rest, and you’ll play with Dad!”
With his eyes wide open, Hyunwoo wrinkled his eyebrows cutely, and as he did, Seojun brought a large gold box from under the picnic bag and opened it wide in front of the child.

“Hehe, wow! It’s a Gold Iron Man costume!”

The sparkling suit and the big, black eyes embedded in the mask gleamed brightly. It was Seojun’s meticulous plan that instantly captured the child’s innocence.

“If we wear this, we can transform into heroes. How about it?”

“Keke, I like it!”

Indeed, for a boy, heroes were genuine.

Soon, dressed in character suits, Seojun and Hyunwoo roamed around the lush grass and lakeside as soon as they put on their masks.

Running, Seojun lifted the child high in the air as if suspending him, unmistakably resembling a dad.

Splash!

Suddenly, a flock of water birds floating on the lake all soared into the vast sky at once.

Seeing this magnificent scene, Soyeon, who had been resting and watching the two men under the tree, quickly pressed the camera shutter. However, as she captured the father and son in the photo, Soyeon found herself breathless. Simultaneously, her eyes welled up with warmth.

With Hyunwoo perched on his sturdy shoulder, relying on Seojun’s tall stature, the sight of Hyunwoo happily waving both arms as if flying in the sky looked extremely joyful.

Remembering the lonely gaze of the black-eyed child, who had eagerly ridden his dad’s horse on Jeju Island, Soyeon couldn’t help but recall that moment.

However, her lips contained a mixed feeling of emotion and pride.

“…….”

I have these two men, who are so happy…….

Soyeon felt an overwhelming sense of guilt toward the two men she had belatedly met due to her wrong judgment.

Hyunwoo diligently chased butterflies, hopping from one flower to another like a puppy, even though it was getting dark and hard to see.

While the kitchen staff prepared the dinner table, the three men chatted in the living room. The three women were on the terrace.

Soyeon, eavesdropping on Yeojin and Yeonhee’s soft conversation, couldn’t take her eyes off Hyunwoo. Despite the dimming evening, she worried about him tripping, getting scratched by rose thorns, or pricked. Her gaze was more than just concern.

The child’s energy was indeed an endless source of vitality, but for some reason, Hyunwoo couldn’t stay still today. Perhaps the fact that there was now a dad, a figure who was absent until now, was incredibly exciting for him.

It was at this moment, with a faint smile escaping from Soyeon’s lips.

“Proposal dates are usually decided by the woman’s side. When would be good for you?”

“Soyeon, when would be good for you?”

Yeojin discussed the engagement date with Yeonhee, who then passed the question to Soyeon.
“From next month, there will be a movie shoot. If it’s okay before then, I’ll follow the day you both decide.”

Shortly after Soyeon expressed her opinion, the two ladies decided on a weekend two weeks after for the engagement.

“When you come to Korea, stay at our house. Haven’t we received so much kindness from Mrs. Jo?”

“Oh, well, I would like to accept the invitation, but as you know, our busy schedule due to university lectures may not allow us much time.”

“Oh, I see. Well, please make sure to visit us next time.”

“Well, thank you for your words, even if it’s just talk. We’ll definitely do it next time.”

Ho ho ho…….

As light jokes and casual stories created a warm atmosphere, it was around the time when laughter filled the air.

“Mom! Grandma! Just come for a moment and play with Hyunoo!”

Hyunwoo, who had been playing well with Jessica in the garden, shouted that more people were needed for a new game, jumping around like a rabbit.

“Oh, okay. Hyunwoo!”

The first to respond more quickly than anyone else was Yeojin.

“You stay here. I’ll be the pot.”

As soon as Soyeon, who was trying to move together, was seated on the road, Yeojin ran to her grandson, and as directed by Hyunwoo, they began playing rock-paper-scissors.

Karru, kkal kkal, ho ho ho…….

When Yeojin’s unusually loud laughter echoed throughout the green garden, Yeonhee also spoke to Soyeon with a pleased smile.

“Things have been resolved in a good way because of Hyunwoo. You know that too, right?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“That’s right, Soyeon. You don’t have to rush to get married just because of the circumstances. You know me? You’ve just met Seojun again not long ago, so there might be a hurry. That’s why I bought you time.”

“I know…….”

She loved Tae Seojun but considered everything that happened until today as if it were a fleeting fate. Soyeon had placed her unfulfilled love in that direction.

She knew the world wasn’t easy, especially for her.

However, engagement and marriage……

Although she couldn’t yet feel the reality of spending the second act of her life with Tae Seojun, Soyeon’s heart was still swelling at this moment.

“Mom, you said before that difficult love isn’t love. Is it because you’re worried that I might struggle?”

“I know you do. I hope my daughter walks only on the flower path.”

“Grandma must have felt the same way towards Mom.”

“That’s right. But where does the child go as they wish? Although I hope you live well after getting married, you and Hyunwoo will soon be like that, so I worry less. But Soyeon only knows work until now, so it’s a big problem.”

Yeonhee has three daughters. Just like the saying that trees with many branches seldom have a calm day, as soon as she tied up Soyeon’s problem, she was worried about her eldest daughter again before letting out a sigh of relief.

Soyeon, who could not ignore the deepening wrinkles of her mother due to her, felt a sorry heart.
“I don’t know. He might already be in a relationship with someone who will become his brother-in-law.”

As Soyeon spoke, the face of Director Yoon Jiwon suddenly came to her mind. Although her older sister and Director Yoon had no contact points, Soyeon, who somehow thought they would look good together if they dated, shook her head sideways and quickly dispelled the unnecessary fantasy.

“I hope so. Or it’s fine to follow your path, love first, marriage later.”

“Oh, Mom, you also say things like that?”

“This one. Sometimes I read romance novels, so I know that much.”

“…….”

Even our mom was a woman before being a mom. She has been walking on a not-so-easy path, giving birth and raising children since her mid-20s.

Looking at Yeonhee with a pretty smile, Soyeon thought.

And she made a resolution.

I should live diligently for my husband and child, just like my mom. When my child grows up and struggles like me, I should warmly embrace them, remembering today’s me. I should provide a comfortable haven for my family.

That’s what she thought.

Soyeon’s eyes, gazing at the setting sun, held the hope for tomorrow.

The more painful and difficult, the more precious and valuable it is. Even if the result flows in an undesired direction, it has its own value, as she learned from her mom and Hyunwoo.

That’s why.

Soyeon decided to love her loved ones even more diligently.