Yeon Hee, who came into the reception room from the terrace with the three people, approached So Yeon and Seo Jun, who stood up from the sofa and showed courtesy, as if welcoming them in her socks.

“Oh my, the youngest son of the chairman’s family is already here. No, just stay seated, why bother standing up. Seo Jun, sit down too, sit down.”

As Eom So Yeon and Tae Seo Jun sat side by side on one side of the D-shaped sofa, the two couples also sat down in an L-shaped arrangement.

However, Yeon Hee’s gaze became strange.

Tae Seo Jun sitting so close to her daughter that it felt odd.

‘Mom, about Hyun Woo, I didn’t notice when he was a baby, but as he grows up, doesn’t he resemble someone? I mean Tae Seo Jun.’

Looking at the unbelievable atmosphere between the two, Yeon Hee’s mind flashed back to what her second daughter So Rin had said before.

That wasn’t the only strange thing.

The sudden visit of Chairman Tae and his wife. And how about their affectionate gaze that didn’t leave Hyun Woo during the few days they were here.

It would be a lie to say she hadn’t sensed something from them, but it was too much in many ways to accept that feeling as it was.

“How is it, did you come to see your parents? I was so glad that you appeared in the drama with our child, but seeing you in person, you’re incredibly tall. You’re so handsome that I’m dazzled and don’t know where to look.”

Cho Yeon Hee, who had forcefully dismissed her intuition that that guy and Tae Seo Jun couldn’t possibly be the same person just because their times overlapped, opened her mouth towards Seo Jun with a pretend effervescent smile.

“Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Tae Seo Jun.”

As soon as Seo Jun finished his greeting in a calm tone, silence fell for a moment. It was from this point that tension began to build up steadily.

The reception room was quiet like the calm before a storm.

The intersecting gazes of the six people created a strange whirlpool. Then Tae Seok Ho met Seo Jun’s eyes with an expression that said ‘the one who tied the knot should untie it’.

His gaze towards his son contained the serious intention that he should resolve this awkward situation that was difficult to even put into words.

“So Yeon, it’s your first time meeting them too, isn’t it? You should greet them.”

When Professor Eom, who seemed to have noticed something, spoke after letting out a deep sigh, So Yeon, who had been trying hard to erase the pressure of this place, politely bowed her head to Chairman Tae and his wife.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Eom So Yeon.”

“But, So Yeon…”

Yeon Hee revealed her impatience that could no longer be postponed.

“I heard that the person who is Hyun Woo’s father was coming too, where is he? I understand well enough what you’re worried about. I won’t say harsh things, so if he’s hiding somewhere, tell him to come out quickly.”

Yeon Hee, ignoring the reality clearly visible before her eyes, looked around the reception room. However, the guy she had called a scoundrel was nowhere to be seen.

“Mom, here…”

So Yeon’s watery eyes fixed on the person right next to her. Then the gazes of all four people focused on Seo Jun at once. Seo Jun’s gaze towards So Yeon was also unusually moist.

Yeon Hee, who couldn’t understand what on earth was going on, was just dumbfounded.

“It seems difficult for you to speak because of the chairman and his wife, but they already know about your situation, so there’s no need to be reserved now.”

“Mom, it’s not that…”

Just as So Yeon was about to speak more precisely once again, the maid who brought tea from the kitchen made her presence known.

“Um, may I serve the tea?”

“Ah, that can wait for later.”

Yeo Jin quickly said to the maid. She was worried that her son might receive a splash of water or hot tea.

Yeon Hee, who dismissed the maid as if agreeing with Mrs. Cha’s intention, pressed So Yeon again.

“Yes, go on with what you were going to say.”

“So, this person is…”

It was just before So Yeon could reveal that this person is Hyun Woo’s father.

“I’ll do it.”

It was indeed like Tae Seo Jun. Extending his large hand to gently wrap So Yeon’s cold hand, Seo Jun spoke in a low and upright voice.

“Father, Mother. I am the person who is Hyun Woo’s father. I’m sorry for causing you concern all this time.”

Seo Jun’s heavy and neat gaze was more solemn than ever as he gripped So Yeon’s hand even tighter, as if vowing in front of everyone that he would never let go again.

“M-Mother? S-Sorry, you say? N-No way… So Yeon, is this true? So, you’re telling me to believe this situation? Did that guy say he couldn’t come, so you asked So Yeon to do this? To take Hyun Woo away.”

Yeon Hee, swallowing a dry gulp, spoke in a flustered voice.

“Mom, no. No matter how urgent Hyun Woo is, how could I stage such a thing?”

“Then are you saying this is all true?”

“Yes.”

When So Yeon nodded after answering briefly, everyone except Yeon Hee tightly closed their lips.

“Ha… What is this all about! Why aren’t you saying anything? Was I the only one who didn’t know…”

That was it.

“Oh my goodness…”

Should we be thankful that her voice didn’t get louder? Yeon Hee was so dizzy that she couldn’t tell what was what.

“Calm down, honey.”

Professor Eom, who patted Yeon Hee’s stiffened back, calmly opened his lips that had been tightly closed all along.

“Chairman Tae, Mrs. Cha, and even Seo Jun, it’s all reflected in Hyun Woo’s appearance, how could you not know that? And you too, even though you didn’t say it, you had a rough idea, didn’t you?”

“…”

In fact, she had tried to pretend not to know until the end, even while suspecting.

If Chairman Tae was only interested in Hyun Woo, if he was planning to take the child away by any means necessary, he was a wealthy person they absolutely couldn’t compete with.

And if they lost the child so helplessly, it would be a serious matter that could not only ruin her own life but also completely shatter her daughter’s entire existence.

So, hoping it wasn’t the case, she had unconditionally denied her own intuition out of a desire for it not to be true. But now it was time to face reality.

At this point, all Yeon Hee could do was to clearly express her intention that she would never give up the child’s custody. Even if she were torn to pieces, she could never give up the child.

Already prepared to fight in court until the law of the world raised its hand in their favor, Yeon Hee let out a big sigh and said bluntly.

“Ha, then for what reason, for what purpose did you all come here? I only wanted to see the child’s father. Fine! I can show you Hyun Woo as much as you want. But if you’re hoping for anything more than that, we can’t allow even that!”

However, Cha Yeo Jin’s answer was incredibly gentle, making Yeon Hee’s firm resolution seem futile.

“Mrs. Cho, we’re not like that. We know full well how much Professor Eom and his wife have struggled, how could we covet the child?”

“That’s right. We came because the children said they were meeting again, and we wanted to discuss in a good direction among the family elders. Anyway, Mrs. Cho seems to be very surprised, so why don’t we stop here for now and listen to what the children have to say about their future plans?”

As Tae Seok Ho and Cha Yeo Jin hurriedly explained the reason why they came all the way here, Yeon Hee’s gaze, somewhat relieved by this, fell on So Yeon.

“Alright, why don’t you tell us what’s going on!”

“Mom, Dad… Chairman, Madam…”

So Yeon suddenly got down from the sofa and knelt on the floor with both knees. And with tears welling up in her large eyes, she sobbed.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you until now. This is all my fault. I’m really sorry for surprising you.”

As So Yeon finished speaking and bowed her head, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes fell onto her yellow skirt.

“Ah, what should I do with this foolish child… sob…”

Yeon Hee, whose heart was endlessly aching, could only cry like So Yeon.

It was because her daughter’s crying appearance, who had even taken care to wear clothes in her son’s favorite color at this moment, looked so pitiful.

“You silly girl! What good have you done to cry? If you cry, this mother… mother… sob…”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m also ashamed in front of the Chairman and his wife. I’m truly, truly sorry.”

Mom is crying.

I made Mom cry.

For that reason alone, So Yeon, unable to lift her head, bit her lower lip tightly and wet the carpet floor with her tears.

As So Yeon once again pleaded with an apologetic heart, Yeo Jin spoke in a complicated tone.

“No, it’s not like that. Hyun Woo has grown up so beautifully. That’s all I need.”

“I’m fine too. At first, it was a bit hard to accept, but I understand how you feel. I know from Mrs. Cho that you’ve been through a lot, so there’s no need to feel too sorry. If anyone should apologize, it should be our couple and that rascal Seo Jun who committed the biggest mistake!”

No matter how painful it was, wasn’t this something that had to be burst out like this once? Tae Seok Ho, feeling as if a long-standing indigestion had been cleared regardless of the reason, directed an displeased gaze at Seo Jun at the end of his words.

“No, Chairman. Seo Jun did nothing wrong. It was all my doing without consulting anyone. So if anyone should be scolded, it should be me.”

Because she liked Tae Seo Jun. Because she couldn’t give up his child. So Yeon, unable to utter these words, was busy defending Seo Jun while wiping her blurring vision with the back of her hand.

Reddened eyes and nose.

Lips trembling trying to hold back the sorrow filling her eyes.

Looking at So Yeon like this, Seo Jun suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, and his eyes quickly turned red as well.

Because So Yeon, who was struggling to defend him to the end, was pitiable and unspeakably precious. Although her behavior of taking all the blame on herself seemed very stubborn and foolish, it made her a woman he couldn’t help but love even more.

That’s why it happened.

Swish.

Following So Yeon, Tae Seo Jun’s two knees touched the floor.

“It’s my fault for not taking responsibility. Whatever you say, whatever punishment you give, I’ll accept it gladly.”

The pupils of Chairman Tae and his wife expanded to their maximum at the sight of Tae Seo Jun not only kneeling but also admitting his fault.

“…!”

“…!”

Well, look at this guy?

At this truly astounding and absurd scene, Tae Seok Ho exchanged glances with Cha Yeo Jin and snorted slightly. It was a place where he confirmed with his own eyes for the first time that even the high-nosed Tae Seo Jun was weak in front of the parents of the woman he liked.

However, it was only right for a guy who had disappeared into the army after spending one night. No matter how much he claimed not to know, failing to take care of his own child as a father was nothing but a shabby excuse no matter what pretext he gave. Therefore, Seok Ho’s heart towards his son only sank heavily underground.

Sharing the same feelings as her husband, Yeo Jin deeply bowed her head towards Professor Eom and his wife.

“I, who have such a thoughtless son, also apologize to both of you.”

“I too am sorry, Professor Eom, Mrs. Cho.”

Tae Seok Ho’s apology following Cha Yeo Jin’s was more sincere than ever.

“Ah, no, this makes me even more embarrassed.”

“My daughter hasn’t done anything good either, why are you embarrassing us like this?”

The sight of Professor Eom and his wife accepting the apology of Chairman Tae and his wife, as if bowing in return, also felt warm.

“Although it’s our first meeting, I’ll speak informally. So what do you two plan to do from now on?”

“What’s there to say? We should marry them. Seeing how they’re together day and night in one house, it seems they’ve built up quite a bit of affection. For Hyun Woo’s sake too, isn’t setting up a family as soon as possible the most urgent matter?”

Although Eom Eun Hyeok had asked Seo Jun, the impatient Tae Seok Ho answered instead. Moreover, he pushed forward his intention without hesitation.

But Eom Eun Hyeok’s thoughts were a little different.

“I think it would be better to listen to the children’s thoughts and decide. If by any chance they have a marriage they don’t want, it can’t be a good thing, and in the end, wouldn’t Hyun Woo be the one hurt by it?”

“You heard that? What do you think about marriage?”

At this very Professor Eom-like opinion, Chairman Tae immediately asked Seo Jun and So Yeon. Then Seo Jun nodded right away without objection, and So Yeon nodded after hesitating for a while.

“So Yeon, are you really okay with this?”

“Yes. Dad.”

“Seo Jun, are you confident you won’t regret it either?”

“Yes. Father.”

“See? The kids are fine with it too. Now all that’s left is to hurry and marry these two, and for us to become in-laws, Professor Eom. Hahaha…”

Seok Ho, pleased with his children’s answers, laughed heartily, and Eun Hyeok also nodded as if he had no more objections.

With this, it seemed that the problems of the two families, which had repeatedly apologized, were finally being well resolved. However, it was at the moment when So Yeon and Seo Jun sat back on the sofa at the adults’ urging to get up from the floor.

“Just a moment. I cannot agree with this decision!”

This unexpected voice of opposition belonged to Cho Yeon Hee.