“Examine the files on that USB carefully. Your stake isn’t inferior to your parents’. It includes the amount of money you casually took from my wallet, the insulting recordings and transcripts you made, the introduction site profiles you forged, and the resentful testimonies of the men you met.”

Stupidly, Yujin, who hadn’t prepared for this and had come to meet her without any thought, continued to receive counter punches.

“How do you know those men? Have you started investigating people behind their backs?”

“You were even careless when committing fraud. You occasionally gave out my phone number, right? So, I’ve received numerous messages with advice, and most of them have the same content. Just highlighting your appearance, criticizing your lack of manners, and feeling absurd because your head is empty compared to your qualifications.”

“I-Is this for real…!”

The moment Yujin, who had suddenly stood up, raised her hand.

“There are three CCTV cameras here. The quality is good.”

“Ah…!”

“Well, you’re still foolish even in moments like this.”

Surprising everyone with her sudden actions, Yujin, and the people who were just entering the store, stared at Yujin with astonished eyes.

“…You, you’ll never get away with this.”

“When did I ever stay still?”

“Why are you like this? Why did the child suddenly become so disobedient?”

“It’s not disobedience; it’s becoming stronger. Thanks to you and my parents.”

Lajin handed over the USB.

“Here, take it. I’ll contact a lawyer in the afternoon, so be prepared for that too.”

“A lawyer?”

“People adopted through an institution have the same rights as blood relatives, so I heard that adoption is not possible through mutual agreement; only abandonment through legal proceedings is possible. I’ll contact you regarding that, so I hope you cooperate as much as possible.”

The word “abandonment” casually came out of Lajin’s mouth.

It’s really true. She was genuinely considering leaving us.

In shock, Yujin’s body and mouth stiffened. It couldn’t be. She can’t leave us.

Although she endured silently and bore whatever I did to avoid being revealed as an orphan.

“Do you… really not regret it? Becoming alone without family or relatives. Becoming an orphan!”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lajin’s calm gaze became somewhat bitter.

“Even after adoption, I was no different from an orphan.”

Swoosh. Lajin, who had carefully pulled back her chair, stood up and looked down at Yujin.

“This must be the last time.”

“…….”

“Goodbye. I hope we never have to pretend we know each other even if we run into each other on the street after today.”

Now that she’s going to the provinces, the chances of that happening are unlikely.

Looking down at Yujin, who is still shaking with anger, Lajin spoke.

“I don’t regret or feel lingering attachment. I did my best.”

Leaving those words behind, Lajin left the cafe.

Before entering the building. She glanced up at the sky for a moment.
The clear and blue sky was as calm as the sea untouched by waves.

‘…Is this refreshing?’

It felt like emptying a heavy burden that had filled her chest.

Rather than being refreshing, it was a feeling of emptiness.

But this too shall pass. It will be filled soon.

‘No, it’s being filled right now. Even at this moment.’

Lajin wrapped her hands around her lower belly. The image of the baby she used to think about began to be replaced by someone else in her mind.

She gazed at the sky intently. If she concentrated enough, she could almost see Jaehun’s plane flying up there.

‘I wonder if he’s doing well.’

Except for the baby, Jaehun was the only one who filled her with a sense of completeness.

His affectionate gaze, the smile on his lips, and occasionally the sound of his laughter.

When he was with me, I knew he was paying full attention to me. Every small movement, every subtly changed detail, he noticed them all.

When I snuggled into bed, his strong arms would tightly wrap around me, and if I gently shook my shoulders, the blanket would immediately come up.

“…….,”

The emotions that were absent when facing Yujin were now like bitter water bursting out.

Since she had gone through the separation from her family, next was Jaehun’s turn.

But then, she couldn’t maintain her calm state at all.

Her legs wobbled, and her vision kept getting blurry.

‘Let’s go up quickly. Focus on work. That way… it might be of some help to that person.’

Lajin, who vigorously shook her head, took a deep breath and entered the building.

Upon arriving in New York, Jaehun stayed at the hotel for one night, and the next morning, he had a meeting with William. They rented a small meeting room in the hotel.

“Director Seo.”

The middle-aged, tall, and well-built Caucasian man, who stood at the front of the group that Jaehun brought along, approached him with a friendly smile and extended his hand for a handshake.

“How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve been well.”

“Haha, that’s good to hear. But you must be tired, right?”

“I’m fine.”

William looked at the employees standing behind Jaehun. Their attire and posture were neat, but they couldn’t get rid of the dark shadows under their eyes.

The boss, boasting monster-like stamina, had been constantly working even on the plane as if he were in the office, and the employees, who couldn’t feel the excitement of flying in business class, were busy trying to keep up with Jaehun’s work speed.

After having a late-night meeting, they had to attend another meeting early this morning. Adjusting to the time difference was a luxury on this schedule.

However, no one expressed dissatisfaction. They were well aware of how important this project was and how beneficial it would be for their careers to be included in this business trip.

“But your employees seem quite tired.”

When Jaehun turned around, the tense employees straightened their backs even more.

“Are you tired?”

At the casual question, everyone nodded their heads together.

“No!”

“Thank you for your concern, but we’re really fine.”

As William looked at the employees who suddenly became tense, he narrowed his eyes.

‘Did she make Lajin work tirelessly like this too?’