Lajin’s legs trembled weakly.

A gleam flashed in his deeply sunken black eyes. It meant that he was not saying this casually.

He was determined to grab himself and the child, inching towards them.

The despairing part was that there was no way to escape from here.

Running vigorously while pregnant was impossible, and the area near Anga (安家) was surrounded by mountains.

To go to the ‘sokse’ using Sunhye’s expression, a means of transportation was essential, and one had to know this area well. Otherwise, they might get lost and wander into the deep mountains.

“It’s better not to think about running away.”

Jaehun, as if reading her mind, parted his lips.

“It may not be possible, but above all… unless the child wishes to be harmed.”

Child. Lajin’s face turned even paler at the mention of the child.

With her lower lip trembling, desperately clutching her belly, Jaehun felt like his heart was tearing apart.

This wasn’t what he intended to say. He wanted to treat her gently and affectionately, considering that she must have been greatly surprised.

However, seeing her timidly glancing around with an anxious expression, moving her small feet little by little, retreating away from him, he couldn’t express himself softly.

Moreover, hearing words like “I won’t appear in front of you again” from the woman he missed when she closed her eyes or opened them made it impossible for him to maintain composure.

All he could think was that he had to hold onto Lajin.

Even if the process was rough, even if they hurt each other… at this moment, it didn’t matter as long as he could keep her by his side.

“Get in the car. I’ll have someone bring your belongings.”

Jaehun, who was about to offer his hand to her, narrowed his forehead and slowly clenched his hand.

Even this might be a burden and terror to Lajin. Just raising his hand to wipe away tears was enough to make her tremble in fear.

“I’ll live quietly. So please…”

“I don’t want to make a loud noise in front of the child.”

Child. At that word, Lajin bit her lip tightly. Tears gathered in her eyes again.

What would happen if she followed him?

But at this moment, she couldn’t not follow him.

“Please promise. I won’t harm the baby…”

At her words, flames flickered in Jaehun’s eyes.

“How can you say such a thing? How do you see me…!”

Seeing Lajin faltering and retreating, Jaehun desperately suppressed his anger.

“…Let’s go. There’s no time for this here.”

Although it was not completely dark yet, if they delayed further, the sun would set. It was a forest path, and there was a possibility of stumbling over rocks.

As much as he wanted to embrace her and carry her to where the car was parked, Jaehun took off his jacket and extended the sleeves to her.

“Hold on. It will be terrible if I touch you.”

Tuck. Taduk. Transparent lines continued to be drawn from Lajin’s eyes to her cheeks, even to her cheeks.

There was no way to avoid it anymore.

“Welcome back, Director. I’ve been waiting, preparing dinner…”

The housemaid, wiping her hands on her apron, heading towards the entrance, revealed herself between the large doors that Jaehun was holding onto. Seeing Lajin, whom Jaehun was holding, she widened her eyes.

“Di-Director?”

“…Hello.”

As if something was caught in her throat, Lajin barely managed to speak. When she finally entered completely, the housemaid’s eyes widened.

Lajin’s face was the same as before… but her body was not.

Her belly was swollen. Pregnant, yes, as if she had become pregnant.

Moreover, Jaehun, standing behind her as if protecting her, emitted a sturdy aura.

As if… he was the father of the child that Lajin was pregnant with.

“Ugh!”

The housemaid, who reached a conclusion, involuntarily took a deep breath, and then hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
As Lajin’s shoulders slumped, Jaehun’s gaze became even fiercer, as if the housemaid had pushed her away.

“Go and get ready. Wash your hands and we’ll have a meal right away.”

“Oh, yes, okay.”

The housemaid, wearing a distressed expression, hurriedly ran to the kitchen.

“Get in.”

She said that as she lowered her body. Startled, Lajin hesitated and took a few steps back.

“W-What are you doing?”

“You should take off your shoes.”

“I can do it myself.”

Jaehun remained as immovable as a firmly rooted tree. Lajin, retreating backward, reached the door. Now there was nowhere else to go. Confused and not knowing what to do, she found herself trapped between the door and Jaehun.

“It might not be good for the baby if you keep standing like this.”

At the low voice that reached her, Lajin bit her lip.

She didn’t like his attitude of mentioning the child only when necessary, even though she didn’t show affection for the child’s existence.

But there was nothing more she could do if she didn’t like it.

Moreover, reluctantly, his words were correct.

During the journey from Anga to Seoul, she was completely drained.