Upon hearing that it affects the baby, Lajin pursed her lips inward.

“Parenting is not enough even if both parents join forces. Even if someone helps from the side, it’s not enough. So, Director, open your heart and talk to the Chairman. There must be misunderstandings between you two.”

After finishing the meal and leaving the dining room, as Lajin sat on the sofa and looked in that direction, Jaehun, who had been watching, immediately got up.

However, extending his hand was not easy. Lajin was likely to refuse, and he was also worried that she might be stressed because of his actions.

“Did you have a good meal?”

“…Yes.”

Jaehun opened his mouth as he looked at her profile without meeting her eyes.

“Go to the bedroom. It’s good to rest quickly.”

Since she came here, she had no choice but to follow his words.

Lajin walked ahead, and Jaehun tried to follow her.

“Director.”

Seonok, who came out of the dining room, called him cautiously.

“The Director had a meal but didn’t finish it. She said her stomach feels uneasy. So, I made warm maesil tea for her.”

Jaehun’s expression darkened.

“What should I do in a situation like this?”

“You must always go in the direction that makes Mom feel comfortable. If you force her to eat, she might get sick.”

“…Is that so.”

“Recommend something that doesn’t burden her stomach. Tea is good, and so is porridge or soup. Oh, fruits too.”

Having engraved Seonok’s words in his mind, Jaehun bowed his head.

“Please continue to help in the future.”

“Oh, Director. Don’t say that. It’s obvious.”

Since meeting Lajin, Jaehun learned that there was nothing obvious in the world.

The person he thought would always be by his side naturally left, and his perspective on the world changed.

“It seems that the Director was very surprised by the sudden environmental change. Please help her from the side so that she can find stability.”

“…It seems that she can find stability when I’m not around.”

Seonok was extremely surprised inside. He had been working for a long time, but Jaehun had never confided in him before.

That meant Lajin was that important to him.

“From my experience, most misunderstandings arise when people don’t honestly express their feelings. Even if you have the same mind, if you don’t speak, you won’t know.”

Seeing Jaehun facing an unresolved problem for the first time, Seonok spoke to comfort him.

“So, honestly express your feelings to the Chairman. Don’t exaggerate or hold back. A happy baby is born when Mom and Dad get along well.”

A baby. Jaehun’s focus returned to his eyes at those words.

“Thank you. I won’t forget your words today.”

“Go in quickly. The Director might find it uncomfortable to bathe and get ready alone. Well, then, I’ll leave now. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime.”

Seonok headed towards the entrance, and Jaehun went to the bedroom where Lajin was.

Knock, knock. Jaehun knocked and waited for a few seconds before opening the door.

Until this morning, it was a place he used as he pleased, but now he was treating it carefully.

Just the fact that she was with him made the familiar space special.

“I’ll go in.”

Jaehun, who calmed down the overwhelming feelings, wrinkled his forehead as soon as he opened the door.

Lajin was standing there, supporting her waist with one hand and her lower belly with the other, like a lost person.

“Why are you standing like that? Sit down.”

Could it be that her health had deteriorated?

At that moment, while thinking so.

“You can’t act freely in an ownerless room.”

Answering with an emotionless voice, Lajin’s gaze was fixed on the table in front of the window.

On the table were a liquor bottle that was less than one-third full and a crystal glass with pumpkin-colored liquid adhering to the bottom. They represented his time while she was away.

“It seems you’ve drunk a lot.”
Hesitating, Lajin opened her mouth, and during a brief pause, he responded.

“…Yeah.”

“Unless it’s a situation where you must drink, you didn’t drink.”

“I couldn’t endure it otherwise.”

Lajin’s gaze, which had been fixed on the glass, slowly moved towards him.

The eyes with swirling emotions seemed to ask, ‘Why?’

“Because I couldn’t endure it without being drunk.”

At that moment, Lajin’s chest tightened.

Jaehun, who took a careful step back, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Can I come closer?”

His request seemed unfamiliar. It might have been better for him to act freely as he did before.

Feeling the warmth in her throat, Lajin avoided eye contact and said, “This is Director’s house. You can do as you please.”

“Why did you do that?”

“….”

“How could you secretly plan to give birth to my child without my knowledge?”

In anger entangled in his voice, Lajin covered her belly. Then Jaehun’s face contorted.

“What were you thinking about me? Did you never consider relying on me or trusting me for a single moment?”

Jaehun felt as if the red threads supporting his heart were suddenly cut.

He knew. He didn’t have the right to say such things.