When Director Kim and the caregiver left the hospital room, Chairman Ban gestured toward Jaehyuk.

“Director Kim.”

Jaehyuk called out to Director Kim, who was passing by his side. When Director Kim turned around, Jaehyuk met his gaze.

“Please speak.”

“When my mother comes, please block her.”

In response to Jaehyuk’s words, Director Kim looked at Chairman Ban. Chairman Ban nodded at Director Kim.

Then Director Kim said, “I will do so.”

After giving his response, Director Kim lightly nodded at Jaehyuk and left the hospital room.

“All right. What’s going on? Why do you have such a gloomy expression?”

“Do you remember what Father said last time?”

Jaehyuk was overwhelmed with anger toward his mother and resentment toward Chairman Ban, his father.

“He told me not to hate Mother. He said the feelings of parents with children are all the same, and he asked me to watch over her, saying it would change.”

Yes. Maybe, even so, he wanted to believe that his parents, who brought him into the world, wouldn’t ruin their child.

He wanted to believe that his mother’s love hadn’t twisted to that extent.

Still, he didn’t want to think of the woman he loved as someone who valued her desires more than her child.

‘Even though I love her? Why doesn’t she try to understand?’

Whenever he questioned his mother, he felt a sense of self-doubt for suspecting his own mother.

As the same situation repeated, Jaehyuk had to admit it now.

Madam Jung’s love for her child was not normal.

It seemed like his mother’s love was not for him but for herself.

“I asked him to watch over it. Mother still doesn’t stop her vindictive actions toward Arin, and I find myself self-blaming in a situation where I can do nothing.”

And the cost of his mother’s vindictive actions was directed at Arin, not himself.

Jaehyuk had to cut all ties now. That was the only way to protect Arin.

“I can’t fulfill that request anymore. I can no longer tolerate my mother’s actions. I don’t know if Father seeing her that way is out of love or because of Father’s desires. However…”

Chairman Ban’s eyes sank as they looked at Jaehyuk. He did not avoid his father’s gaze.

“I cannot continue to watch a woman I love being hurt. Didn’t Father tell me to bring Arin? Arin told me. She asked me to protect her from Mother.”

Chairman Ban, who had maintained silence, broke his silence and opened his heavy lips.

“What has your mother done again?”

“Yes. Several times. Arin because of me…”

He felt like he was going to die of guilt. Promising to protect her and then pushing everything onto her felt maddening. He felt frustrated and helpless.

He ran his hands through his hair.
“I can no longer tolerate my mother. Even if Father made a request, I came here to tell you that I can no longer comply.”

“…Jaehyuk.”

Chairman Ban, who had been looking at his son, turned his head. As if he was immersed in worries, he sighed.

“No matter what Father says, my feelings won’t change. So please don’t try to persuade me.”

After a heavy and brief silence, Chairman Ban spoke.

“All right. I understand. Do as you wish. Maybe it was an unreasonable request. I’m sorry for causing you and Arin pain.”

Chairman Ban seemed to recall something.

“Your mother wasn’t like that in the past. Yes. As you say, I chose your mother for my career success. There was some love in it. She used to be a charming woman.”

That was the reason.

Chairman Ban couldn’t tolerate Madam Jung’s affair because, although not very big, he loved his wife.

At that time, he thought he prevented her from meeting other men because he might be disgraced. However, over time, he realized it.

That feeling was love.

Though it was somewhat bitter, Jaehyuk was a good son who listened well.

Chairman Ban exploited Jaehyuk’s filial piety. His son didn’t want to oppose his mother. Though it was cowardly, he rationalized it as something inevitable.

“It’s unrelated to me.”

“…Yes, what you say is right.”

After a short silence, Chairman Ban recollected.

“But why are you suddenly doing this?”

“I could no longer turn a blind eye to what Mother is doing. Especially today…”

Recalling the recent conversation with Eun-A, Jaehyuk bit his lower lip.

“What did she do?”

“Yes.”

Jaehyuk came to his father today with the intention of revealing everything, including ‘that fact.’ It was a warning directed at his mother, a gentle warning not to force filial piety on him any longer.

“This is about your mother. A little while ago, she ordered Director Cheon to forcibly take Arin. If Mrs. Heo Eun-A didn’t appear, it would have been a big problem. She called me a while ago…”

“What?”

But Jaehyuk couldn’t finish his words. Chairman Ban’s face, listening to his words, froze instantly, cutting him off.

“Wait, who did you say just now?”

“Heo Eun-A.”

The more Jaehyuk spoke, the paler Chairman Ban’s face became.

“If I mention Mrs. Heo, I can guess better. I can’t tell you what she knows about Arin. However, at least she knows something about Arin.”

“…Ha.”

“Father asked me to tell you. She said she would send a small gift.”