“Oh, yes. I have it. I can’t eat milk. It hurts my stomach. Lactose intolerance? Something like that. Most shellfish is okay, but I can’t eat shrimp because it doesn’t agree with me.”

And she had lactose intolerance and a shrimp allergy.

Her heart sank, and on top of that, she felt trampled upon.

She was an ugly parent who had done nothing for them.

‘How…?’
Resembling what shouldn’t be resembled, not being able to help, and not being able to give birth healthy, is it causing you suffering?

Euna felt a tearing pain in her heart. In front of Arin, it was always difficult to control emotions, but on that day, she couldn’t control her emotions unusually.

‘She seemed a bit strange…’

She recalled the mealtime with Euna a while ago.

“Oh, it’s already time.”

However, thoughts about Euna disappeared from her memory as the time for Jaehyuk to return approached.

“I should prepare before Oppa comes in.”

Birthday means seaweed soup.

Arin, despite her lack of cooking skills, decided to make seaweed soup for Jaehyuk.

‘Never made seaweed soup before.’

Although more than half of their life was spent together, she had never taken care of his birthday.

When she was young, she used to give small gifts for birthdays, but after becoming an adult, she didn’t.

After marriage, there was no need because Lady Jeong always took care of Jaehyuk’s birthday with her own hands.

‘Come to think of it, Oppa said he prefers clear seaweed soup with beef rather than the one with lots of seaweed and long-boiled.’

She thought while looking at the bubbling clear broth of seaweed soup.

“Madam, is there anything else you’d like to order?”

The woman busily setting the table beside her asked.

Arin didn’t welcome strangers in her house. At first, no one did, but there were limits to managing this large house and preparing meals for two people.

Moreover, Lady Ahn, who took care of the meals, was uncomfortable because of her poor health.

So, after talking to Jaehyuk, they decided to hire someone.

That person was Madam Sangju.

Madam Sangju had worked for a long time at the main house and had secretly taken care of Arin during her difficult marriage.

Madam Sangju’s eyes turned red at her words.

“Thank you, Madam.”

Madam Sangju looked at Arin. Her eyes were moist.

Eight years ago, there was no sign of her cowering and being humiliated by Lady Jeong’s persecution.

Instead, there stood a dazzling woman who had received plenty of love.

‘I didn’t expect to see you again, Madam.’

Madam Sangju’s heart swelled whenever she looked at Arin.

After the divorce, Jaehyuk left the main house with Arin. At that time, the longstanding servant Wonsan also quit. Madam Sangju also resigned.

It was partly because she wanted to see her newly born grandson, but mainly she didn’t want to remain loyal to that filthy house any longer.

If it hadn’t been for Arin, she wouldn’t have worked again.

Although she couldn’t openly express her fear of Lady Jeong, Madam Sangju was one of the people who supported Arin.

After Madam Sangju left, Arin arranged the dishes on the table one by one.
Galbijjim, japchae, and various pancakes, all the foods reminiscent of holidays were Jaehyuk’s favorites.

“He’ll like it, right?”

Arin burst into laughter at the thought of Jaehyuk’s face, which came to mind naturally.

Was it telepathy?

Coincidentally, she received a call from Jaehyuk.

“Oppa.”

Unconsciously, the address was no longer ‘Mr. Ban Jaehyuk’ but ‘Oppa.’

Her voice was welcoming, and his voice was equally excited.

“[Did you like hearing Oppa’s voice, our Arin?]”

Through the speaker, Jaehyuk’s voice, tinged with laughter, echoed. Her heart fluttered.

“Okay, be careful on your way.”

As if there were no moments of pushing him away, they became closer.

‘I hope he comes quickly.’

She wanted to see him so much that even thirty minutes felt like an eternity; she wanted to meet him even a second sooner.

However, at 8:00 PM, an hour after the scheduled arrival, the front door remained closed.