Though he had never seen her face, he decided to leave after resolving this matter. It was an atonement for the guilt he felt towards her.

“Please.”

As Arin and Jaehyuk left the hospital, a manager who had been waiting approached them.

Having handed the luggage to the manager, Jaehyuk opened the rear passenger door. Addressing her, he said,

“Let’s go. To our home.”

Our home.

‘Brother and my home.’

Something in his heart snapped.

It wasn’t a marriage out of necessity or cohabitation by contract.

It was a future where hearts were genuinely connected, something he had hoped and dreamed of.

Turning back to look at Jaehyuk after getting into the car, Arin’s eyes met his.

‘My love…’

Her heart swelled as if it would burst.

Jaehyuk’s eyes, filled with emotions toward her, overwhelmed her. Arin suddenly moved closer to Jaehyuk. With her lips pursed, she planted a kiss on his cheek.

Taken aback by the unexpected touch, he widened his eyes.

“I love you, Oppa.”

Her voice, full of sincerity, trembled. As Jaehyuk looked down at Arin, his eyes trembled. Soon, he laboriously uttered,

“…I love you too.”

Her two eyes, hearing his words, sparkled like crescent moons.

He was engulfed in emotions beyond words.

“I love you.”

It was a phrase he longed to say. Every time he confessed his love to her, his heart burned hotter. Seeing her blush at his words made him feel like he had everything in the world.

He thought they would be eternally happy. He believed that she would always have him by her side, and he, in turn, would have her.

As their relationship revolved, he wanted to do anything for her, even risking his life.

‘Arin…’

Something warm surged in his heart. He didn’t want to let go of the warmth from her holding his hand.

‘I’m sorry for leaving you with painful memories, truly sorry.’

He barely swallowed the rising tears.

“Oppa? Is something wrong?”

Her hand touched his forehead. The warmth and comfort from her soft, white hands were something he didn’t want to let go of.

But he had to let go. It was the right thing to do.

She would be hurt again because of him. The fact that he could only give her pain tormented him.

He wanted to make her the happiest woman in the world. He wished for her happiness after the hardships.

‘I didn’t come back for this.’

He bit down hard on the tender flesh inside his mouth.

He couldn’t help but despise himself for continuously causing her pain.

“Tayo, Oppa.”

She held his hand with both of hers and pulled him.

There wasn’t much time left to hold this hand. The realization made his eyes grow warm.
The next day, Jaehyuk began his commute to the company. Tasks that needed to be addressed during the work hiatus were piled up like a mountain.

“Mr. Chairman.”

A manager opened the door and entered.

“What’s going on?”

Jaehyuk, struggling in the swamp of work, raised his head.

“Madam has…”

As the story of Jung Yeo-sa unfolded, Jaehyuk’s expression turned icy in an instant.

“She’s causing a disturbance on the first floor.”

“…”

“It’s getting more serious than expected.”

When he woke up from a coma, Jung Yeo-sa had incessantly called. Because a lawsuit had to be fabricated, Jaehyuk answered Jung Yeo-sa’s calls.

[It’s not me. Seriously, it’s not me. It’s that Han Tae-su guy.] [I won’t say anything else. Your son is dead inside you.] [Jaehyuk…] [Pay for your sins. If you have a conscience, don’t come to visit.]

After that, Jung Yeo-sa called dozens of times a day. Jaehyuk changed his personal phone number.

Eventually,

“Bring her here.”

Just the thought of Jung Yeo-sa made Jaehyuk’s head ache.

“Understood.”

Bowing, the manager left the office and returned shortly with a disheveled and tear-stained Jung Yeo-sa.

“Jaehyuk…”

Jung Yeo-sa rushed towards Jaehyuk’s face, but was held back by the manager.

“Let go, Manager. Let go.”

“I’m sorry. Madam, I must ensure the safety of the chairman. Please understand that I cannot allow any potential danger to approach.”

“What? Danger? Manager, did you just say I’m dangerous?”

Even with Jung Yeo-sa’s sharp words, the manager nodded without changing his expression.

“Speak here.”

“Jaehyuk, Mom was wrong. Mom did everything for you. Yes, Mom went a bit too far, right? Sorry. It’s all for our son’s well-being. You understand Mom’s heart, right? You’re my only son.”

Jung Yeo-sa couldn’t withstand Jaehyuk’s cold gaze, trembling all over as she spoke.

“I no longer have a mother.”

With a firm statement, Jung Yeo-sa was startled, shouting in surprise.

“Jaehyuk…”

“A child is not a tool to be used freely. It’s an individual with its own personality. If my child is precious, so are other people’s children.”

Jung Yeo-sa, in a shabby state, couldn’t refute Jaehyuk’s words and just rolled her eyes.

“Go away. After today, I won’t face you again. Even if you come, I’ll drive you away. Don’t come again.”

Jung Yeo-sa felt like the sky was falling.

He was her only son.

Yes, she might have been a bit excessive. It was all from the heart, wishing for his well-being and success.

“What did I do so wrong?”