[Many people confuse infertility and sterility, but they are distinctly different. In Arin’s case, it’s not infertility but sterility. It’s not a condition of non-ovulation, but rather a reduction in female hormones and a significant weakening of uterine function. It doesn’t seem sudden, and she may have been somewhat weak before. I mentioned it before. Moreover, a large tumor was found in one of the fallopian tubes during the operation, and a significant portion was removed, affecting the function of the fallopian tube. While I can’t say that pregnancy itself is impossible, I can say that the likelihood of natural conception is low. Natural conception is challenging, and pregnancy through tubal procedures is…]

‘Can I have it?’

The chance is very slim?

The success rate of tubal procedures is not high, and some may fail even after a lifetime of attempts.

The reason she left Jaehyuk was because she could no longer conceive.

‘This was my last chance given by heaven. And I didn’t even know it… I.’

So it was even more challenging then. Not knowing it was the last time she would have to let go of a child.

But…

‘Heaven wouldn’t give me another child. I’m not qualified to be a mother…’

Since she had already confided this fact to Eun-ah, she knew that Eun-ah was already aware of the difficulty she faced in conceiving.

‘Mom must have said it’s not easy.’

Even so, what if she confirmed it and then felt disappointed?

The probability of it not being true is too high.

It was confusing.

Arin’s mind echoed with Eun-ah’s words.

[Arin, I might have said something unnecessary, but you said you’re not infertile, right? It might be disappointing, but if by any chance, heaven sent an angel for you.]

Still, maybe…

[Of course, if it’s not, it’ll be a big disappointment. But comparing the regret of trying when there’s a 0% chance and the daily agony of not trying. What does Arin want to do?]

Tears welled up in Arin’s eyes as she stared out the window.

That evening.

Arin, after much contemplation, called Eun-ah.

[Arin.]

Eun-ah’s gentle voice flowed through the speaker.

“Mom, do you have time tomorrow?”

[Yes, I do.]

The decision was made, but when it came time to speak, Arin found herself at a loss for words.

After a short silence, Eun-ah’s voice came through.

[Do you want to go with Mom?]

“…Yes.”

Out of nowhere, large tears fell from Arin’s eyes.

[Arin, Mom will be by your side.]

The fact that there was a presence called “Mom” watching over her made her heart swell.

The next day.

Arin, keeping it a secret from Jaehyuk, went to the hospital that Eun-ah had found in advance.

And…

“…Arin.”

Eun-ah, who saw the distinct two lines first, burst into tears and hugged Arin.

Arin, too, with a bewildered expression, looked down at the test kit.

The stern-looking female doctor pushed up her glasses and opened her mouth.
“After confirming with a vaginal ultrasound, let’s talk again. If you go over there, there will be a skirt. Take off all your underwear and wear only the skirt, then come out to the left and sit on the chair.”

Thump, thump.

Arin’s heart pounded violently.

That evening.

Arin stared blankly at a colorless black-and-white ultrasound image and a pregnancy test with two distinct lines.

“It’s not… a dream.”

Arin pinched her cheeks hard. The chilliness was not a dream but a reality.

“I’m going to have a child… a child for someone like me.”

A child she hadn’t expected had come.

She was so happy that her heart felt like it would burst.

But…

‘I want to tell my brother. But it’s not the right time for him.’

Arin, too, was in a situation where nothing was sorted out.

Of course, all she could do was attend the trials as a witness for Kyungsook, Mrs. Jung, and Mr. Choi, but she felt uneasy.

Moreover, Jaehyuk’s situation was the worst.

It hadn’t even been a month since Mrs. Jung passed away suddenly.

‘Even if he pretends to be okay, my brother is still having a hard time.’

Arin prayed for Jaehyuk every night.

The emotions that had been pressed down forcibly seemed to burst out when she went to bed.

“Mom, please don’t do this.”

Jaehyuk, sometimes, twisted his face painfully while sleeping, and sometimes…

“Don’t go. Don’t leave. What am I going to do if you leave like this?”

He would burst into tears or scream.

When Arin woke up, she would get up, slowly wipe Jaehyuk’s suffering chest, and watch him until he calmed down.

When he woke up in the morning, Jaehyuk acted as if nothing had happened. That made her feel even more painful.

“Ah…”

Arin sighed deeply, placing her hand on the still-flat stomach.

“Baby, thank you for coming to your inadequate mom. And I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell Dad right away.”

Her throat choked up at the word “mom.”

Arin spoke slowly and drew a large circle.

“Dad will be very happy when he finds out our angel has come. But right now, Dad is in a lot of pain, so I don’t think I can tell him right away. Baby, I won’t let you suffer alone this time. So, please wait a little longer. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it because Mom was weak.”