The woman staring at Arin as if she could kill her was none other than Kyungsook, who was once called ‘mother’ by her. The employee, watching Kyungsook shout, sensed that something was unusual between them and silently sat down to start her work.

Despite Kyungsook’s shouting, Arin didn’t waver.

Anyway, she and they were ‘strangers.’

“Have you checked my identity?”

Arin’s gaze turned towards the billing department employee. The employee nodded without saying anything.

“What room number?”

Arin turned around and asked Kyungsook.

“What?”

“Where is he?”

“Why aren’t you asking how I’ve been or how I’m doing when you see your mother?”

“When have you ever asked about my well-being?”

“Why are you like this?”

Somehow, the word ‘mother’ that she used to say naturally didn’t come out now. It was because she had finally accepted, in both her head and heart, that they were not a real family.

On the other hand, Kyungsook felt a rush of anxiety at Arin’s changed attitude.

“Room 411.”

As soon as Arin heard Kyungsook’s answer, she moved her steps. Following Arin, Kyungsook followed with irritated footsteps.
Upon entering the hospital room, a man lying like a corpse caught Arin’s eyes. In a place permeated with the smell of death, there was Mr. Choi, who was once called ‘father’ by her.

“He said it’s tough for the 4th stage, but luckily, after the surgery, they didn’t find any cancer. They called it a miracle. They said if there’s no recurrence for about five years, it’s considered cured, but…”

Unbeknownst to her, Kyungsook, who had suppressed her emotions, glanced at Arin and trailed off at the end of her words.

It was natural for Kyungsook to think that Arin was the only person she could rely on in the current situation. Those who initially offered comfort and help severed their ties as Mr. Choi’s illness lingered, and the news of his recurrence spread.

Kyungsook remembered Jaehyuk, who bent like a tree, giving generously, and recalled Arin from the past, who was easier to withdraw money from than an ATM. Arin was resented and irritated. However, soon she changed her mind.

Arin had a special affection for family. She thought that the child who had forcibly married for her father wouldn’t easily change her heart. She believed the only reason Arin was acting a little differently than usual was that she was slightly upset.

Moreover, even though Jaehyuk was cold to her, Kyungsook didn’t care much. She believed that he hadn’t remarried because he still had lingering feelings for her daughter. If that was the case, there was still a chance.

Kyungsook approached Arin and spoke with a pitiful voice.

“But recently, cancer recurred during the regular follow-up examination. It spread to the lungs, as well as the liver and bones, making surgery difficult. Arin.”

Kyungsook suddenly grabbed Arin’s hand. She looked at her with the most pitiful face in the world.

“I was wrong. A little while ago, I was a bit angry, so that’s why. So please help us. We can’t let your father go like this.”

“…”

“We have to go to a big hospital. I heard the hospital where your father used to be is prestigious. I called them, and the waiting time is long. What if we wait, and your father dies? How would you regret it? So, please, put in some effort. If you say something, your father will help.”

Arin still stared at Kyungsook, who still referred to Jaehyuk as ‘father.’ As expected, she wasn’t disappointed or sighing anymore.

“Yeah, that’s what he was originally like.”

The expectations as parents had disappeared from her heart for a long time, and even as a human, she felt more comfortable acknowledging Kyungsook’s true nature.

Arin coldly fixed her expression and recalled Jaehyuk’s words.

[It seems like it would be good to talk.] [What is it?] [Have you been in touch with your family?]

After the divorce, Arin had not contacted Kyungsook, who used to be her mother, even once.

[Your mother came to see me.] [She came to see me? So what? Did she give you money?] [No, she didn’t. You dislike her, don’t you? Even then… No, anyway, I thought it would be better to tell you since you should know.]

‘I should have handled the family registry sooner.’

Arin harshly reprimanded her past self, who had thoughtlessly considered the past.
Before putting a stamp on the divorce papers, Arin had considered sorting out her relationship with Kyungsook. She found out that if the child was not a biological offspring, it was possible to revise the family registry at the Family Relations Department. To do that, the first step was to clarify that Arin was not the biological child.

Arin went to Kyungsook for a genetic test.

“Why are you telling us all to die? Why are you like this?”

“After raising you so painstakingly, you’re repaying kindness with vengeance? How did I raise you?!”

“If your father dies, it’s all your fault. It’s as if you killed him!”

Kyungsook’s words were nothing but ‘give me money’ from start to finish. Kyungsook wasn’t a reasonable conversation partner. Arin couldn’t say that she knew she wasn’t Kyungsook’s biological daughter in that situation. She had to find another way.

She considered a lawsuit for denial of paternity, but that, too, was said to be an extremely difficult process. Moreover, she couldn’t completely disregard Mr. Choi’s health condition.

What if they just don’t meet?

That way, couldn’t they live like people living under the same sky but not under the same sky?

So, Arin tried to conclude her thoughts about Kyungsook and Mr. Choi in that way.

However,

“Don’t give me money.”

“Don’t worry. Such a thing will never happen.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Arin regretted her own carelessness. She apologized to him and changed her mind. She resolved to legally settle the relationship.

“I’ll handle it well. I’ll make sure not to call Jaehyuk again. I’m sorry for bothering you.”

Kyungsook didn’t care about the change in her daughter’s expression. All she wanted was money.

Moreover, she only remembered what the past Arin had done to them. Without imagining what her foolishness could lead to, Kyungsook spoke to Arin.

“I’ll ask the vice chairman to admit your father to the hospital. Can’t you ask him? I’m not asking for money. You know. You. You have a lot of money. I found out that there’s a good medicine. Arin.”

Kyungsook thought Arin didn’t know that she had contacted and asked Jaehyuk for help.

When her daughter showed no reaction, Kyungsook changed her strategy. She burst into fake tears.