“That’s why you need parents.”

When bored, Seoyoon avoided those who taunted her, nestled into a corner of her bedroom, and spent her days.

That was the time when waiting for Kanghyun to return from school became her daily routine.

When 4 p.m. arrived, like a dog welcoming its owner, she ran out to the front gate every day.

It was as if she was thrilled like sitting on an amusement park ride she had never experienced when she hugged Kanghyun’s neck or rode on a rocking horse and entered the house.

The way he carried her or the joy of walking inside the house holding onto him was so enjoyable that it made her burst into laughter.

It was possible to witness the servants who used to glare at her with fierce eyes now smiling and nodding.

“What did you play?”

Although Kanghyun was always rough and cold, he devoted unusual sincerity when it came to taking care of her.

She was tempted to say she just stayed stuck next to the bed, but while contemplating, the growling sound from her starving stomach echoed throughout the day.

With a firm expression, Kanghyun asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I didn’t eat.”

“Why.”

The torn eyes became even sharper.
“I just don’t feel like eating…….”

As the small hand wrapped around her straight neck twitched, Kanghyun gently stroked Seoyoon’s still-flat stomach.

Then, a faint smile appeared again.

“Let’s eat now. What do you want to eat?”

“I’ll eat later at dinner.”

“You’re hungry.”

“Don’t bother the ahjummas.”

“Is it bothersome for Yooni to cook?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Okay.”

It seemed like she just disliked it a bit.

Seeing his stern face made her feel somehow frustrated, so the words came out smoothly.

Kanghyun, who had put her on the bed and hugged the newly bought doll, went outside still wearing his school uniform.

The venomous remarks Kanghyun poured out to someone did not reach the ears of the child sitting in the pink-filled room, hugging the doll.

It was because she realized that he was building layer upon layer of walls around himself, making it embarrassing to freely hug him.

She spent many years without distinguishing whether it was simply for protection or if it was a prison with iron bars.

It was an extreme way to express affection, but within that affection, she found peace.

“Yuna.”

With only Kanghyun calling her name affectionately, nothing was frightening.

Sitting on the bench in the apartment complex with the gift to deliver to her parents beside her, Seoyoon raised her face, which had been buried in her hands.

Even as the sun set, she knelt down, crying and pleading, unable to let go of the image of Taeganghyun.

Rather, it became even clearer.

Wiping the tears that seeped into her eyes, Seoyoon stepped back into the warm house full of pink where Jieun’s life was made greedily.

“Jian-ah!”

Receiving Seoyoon’s call saying she would come home, Junghye, who had been waiting, rushed out to the front door.

“Why is it so hard to see our daughter’s face, huh?”

“She’s scared of the late breeze. She’s deeply in love, really.”

Dochul, who had returned after a long time, joked with a slightly disappointed expression toward his daughter.

“Why are you standing there? Come in quickly. Haven’t you had dinner yet?”

Junghye stood at the entrance, pulling Seoyoon, who couldn’t climb the threshold.

“Dad caught a cow for you because you’re coming. Since there are many good parts, let’s quickly grill and eat it.”

Junghye and Dochul, without leaving their only daughter, attached various words to her.

“How was Jeju Island? But you came earlier than I thought. I thought you’d stay a few more days.”

“I just came.”

“Did President Je-moo go home?”

When Kanghyun came to mind again, Seoyoon’s eye corners drooped lifelessly.

She broke up with him.

So, to leave this house Taeganghyun gifted her and go far away anywhere.

The plan prepared to choose Jieun’s life distorted in an instant.

Whether it contained love or obsession, ultimately, she couldn’t break through the tightly encircled walls Kanghyun had set up.

“Mom, Dad, a gift.”
Staring at Junghye and Dochul’s faces, Seoyoon smiled and extended the gift she had chosen with Hajun at the department store a while ago.

“A gift? You didn’t even go abroad for a vacation, why did you buy all this!”

“There’s supposed to be a lot of good liquor at the duty-free shop. Dad’s gift should obviously be alcohol…”

Expecting whiskey, Dochul, upon seeing a tie inside a light box, puckered his lips in jest.

“You’re supposed to reduce your alcohol intake, Dad.”

Seoyoon murmured quietly.

“So, did you eat a lot of good food and enjoy yourself? Tell me about it.”

Junghye, busy attaching words, covered the table with a hygiene vinyl that had already been laid out in the living room.

“Yeah, there wasn’t a single person to chat with, so the house felt like a wasteland. Jian, come here and sit. You must be hungry.”

Dochul, who brought a burner and a grill, motioned for Seoyoon to sit as he sat on the floor.