Chapter 19

A year later:

“Mom,” Yunseul began, “I need to talk to you about something.”

Her aunt responded, “Why would you trouble your mom? You two are having such a great time together, so focus on that and work on making money.”

Yunseul looked at her aunt, grinned, and replied, “You’re right. I’ll work hard and make a lot of money.”

“Alright, I’m going to go spend time with my sister,” her aunt said.

Yunseul approached her mother, who was seated on the couch.

“Mom, I’ll catch up with you later,” Yunseul told her.

“Sure, take care,” her mother replied.

With the dedication of the therapists, her mom was now able to walk. While she still needed some assistance, the fact that she could walk without a cane brought a warm smile to her face.

On this occasion, Yunseul greeted her grandmother, who was seated beside her mother.

“Grandma, I’m heading to work,” she announced.

She had to raise her voice slightly to ensure her hard-of-hearing grandmother could hear.

“Huh? What did you say?” her grandmother inquired.

“I said, I’m going to work,” Yunseul repeated, making a comical face to help her grandmother understand. It had been a while since her grandmother had her hearing aids checked, so she should consider taking her back to the audiologist.

“Ah, I see,” her grandmother responded. “Yes, go ahead.”

Her grandmother extended her weathered hand, and Yunseul leaned her cheek against it.

“You’re such a beautiful dear,” her grandmother remarked.

Feeling the warmth of her grandmother’s hand gently caressing her cheek, Yunseul smiled broadly and stood up.

Yunseul’s aunt and grandmother, whom she had only become acquainted with a year ago, made her realize she had more family than she initially thought. When she was at her lowest point, someone who wasn’t even her blood relative extended a helping hand.

That someone was Ms. Seo, along with her biological mother. Following her parents’ divorce, she sought refuge from her father and spent two months with Mrs. Seo’s mother.

It was in the tranquil mountains of Gangwon Province, thanks to their support, that she found the solace needed to mend her emotional wounds.

Initially, the sense of emptiness and depression weighed heavily on Yunseul, but after approximately two months, her heart grew significantly stronger.

Living in the mountains with her grandmother, she gained valuable lessons and insights. She had initially considered going to a hermitage, but in hindsight, she believed that staying with her grandmother was the right decision.

In this new setting, she discovered a family that, while not connected by blood, cared for and loved her far more than her father ever had. Furthermore, Mrs. Seo’s daughter and son-in-law were exceptionally kind people. During her time in Gangwon Province, Mrs. Seo also looked after Yunseul’s mother, demonstrating a deep sense of support and compassion.

In all honesty, Yunseul admitted that she was relieved to leave her previous living situation behind. After spending two months in Gangwon, she returned to Seoul. She found a place for herself and her mother to live, and seeing her grandmother’s ailing health, Yunseul offered to take care of her.

She had no desire to hide the connection with her kind-hearted grandmother and aunt, who had been so supportive during her time of need. So, Yunseul, her mother, her aunt, and her grandmother started living together.

Mrs. Seo, who had wished to care for her mother but couldn’t due to certain circumstances, felt both sorry and content to be a part of this new living arrangement.

On the day they all moved in together, Yunseul recalled her aunt holding her hand and shedding tears. It was a heartfelt wish that everyone could live without the burden of financial worries.

Yunseul stepped outside and immediately felt the sweltering heat engulfing her body, taking her breath away. It had been a while since she had ventured outdoors.

After wiping her hands, she climbed into her car and switched on the air conditioner, squinting against the sun’s intense brightness, despite the heavy window tinting.

She found herself reflecting on her financial situation, one that no longer caused her worry. During her divorce, she received alimony, a sum of money she initially resisted but ultimately accepted.

Thanks to this financial support, she could afford her mother’s medical treatment and maintain a comfortable life.

After spending two months in Gangwon Province, she returned to Seoul and dedicated herself to her mother’s recovery.

Her focus shifted to speech therapy and exercise regimens, which led to a miraculous improvement in her mother’s ability to speak and walk.

With her aunt’s assistance in caring for her mother, Yunseul prepared to embark on a business venture during her free time.

Yunseul parked her car near a building not far from her home. After parking in the lot, she briskly made her way to the store’s entrance.

The sight of the store alone filled her with contentment, and a smile crossed her face as she bent to pick up some trash that had been carelessly discarded on the ground.

Although she should have been annoyed at people who littered despite the presence of trash cans, it didn’t bother her.

With joy in her heart, she raised the electric shutters of the shop. As the shutters rolled up, she could see the interior of the store.

It wasn’t a large space, but it was adorned with an array of charming items. This was her shop, an accessory workshop.

It was still in its early stages, with plenty of room for improvement, but Yunseul found happiness in simply gazing upon it.

She could spend entire days in the workshop without growing weary. It wasn’t until after her divorce that she discovered her passion for all things beautiful.

Her father, whom she had expected to rush to her side upon hearing about her divorce, had ended up in prison. Ironically, just like her mother, he was now experiencing a twist of fate, with all lawyers rejecting his case.

While she couldn’t help but wonder if he had something to do with it, as a divorced individual herself, she saw no reason to intervene. She had never visited him in prison, and she had no intention of ever doing so.

She had heard that Yun Ina had also served time in prison for drug-related issues and had recently been released. However, she hadn’t received any communication from her stepmother.

Rumor had it that she had sold off her father’s remaining possessions and moved on with her life. But these matters were of no concern to her, and she didn’t care.

As soon as she stepped into the workshop, Yunseul closed her eyes and took a deep breath, immersing herself in the comforting atmosphere.

“Ah… This is wonderful,” Yunseul mused.

The aroma in her workshop held a special place in her heart, a harmonious blend of her favorite scents, all delightful and comforting.

Despite dedicating most of her time to the workshop, she never grew tired of it. Boredom was out of the question.

Crafting accessories, collecting charming trinkets, and nurturing plants were all enjoyable pastimes for her. She cherished the freedom to pursue her passions without the fear of judgment.

Having customers visit the shop was another source of joy, even if their numbers were not overwhelming. Those who came in always wore happy expressions.

Even when they were engrossed in making accessories, their dedication and happiness were palpable. This contagious sense of contentment made Yunseul grateful for choosing this profession.

Yunseul swung the door open wide and started her cleaning routine. She diligently swept the floor and wiped down the decorative ornaments and the worktable where dust had settled over the day.

Next, she grabbed a watering can and headed over to the window to tend to her potted plants. With summer in full swing, she took the time to remove any slightly wilted leaves.

In the beginning, she couldn’t understand why her plants kept perishing, but her aunt, who had paid a visit to the workshop, shared some valuable tips on plant care.

Her aunt explained that excess of anything, whether it’s water or too many branches and leaves, could be detrimental.

Thanks to her guidance, Yunseul learned the importance of occasionally pruning her plants to help them thrive. As she worked, a bead of sweat trickled down her back, the result of her effort to keep her beloved plants and workspace in impeccable shape.

The closed door, casting a soothing glow, brought down the room’s temperature due to the air conditioner. Yunseul brewed a pot of coffee and settled by the window to enjoy it. The ice in her cup was cold enough to send a shiver through her teeth.

As she sipped her coffee, the oppressive heat momentarily receded, only to return with a vengeance. She added an ice cube to her mouth and observed the cars and pedestrians passing by with a tensely clenched jaw.

People strolled, their brows furrowed from the heat, couples sauntered arm-in-arm, engaged in hushed conversations in the sweltering weather.

A man dashed along, talking on his cell phone, fretting about being late for an appointment, and a child delighted in an ice cream cone, wearing a smile that made it seem like he had the world at his feet.

This place was a perfect beginning and a fitting end, and she felt a sense of kinship with the passersby. She was content with her ability to appreciate the simple joys she once took for granted.

However, her thoughts shifted to a concern about student recruitment. Suddenly, her shoulders slumped. She had been diligently trying to recruit students for a week, but not a single one had enrolled yet.

“No! I’m just getting started!” Yunseul encouraged herself, determined not to give in to disappointment. She decided to lift her spirits.

With newfound enthusiasm, she leaped to her feet and gathered some of the rings and ornaments she had crafted the previous day.

She carefully arranged them on the table and snapped a picture. Although she wasn’t an expert in photography, she took three or four shots before finally achieving a result that satisfied her.    

Her lips quivered with a hint of satisfaction as she carefully captured each shot. She tried different angles, changed the decorations, and experimented with various approaches.

After taking dozens of photos, she eventually arrived at one that she found particularly pleasing.

Satisfied with the final result, she looked at the photo, gently returned the ring and ornaments to their places, opened her laptop, and uploaded the image to her homepage. “I hope everyone enjoys it,” she thought with a sense of hope.

Before putting her phone away, she decided to check one last time to make sure everything was in order. Suddenly, a notification appeared on her phone, indicating that there is one had been enrolled in the course.

“What in the world!” Yunseul exclaimed in surprise.

A grin, more radiant than the summer sun, stretched across her face as she read and re-read the notification on her phone.

It wasn’t a mistake; she was indeed the first student. Of course, there was much work ahead, but this was a wonderful development, and she couldn’t help but feel excited about it.

“I’ll need to put in even more effort,” Yunseul resolved, her smile reaching toward the sky. She intended to focus on crafting a series of bracelets that day and tapped her phone’s screen to refer to the design she had mentally sketched.

However, a mishap occurred. Yunseul inadvertently pressed the wrong button and found herself in a green window. Her eyes briefly flickered as she contemplated exiting.

The reason for her pause was the mention of “Seoju Group” in the news. The moment she read those words, her heart sank. Even after a year had passed, she wasn’t quite accustomed to seeing or hearing about him.

He had been diligently serving as the president of Seoju Group, and the company had achieved remarkable success within a single year.

The news had been abuzz for some time, discussing the extraordinary transformation of a company that had gone from being ranked third in the world to becoming the world’s number one in such a short period.

Indeed, Seoju Group had its share of troubles. Not long after the divorce, the news broke about his sister-in-law’s affairs.

It was revealed that Jun Hyuk Seo was not the biological child of her late husband but rather the offspring of another man, leading to a lawsuit for fraud. The world was abuzz with discussions about the Seoju Group during this time.

People were particularly intrigued by the fact that she had contemplated making the child from an extramarital affair, rather than her late husband’s child, the heir to Seoju Group.

The rest of the story is now history, as Seoju Group seemed to have successfully blocked out the negative publicity.

As for herself, Yunseul had initially considered revealing this during the divorce as a bombshell, but some secrets simply couldn’t be kept forever.

She had anticipated that it would eventually come to light, just perhaps a bit sooner than she had thought.

It felt like her own form of retribution that Seo Jun-hyuk wouldn’t become the successor to Seoju Group. The position she had been so fixated on had slipped through her fingers forever, leaving her to wonder about her current existence.

“Did I lower the air conditioner too much?” Yunseul wondered as she rubbed her forearms covered in goosebumps and ran a hand through her hair. A sudden noise caught her attention.

The door opening prompted an instinctive greeting from Yunseul. “Welcome,” she called out before even checking who had entered.

Her ears perked up as she realized she’d welcomed the visitor without identifying them first. Yunseul swiftly rose and turned her head, curious about the newcomer.

“Huh?” Her eyes widened at the person who had just walked through the door.

“Senior!” she exclaimed.

The man in question was Han Ki-hyuk, a senior from her university, who entered her workshop with a warm smile.

His tall figure was elegantly clad in a high-quality navy blue suit, and Yunseul couldn’t help but smile in return.

When Yunseul had moved to Seoul from Gangwon Province, she had bumped into him by chance. She didn’t disclose all the details, but she did mention her divorce, and he hadn’t probed further.

Yunseul thought about how the world had been abuzz with Seo Ji-hyuk’s divorce, given his role as the president of Seoju Group, but it seemed unusual for Han Ki-hyuk not to be aware of it.

However, Han Ki-hyuk hadn’t delved into personal inquiries about her life, which made her feel at ease. With her aunt, grandmother, and mom as her only confidantes, she genuinely appreciated his presence.

Thanks to his assistance, she found a store and signed a contract, especially since Han Ki-hyuk had taken the time to help her, despite not having much knowledge about interior design.

“It’s been a while,” Yunseul greeted him warmly, acknowledging the valuable support he had provided her.

The senior, who had been away on a business trip for two weeks, nodded and came closer.

“How was your business trip? You seem to be in good spirits, so I’m guessing it went well,” Yunseul remarked.

“You’re going to ask a question and answer it yourself?” Han Ki-hyuk teased, his eyes showing a warm affection for her.

“Did you forget that we were planning to go to the movies this weekend?” she asked with a playful tone.

“No, I didn’t forget. I know you’re a big fan of movies,” he responded.

“Is that something you know now?” she quipped, sharing a friendly and lighthearted moment with him.

Yunseul’s love for movies had enriched her cultural life, and she appreciated that. However, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was the only one who watched movies.

She felt grateful for their movie outings, but whenever a new film was released, he wondered if he had any real friends or someone else to share her interests with. His concern and curiosity weighed on her.

“If it weren’t for me, you’d be stuck in the workshop all the time,” he pointed out, hoping to encourage her to broaden her social horizons.

Her silence in response prompted Yunseul to steal a glance at him. She saw a person who seemed to have no friends, no one cool enough to turn heads when they walked down the street. She felt a sense of pity for him.

She had mentioned that she had no friends, but it seemed like a choice to be a loner.

“Well,” she decided with a hint of determination, “since you’re around my age, I’m taking you with me.”  

Yunseul burst into laughter upon hearing his comment that, without him, she would have watched a movie.

“Pfft, that’s right,” she replied, her smile radiating like sunshine, though her expression briefly shifted.

“You’re quite the cheerful laugher now,” he observed.

“What?” she asked, somewhat surprised.

“You laugh without hesitation, not trying to force it,” he explained.

Yunseul’s smile began to fade. “Was it?”

“Yeah, it was quite lovely,” he assured her.

She felt a slight awkwardness and rubbed the back of her neck, and she noticed his gaze briefly focused on her nape before darting away.

“I’m just kidding,” he quickly added, as though trying to brush off any lingering discomfort.

“Yeah, I’m just kidding,” she echoed, joining in the playful exchange with a faint hint of a blush on her cheeks.

To lighten the slightly heavy mood, he playfully reached out and ruffled her hair.

“Senior!” Yunseul exclaimed, rolling her eyes in good-natured annoyance. Senior giggled and retracted his hand. Yunseul had a vague sense of why he was doing this, and he likely had his reasons.

A few months ago, Yunseul couldn’t freely laugh the way she wanted to. She had believed that divorcing him would bring her happiness, but instead, she had been unwell for months.

On the surface, they appeared fine – perhaps even getting along better than before – and she found herself smiling more often. She had thought that time would mend things, and now, she could genuinely smile again.

Yunseul’s smile was no longer forced but genuinely happy.

“What are you doing here anyway?” she inquired.

“I’ve been on a business trip, and I’m not even that busy,” he replied. “Did you miss me?”

“Stop joking,” she retorted, but he insisted, “I’m serious.” His tone betrayed his sincerity, causing her to relax her facial muscles.

“I was just passing through,” he explained. There was a workshop on his route from home to the office, and he often stopped by. Yunseul’s smile brightened upon hearing that he was just passing through.

“It’s a beautiful day. You’re not going to work without a summer vacation, are you?” he asked.

“Why?” she wondered, expecting to be confined to the workshop without any summer break.

“Let’s go have some fun,” he proposed.

“I don’t think so,” she blurted out. Senior’s brow creased slightly, but it wouldn’t alter her response. She was cautious about closing the shop; it had been open for a while, and she was busy recruiting students, crafting new accessories daily, and featuring them on the website.

Who knows, but one or two accessories have been selling for a few days now, and it’s so exciting and fulfilling that Yunseul has been tirelessly working on her designs without getting much sleep.

“Let’s bring your mom along.”

“Mom?”

“Yes.”

Her aunt and mom had visited the store the other day, and she happened to meet him. They all had dinner together that night.

“…It’s okay.”

“There’s a hospital in our resort, so you don’t have to worry about your mom.” She felt like she couldn’t just dismiss his suggestion outright.

“…I’ll consider it.” She couldn’t help but agree to consider the idea.

“Okay, take your time to think about it.”

“You mentioned it was a passing road? Why did you come here?”

Yunseul’s eyes widened in surprise, wondering why he wasn’t taking that route. He gently placed his large hand on her head.

“What? I’m a customer, too.”

“A customer?”

“Yes, I’ll take a look around.”

“Do you need anything?” He had never paid much attention to accessories before, but today was an exception.

“Just take a look around. How about some coffee?”

“Yeah, I’d be honored.”

Yunseul chuckled, the sound slightly awkward. He felt a penetrating gaze on his back as he stirred his coffee.

“What, do you want to discuss something?” he asked, dropping ice into his cup without looking at her.

“I was wondering if I could create something like this.”

“Sure.” Yunseul placed the coffee cup on a tray and brought it to him.

“Thank you.” Whispering in a hushed voice, the senior raised the coffee cup and took a sip.

“I make a lot for men, too,” she mentioned, even though they didn’t frequent her shop as much yet.

“I also make a lot for couples.” Families, friends, and couples all enjoyed making their accessories.

“It’s great to have something valuable, but when you create it yourself, it becomes a cherished memory. Isn’t it wonderful to have an accessory with personal memories? I can even engrave it for you free of charge.”

With the increasing diversity of personalities, more and more people find it difficult to tolerate a uniform, mass-produced appearance.

“Then I’ll have to make one later.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?” Yunseul smiled radiantly and gazed at him, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“…Do you think so?”

“So, you’re planning to make a ring for a girlfriend you don’t even have yet? In advance?”

“…Shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, don’t be like that. Come and create it with me; I’ll give you a discount.”

“Ew!” Yunseul’s hair fell onto his face.

“Senior, you’re messing up my hair. Go away!”

“Give me this.”

Yunseul was about to dismiss him when he noticed the tip of her finger pointing to a meticulously crafted crown-shaped brooch that glistened. She was diversifying her accessory offerings because she knew she couldn’t compete if she only made rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

“This is a brooch,” she explained, and it received a positive response.

He didn’t seem to recognize it, so she informed him, “I know.”

“…Are you going to wear it?”

“No, I’m going to give it to my mom.”

“Perfect, it matches her style.”

“Does your mother like colorful things?” He wanted to choose a suitable gift.

“She often wears hanbok.”

“Ah, in that case, how about this one instead?”

A butterfly gracefully landed in Yunseul’s hand. The butterfly brooch came to life in the sunlight. She spoke to him with the same level of attention as she would for any serious customer, and he responded with a smile.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Thank you. My mother will love this.”

“Then I’ll wrap it beautifully.”

She fetched a box for the brooch, some colorful hanji paper, and a mini furoshiki. Yunseul was well-versed in the traditional art of wrapping and was confident in her skills.

“How much is it?” he asked as she carefully cleaned the butterfly brooch and placed it in the box.

“I’ll give it to you as a gift this time.”

“Never mind. Don’t you know I’m rich?”

“I know, but I want to give it to you as a gift.”

He had been helpful to her on numerous occasions. He had even bought rice and other essentials a few times, but she was pleased that she could give him a brooch that she had made.

In truth, being a man, she had never really felt the need to give him accessories.

“Then my mom might get the wrong idea and come after you,” Yunseul teased.

“Stay away from my son! Like this?” The way she mimicked her mother-in-law’s behavior made Yunseul suppress her bitterness.

“No, she’d probably urge you to get married right away.”

It was her mother’s desire for her to get married. Yunseul’s expression grew serious and stiffened slightly.

“Senior…”

“I’m just kidding. What’s the big deal? You won’t find a good husband like me.”

“That’s true, so you should find a good woman who suits you and marry her.”

He was sincere. Yunseul gently nudged his paused hand. An ordinary box turned into something spectacular when wrapped in kanji.

“What about you?” Yunseul raised her eyes and looked into his face. “Are you going to live alone for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I love it now. I want to live making accessories. I’ve married these guys,” she said, half-joking and half-serious. The atmosphere had gotten a bit serious, so she quickened her hand movements.

“…Oh, that’s too bad. Your rival…”

“What?”

“No way. I’m hanging out with you today, and I’m taking you out to eat.”

“Why? Go.”

She tried to finish packing quickly, but she didn’t like it. A small sigh escaped from Yunseul’s lips.

“I got a gift from my mom, I can’t just leave. I’m not heartless.”

“Then I’ll take fifty thousand won.”

“You’re going to buy me a meal?” After making the payment, Yunseul squinted at the senior who jokingly asked if she could treat him to dinner.

“I’m going to enjoy an expensive meal, am I?” Yunseul ended up laughing, hoping the senior would indeed treat her to a meal.

“Then be quiet because I have something to work on.”

Yunseul planned to create a necklace, paying little attention to the senior who often visited her shop, eagerly anticipating the beautiful creations that would emerge from her skilled hands.

“You’re like this no matter how much money you have. You always skip work.”

“That’s why my mother’s wish is for me to get married.”

“If you get married, you won’t skip work?” It was evident that getting married wouldn’t change much in his case.

The senior stretched and got up.

“I’m going to clean up out front,” she called out to him as he walked out the door.

“But I’m not buying you a meal!” she retorted, displaying her brooch.

“Just make me a coffee. That’s all.”

Before closing the door behind him, he winked at her as she poured another cup of coffee.

“I appreciate it.”

Yunseul stopped shaking her head. Her in-laws hadn’t visited her since the divorce. Her sister-in-law was supposed to visit, given the circumstances, but her mother-in-law? Ah… She had wanted her to get a divorce, so it’s no wonder she didn’t visit.

Anyway, it seems that only good people gather around you after a divorce.

After a while, she was bidding farewell to a senior who had driven her home after they had dinner together.

“Thanks for the dinner. Come on in.”

“Thanks for the brooch.”

The senior, who had insisted on getting out of the car, followed her to the front door.

“See you on the weekend. I’ll come to your workshop.”

Yunseul nodded since they had plans to watch a movie over the weekend.

“Go ahead.”

“See you inside.” The senior took three steps back.

“I’ll go in then.”

Yunseul turned and opened the door but stopped when she felt a gaze on her back. Once again, she sensed an intense stare.

Yunseul whirled around.

“What?” But there was no one there except for the senior.

“It’s nothing.”

“Well, it is. I’ll call you.”

Senior laughed and waved his arm. Yunseul pushed herself through the gate, and his gaze disappeared as the gate closed. She breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from her brow.

She raised her head and looked at her house with a garden. She had chosen a house with a garden over an apartment because her mother, aunt, and grandmother loved to grow flowers, and it was a safe place to take a walk at any time.

It was all thanks to his money, but she shook her head to avoid thinking about it.

“I’m home!”

She greeted with deliberate cheerfulness and walked into the house, where her mom was waiting, smiling.

“Are you home?”

“Yes. Where’s Auntie?” She couldn’t see her.

“Grandma, she’s washing up.”

“Oh, that must be hard. I’ll help.”

Yunseul folded her arms and headed for the bathroom.

“Yunseul, come here.”

At her mother’s call, Yunseul hurried over and sat down next to her. She wrapped her arms around her and took a deep breath, appreciating her mother’s comforting scent.

“Who brought you home?” Her mother’s voice held a note of anticipation that Yunseul recognized, making her tense up.

“That guy I saw in the workshop?”

“It’s not like that. He’s just a senior.”

“Really?” Yunseul’s face turned serious at her mom’s cautious tone.

“What? Don’t you dare say something like that? I’m…”

Yunseul faltered, unable to continue.

“Sla…”

“The important thing is that I’m so happy right now.” She managed to speak with a smile, despite her hesitation.

Yunseul looked at her mom and smiled genuinely. Observing her daughter’s radiant smile, brighter than the sun, her mom burst into laughter.

“Yunseul, I just wanted you both to be friends.”

“Ah…”

“Anyway, my daughter looks so happy, so I’m happy too.”

“I went too far.” Yunseul’s previously pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“I’ll help you wash up, then.”

“Sure.”

She watched her mother tending to the plants on the sofa table, then got up and headed for the bathroom, her ears burning with embarrassment, thinking she could hear her mother’s laughter trailing behind her.

She knew that many people had found happiness after divorce and remarriage, and many had experienced the joy of having children after going through miscarriages.

She had come to understand that people had varying definitions of happiness, and for every unfortunate event, there were also moments of joy. But… but…

She couldn’t think of anything else. As she had told Han Ki-hyuk, she loved making accessories. When she was engrossed in creating accessories, all her worries seemed to vanish, and she could focus solely on the task at hand.

She took pride in the accessories that were the products of her skill and creativity. Standing in the bathroom, she reached for the doorknob and hesitated.

She didn’t know why he was on her mind today. She hadn’t thought of him for a long time. Perhaps it was because she had seen him on the news.

A small sigh escaped Yunseul’s mouth. She later confided that when she couldn’t bring herself to go to her mom after losing her baby, he visited her every day.

One day, she recalled him coming to the hospital, not saying much, just shaking his head in silent apology. She shared this memory with her long after their divorce.

“Did I mention that I was scolded for looking so pitiful?” Yunseul chuckled bitterly. She had revealed that, even after that incident, he continued to visit her. Sometimes they talked, sometimes he simply sat in silence, and then he would get up and leave. It was just before their divorce that he brought up the topic of her lost child.

When he told her that his mother knew about her loss, Yunseul had broken down in her arms, crying like a child.

Now, tears and laughter came naturally to her. Tears when she watches a sad movie, and laughter when she hears a funny story. Yunseul was living a normal life like everyone else.

“He cried.”

“Who?”

“…My son-in-law… cried a lot. He said he was sorry… I’m so sorry for you…”

She shook her head vigorously, determined to push the memories of the past far away. Then she grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open.

“Grandma! Auntie! I’m home!” Yunseul’s face brightened as if it had been shadowed all along.

She was thankful for the substantial alimony, for the frequent visits to her mom, and for the stories he shared about the end of the month… but that was it.

She had moved on, and he was not someone she expected to encounter again, even by accident. Now that she was where she was meant to be, Yunseul was just beginning to learn how to be happy.

“Uh, are you here?”

“I’ll help you too, Grandma, I don’t want  you to catch a cold.”

As Yunseul walked into the bathroom, her aunt declined, saying she was tired, but Yunseul ignored her and squatted down next to her grandmother, who was rinsing herself.

“Grandma, it’s cold, isn’t it?” she asked, intentionally speaking louder, but the elderly woman, who had removed her hearing aid for washing, couldn’t hear her.

“What, you’re hot?” Yunseul said, feeling delighted and grateful to be able to laugh at such a small thing.

“Let’s wash up and eat some fruit!”

“Yeah, fruit sounds good.”

After helping her aunt wash her grandmother, Yunseul’s whole body was drenched in sweat. She quickly stripped off her clothes and stood under the cold water of the shower, the heat dissipating.

When she got out of the shower, her aunt had prepared a bowl of watermelon slices. Yunseul ate it without bothering to dry her hair. By the time she finished, she was shivering from the cold.

“I’m going in.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Alright, good night.”

After bidding goodnight to her aunt, mom, and grandma, who were going to bed early, she went into her room and dried her still-damp hair. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her dry hair.

She grabbed her phone and flopped down on the bed. Yunseul’s expression turned serious as she gazed at her phone screen.

“Huh? She’s buying again?”

Yunseul’s eyes widened as she checked the screen. She hadn’t even heard the notification that one of her accessories had been sold, as she had returned home, washed up, and chatted after dining with her senior.

When she went to her online store’s homepage, she saw the list of purchased IDs, and she smiled when she recognized a familiar one. It belonged to one of the regular customers of her workshop. Yunseul, who had been lying on the bed, now sat up.

“Oh my God in Oz, what a username. That’s hilarious.”

This customer had good taste in accessories. What made it even more special was that the shipping address was just across the street from her workshop.

This time, the customer liked the crown brooch and placed an order. Yunseul felt a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that her hard work had paid off.

“She must be someone who likes to decorate a lot,”

Yunseul thought to herself, imagining the customer’s face, even though she had never seen it. When she realized that her accessory had sold, her spirits soared. Yunseul got up, retrieved a can of beer from the mini-fridge, and sat down on the couch.

As she opened the beer, the sound of the air escaping was almost music to her ears. Her mouth watered even before she took the first sip. Yunseul gulped down the beer.

“Haha, so refreshing.”

The cold sensation in her stomach was pleasant. She took another swig of beer and gathered the furoshiki, boxes, and hanji paper scattered on the table.

“I’ll send the package out tomorrow.” She was genuinely excited.

She realized she needed more practice packing, so she began experimenting with different-sized boxes and tying the furoshiki neatly.

A life where she could do what she wanted without worrying about what others thought. Yunseul was content.

* * *

“Mr. Boss, you have a call.”

“From whom?” Ji-hyuk, who had been engrossed in a pile of papers on his desk, inquired without looking up, his hands and eyes still occupied.

“It’s from your mother… No, it’s the big lady.”

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of “mother,” and the secretary, sensing his displeasure, quickly corrected herself. But it was too late. Ji-hyuk raised his head and sat up straight.

The nervous secretary fumbled with her cell phone, and Ji-hyuk’s gaze was sharp.

“I thought I told you not to change it?” Ji-hyuk’s voice had an edge to it, and the secretary’s face paled, knowing how sensitive her boss was when it came to his mother. Sighing, Ji-hyuk held out his hand, and she immediately placed her phone in it.

“Yes.”

He didn’t bother with the usual greeting.

“Are you doing all the work for that company?”

The voice on the other end of the call continued to prod.

“…”

“What’s so busy that you can’t even show your face?”

“Just tell me what you need. I’m busy.”

Ji-hyuk contemplated ending the call. It was evident that it was his mother on the line. As expected, one corner of Ji-hyuk’s mouth twitched as his mother brought up the expected topic.

“You’re the only one left to take over the Seoju Group, so you should get married and have a son!”

Ji-hyuk’s mouth made a sound akin to a sigh of exasperation. His mother didn’t relent even after hearing the sigh.

“I sent the list of girls to your secretary, especially the second and fifth ones.”

Ji-hyuk leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.

“Mother.”

“She looked at the list carefully…”

“I’m not marrying anyone.”

‘Ji-hyuk, whose life are you going to ruin again? No, he couldn’t hold another person in his heart.’

“I’ll be alone for the rest of my life.” Ji-hyuk’s voice held a resolute tone.

The day after he discovered she was pregnant, he had a vasectomy. The surgery lasted less than 30 minutes, and he recovered quickly.

Ji-hyuk’s shoulders slumped as he thought about how much he must have pressured her in the bedroom to conceive, and how absurd it was that she now wanted a child. He could almost visualize her in the kitchen, cutting up fertility pills and discarding them.

This was the issue. Abruptly, he shook off these thoughts.

“Don’t call me about this again.”

Ji-hyuk pressed the end call button without listening to his mother’s response. He tossed the phone onto his desk and rubbed his fingers against his tired eyes.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t try to connect again.”

Understanding the warning, the secretary nodded and left the office, leaving it in silence. Ji-hyuk decided to immerse himself in his work, trying to keep his mind from wandering.

He picked up his pen again and buried his face in his desk, his eyes and hands moving swiftly as if he were determined to avoid thinking about anything.

After a while, a knock on the door made him look up.

“Come in.”

It had been a while. He had been engrossed in reading documents without taking a breath, and he felt as though he had lost track of time. The door opened, and Ji-hyuk ceased rubbing his neck.

“Choi Hyun.”

It was Choi Hyun, a close friend from his days studying in the United States and now a lawyer in the legal department of the Seoju Group.

Choi Hyun was the only person Ji-hyuk considered to be on the same side as him. Ji Hyuk’s stern expression softened a bit.

Ji-hyuk was aware that there were many people in the company who were unhappy with him. He knew that if his younger brother, the biological son of his father’s first wife, hadn’t passed away, he, the son of a later wife, wouldn’t have had a chance to become the president.

That’s why he had been working diligently and achieving remarkable results. The main reason he kept pushing forward was that if he were to falter, his mother would notice, and if he were to crumble, she would feel uneasy, so he continued to persevere.

“You still can’t sleep?” Ji-hyuk smirked at Choi Hyun, who had a habit of speaking her mind without reservation. She was known for her short temper.

“I’m not having trouble sleeping. I’m sleeping just fine.”

“Is that the face of someone who’s well-rested?”

Oh, he had momentarily forgotten how much he liked to nag. His ears always seemed to ring with her scolding whenever they met.

“Why are you here? Do you have something to say?”

“Are you doing alright?” Ji-hyuk’s hand twitched as he signed the paperwork.

“If you’re here to talk nonsense, just leave. I’m busy.”

“You have a life to live.”

Choi Hyun had known him for a long time, and she knew that she was genuinely concerned about him.

“Choi Hyun, please, I’m really busy.”

He truly was. Since their breakup, he hadn’t wasted a single minute of his life.

“Sometimes, it’s best to go and apologize for what you’ve done and beg for forgiveness.”

“I…”

Ji-hyuk lifted his head and locked eyes with Choi Hyun, who let out a sigh, her unwavering gaze fixed on him.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

He didn’t offer any more words and returned to his paperwork.

“I heard you weren’t eating, so I brought you some lunch to share.”

Had it already been lunchtime? Time seemed to be flying by.

“I don’t have time to eat…”

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t budge an inch from here? As your subordinate, I’m genuinely concerned about you, man.”

“Okay, let’s eat, let’s eat.”

The moment he agreed, Choi Hyun swiftly placed the lunchbox on the table. Ji-hyuk settled on the couch and retrieved the chopsticks from the paper bag.

It appeared that Ji-hyuk intended to stay until he had finished his meal, so he decided to eat quickly to expedite her departure. As he opened the lunchbox, the first thing that caught his eye was the fried shrimp.

“…”

Ji-hyuk scooped a large portion of rice into his mouth and chewed, hastily devouring the side dish without bothering to identify it. The food didn’t taste like anything.

“…Ji-hyuk.”

Ji-hyuk, who had lowered his head when Choi Hyun called his name, slowly raised his face.

“Are you… crying?”

Ji-hyuk blinked slowly.

“Am I?”

“Ah…”

His cheeks felt hot, and he touched them with his hand, then gasped—it turned out that he was indeed crying.

“I… crying?”

He hadn’t meant to cry, but tears streamed down his cheeks. As he stared at the tears on his fingertips, Ji-hyuk grabbed his hand. He squeezed it so hard that his nails dug into his skin, but his expression remained composed.