"Congratulations Kim Namjoon. Your plan to avenge is a success!! YOU'VE RUINED HER COMPLETELY!!!"  

The words played in his head for the rest of the day. Noel disconnected the call before he could say anything and when he called back, both Noel and Joy's phones were switched off. He wanted to call home but he had to attend the meetings and he did not get the chance. Yet he kept thinking about what she was talking about. There was a very underlying mixture of anger, hopelessness and... disappointment in her voice. One thing is for sure, Noel was talking about Park SooYoung.

Noel makes Joy sit on the bed. They stayed till evening  at Cheonsa's, who was very worried and Noel promised to keep her updated. Joy's face was still expressionless and paper-white.

"Jooyyy!! Jooyyy!! What heppen? You sick?" The little girl runs to her, scared and concerned. 

Joy turns her head at Aera's voice. Noel sighs in slight relief. Since their conversation this morning, it is the first time she has reacted to something else.

Joy just open her arms longingly at the tiny girl. Aera climbs to her lap and puts her head on her shoulder. She hugs her tightly and her eyes turn misty...

She cries. She cries her heart out.

Her tears reflect her stigmatized birth, Namjoon's betrayal, her idiocy and wrong decision, her crushed heart and dreams, her helplessness, humiliation and the uncertainty of her and this child's future. Is not her life miserable enough that she has to bring an innocent being in all these, only to deprive and jeopardize its entire existence even before it is born...

Its father hates her!! He's merely tolerating her to hurt her half-brother and sister-in-law!! Will he take its responsibility?! And it is not a small matter. The child's whole life!! Then when it will grow up, what effects its parents' relationship will have on it?! If only...if only he doesn't decide to get rid of them...or it...

No. She will not let him do that to her child!! He can grant a divorce then...that may be take her life somewhere...

A soft touch breaks the train of her thoughts. She looks down to see Aera is wiping her tears with her small hands.

"Jooyy!! Why you cry?! You hurt?!" She sniffs.

Joy shakes her head and gives a watery smile. She hugs Aera tightly and kisses, making the girl giggle happily.

Noel looks at them. She is fretting as he will come home anytime now.

"Joy...child. I-I am sorry. I called Namjoon when you fainted...I ended up yelling at him but did not say anything clearly. He must have understood that something has happened. I do not know whether you wanted to tell him now or later and it is completely between you two...Now he'll ask and..."

Joy takes her hand and presses slightly. She gives a tired and sorrowful smile.

"Thank you my child. Okay so now it is time for your dinner. Aera!! Do you have school tomorrow?" Noel tries to sound cheerful.

"Yesh!!"

"So let us have dinner!! Then you will prepare to sleep. You'll sleep today in my room!! Okay? Joy is not feeling well..."

The little girl nods and holds Noel's hand to go to the kitchen.

"Come on Joy." She asks her.

Joy shakes her head slowly.

Noel frowns, "I know you feel awful but you have to eat something!! It is bad for your condition. You've not eaten anything the whole day and we did not insist for the obvious reasons. But now you've to listen and try eating. This won't do..."

Joy sighs and gets off the bed to follow them out slowly.

Namjoon is still late. Noel is waiting for him. She has asked Joy if she will tell him about it. She knows that it is completely their personal matter, well it should be. But considering the circumstances she thought Joy may not want to tell him herself. And she was right. Joy clutched the napkin tightly and there was fear in her eyes. She just tilted her head slightly, gesturing that Noel could disclose.

  The older lady sighs. She should not have been irrational and call him so abruptly. But then again, he has to know. If not today then some other day...

The main gate opens indicating Namjoon's arrival. Noel can hear from her room. 

Namjoon does not find Joy in the dining room or in the kitchen. Something must have happened to her. He was right. He groans in irritation and asks about Noel. Butler Joseph informs that she is in her room.

He knocks after waiting for sometimes.

Noel opens the door and walks back in her room without saying anything. He can easily depict from her face that it is very serious.

 He is about to ask but she ignores him. She takes something from the bedside table and passes it to him. He takes it from her hand. He frowns.

The file seems to be a medical report with Park SooYoung written on it. He opens it skeptically.

He looks up at Noel to see her observing him. He keeps his face as expressionless and controlled as always. He turns to leave when...

"You've done what you'd to...now please be a little considerate..." Noel sighs.

He sits on his bed and looks at, " This was not part of my motive..." 

"Good morning Joy... How are you feeling today?" Noel softly greets.

Joy nods at her. The older woman sighs. She has not said anything since yesterday. What is going on in her mind??

"I've prepared the breakfast and will make his coffee now...I'll take it..." Noel says slowly.

But Joy stops her and begins to prepare it.

Noel glances at her,"I've...I've told him last night...Did he meet you...?"

Joy stops the movement of the spoon. She shakes her head slightly and walks out of the kitchen to his bedroom.

Namjoon's eyes opens with the knock on the door. He must have dozed off late last night. He did not drink much though. He checks the time: 8 a.m. 

He can tell from the thudding sound that it is her. 

He lets her enter and sits on the couch. He finally looks up at her after she puts the tray on the table. She notices her reports when she was making the bed. She is shivering and as always avoiding to look at him.

Joy just wants to leave his presence. She can feel his eyes following her everywhere and it feels like he will burn her down with them. She is not ready to face his reaction. Though he knows, he is yet to say anything. So may be if she can prepare his attire and get out. After doing her work, she is relieved that he has not said anything. She is about to leave when...

"Wait."

Joy breathes in and out trying to keep her heart calm. What will he say? 

His face is still expressionless. He points at the chair infront of him, "Sit..."