Hi guys. I really appreciate your kindness and support, also those that took out time to suggest a new story name, thank you so much. I've changed the story name, I hope you like it.

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[Chapter 3]

Hana sighed deeply as she stared at the signpost of the coffee shop. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. At home, her son lay sleeping all alone, while inside the coffee shop sat her mother, the same woman who had disowned her six years ago.

Hana couldn't quite grasp what her mother wanted to discuss, but she had a strong sense that it wouldn't be good.

After steeling herself, Hana entered the coffee shop. The moment her eyes met her mother’s, a sharp pain pierced her chest. But she pressed on, finally taking a seat opposite the older woman.

Her mother’s face was blank, her eyes filled with pride, and she gazed at Hana with a satisfied air.

“So, you can see now,” her mother said, staring intently at Hana. “You finally had the surgery?”

Hana was puzzled by her mother’s words. Surgery? What was she talking about?

“What surgery?” she asked calmly, trying to read her mother’s expression.

“The surgery that allowed you to see and speak by fixing the injury in your brain.” The older woman sipped her coffee before continuing. “It must have cost a fortune.”

Hana remained confused, struggling to make sense of her mother’s words.

“What do you mean? Was there a surgery that could have made me see and speak?”

“Yes, there was,” her mother said with a sigh, sitting up straighter. “The truth is, you weren't born blind or mute. An accident caused it. You had just turned two, and I was seven months pregnant with Min-so when it happened. That day is one I loathe. You wanted ice cream and cried for it until I finally gave in. But you were too excited and broke free from my hand. Neither of us saw the car coming.

“We were both hit. The driver rushed us to the hospital. I was bleeding and worried about losing Min-so, while you were bleeding from the mouth and ears. The doctors told us how severe your condition was and that you needed immediate, expensive surgery. Otherwise, you would lose your eyesight and your ability to speak due to the injuries. I, too, needed urgent care to save Min-so, as I had gone into labor.

“So, your father and I made a decision. We used our savings to ensure Min-so's survival because it was you who caused the accident by wanting ice cream. Min-so was born prematurely, but we spared no expense to save her. As for you, we couldn't afford the surgery, and that’s how you became blind and mute.” The woman’s voice was devoid of remorse, and once again, Hana was reduced to tears.

She felt the weight of her horrific past crashing down on her. She hadn’t been born with disabilities, yet she had suffered the most. She had been insulted and blamed for bringing shame to the family, while it was her parents who were truly responsible for her condition.

Hana wanted to scream at her mother, to tell her just how cruel she was, but she held back. She swallowed her tears and stared at the floor for a moment before looking up again.

“A complete stranger, someone I didn’t even know, picked me up and saved me. She arranged the surgery, cared for me like a sister, and gave me the love of a mother, a father, a family. The love my own parents denied me was given by that stranger.” Hana smiled through her tears as she thought of Jia.

She stood, unwilling to remain near her mother any longer. “If you called me here just to belittle me again, then we have nothing to talk about.” She turned to leave, but her mother’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

“I heard you have a son. Is he Gu Chul’s?” her mother asked in a steady voice, triggering something dark within Hana. Her eyes darkened, her skin paling like that of a demon. As she turned back to face her mother, the older woman recoiled in fear.

“Min-jee,” Hana’s voice was low and filled with fury. “You and your husband disowned me, so you have no right to ask about my life. Let this be the first and last time you contact me. Go back to your precious family and stay out of my life. Have I made myself clear?” Hana was seething, and her mother could see the rage in her eyes.

“I came to you today to give you a chance to redeem yourself from the disgrace you brought upon us. The Gu family might accept you back, given your new appearance and the fact that you have a son with him. Don’t let us down again.” There was no regret in Min-jee’s tone, and that was the final straw for Hana.

“What makes you think I want to be part of your family again? Why would I go back to Chul and his family?” Hana advanced toward her mother, fists clenched in anger, eyes bloodshot, growling as she spoke.

“And for the record, my son belongs to me and me alone. Don’t ever call or show up in my life again, or you will regret it.” With that, Hana stormed out of the coffee shop, her heart pounding with anger, fear, and the overwhelming need to protect her son.

When she got home, she embraced Jaemin, who was still fast asleep. She kissed his face repeatedly, whispering apologies.

“I’m so sorry, baby. Mommy won’t leave you alone ever again,” she said softly. Jaemin smiled at his mother.

“What’s wrong, Mommy? Why do you look sad?” Jaemin asked. Hana quickly forced a smile, caressed his face, and lay down beside him.

“Mommy’s just tired, but a little sleep will make everything better,” she assured him, holding him close until he drifted back to sleep.

But Hana remained afraid. She knew what her parents were capable of, and the thought of Chul and his family taking her son away was unbearable.

“No. I will never let anyone take my baby from me.” She covered Jaemin with the blanket, got off the bed, and called Kyungsoo, telling him everything that had happened. When she hung up, she sat beside her son, watching him, until her ringing phone pulled her from her thoughts.

Hana hesitated before picking up her phone, but she felt a sense of relief when she saw it was Jaemin’s teacher calling.

“Hello, Miss Anna. Good day,” she greeted cheerfully.

“Good day, Miss Hana. I’m calling about the upcoming school summer event. The event will involve a partnership between two families, and you’ve been paired with Jaemin’s best friend, Byun Haneul, and his father,” Miss Anna explained. Hana nodded in acknowledgment.

“Alright, thank you for letting me know,” Hana replied, glancing at her son and smiling at the soft sounds he made in his sleep. “So, what exactly are we expected to do together?” she asked, wanting to be well-prepared.

“All partners are expected to bring cooked dishes, baked pastries, drinks, and juices. It’s important for you to get to know each other, as there will be questions and various fun activities during the event. You and Mr. Byun Baekhyun can decide together what you’d like to contribute—that’s part of the fun,” Miss Anna added with a smile that Hana found slightly odd, though she didn’t dwell on it.

“Oh, alright. Thanks a lot,” Hana said before ending the call. She began thinking about the activities Miss Anna had mentioned, feeling a sense of excitement.

She picked up a notebook and pen, jotting down items she needed to buy for the event. Hana had never relied on a partner for school events like this. Too often, they disappointed her, passing judgment on her status as a single mother.

Hana sighed, recalling the harsh words some parents had spoken about her. Some even warned their children to avoid Jaemin. During events like these, Hana would usually stick close to her son, doing everything together without caring about their standing.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing again. The caller ID showed an unknown number, so she ignored it at first. But the persisten