Park Shin Hye slowly opened her eyes and found herself waking up the next morning in a strange yet familiar room. She sighed, basking in the early morning sunlight. A week had passed since she moved to Yuri’s house, and now she was back in this place she used to call her ‘home’. But now… she felt overwhelmed by all the sudden pouring of changes. Soo Young’s confession, Rae Won samcheon’s confession, her attempt to divorce her husband, Min Ho taking Yeo Jin away from her, and now… she was pregnant. Everything had suddenly become so complicated.

As she slowly brought her hand down, she gently caressed her flat stomach. Although she still couldn't feel anything, the sensation was unexplainable. There was a life growing inside her… again. She wasn't sure if being pregnant now was right or not. Considering her relationship with Min Ho, she had no confidence that she could provide the baby with a complete and healthy home. She really wanted to believe what he had told her in the hospital, but… she was scared, scared of disappointment, and being hurt again.

After she had cleaned herself, she walked out of her room and headed towards the soft aroma wafting from the kitchen. At the dining table, sat her little princess Yeo Jin, her eyes glued to the open kitchen where Min Ho was busy cooking something with ahjuhma standing beside him. Shin Hye’s eyebrows arched in disbelief, the man that can’t even cook ramyeon, was now cooking in the kitchen. A mixture of surprise and confusion painted Shin Hye's expression as she stared at the man in the open kitchen.

Yeo Jin, sensing her presence, turned around with a wide grin and made an excited move to dash towards her mother.

“Eomma!”

But before she could take more than a step, Min Ho's firm voice cut through the air. “Yeo Jin, stop!”

He quickly put down whatever he was holding and rushed out from the kitchen. Before Yeo Jin could jump onto Shin Hye, he held his daughter and carried her in his arms. “How many times has appa told you to be careful when you are around eomma? You might hurt her if you accidentally bump into her.”

“Appa… I’m sorry…” Yeo Jin looked at her father with an apologetic gaze.

Shin Hye's surprise transformed into a mix of annoyance and protectiveness. With a roll of her eyes, she stepped forward, her tone laced with exasperation. “Yah, Lee Min Ho!” Shin Hye glared at him angrily as she forcefully pulled Yeo Jin away from him and held her tightly in her arms. “What’s your problem? How could she hurt me? She's just a little kid. She’s not going to hurt me.”

A heavy sigh escaped Min Ho's lips, the weight of his worry was palpable, a reflection of his desire to shield her from harm. However, he remained acutely aware of the chasm that lingered between them, the anger that still simmered in her heart, causing their relationship to be dangerous. The possibility of them getting divorced was getting closer, which meant he had to be cautious with what he said so that he didn't make her angry.

Summoning his courage, Min Ho mustered the words to convey his genuine worry for her, a vulnerability he was willing to expose. He chose his words carefully, hoping to bridge the gap that had formed between them. “I’m just worried about you…” he paused, pressing his lips together. “You just discharged yesterday, and doctor said you need to be very careful.”

Shin Hye took a deep breath, still glaring at Min Ho. “Don’t you think you are overly worried? Your reaction will frighten Yeo Jin. She is just a kid and wouldn’t understand.”

Yeo Jin, still in Shin Hye’s arms, gazed at her parents with a mixture of fear and apology. It was as if she had done something very wrong.

The room was consumed by silence, and a sense of awkwardness settled over everyone. Shin Hye know that Min Ho was genuinely concerned, yet she found herself disliking his behavior. And at the same time, Min Ho also grasped the situation and acknowledged his overreaction. Despite this understanding shared between them, neither knew how to dispel the prevailing unease that hung in the air.

“Shin Hye…” ahjuhma’s voice sliced through the awkward silence, rescuing them from their hesitation. “Don’t just stand there, come on, have a seat at the dining table. Min Ho has been toiling over this porridge since the crack of dawn.” Her words were a gentle but a firm command, urging Shin Hye and Min Ho to shed their uncertainty.

“Eo…” Shin Hye replied, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment over the sudden outburst. Lately, it seemed like her emotions were dangling by a thread, a thread that had grown frayed and fragile since the day Yeo Jin was hospitalized. Furthermore, Ji Eun’s passing had cast a long, sorrowful shadow over her heart, amplifying the storm that was already raging within her due to the unresolved issues in her marriage with Min Ho. Now, with the additional tumult of pregnancy, her hormonal imbalance was like a turbulent sea, tossing her between anger and tears with capriciousness that frightened her. She despised this version of herself, this woman who felt like a stranger, a marionette controlled by forces beyond her grasp.

It was as if he could read Shin Hye’s thoughts, sensing her discomfort and wanting to dispel the unease that hung between them, Min Ho took Yeo Jin from Shin Hye’s embrace with care. He settled their daughter onto the ground before turning his gaze back to her. With a cautious tone, he spoke, “Shall we have our breakfast now? I understand your appetite might be low, and porridge would be the ideal choice for you right now. Ahjuhma mentioned how much you like chicken porridge during your pregnancy with Yeo Jin.” His grasp on her hand was gentle, guiding her slowly toward the dining table while Yeo Jin followed behind. Ahjuhma had already emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of porridge.

Shin Hye sat down on the dining chair; her eyes fixed on the steaming bowl of porridge placed before her. The sight made water, even though she hadn't taken a bite yet. Across the table, Min Ho settled into his seat, his gaze filled with hope as he looked at her. It was his first time trying his hand at cooking, and he held onto the wish that Shin Hye would enjoy it. He knew that her recent weight loss was partly because of him, a fact that weighed heavily on his heart. Now that she was pregnant, he understood that her body carried an even greater load. The least he could do was prepare meals for her, a gesture to ease her burden.

Without hesitating any longer, Shin Hye cautiously lifted a spoonful of the porridge and placed it into . The warmth of the porridge was a soothing balm for her empty stomach, and surprisingly, the taste was delightful, even though it was his first attempt at cooking. She couldn't resist taking another spoonful before meeting Min Ho's expectant eyes.

“It's... alright,” she uttered, a faint grin gracing her lips.

Min Ho's heart leaped with unspoken joy in his seat, almost like he was silently shouting with happiness. After weeks of waiting, seeing her smile at him was the happiest moment he had experienced.

“Eat more if you like it,” Min Ho said excitedly.

Ahjumma smiled warmly at Min Ho's childlike reaction, placing two more steaming bowls of hot porridge before Min Ho and Yeo Jin. “You should eat too. You haven't had anything except coffee since you got up early this morning to make the porridge,” she said gently, concern in her eyes. “It's not good for your stomach to go without food. After you eat, you should take a short nap before heading to the office.”

Shin Hye glanced up at Min Ho and noticed the tiredness evident in the bags under his eyes.  “I'm alright,” Min Ho assured as he picked up his spoon to join in. “There's a meeting at 10 am, and I'll head there after I finish this.”

He looked weary, the lines of exhaustion etched onto his face. It was clear that the ongoing tension between them had taken its toll on him as well. A small frown tugged at the corners of her lips as she remembered how he woke up early this morning to prepare her favourite porridge. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. He could have easily left the task to ahjuhma, but he didn't

As she stirred her porridge absentmindedly, Shin Hye toyed with the idea of suggesting him to take a short nap before heading to the office. Yet, the words caught in , strangled by the awkwardness that still lingered between them from earlier. The distance felt like a chasm, one she wasn't sure how to bridge. She let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, her thoughts drifting back to their conversation of the previous night.

“Not anybody, not anything... but you.” he said, the sincerity in his eyes leaving an indelible mark on her heart.

His desire to prove that her return was solely because of her, and not influenced by anyone else, echoed in her mind. Not even Yeo Jin or the unborn baby could sway his intentions. It was a commitment she wanted to believe in, a promise that held a fragile hope for their future. With a resolute exhale, she focused on her porridge, each spoonful a silent reminder of the steps they needed to take, the hurdles they needed to overcome.

Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, a swirling vortex of confusion and longing. Yet, she knew that trying to untangle it all at once would only lead to more chaos. Taking a deep breath, Shin Hye made a silent vow to herself. She would tackle one challenge at a time, allowing their connection to mend gradually. For now, the porridge before her symbolized more than just a meal; it represented a beginning, a step forward into the uncertain yet promising path ahead.

-------------------------------------------------------

Three days had passed since the breakfast incidents. It seemed like Min Ho was exceptionally busy at the office, only returning home late at night after Shin Hye had already fallen asleep. She guessed this was because of the arguments they had over the past weeks; he has to focus on their problems which had caused his work to pile up. However, despite his demanding schedule, every morning, he still woke up early to prepare breakfast for her and Yeo Jin before heading off to work. She knew he was worried about her and wanted to make sure she was eating healthily.

She and Yeo Jin were currently on a short break, but school was set to reopen next week. The impending return to school weighed heavily on Shin Hye's mind. She worried about how Yeo Jin would react when she learned the truth about Ji Eun's passing. She knew that she can’t hide from Yeo Jin and avoid the painful conversation any longer.

As she rested in the living room lost in her thoughts, her mobile phone suddenly rang, and the name displayed on the screen caught her completely by surprise.

Soo Young…

~~~~~

One hour later…

Coffee shop…

Shin Hye entered the cozy coffee shop just around the corner from her home and spotted Soo Young already seated at a table by the window. Her heart skipped a beat, and she paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath to calm her racing nerves. With newfound determination, she began to make her way towards Soo Young, step by step, unsure of what the meeting would bring, but ready to face it head-on.

As Soo Young glanced up and noticed Shin Hye approaching her table, a gentle smile crept across her face, b with gratitude.

“Thank you for coming,” she expressed warmly after Shin Hye settled into the seat across from her.

Shin Hye returned the smile before her gaze drifted to the glass of milk set before her. As though she could read Shin Hye's unspoken thoughts, Soo Young added, “I hope you don't mind that I ordered the milk for you without asking. I thought milk would be the best choice for you right now.”

Shin Hye glanced at her, surprised by her thoughtfulness, and before she could respond, Soo Young continued, her voice filled with genuine warmth. “Min Ho told me that you are pregnant. Congratulations,” she said, her sincerity shining through her words.

The room suddenly grew quiet, and an uncomfortable stillness hung in the air as the two women locked eyes, neither one willing to break the tension. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly until Shin Hye finally broke the silence with a heavy sigh.

“There is nothing to congratulate about.” she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. She paused for a moment, her gaze unwavering. “I'm sure he told you. We are separating.”

Soo Young had expected Shin Hye's words, but what really startled her was Shin Hye's reaction. When Min Ho first mentioned that Shin Hye wanted a divorce, Soo Young couldn't believe it. Over the years, she had witnessed just how deeply Shin Hye loved Min Ho and how much she had endured to stay by his side. It seemed like an impossible decision for someone who had shown such unwavering dedication.

“I thought… you'd change your mind after Min Ho talked to you,” Soo Young asked, her voice tinged with confusion. “Don’t you think it’s a waste to give up?” She continued after a moment of silence. “Why now? After seven years of protecting this marriage that doesn’t seems to work, why only give up now?”

Shin Hye fixed her gaze on Soo Young, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. It was as if Soo Young had thrown down a challenge, daring her to confront the truth. Why now, indeed? She couldn't help but stifle a bitter, almost ironic laugh deep within her. How could Soo Young not understand? Wasn't it glaringly apparent why she wanted to walk away now, even after years of tireless effort? The answer, buried beneath the scars of a crumbling relationship, was plain for those who cared to see.

“Maybe,” Shin Hye said, her voice filled with weariness, a tired smile playing on her lips. “I'm getting tired of being stuck between both of you.” She paused, her eyes locked onto Soo Young's gaze, a subtle challenge in her soft-spoken words. There was a quiet fire in her voice, one that hinted at the brewing emotions hidden beneath the surface.

A flush of embarrassment flooded Soo Young's cheeks as she listened to Shin Hye's words, feeling as though they were directed squarely at her. Ever since the day Kyung Ho, her husband, had left her, she had shamelessly leaned on Min Ho. It was true that Min Ho had promised Kyung Ho to look after her and her son, Dae Hyun, but she couldn't deny that she had used this as an excuse to keep him by her side. Deep down, she knew she was being selfish, fully aware that Min Ho already had a wife and daughter. But her only goal was to provide Dae Hyun with the best life possible and a shoulder for her to lean on.

Soo Young gathered her strength, inhaling deeply before turning her gaze towards Shin Hye. “You mean...” Her voice wavered as she hesitated, her teeth gently pressing into her lower lip. “...you are getting tired of me, who is the biggest problem between both of you.” She admitted first, worried that Shin Hye would say it out loud. No matter how kind Shin Hye is, no woman can bear to see her husband caring for another woman. She understands that her own selfishness has caused pain to both Shin Hye and Yeo Jin.

Shin Hye couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, finding Soo Young’s words quite amusing. “You know,” she said, “when you are in a relationship with three people, someone always ends up feeling like the extra wheel.” She paused, a wry smile playing on her lips. “And we all know who that someone is.”

Once again, a heavy silence hung in the air, and neither of them uttered a single word. Soo Young sensed that she had stumbled upon a sensitive subject, one that had created an uncomfortable tension between them. Yesterday, when she called Min Ho and he said that Shin Hye was still determined to pursue a divorce, Soo Young found herself utterly perplexed. She couldn’t understand why.

As Soo Young continued to drift in her deep thoughts, Shin Hye's voice suddenly shattered the uncomfortable stillness.

“He loves you.”

Soo Young's eyes grew wider as she stared at Shin Hye, unable to believe what she had just heard. “W-What?”

Shin Hye took a long, painful breath, remembering the day she rushed to the hospital when Yeo Jin was sick. She couldn't forget the conversation she accidentally heard between Soo Young and Min Ho in the hallway. It was like a sudden awakening for her, a moment when she knew she had to end her marriage with Min Ho.

“He loves you.” Shin Hye repeated. “I heard it with my own ears.”

Soo Young's forehead wrinkled in confusion as she tried to understand Shin Hye's words. Min Ho had loved her during their time at university, and she believed he still did even after she marries Kyung Ho. But Shin Hye claimed to have heard something herself? What could that mean?

At first, it was like sorting out a messy puzzle, but slowly, like sunlight breaking through thick clouds, understanding began to emerge. Her eyes widened in shock, fixed on Shin Hye. Could it be… she was there that night?

If Shin Hye had heard it with her own ears, it must have been the night when Dae Hyun was in the hospital, and she had spoken with Min Ho outside his hospital room. Soo Young had been shattered that night, burdened by the guilt of Dae Hyun's injury, which had been caused by her own carelessness. In that moment, she had felt utterly alone, lost, and desperate to find someone who could care for her and Dae Hyun, just as Min Ho had done in the past.

Ever since Min Ho expressed his desire to start anew with Shin Hye, Soo Young had been plagued by insecurity, fearing that Min Ho would leave and never return to see Dae Hyun again. In Dae Hyun's mind, Min Ho was a father to him, even though he wasn’t biologically related. Min Ho had been there for him throughout his entire childhood, and Soo Young was terrified that Dae Hyun would lose that connection.

Yet, another wave of confusion swept over Soo Young's thoughts. If Shin Hye was there at that moment, her stubborn insistence on divorcing Min Ho didn’t make sense at all. Surely, Shin Hye should have understood that Min Ho's feelings for her weren’t what she believed them to be.

“That night…” Soo Young broke the silence. “… you were there?” She asked in a careful tone.

Shin Hye met her gaze as she bites her lower lip and nodded her head softly. “I'm sorry,” she apologized, her voice filled with sincerity. “I didn't mean to eavesdrop. It just happened that Yeo Jin was in the hospital too, and I bumped into both of you.” She paused, taking a deep breath, before continuing, “Don't worry about me hearing the details of the conversation. I didn't stand there for long, as I respect people's privacy.”

Soo Young couldn't help but release a faint smile. She knew she was right. Shin Hye had indeed misunderstood everything, and it was all because she had only caught the beginning of their conversation, the part that twisted the truth the most. But what weighed heavily on Soo Young's heart was the memory of that night when she was in Min Ho’s embrace. Now she understood the immense pain that must have gripped Shin Hye's heart as she watched her own husband embracing another woman right before her eyes.

Suddenly, everything fell into place. This was the reason behind Shin Hye's unwavering determination to seek a divorce, regardless of Min Ho's desperate efforts to salvage their crumbling marriage. Soo Young let out a sigh filled with regret. “You were there, but just for a moment. Then it must be a misunderstanding.” she said softly, her eyes locked on Shin Hye with a sincere apology. “If only you had stayed a little longer, if you had listened to the entire conversation, you wouldn't be saying these things to me now.”

Misunderstanding? Now it was Shin Hye's turn to feel puzzled by what Soo Young had just said. She vividly recalled hearing Min Ho say, “Soo Young... I love you.” How could this possibly be a misunderstanding?

“What do you mean?” she asked, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

Soo Young gazed at Shin Hye, her eyes filled with a mix of uncertainty and sadness. “I'm not sure how much you've heard,” she began, her words cautious and deliberate. “I don't think it's been much, but perhaps enough to create some misunderstandings. I can make a rough guess about which part of the story reached your ears and led you to this decision.” A heavy sigh escaped her lips, carrying the weight of unspoken regrets. As she locked eyes with Shin Hye, her mind wandered back to that night in the cold hospital hallway, a memory etched into her heart forever.

~~~~~

Due to Soo Young’s demanding work schedule, leaving her no option but to leave Dae Hyun home alone for the night. Despite his young age, Dae Hyun had always been remarkably well-behaved and mature for his years, which usually put Soo Young at ease when she had to be away. Little did she know that accidents could strike even the most responsible of children. That night, Dae Hyun had inadvertently injured his hand, and the bleeding wouldn't cease. Thankfully, Min Ho arrived just in time to rush him to the hospital.

The doctor managed to stop the bleeding and stitched up Dae Hyun's hand, but due to his health concerns, they recommended that he be hospitalized for the night for further monitoring. After administering some painkillers, Dae Hyun drifted off to sleep, his small face peaceful despite the ordeal.

Soo Young bit her lips as tears started to escape her eyes again. “I’m sorry to bring you trouble again.”

“Let’s talk outside.” Min Ho said, pointing at the door. After the whole fuss tonight, Dae Hyun must be very tired and need a lot of rest. He doesn’t want to disturb his sleep.

They went out, Min Ho closed the door before turning around to look at Soo Young, who was still crying. Letting out another long sigh, he stepped closer to her and gently pulled her into his arms, his hand her back soothingly. “Don’t cry. Everything will be fine.”

“Min Ho, I’m very scared.” Soo Young wrapped her arms around Min Ho’s waist, hugging him tightly. “Will anything happen to Dae Hyun? I can’t lose him.”

“You will not lose him. I’m here. I will not let anything happen to Dae Hyun.” He paused and inhaled a deep breath. “Don't worry,” he continued, his voice comforting as his hand gently her back. “The doctor already said Dae Hyun will be okay. It was an accident. No one can predict, and no one wanted this to happen. Don't blame yourself.”

Min Ho's comforting words wrapped around Soo Young like a warm embrace. She pulled away slightly to lift her eyes and met his unwavering gaze, tears teetering at the edge of her eyes. “Do you really mean what you say?” Soo Young's voice quivered softly.

As Min Ho looked into her teary eyes, he felt a strange unease deep within him. His heart raced with doubt, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he sensed that something was about to happen, something that would make their relationship more complicated.

Soo Young nestled into Min Ho’s embrace, avoiding his uncertain gaze. She murmured softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability, “Will you really… stay with us forever?”

The hand that had been gently her back froze instantly as Min Ho was taken aback by the unexpected question. The hallway was very quiet at this hour, the nurses were all at the front desk, unaware of the intimate conversation taking place. And there, not too far away, stood the most unexpected person of all, listening to every word they exchanged, an unknowing witness to their vulnerable moment.

“I…” Talking suddenly become difficult as he couldn’t bring the words out from his throat. “I… I… of course I mean what I said. I promi