Jinwook truly didn’t issue any explanatory statement. Instead, he conveyed his request to take down the article through a lawyer. The gist was that they had carelessly published information about private citizens, and if they didn’t remove it, he would take legal action. The newspaper initially refused, but later agreed to Jinwook’s deal that he would give them the exclusive scoop on his marriage announcement first. The whole thing took just an hour.

Though the article was removed and Jinwook’s dating scandal ended as a mere incident, the problem was the eyewitness accounts popping up everywhere following the newspaper article. People claimed they saw the two holding hands or walking together with the child.

Fortunately, many comments were positive, saying the couple looked good together. Perhaps because of this, the rumors about Soyu being a gold digger quickly disappeared. On top of that, their high school classmates stepped up. Testimonials exploded about how well the single mother had studied in school, how close she was with Jinwook, and how everyone thought they would get married.

Additionally, stories about Jinwook’s behavior during high school surfaced as a bonus. With people posting about how he always stood up for justice and the weak, Jinwook transformed within hours from a sucker being taken advantage of by a gold digger to either a romantic or righteous man. Thus, Kim Jinwook marrying a single mother was becoming an established fact.

That night, the doorbell rang at Soyu’s house. Yeoul rushed to open the front door and threw himself into Jinwook’s arms.

“Uncle!”

“Yeoul!”

It had only been a day. But they embraced dramatically as if they hadn’t seen each other for years. Yeoul excitedly spoke without taking a breath.

“Uncle! I drew a picture and Mom said I did really well! She said I have talent!”

“Was it the dinosaur drawing?”

“No! I drew Mom. Mom was so surprised!”

Jinwook laughed heartily as he watched Yeoul mimicking his mother with wide eyes, his expression showing how adorable he found the boy.

“Who do you think our Yeoul is! Don’t forget, I was the first one to recognize this talent. I’ll do anything our Yeoul wants! Just trust your uncle!”

“Yes! I’ll only trust you, Uncle!”

Just then, Soyu’s cold voice came from where she was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

“You two. Coming in?”

Jinwook and Yeoul looked at Soyu simultaneously and shouted:

“Yes! Coming in!”

“Coming in!”

Soyu let out a hollow laugh at the sight. How did he become more and more like Jinwook with each passing day? Couldn’t he have taken after her a little? Kim Jinwook’s genes had defeated hers. That was quite an unpleasant fact. As Soyu went inside, Jinwook and Yeoul put their heads together and giggled.

Jinwook called out loudly as he entered the house.

“I’m home!”

Jeongeun welcomed him warmly.

“I thought you said you couldn’t come for a few days.”

“I wasn’t supposed to, but Soyu proposed to me today. I couldn’t stay away, could I, Mother?”

His bombshell statement shocked Jeongeun, Soyu, and Yeoul. Looking at her daughter, Jeongeun asked:

“You proposed marriage? Really?”

Soyu’s face was about to explode. Her face was red up to her neck, lips tightly pressed together, eyes filled with hostility, and fists trembling. Just then, Jinwook pulled out a large bouquet from behind his back and knelt on the living room floor.

“Yu-ya. I’ll make you happy! Thank you for proposing!”

Jeongeun flinched as she looked at her daughter. Far from happy, her daughter was about to burst. In all the years raising her, she had never seen her this angry. Suddenly, she felt it would be dangerous to stay there. She took her grandson’s hand and said:

“Yeoul, let’s go inside with Grandma.”

“Grandma, are Uncle and Mom getting married? Does that mean we’re going to America?”

“America?”

“Uncle promised that if he married Mom, he’d take us to America to see a movie studio. Are we really going to America now?”

Jeongeun quickly fled to the bedroom with her grandson, covering his mouth with her hand as she watched her daughter having a fit. As soon as her mother and son entered the room, Soyu shouted “Yah!” and lunged at Jinwook.

“Whoa! Why! Why are you like this! Hey!”

Jinwook fled in surprise, still holding the bouquet. But he could only go as far as the living room. He and Soyu faced each other in a standoff. Soyu’s eyes glared at Jinwook, flashing with madness.

“Do you not have a brain?”

“I’d be dead if I didn’t have a brain.”

“I’m asking if you have any common sense!”

Jinwook quickly smiled gently and fluttered his hands.

“Come on. How could I make movies without thinking? I think a lot.”

“Hey!”

“Ooh. Shouting like that will give you vocal nodules. I’ve seen several people get surgery for that. You should be careful. Would it be good to be coughing as you walk down the aisle?”

Soyu’s entire body turned red with anger and trembled. Seeing her about to faint backward, Jinwook seemed to realize his mistake and suddenly knelt down, offering the bouquet. Then he spoke seriously.

“Don’t be angry. What if you collapse again? Whatever it is, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me. I was so happy that my mouth refused to obey my brain. You know I’m simple-minded. Try to understand. Still, I was so happy all day that I even danced. I love you, Yu-ya. Thank you.”

Soyu’s fierce gaze gradually softened at his sincere words. Still, she didn’t stop glaring at him. Jinwook spoke in a worried tone.

“You’ll get a lazy eye if you keep that up…. Stop glaring…. Your eyeballs will hurt….”

Soyu heaved a big sigh, her shoulders rising. Then she blamed herself.

“I should have been more careful with my words in front of you.”

“No. It’s not your fault. How could proposing be wrong? It’s absolutely not wrong.”

When Soyu, who had been glaring at him, staggered with dizziness, a startled Jinwook jumped up and supported her.

“Should we go to the emergency room? Are you dizzy? See, why do you get angry? You’re not the type who can handle anger. How are you going to manage if you can’t control your temper?”

Soyu’s face contorted. Yes, she was dizzy, but she also wanted to sew Jinwook’s mouth shut. She truly wished she could do something about that mouth. Jinwook sat her down on the sofa and quickly went to the kitchen to get water.

“Let’s drink some water. That’s right. Our Soyu is doing well. Good. Drink slowly.”

Soyu let out a wry laugh at his attitude, as if he were handling a child. She had lost. This was Jang Soyu’s complete defeat. No matter what she did, beating Kim Jinwook was impossible. She said:

“I give up.”

“Huh? Were we playing a game?”

“I’m saying I lost to you. Do whatever you want now.”

Jinwook opened his eyes wide, tilted his head back, and laughed loudly.

“Yes! Great! Thank you! So I can prepare the wedding as I want, right?”

There was no strength in Soyu’s eyes as she looked at him. She wanted to sleep. She felt dizzy. Just then, Jinwook called loudly for Jeongeun and Yeoul.

“Mother! Yeoul! Come out and see!”

When Jeongeun and Yeoul cautiously emerged from the room, Jinwook spoke with the happiest expression in the world.

“Soyu agreed to get married! I’m getting married now! Mother!”

Yeoul ran over with a bright face and asked:

“So are we going to America now?”

Jinwook answered energetically:

“Yes! Let’s all go to America for our honeymoon! Thank you! Kim Yeoul!”

“Yay! We’re going to America! Uncle! This will be my first time in America!”

“Now call me Dad. Try it.”

“Dad?”

Jinwook’s lips quivered with emotion.

“Try it.”

Yeoul tilted his head cutely and said:

“Da… ddy?”

“Yeoul! You’re my son!”

“Daddy! Daddy! I finally have a dad too! I’m so excited!”

Watching Jinwook embrace his son, Soyu felt all strength leave her body and couldn’t say anything. Ah… she sincerely wanted to be alone.

After the commotion died down, Soyu’s dizziness improved. Meanwhile, Jeongeun had prepared a late dinner for Jinwook. Jeongeun looked at Jinwook with sympathetic eyes as he wolfed down his food.

“You haven’t eaten?”

With his cheeks stuffed full, Jinwook replied:

“I had a lunchbox, but it had no nutritional value. Mother’s food is the best.”

“Eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion. Should I fry an egg for you?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Yeoul, who was resting his chin on the table and staring at Jinwook from the adjacent chair, said:

“Were you very hungry?”

“Hm? Yeah.”

“That’s pitiful….”

Jinwook paused with food halfway to his mouth.

“You think I’m pitiful?”

“Yes. Mom sometimes starves while working too. I understand it’s because she’s working for the family, but please don’t starve yourself.”

Jinwook’s eyes grew moist as he looked at his son. How admirable that such a young child could think this way. When Jinwook started to tear up, Yeoul tilted his head and asked:

“Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m moved…. Thank you…. Yeoul….”

“Is it nice when someone says you’re pitiful?”

“Huh?”

“You said thank you.”

“Well, it’s not exactly that, but I’m grateful because you said it out of concern for Dad.”

“You know what, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes, what have you been thinking about?”

“Should I really call you Dad?”

“Of course! I’m your real dad now.”

“Then what about my real dad? What if my real dad shows up later?”

The three adults froze at the child’s words. Soyu’s gaze deepened as she watched her son from the living room, Jeongeun was flustered, and Jinwook… smiled brightly.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m your real dad now. You’re my son.”

“Even if my real dad comes?”

“Yes! Even if your real dad comes, you’ll always be my son. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“So can I brag that you’re my real dad?”

Jinwook pounded his chest and said:

“Of course! Yeoul, come here and let Dad give you a hug!”

The child got down from his chair and went into Jinwook’s outstretched arms. Then he said quietly:

“I finally have a dad now…. I’m happy….”

Jinwook’s eyes quickly grew moist as he held his son tightly.