The two walked hand in hand along the well-maintained path. The night air after the heat had passed was quite cool.

“It’s cool at night now.”

“Are you cold?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

“You know we need to move soon, right?”

“Yes. Just thinking about moving all that stuff makes me sigh.”

“I’ll hire people. You focus on work. You need to get work done in advance so our honeymoon won’t be affected.”

“Can you take such a long trip?”

“I have to prepare everything in advance. I’ve cleared my schedule.”

“Isn’t ten days a bit long?”

Jinwook stopped walking at her words and made a blank expression.

“I might not even be able to go home starting next week to match that trip schedule. Do you know how I arranged everything? I absolutely must claim my rights.”

Soyu laughed at his unnecessarily solemn demeanor.

“Since when is a honeymoon a right?”

“No. Just try to shorten the schedule. I’ll stay upset. You know I hold grudges, right? I’ll nag you for the rest of your life.”

He looked completely serious. Surprised, Soyu blinked and said,

“I didn’t say we should shorten the schedule. I’m sorry if it sounded that way.”

Only then did Jinwook grin, wrap his arm around Soyu’s shoulders, and continue their conversation gently.

“Let’s live well together. If only because we’ve wasted so much time, we really need to live happily.”

“Yes. Let’s live well.”

“Shouldn’t we tell Yeoul that I’m his biological father?”

Soyu’s face darkened.

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell him when he’s older?”

Jinwook stopped walking and looked into Soyu’s eyes, speaking kindly.

“He might feel more betrayed if he finds out when he’s older. If you’re okay with it, I’ll tell him.”

Soyu sighed.

“Telling him is a bit……”

“I’ll take the lead. Let’s tell him.”

She nodded.

“Okay. Let’s tell him tomorrow when we go home.”

Jinwook smiled, wrapped his arm around Soyu’s shoulders, and walked. Soon the autumn wind would blow. By then, they would be living as a complete family. The full moon shone warmly over the two of them.

The next day, the couple checked out of the hotel and headed home. Their firmly clasped hands were as tightly intertwined as their hearts. Glancing at her, Jinwook asked,

“Are you worried?”

Soyu nodded.

“I don’t know how Yeoul will take it.”

Jinwook spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice.

“You know, you’ve raised Yeoul well. He’s not as fragile as you worry he might be. Trust me.”

“I’m worried he’ll be shocked.”

“If he hears it when he’s older, the shock would be even greater.”

Soyu sighed.

“It’s my fault.”

“You didn’t plan to marry me back then. Not telling Yeoul was the right decision at that time. Let’s not regret what’s in the past. We just need to do well from now on. Dwelling on the past makes you age.”

Soyu chuckled at his typical way of speaking. She took a deep breath and said with a more relaxed mind,

“You’re right. Let’s not dwell on it. And Yeoul will accept it well.”

Jinwook smiled too.

“Yes. Think that way. Worrying won’t make the impossible happen.”

Jinwook lifted her hand and shouted,

“Fighting!”

Soyu shouted too.

“Fighting!”

Then they arrived home. Soyu entered the foyer first, and Yeoul came out from the living room.

“Mom!”

Soyu hugged Yeoul tightly and asked in a gentle voice,

“Did you have breakfast?”

“Yes. I had toast with Grandma. Did you?”

Just then, the front door opened, and Jinwook entered carrying bags.

“Kim Yeoul!”

Yeoul’s eyes widened when he saw him.

“Dad!”

Soyu watched incredulously as her son abandoned her and rushed into Jinwook’s arms. What’s this? She didn’t get such an enthusiastic welcome. She felt oddly hurt. Jinwook took out the watercolors he had bought for Yeoul from his bag.

“Ta-da!”

Yeoul’s eyes widened.

“What is this?”

“Watercolors. We went to a place called Insadong, and there happened to be an art supply store.”

Yeoul’s eyes rolled with excitement as he received the watercolors.

“Wow. They look nice…. Thank you! Dad!”

“Actually, your mom bought them. Let’s go to an exhibition later too.”

“What’s an exhibition?”

“A place where paintings are displayed for appreciation. You’ll like it.”

“Okay. I want to go too. Dad, can I go to my room and look at these?”

“Yes. Go and look all you want.”

After Yeoul went to his room, Soyu pouted. Jinwook asked,

“What’s wrong?”

It was too embarrassing to say she was jealous because her son seemed to like him more.

“Nothing.”

When Soyu also went to her room, Jinwook stood there bewildered. Why is she acting like that? She was fine the whole time. Just then, Jeongeun came out of the bathroom and greeted him.

“Did you rest well?”

“Yes, Mother. Come here for a moment.”

“Why?”

“I bought you a gift.”

“A gift for me?”

“Yes.”

Jinwook took Jeongeun’s hand, sat her on the sofa, and handed her a small box. Jeongeun’s eyes widened when she opened it.

“Oh my.”

“It’s a brooch made of jade. They say it’s good for health.”

Inside was a butterfly-shaped brooch made of rose jade. Jeongeun’s face lit up with a bright smile as she pinned the brooch to her chest.

“Thank you.”

Jinwook smiled gently and held Jeongeun’s hand firmly.

“Mother, thank you for raising both Soyu and Yeoul so well.”

Jeongeun was taken aback by Jinwook’s sudden words.

“I didn’t do anything special…. They just grew up well on their own.”

He shook his head.

“No. I think both Soyu and Yeoul grew up well because you raised them with love. I’m truly grateful. From now on, I’ll be part of it too. And please stay healthy and with us for a long time.”

Jeongeun’s eyes reddened at his sincere words.

“Thank you for saying that. Let’s live well together as one family.”

“Yes.”

And through the open door crack, tears glistened in Soyu’s eyes as she listened to their conversation.

After dinner, Jinwook took Yeoul to the child’s room. Jeongeun looked anxiously at the closed door.

“I hope Yeoul won’t be too shocked.”

Soyu held her mother’s hand tightly.

“Let’s trust Jinwook, Mom. He’ll do well. He’ll do what we couldn’t.”

The two women looked at Yeoul’s bedroom door.

Meanwhile, Jinwook was sitting on the bed with Yeoul.

“Yeoul.”

“Yes?”

“Dad is going to marry Mom now, right?”

“Yes.”

“You asked me before. What would happen if your biological father appeared.”

The child nodded. Jinwook stroked the child’s face and gently began to speak.

“How would you feel if I were your biological father?”

Yeoul’s eyes widened.

“Are you my biological father?”

“Yes. I am your biological father.”

Curiosity seeped into Yeoul’s wavering eyes.

“Then why weren’t you with us?”

“I didn’t know you were born. Remember when we first met at Grand Park? Do you remember?”

“Yes.”

“After that day, your mom told me. That you were my son.”

The child’s small brow furrowed.

“Why did Mom hide it?”

“She didn’t plan to marry me. So she didn’t tell me. You know Dad is a bit immature. She probably wasn’t sure I’d be a good father.”

“You’re a good dad now.”

“I am now, but I was younger then. If I had met you from the beginning, I might have focused more on being a film director than being a good father.”

“What does ‘focused’ mean?”

“It means to work hard at something. Back then, Dad only knew about work.”

Yeoul was silent. He sat cross-legged with his small fist on his knee, head bowed, lost in his own thoughts. Jinwook didn’t rush him. After a while, the child spoke.

“So you were my dad from the beginning?”

“Yes. That’s an unchangeable fact.”

“So I’m your biological son?”

“Yes.”

“I’m a little upset with Mom. Why didn’t she tell me?”

“Mom feels sorry about that too. But Yeoul, that was her way of protecting you.”

The child frowned.

“I don’t understand such difficult words. I’m still young. I need to talk to Mom.”

Yeoul got off the bed, opened the door, and left the room. He approached Soyu sitting in the living room and asked,

“Is Dad my biological father?”

Her heart sank at her son’s question. Calming her anxiously pounding heart, Soyu opened her mouth as calmly as possible.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her heart pounded heavily. She had prepared many answers expecting some reaction based on her son’s personality, but when actually faced with the question, her mind went blank. Soyu looked steadily at her seemingly angry son. Then she spoke.

“Because I was afraid.”

She discarded all her prepared explanations. She needed to speak honestly to a child asking sincerely. The child was confused by his mother’s admission of fear.

“Afraid? Why?”

“That you might say you wanted to go to your father.”

Her voice was trembling now. Yeoul frowned.

“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t leave you. I’m your son, Mom.”

She took Yeoul’s hand with shaking fingers.

“I’m sorry. I hurt you. I’m sorry. Mom is.”

Her eyes were brimming with tears. Seeing his mother, the child bit his lip firmly.

“Are you really sorry?”

“Yes. I’m really sorry……”

Her trembling voice, her trembling hands. Those emotions were conveyed directly to the child. After thinking for a moment, Yeoul heaved a big sigh and shrugged his shoulders. Then he came closer and hugged his mother.

“It’s okay. I was going to stay angry if you didn’t apologize, but since you did, it’s fine now.”

Soyu’s eyes trembled.

“Yeoul……”

The child broke the embrace and extended his right hand to his mother.

“Let’s make up, Mom. You always said we should accept when someone apologizes sincerely.”