Part 3

“Dad.”

“Who’s this? Oh my daughter, what are you doing here?”

Yongjae’s face lit up when he saw her. Seowoo pulled her lips into a smile.

“What do you mean? I just missed you, Dad.”

“Aren’t you worried about what your in-laws might say?” 

“No, it’s not like that.”

Yongjae was worried she might face difficulties with her in-laws. Seowoo looked around. 

The cramped space was about a square foot, with a small toilet next to it.

She imagines Yongjae slumped in an uncomfortable chair, working all night.

Even as he aged, Yongjae continued to work, he didn’t want to be an inconvenience to his daughter, who had married into a chaebol family. He has been working as an apartment security guard since six years ago because he was too old to get a corporate job.

Although she had earned quite a bit of money from her acting career to support him but Yongjae always refused. 

‘It’s okay. Don’t spend your hard-earned money on your dad.’

“When do you get off work?”

“I’m about to finish soon. Have you had dinner?”

“What, already? It’s not even 4 o’clock yet.”

“Is that so? When I finish work, I’ll buy something delicious. What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm…”

As Seowoo hesitated for a moment, Yongjae’s rough hand gently brushed her cheek.

“But darling, why does your face look like this? Have you lost weight recently?”

“I’m intentionally dieting. And no, I haven’t lost weight.”

“Don’t try to deceive me. You seem to have lost a few pounds since the last time I saw you.”

Seowoo smiled bitterly.

“Dad, you really can’t be fooled with your eyes.” 

Yongjae, who had been looking at her with a melancholic expression, began to pack up to leave for work.

“Your dad makes money. Just say what you want. I can buy expensive things for you.”

“I really want to eat your miso stew, Dad.”

“‘Let’s have something even better.’ 

“I bought a lot of beef for you to enjoy. Let’s have it together, okay?”

Perhaps it was because she was feeling empty inside.

On days like this, she craved the food her mother, Yoon-rim, used to make. Seowoo grew up eating her mother’s cooking. After her mother passed away, her father, Yong-jae, cooked for her.

“Alright, let’s do that. Should we stop by the market on our way?”

“Sounds good”

Seowoo nodded vigorously.

***

“Ah, I’m so full.”

“Have some more.”

“I’ve eaten a lot already. Aren’t you going to eat more, Dad?”

“I’ve eaten plenty too.”

Yongjae smiled lightly as he looked at her struggling with her full stomach.

He can’t remember the last time they ate together like this.

It had been half a year since they ate together on his birthday. Although they occasionally exchanged greetings over the phone, it had been a long time since Yongjae had seen Seowoo’s face in person.

“You don’t have any worries, do you?”

“No worries. Nothing like that.”

Although she denied it, Yongjae knows.

He knew that his daughter, who had matured too quickly, would come to him when she was emotionally exhausted. After her mom died, she’s been living with herself and not with her biological father. Seowoo has learned to hide her feelings.

Perhaps she was afraid of burdening him.

She was simply grateful for him that he raised her without sending her to an orphanage. 

Yongjae couldn’t help but feel sorry for his kind daughter.

“Seowoo.”

“Dad.”

“Yeah?”

Clearly, something was bothering her again. Despite her smile, her eyes were filled with sadness. Without prodding, Yongjae patiently waited for her to speak.

Seowoo hesitated, her lips trembling, then sighed softly and forced herself to smile.

“I, I’ll be okay, right?”

“Of course.”

Without even asking what she meant, Yongjae answered straight away. She was a smart, good-natured daughter. Seowoo was a lot like her mother, Yoon-rim.

Yoon-rim was strong and bright despite raising her daughter alone, and that’s why Yongjae loved her.

Seowoo reminded him so much of Yoon-rim in her younger days. Yongjae smiled a little as he remembered his beloved Yoonlim.

“Are you sure it’s gonna be okay?”

“Of course. My daughter has always been wise.”

Yongjae’s answer helped ease the tension in her heart. 

Maybe that’s what I came here to hear. 

She wanted to hear those words. Seowoo’s head drooped for a moment.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry too much. Alright?”

She nodded slowly. She had to fight back tears, feeling like they might spill over at any moment.

“Ah, I’m so full. Can I take a short nap before I leave?”

“Sure. I’ve turned on the boiler, so you can get some sleep. I’ll clean up this mess.”

“Thank you so much, Dad.”

Seowoo quickly turned over and lay down. Her voice trailed off as it became choked with emotion. She heard the sound of him clearing the dishes from behind, but she couldn’t bring herself to get up.

No, Yongjae probably already knew what her condition was like. Seowoo closed her eyes, silently letting tears stream down her face.

***

“Now you’re blatantly late.”

As soon as she entered the entrance, Myeong-hye’s sharp voice echoed in her ears. She tried to wake up briefly and get up, but she fell back into a deep sleep.

Perhaps it was because meeting Yongjae had eased her mind. She had been suffering from insomnia, but she finally had a peaceful sleep after a long time.

Even though it was a short time, it felt like she had slept for a long time.

When she woke up, she hurriedly headed home.

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, she bowed her head and apologized to Myeong-hye.

“Come here and sit down.”

It seemed like Jiwook hadn’t come home from work yet. She slowly walked over and sat down in front of Myeong-hye.

“Did you say anything to Jiwook?”

It was because of what Jiwook had said this morning.

Why did he suddenly say something like that and put me in an uncomfortable situation?

 Seowoo cautiously opened her mouth and replied, looking around.

“No.”

In the firm manner she answered, Myeong-hye gazed at Seowoo intently for a moment. It reminded her of the time they had talked about marriage. No, it went back to the moment when Seowoo entered this house following her own mother.

There was not a single thing about Seowoo that Myeong-hye found appealing.

Her profession, her household, her appearance. Yet she’s marrying her precious son.

Now, she’s finally trying to separate them, but her son’s words were nothing short of irritating.

“If you end up divorcing, and we’ll never see each other again, but don’t talk nonsense to Jiwook.”

“…I understand.”

“Don’t forget that it’s your choice.”

 As if this choice was really mine.

Myeong-hye emphasized once again.

It seemed like she was now trying to withdraw, claiming it wasn’t something she imposed. Anyway, there was no room for discussion anymore.

It was a choice that Seowoo would be forced to make.

“Are you home?”

Myeong-hye’s voice sounded strong and she stood up. The change in her tone was evidence that her beloved son had arrived. Seowoo looked up and locked eyes with Jiwook, who had just entered the room.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“Yes.”

Somehow, sensing the slightly chilly atmosphere, Jiwook scrutinized Seowoo’s complexion. The dry gaze, the hardened expression. And lips pressed together. In his pallid face, his pupils glinted sharply.

“Son.”

“I’ll take a rest.”

Without another word, he strode to the stairs. When he didn’t sense any response from behind, he momentarily turned his head.

“What are you doing still standing there?”

“Uh…”

Seowoo, who had been standing dazedly, finally walked up to him. After briefly gazing at her, Jiwook headed back upstairs.