He laughed—brightly, almost joyfully.

Then, without warning, he snatched the jacket out of Chairwoman Min’s hands with rough decisiveness.

“I’ll be taking back what’s mine.”

“W-what are you talking about?”

She stammered, utterly dumbfounded.

Everything about him was absurd: his easy, delighted laugh when she had expected him to fly into a rage; his casual suggestion that he might marry Ye-jin again; and his claim that the jacket belonged to him. None of it made any sense.

But before she could respond, he reached into the jacket’s pocket and took out a faded student ID card.

“……?!”

Her breath caught. Printed in bold letters on the old card was a name: Seo Jung-hoo.

Beneath that was his youthful photograph, unmistakable even after all this time.

Chairwoman Min stared at the card, her face draining of color as realization hit her.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

Ye-jin quietly stepped out of the nursery after making sure Hope had fallen soundly asleep. She planned to leave her little boy with the babysitter for a while so she could unwind and lose herself in music.

Inside the piano room, she stood before the wall lined with rows of neatly arranged records, her eyes tracing the titles with quiet thoughtfulness.

What should she listen to today?

She pondered the choice for so long that she didn’t notice the soft, elongated shadow slowly spreading over her from behind.

“…?”

Before she could turn around, a tall figure appeared behind her, draping a familiar leather jacket over her shoulders and wrapping his arms around her.

The soft, familiar scent of the jacket made her freeze in shock.

“S-Seo Jung-hoo?”

She whispered, her voice trembling.

Why was he wearing this jacket?

It should have been hanging safely in her old room…

“You fool,” he murmured softly, his voice warm against her ear. “I’ve only just realized it.”

His breath grazed her skin like a sigh.

“You’ve been right in front of me all along”

Then he gently kissed the top of her head.

Ye-jin blinked, her mind a haze of confusion and disbelief.

She couldn’t understand what he was saying, nor why her heart was beating so fast.

‘I thought someone like me would be completely forgotten…’

“You mean you didn’t even know I was right in front of you?”

“I’ve been so curious all this time. How that girl must have grown up…”

“…”

“You’ve grown up to be far more beautiful than I ever imagined.”

Ye-jin slowly turned around. Facing him, she cautiously moved her lips.

“Do you remember me?”

“Of course I remember you. Every spring, just in case you might come, I used to wait for you by the sea, under the cherry blossom trees.”

Her chest warmed up intensely. Her heart pounded violently.

She couldn’t believe it. He had travelled to Jinhae every spring just to see her.

This was far more exhilarating than a dream could ever be. It was so thrilling and moving that tears slowly streamed down her face.

“Are you… disappointed in me?”

Cupping her white cheeks with both hands, he quietly asked.

“Because the first love you longed for so desperately turned out to be a dark lowlife?”

A small laugh escaped her. It was unfair to make someone laugh when they were crying.

“No… I’m not disappointed.”

Ye-jin wiped her wet eyes with the back of her hand and spoke softly.

“Actually, I lied…”

It had taken her too long to confess her true feelings.

She had constantly hesitated, afraid that if she revealed everything, he would turn away from her again.

But now, she was no longer afraid. She was certain. Only certainty filled her.

No matter how badly she behaved or how foolish she was, he would always love her, both as a family member and as a lover.

“There hasn’t been a single moment… when I haven’t loved Seo Jung-hoo…”

In response to her tearful confession, he smiled faintly and held Ye-jin close, as though he would never let her go.

Words alone were not enough for him to be sure of his feelings. He wouldn’t be content until he had confirmed it physically as well.

Wrapping his solid forearm around her slender waist, he showered her with ardent kisses. Her small body was pushed back helplessly under his intense onslaught of kisses.

Soon, her back hit the record shelf. He pinned her against it completely, parted his lips and slid his tongue inside.

His nimble tongue softly explored the inside of her mouth. At the same time, his large hand lifted her skirt.

As his hand slipped between her thighs, Ye-jin let out a hot breath and gripped his collar tightly.

“Haa…”

He slowly pulled his lips away. A thin strand of saliva connected their lips. He then covered her red, swollen lips with his once more.

He gave her a quick, sweet kiss, then slowly pulled away. Lightly nipping her chin, he traced down her neckline, kissing her softly through her clothing.

Eventually, he took off her blouse and unhooked her bra.

As proof of her excitement, her n*pples stood up charmingly, leaking tempting milk.

He pulled up the corner of his mouth in satisfaction.

‘How could such a lewd and s*xy body also be so lovable?’

He licked the milk off her pale skin with the tip of his tongue, then took her beautiful n*pple into his mouth and sucked gently.

The sweet taste of milk spreading across his tongue brought him immense pleasure.

“Hnn… You always drink it all… and don’t give a single drop to Hope…”

Ye-jin whined, raking her fingers through his hair.

“No matter how much I love my son, I can’t share.”

In a dark, ominous voice, he replied, swirling his tongue around diligently.

“I won’t give that kid a single drop.”

It was a very ‘dark lowlife’ kind of answer.

‘But since he says he loves Hope, maybe I can find it cute.’

Ye-jin smiled faintly.

After spending a long time exploring her chest, he knelt down naturally and moved his lips away.

He pushed her skirt up and spread her legs wide. Her underwear was already soaking wet.

Tearing off her wet underwear impatiently, he buried his lips there. The way his lips and tongue explored her narrow entrance was utterly sensual.

With every touch, Ye-jin’s sensitive hips trembled and she leaked sweet honey profusely.

“Jung-hoo, hurry…”

Ye-jin whimpered and tugged at his hair, unable to endure the relentless surge of excitement any longer.

He had also reached his limit.

He stood up and unbuckled his trousers. He lifted Ye-jin up and devoured her greedily.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

When they emerged from the piano room and straightened their clothes, Hope was awake.

Perhaps he had been waiting for his mom and dad to come and see him. When they entered the nursery, he smiled happily at them.

“Hope, shall we have some ‘mama’ (milk)?”

He said this while holding Hope in his arms.

Ye-jin couldn’t help but chuckle. She was laughing so hard that her stomach hurt.

The word ‘mama’ coming out of the mouth of Seo Jung-hoo, of all people! It was hard to believe that he was the same man who had referred to Hope as ‘that brat’ just a few months ago.

He fed Hope cooled formula. Ye-jin thought the scene was a little strange.

‘He gets to drink the br*ast milk, but the baby gets formula…

No matter what, Hope nestled comfortably in his father’s arms, held the bottle firmly, and heartily drank the formula.

It was impossibly cute how he chewed with his cherry-like lips, eating so healthily.

“Hope, is it yummy?”

“Ooo-ooh-a-ggya-eum!”

Hope babbled, the bottle still in his mouth.

He smiled, as if finding Hope admirable. But after a short time, the smile vanished from his face, and his expression became somewhat hardened.

“This kid…”

The small bottom suddenly became heavy. He knew exactly what this meant.

“Hope, this kid… he pooped while eating.”

He said to Ye-jin with an incredulous look.

Ye-jin burst into laughter.

“Hurry up and change his diaper.”

“Alright.”

He set Hope down on the bed and began to change the diaper.

He rolled up and tossed the dirty diaper, then snugly fastened a clean, soft one.

“Your skill has certainly improved.”

Ye-jin genuinely admired the neatly fastened diaper. It was clearly different from the clumsy job she had seen before.

“I’m quick to learn everything.”

“Yes. You’re wonderful.”

Having finished his formula, Hope must have become drowsy again and peacefully drifted off to sleep. His eyelashes were neatly lowered. They were long, just like his father’s.

“He really resembles you a lot.”

Ye-jin  whispered softly, looking down at the sleeping Hope.

“He’s my son.”

That phrase always resonated with her. Whenever he referred to Hope as ‘my son’, she became overwhelmed with emotion.