After entering Black Jaguar Obstetrics and Gynecology and completing her registration, she waited for about ten minutes before the nurse called her name.

“Kim Eun-ji, please come in.”

Ye-jin sat motionless on the sofa, not responding. The nurse walked closer and lightly tapped her shoulder.

“Ms. Kim Eun-ji?”

“Ah—yes, I’m coming.”

Only then did Ye-jin spring to her feet.

The name Kim Eun-ji still felt unfamiliar. She needed to get used to her new identity soon.

Inside the consultation room, she went through a brief medical interview before the ultrasound began.

On the screen, a tiny life form squirmed. Its head was still larger than its body. The sight was so endearing that a soft laugh escaped her lips.

In her ears, she could clearly hear the steady thump, thump of the baby’s heartbeat—so small, and yet so loud and vigorous.

“The fetus is growing well, and the heartbeat’s normal. But, ma’am, I noticed your weight’s dropped again. You need to eat better.”

“I have been eating properly, but it just happens.”

“Then you’ll need to take even better care of yourself. The mother has to stay healthy for the baby to be healthy, too. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

After finishing her checkup, Ye-jin stepped out of the obstetrics clinic and found herself staring at the building next door—an orthopedic clinic.

‘My hand’s been aching from peeling so many oysters… maybe I should get it checked? I could test for tendonitis, get some physical therapy…’

But she shook her head firmly before the thought could take hold.

‘No, I have to save every penny I can. That money would be better spent on our Hope later on.’

The moment she thought of Hope, she missed the baby again.

Ye-jin rummaged through her bag and pulled out the ultrasound image she’d just received from the clinic.

‘My little Hope… you’re so beautiful.’

She gently brushed her fingers across the photo and planted a small kiss on it.

After staring at it for quite some time, she finally tucked the picture carefully into her maternity record booklet and began to walk.

She had barely taken a few steps when something caught her eye—a stand displaying bright red strawberries.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve had strawberries. Maybe I should buy some while I’m here. The doctor did say I need to eat well.’

After a brief moment of hesitation, Ye-jin stepped closer to the fruit stand. Pointing at the fresh strawberries with her fingertips, she asked the vendor,

“How much are the strawberries?”

“25,900 won a basket.”

“What? 25,900 won? That expensive? What about these? They’re smaller.”

She gestured toward the smaller ones beside them. The vendor replied curtly,

“Those are 22,900.”

Even the smaller ones were almost just as pricey. Ye-jin let out a quiet sigh.

“Strawberries are practically gold these days. I’ll get them next time.”

“Why not buy some? They’re sweet and delicious. Take one home.”

“Next time.”

She bowed politely and hurried away from the stand.

Once Hope was born, she would have endless expenses—she couldn’t waste her hard-earned money on strawberries.

Standing by the roadside, Ye-jin raised her hand to hail a taxi. A cab glided to a stop in front of her. The driver rolled down the window.

“Where to?”

“I’m heading toward Wolheun Road.”

“I don’t go there.”

His tone was flat and cold.

“I can pay double the fare…”

“Still, I’m not going.”

The driver rolled the window back up and sped off without a glance.

Ye-jin stepped back, waiting for the next taxi to come by. But the next one was no different, the moment she mentioned Wolheun Road, the driver took off immediately.

It was a small island with few residents, and once a driver entered Wolheun, it was nearly impossible to find passengers for the return trip. That’s why most avoided going there altogether. Even offering double the fare wasn’t enough—by their reasoning, it would barely cover the gas.

Every hospital visit turned into the same struggle. She spent too much on taxi fares each time.

Only after letting five taxis pass by did she finally manage to get one to stop.

Relieved, Ye-jin settled into the back seat with a grateful smile.

“Ah, thank you. I had such a hard time catching a cab.”

“Do you live on Wolheun?”

“Yes.”

“A young lady like you—why live there?”

“I have my reasons.”

The taxi sped along the connecting bridge, the long stretch of road linking the mainland to the island. Beneath it spread a vast, blue sea.

Suddenly, Ye-jin felt her chest tighten.

She had left her hometown because she hated the sea and had avoided the coast altogether ever since. And yet, in the end, she had returned to the very sea that tasted of salt and sorrow.

It felt like sprinkling salt over an open wound. The sharp, briny air stung, bitter and raw — just like her life.

Someone once said that you can’t know sweetness without first knowing salt. But why did her life taste only of salt and never of anything else?

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

“What a gorgeous car.”

The taxi driver let out an admiring whistle as he stopped at the mouth of the narrow alley.

Right in front of them, a black Jaguar was parked.

Ye-jin’s eyes widened. A Jaguar—on this tiny island? Maybe someone from the mainland had come.

Sometimes, fishermen would make the trip here, chasing rumors that the flounder and sea bream bit well around the island. Perhaps one of them had arrived in style.

“Here’s the fare. Please, keep the change.”

After stepping out of the taxi, Ye-jin finally pulled off her cap and mask, crumpling them into her eco-bag. The air hit her face, cool and liberating after the stifling ride.

Behind her, the taxi engine rumbled faintly before fading into the distance.

She was about to step into the alley but paused, her gaze caught by the sleek, black car.

Its streamlined curves were sensual, its form both bold and refined. Even at rest, it exuded a striking presence—so much so that it reminded her of him.

For a fleeting moment, she imagined that man behind the wheel. It suited him perfectly. Then, with a small shake of her head, she forced the thought away.

‘Pointless. What good is thinking of him now? The past should be erased—completely, as if it never existed.’

“Hope, as long as I have you, that’s all I need.”

She caressed her belly and whispered the words like a spell. If she had Hope, nothing else mattered.

Ye-jin straightened her shoulders and strode into the narrow alley.

Her house was deep within. The alley was too narrow for cars to enter, so she always had to walk the rest of the way.

Walking through the narrow, winding alley, Ye-jin entered a shabby building whose mint-colored paint was peeling away. She climbed the stairs all the way up to the roof.

Her sanctuary was a tiny rooftop room, no bigger than an anthill.

“Huh? Did I forget to lock the door again?”

She pulled her keys from her bag, but before she could insert them, the door creaked open. Tilting her head, she tapped her own forehead with a fist.

“Honestly… always forgetting.”

She still hadn’t fully adjusted to the habit of locking up every time she went out. Maybe, when she finally got her paycheck, she’d splurge on an electronic door lock.

The rusty iron door groaned with a harsh, scraping noise as she pushed it open, making her wince.

Inside, a thick curtain hung between the entryway and the room in place of an inner door. It kept out the draft from outside and held in what little warmth there was.

“I’m home.”

There was no one to greet her, but she always said it anyway. It was the only way to feel a little less lonely.

Ye-jin slipped off her shoes and drew the heavy curtain aside—and the world twisted.

“At last, you’re here.”

Standing in the lonely room was a man in a classic suit, as if posing for a magazine spread. As always, his tie was absent and the top button of his shirt was undone, his elegance at odds with the cheap little room.

He still wore a wedding ring on the ring finger of his left hand.

It was like clasping hands with the past all over again.

Ye-jin’s entire body froze at the impossible sight.

“Why the stupid look? When you see your husband, shouldn’t you at least say hello?”

This couldn’t be real.

‘I was already dead.’

I had thrown away the name “Yoo Ye-jin” and, under the plain name “Kim Eun-ji,” had been living a quiet, lonely new life.

But now—why had he found me?

Why are you here?
Why did you come looking for me?
For what possible reason?