SIDE STORY 2.1

It was the last wisdom tooth that turned out to be the problem.

Thinking it was manageable, Moonkyeong had postponed dealing with it, but the pain, accompanied by a fever, had tormented her since the early hours of the previous day. Unable to delay treatment any longer, she hurriedly scheduled a dentist appointment early in the morning.

Being married to Kim Seojun made moments like this feel all the more special. The hospital director himself called to arrange an appointment within the hour. After sending the children off to school and daycare, she headed straight to the dentist.

With the terrifying sound of the drill buzzing, the wisdom tooth was broken into pieces. The dentist, who successfully completed the extraction, told her she had done well.

“You’re strong.”

Though her speech was slurred due to the gauze in her mouth, she tried her best to express her gratitude. As she exited the treatment room with the sterilized gauze still in her mouth, she spotted Seojun waiting in the lobby.

He was a man whose presence was impossible to miss, and Moonkyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why are you here?”

Seojun, who had been reading an economics book, smiled warmly.

“The director called me.”

“Oh.”

“Does it hurt?”

“A little.”

“You should’ve let me know earlier.”

As he paid the medical bill, he signaled for her to stay close to him. Naturally, she looped her arm through his. Even as they aged, he often treated her like a child, which she found amusing yet comforting at the same time.

By the time she removed the bloody gauze from her mouth, they were both standing in front of the elevator. Seojun stared at her intently, making her cheeks flush. Embarrassed, she asked, 

“What is it?”

“You’re adorable.”

“Huh?”

As if unwilling to repeat himself, he scratched his nose and looked away. 

Would it hurt to say it again? 

Pouting slightly, she watched as the elevator doors opened.

When the doors slid open, a familiar face appeared. It was Hyeran. Judging by her slightly swollen left cheek, it seemed she, too, had dental work to attend to.

Moonkyeong was taken aback. She hadn’t expected to run into Hyeran here after so many years. She couldn’t tell whether she felt pleased or uncomfortable. It was hard to decipher what exactly she was feeling at that moment.

“Did you get a tooth pulled?”

When Hyeran asked, Moonkyeong nodded slowly.

“I see. That must’ve been tough.”

Hyeran was about to pass by her coldly without waiting for a response. As Hyeran brushed past her, even in that fleeting moment, Moonkyeong felt a pang of sadness. It was a strange feeling.

Noticing her emotions, Seojun unlinked their arms and instead held her hand tightly. His warmth was reassuring.

“Moonkyeong.”

Just as they were about to step into the elevator, Hyeran turned back and called her name.

The shadowed gaze Hyeran directed at her was the same dry and chilly look Moonkyeong had seen countless times in the past.

“Can we have a cup of tea?”

At the same time, Moonkyeong exchanged glances with Seojun. He shook his head, but she bit her lip.

“I’ll be back soon.”

In the end, Seojun nodded in approval.

***

At a nearby café, Moonkyeong sat across from Hyeran.

Looking at Hyeran, who had aged noticeably with graying hair, Moonkyeong felt an inexplicable sense of pity.

Knowing Hyeran’s long-standing preferences, Moonkyeong ordered an espresso without needing to ask. Though Hyeran enjoyed tea at home, she always drank espresso when outside.

As she sipped her coffee, Moonkyeong looked directly at Hyeran.

“Do you still drink tea often?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I see.”

“You look well.”

She wanted to ask, “Are you doing well too? How is Father?” But she held her tongue. She didn’t even know what to call these people anymore, as they were no longer her parents.

Noticing her silence, Hyeran spoke again.

“Your children must have grown a lot. I heard you have two now.”

“…Yes.”

“I’d like to see them.”

At that, Moonkyeong paused mid-sip. But she had no intention of giving any response.

“How’s your health? Are you well?”

“I’m fine. I’m healthy. After all, I’m someone’s mother.”

“….”

Hyeran gracefully set her teacup down and gently adjusted her skirt. She gazed into Moonkyeong’s eyes before speaking again.

“After letting you go, I thought about you a lot. I know I made mistakes. But I’ve never regretted adopting you. Not once in my life.”

“….”

“Moonkyeong.”

“Yes.”

“Do you still hate me? Do you resent me?”

Carefully placing the coffee cup she had been holding back onto the table, Moonkyeong reflected. There had certainly been many times in her life when she had felt that way.

But after having children of her own and watching them grow up beautifully, she had forgiven Hyeran completely.

If Hyeran hadn’t taken her in, she would never have met Seojun, the person she relied on most in the world.

She had grown up in comfort and never gone hungry. Though it had been difficult, she was ultimately grateful.

“I’ve forgotten. It’s all in the past.”

“Have you forgotten everything?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright. If you’ve forgotten, then that’s all that matters.”

A heavy silence fell between them. While Moonkyeong smiled occasionally, Hyeran never once smiled.

Thinking of Seojun waiting in the parking lot, Moonkyeong finally stood up.

“Take care of yourself.”

“….”

“I’ll be going now.”

Hyeran couldn’t watch her coldly turn around and leave for even a moment. Instead, with hands now wrinkled from age, she repeatedly wiped away her tears. Even in that moment, Hyeran recalled the day she first met Moonkyeong.

She thought of the small, frail child who had trembled yet still spoken her mind. She reminisced about those days, knowing she could never return to them.

Her beloved child.

It was only after losing her that she realized how precious she had been and how terribly she had treated her.

“Hngh.”

Truly, those were days she could never get back.

***

Two days later, on a weekend morning, Moonkyeong, along with Seojun and their children, visited National Assembly Member Jeon Taepyeong and his wife.

As always, Hyesook welcomed them with a motherly smile, spreading her arms wide.

“Oh my, welcome! My little ones! Are you hungry? I’ve grilled some meat, so come and eat.”

True to her words, the backyard was already filled with the aroma of grilling meat. There were abundant vegetables for wraps and a variety of drinks prepared. The smell alone was enough to make one hungry.

Moonkyeong sat the children down one by one and began cutting the meat into smaller pieces for them.

“No one leaves their seat until they’ve finished eating. If you get up, Mom will be upset.”

Hyesook suddenly intervened, taking the scissors from Moonkyeong’s hands.

“I’ll do this, so you eat quickly.”

Every time they visited, Hyesook enthusiastically took care of the children’s meals and played with them.

Moonkyeong furrowed her brow, feeling both grateful and guilty, and her gaze met Seojun’s, who was seated beside her. He gestured with his eyes, telling her to relax and enjoy her drink. Calmly, Seojun poured alcohol into Moonkyeong’s empty glass.

“Don’t worry about the kids. I’ll take care of them and get everyone home safely. Seo Moonkyeong, you love drinking, don’t you?”

She should have denied it, but these days, as a mother of two, Moonkyeong found herself enjoying alcohol even more. However, what she loved most in the world, above all else, was Kim Seojun. She was slightly annoyed by the fact that this man seemed to have realized her feelings a million years ago.

The cool breeze tousled Moonkyeong’s hair. It felt like she had dreamed of this moment before—children laughing and playing, and her smiling in happiness beneath their laughter. Moonkyeong repeatedly confirmed and reconfirmed that smile on Seojun’s face.

Jeon Taepyeong played ball with the children after dinner. Though he had completed his term in office and returned to an ordinary life, occasional reporters from media outlets still pestered him now and then. He wished to spend the rest of his life peacefully, watching the children that Seojun and Moonkyeong had brought into the world, free from all the noisy political turmoil.

Hyesook felt the same way. While the house staff came out to clear the dining area, she brought out fresh fruit.

“I’ll do it.”

Moonkyeong stepped forward, but Hyesook shook her head again.

“No. I’ll take care of everything. Playing the role of the doting mother-in-law is fun for me, so stop trying to take my job.”

“……”

Her words were always lighthearted, like a passing joke, but the sincerity behind them carried weight.

“So, I was thinking… Moonkyeong, why don’t you just become my daughter? I think I’ve passed the test, haven’t I?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Moonkyeong’s eyes began to well up. 

“You’ve passed.”

“Great! I’ve prepared something for the two of you.”

At her signal, a butler standing at a distance brought a small envelope to Moonkyeong and Seojun. Wiping her teary eyes with her sleeve, Moonkyeong opened the envelope. Inside were two plane tickets. Hyesook continued speaking.

“Take this holiday to travel together. We’ll take care of the kids.”

Moonkyeong exchanged glances with Seojun. They had never traveled far without the children. The kids were still too young, and Seojun’s work had always been too busy for them to take long vacations.

“Seojun’s schedule is too hectic. This seems a bit…”

Seojun gently interrupted her, taking her hand softly.

“No, I think it’ll be fine. I’ll adjust my schedule. Thank you. We’ll go.”

Hyesook smiled, and Seojun returned her smile warmly. Only Moonkyeong felt slightly awkward, pressing her lips together tightly.