***

On the way to Yuhyeon’s office, Soo-min met Yoon Song-ah in the corridor.

“Since you’re here, won’t you at least stay for dinner?”

“No, that’s okay.”

Song-ah seemed to be in a hurry and waved politely as she passed.

But Soo-min called to her again.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Did… his father ever find you?”

“What makes you think he came to me?”

“You were his guardian, so I thought you might know his father.”

Song-ah looked uncomfortable, her expression tense.

Soo-min guessed that Yuhyeon had asked her not to say anything.

But she looked at Song-ah with a sincere, pleading expression.

“Please… tell me. How is he?”

“You’re different from your husband, I’ll give you that. Beom will probably never be able to forgive him… but looking at you, it doesn’t seem like reconciliation is completely off the table.”

She took out her phone and sent Soo-min a picture.

“This is…”

It was a group photo.

A man stood among children, under a sign that said Haedam Church.

“That’s all I know. Oh, one more thing – I’d say… it’s not the right time yet.”

“I know. Still… when he becomes a grandfather, I thought things might change. I just wanted to know where he lives, that’s all.”

“Time will sort things out. Let’s wait and see how much Beom really changes.”

Soo-min nodded.

“Yes… thank you. For everything. You’ve helped me in more ways than one.”

“You’re practically my niece. Of course I’d help. Well, I’ll be going now.”

Soo-min looked at the picture again.

He was dressed in clerical robes.

Ah… had he studied the Bible?

Still, his expression was peaceful, and that alone was a relief.

They both needed more time, there was no doubt about that.

***

Time passed quickly.

The operation had been scheduled for the previous month, but the patient’s condition had deteriorated so rapidly that it had to be postponed.

After developing pneumonia, she had to continue treatment and wait until spring for her health to improve enough for the operation.

“Noona… everything will be fine. The doctor even said that spring would be better for the operation than winter”.

“Yes… I know.”

“Look, mummy is coming now.”

The hospital bed with her mother, now prepared for the operation, was wheeled out into the hall.

Soo-min immediately reached out and grabbed her mother’s hand.

“Mum! Mum! It’s going to be a difficult operation… but you have to hold on. We’ll be here waiting for you, so don’t be scared.”

Tears streamed from her eyes.

She was afraid that once she let go of her mother’s hand, she would never feel its warmth again.

It was only when Yuhyeon gently pulled her fingers away that the bed was able to move.

“Soo-min.”

“Mum! I’m waiting for you. I’m not going anywhere! So please be strong.”

Soo-min raised her voice, making sure her mother could hear every word.

Yuhyeon gently hugged her and patted her back.

She was overcome with fear, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Yuhyeon intertwined his fingers with hers and tucked their joined hands into the pocket of his coat.

The warmth helped her to catch her breath – if only for a moment – but her mind was still completely consumed…

She should have stayed awake, waiting to hear that the operation had gone well.

But an irresistible wave of sleep washed over her.

Soon the hospital room was filled with the sound of steady, peaceful breathing.

Soo-min began to dream.

In the dream, she was a five-year-old girl, toddling around on tiny feet.

Her mother, heavily pregnant, stood beside her.

“My sweet girl, my beautiful daughter, can you feel the baby kicking?”

“Yes! Mum, the baby really kicked! Wow, that’s amazing!”

“It’s not just kicking.”

“Huh? It feels like waves… Doesn’t it hurt? Doesn’t it hurt when the baby moves so much?”

Her mother gently stroked her hair.

“Not at all. It actually feels nice. It means the baby is healthy. When your little siblings are born, you’ll play with them, won’t you?”

“Of course! I’ll protect them when you and daddy aren’t around!”

Soo-min threw herself into her mother’s arms.

“Then I guess I can rest easy. I’m sorry I made things so hard for you until now.”
“M-Mom?”

Suddenly, her body had grown.
The five-year-old was gone.
Now she was her adult self—taller than her mother, holding her frail, almost breakable frame tightly in her arms.

“My Soo-min, you’ve gone through so much.”
“M-Mom… Mom?”

Soo-min gasped and looked at her mother.

Her figure was slowly fading.

For a moment, Soo-min felt her heart sink.

She reached for the air – and just then, a big hand grabbed her.

At the same time, a strong, reassuring man wrapped his arms around her.

“It’s a dream, Soo-min. Just a dream…”

“Ah…”

She let out a breath of relief.

He gently wiped the sweat from her brow.

“Was it a nightmare?”

“I’m not sure… I don’t know if it was a nightmare or a good omen… Wh-what about Mum’s operation? What time is it? Oh my God! It’s already…!”

As she tried to get up quickly, Yuhyeon held her hand.

“The surgery went well. She came out of recovery just a little while ago.”

“R-really?! I—I have to go see her right away.”

She had feared the dream was a bad sign—but it wasn’t.

“Visits aren’t allowed just yet.”

“Right…”

“The doctor said the prognosis was good. He said for someone who’d been unconscious for ten years, her brain was in remarkably good condition. He said it was down to the dedicated care of her nurse. Even when a patient is unconscious, it doesn’t mean that the brain is completely inactive.”

The past ten years flashed before Soo-min’s eyes. Her nose began to burn.

“I know I was talking to myself, but I kept talking to her. I’d share my burdens, whine a bit… Even without an answer, I thought she could hear me.”

“She probably did. That’s why she held on all this time.

Tears of joy streamed down her face.

“You will probably be allowed to visit her tomorrow morning. For now, go home and rest. I’ll stay here with your brother-in-law.”

“I feel more comfortable here. I can only relax if you’re by my side.”

“All right. Then stay.”

Yuhyeon ordered someone to bring Soo-min a meal, and soon a guard returned with a warm, soft rice porridge.

Her mouth still tasted bitter, but for the sake of the baby growing inside her, she forced herself to eat a few spoonfuls.

How much time had passed?

In the evening, as the sun was setting, there was a family meeting.

Soo-min and Eunhyuk walked side by side to the director’s office.

They were met by the hospital director and the medical team who had performed the operation.

“You can rest now. Mrs Go Yeon-ok just moved her fingers a while ago.”

“Ah… ah…”

Tears poured down her face.

“Mom, Mom… sniffle… Mom…”

“It’s going to be okay.”

Yuhyeon gently placed a hand on Soo-min’s shoulder.

“Thank you. Thank you, Yuhyeon…”

It was a week after the surgery that her mother, slowly regaining consciousness, finally recognized her family.

She called out Soo-min’s name.

“Mum! Mum…”

“My… my daughter… you… you held on so well…”

“Thank you, Mum. Really… it feels like a dream…”

Just hearing her mother’s voice was enough to fill Soo-min with gratitude.

Her mother held out her hand to Eunhyuk.

“Eun… Eunhyuk… come here…”

Eunhyuk was only fifteen when her mother collapsed.

Now, as she watched him grow into a fine young man, her eyes filled with tears.

Eunhyuk held her hand and smiled brightly.

“You don’t have to worry anymore, Mum. Soo-min made it. She became a proud major shareholder of the Jaewon Group – your life’s dream.”

“I… I know… I feel so ashamed… We… we put too much burden on Soo-min…”

“I wanted it too, Mum.”

“Yes… yes…”

Her warm gaze shifted back to Soo-min.

Just then, Yuhyeon arrived at the hospital and quietly entered the room.

Her mother’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is… is he the one? The man you said you loved?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yuhyeon bowed respectfully.

“It’s an honour to meet you, ma’am. I’m Beom Yuhyeon.”

“Your hand…”

Her mother reached out and took his hand.

“Thank you… for staying by our Soo-min’s side… I… I used to have dreams sometimes… And in them, Soo-min always had someone she loved, someone who gave her strength… Th-Thank you…”

“I’ll take good care of her, mother.”

Soo-min’s chest swelled with emotion.

She was so relieved to see her mother and Yuhyeon getting along.