***

The lingering chill of early spring had finally lifted, and warm weather was soon to follow.

Today was the day her mother would be discharged from the hospital after a long stay.

It felt like a new beginning.

The woman who once looked like she might never walk again had miraculously begun to take steps on her own.

When Soo-min opened the door, she saw her mother dressed in a lavender two-piece suit.

Standing with the sunlight on her back, she looked radiant and Soo-min couldn’t help but gasp.

“You’re here?”

“Mom, you look like a different person.”

It was hard to believe she was really her mother.

With a bit of make-up, she looked at least ten years younger.

“Now that I’m out of the hospital gown, I finally feel alive again. But tell me, who chose this outfit? It’s so my style.”

“He did.”

“I knew it. Beom has impeccable taste.”

Her mother was obviously pleased with Yuhyeon’s gift.

“You’re not strong enough to walk far yet. Come sit in the wheelchair.”

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally leave that stuffy hospital.”

“Me too.”

“But… are you really sure it’s okay for me to move into your house? I said yes because Beom kept insisting, but…”

“I need you, Mum. Look at my belly – when I’m full term, I might not even be able to walk.”

Soo-min was now seven months pregnant.

“That’s because it’s a boy. The belly gets bigger. I was like that when I was pregnant with Eunhyuk.

They had recently found out the s*x of the baby – it was a boy.

“He must be like his father – long arms and legs.”

“I am so excited! Beom’s genes aren’t exactly average, you know?”

Soo-min was just as excited.

A baby that looked like Yuhyeon, how beautiful would he be?

He would be the most beautiful baby in the world.

She counted the days until his birth.

After filling out her mother’s discharge papers, they went straight home.

The townhouse development was now complete.

Several units had already been sold and it had become a real neighbourhood.

With his keen vision, Yuhyeon had made the townhouse project another success.

Elegant houses stood proudly throughout the area.

They didn’t just look like buildings – they were works of art.

The house closest to the forest was Yuhyeon and Soo-min’s.

As they showed her around, her mother couldn’t stop marvelling at it.

“What a beautiful house…”

“He designed the whole first floor just for you, Mum. You’ll be able to live here comfortably without any problems.”

***

It had been six months since Dong-seok arrived on the island as a pastor.

In the distance, a 1-tonne van could be seen heading for the church.

The children were excited.

“Pastor! Pastor! Look! There… there… a truck is coming… it’s coming!”

“A truck?”

“T-toys… I bet it’s toys this time… wow! It’s… it’s our toys!”

The teachers looked puzzled.

“We still don’t know who it is. These donations keep coming in, but there’s no way of knowing who’s sending them…”

The anonymous support had continued for six months.

“Our children are so happy. Thanks to the donations, they even got through the winter warm… Whoever it is, we’re very grateful. Pastor, do you have any idea who it could be?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Since everything is addressed to you, we thought it might be someone you know.”

“I really don’t know.”

Boxes of donations continued to arrive in Dong-seok’s name.

It wasn’t just money that was transferred to the account – every month a vehicle was sent with goods.

The driver who unloaded the goods approached Dong-seok.

“Please sign here to confirm receipt.”

“One moment.”

“There’s a card this time.”

When he opened the card, he found a neatly written letter in careful handwriting.

[Are you still wearing my padded coat? I’m about to have a baby soon. It’s a boy.
Things might be hard for now, but once the warm spring days arrive, I’ll come visit.
Until then, please stay healthy.
Father.]

Dong-seok clutched the map tightly in his hand and collapsed to the ground.

Tears streamed from his eyes.

Eventually, he began to sob like a child, and the children gathered around him.

They looked at him worriedly.

“P-Pastor… don’t cry.”

“It’s okay… really… these are tears of joy, so don’t worry…”

The children gently patted Dong-seok’s back to comfort him.

And once again, Dong-seok shed tears of regret and remorse for the past.

***

Another six months went by.

The baby had been born healthy and was growing fast – his first birthday was just around the corner.

Soo-min was at the wheel, driving the family herself.

In the back seat, Yuhyeon was shaking a rattle to entertain the baby, glancing at Soo-min.

“Where are we going?”

“I just wanted some fresh air.”

“…It’s hard going far with a baby, you know…”

“We’ll be there soon.”

Through the rear-view mirror, she could see Yuhyeon concentrating on soothing the baby.

There was no denying that he was a doting father.

After about an hour of driving, they arrived at a place filled with memories of her and Yuhyeon.

“This is… the hill we used to come to in college, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s become a recreational area. There’s a park there now and a lot of families come here with their kids to take a walk.”

While Soo-min parked the car, Yuhyeon naturally took out the pram and put the baby in it.

The couple walked down the familiar forest path with their child.

The once rugged mountain trail had been paved into a smooth road and the footpaths were well maintained. They looked around and saw many families with small children.

It was a small hill, so they quickly reached the top.

Spying a coffee shop, Soo-min took out her wallet.

“I’m just going to get some coffee. Oh, and someone’s going to meet us here soon.”

Yuhyeon tilted his head in curiosity, but obediently waited where he was.

A short time later, Dong-seok approached them, holding a bunch of colourful balloons in his hand.

Yuhyeon stared at him in stunned silence.

Soo-min thought it was beautiful – three generations standing together in one place.

Dong-seok knelt on one knee in front of the pram and looked into the baby’s eyes.

The warm tears streaming down his face were tears of longing for those he loved.

Yuhyeon did not turn away from his father.

He just stood there in silence, his lips tightly sealed.

He must have known.

Known how Dong-seok had lived until now.

How he had repented on his own and asked for forgiveness.

And in that moment – he felt it.

That’s enough.

This… this is enough.

A wave of overwhelming emotion washed over him.

Soo-min hoped that through this moment he would begin to forgive his father, if only a little.

As Soo-min approached, their eyes met in the air.

‘This time, it’s my turn to help you find your family.’

‘Let’s take a step forward together.’

Soo-min smiled at him.

***The End***