“So, are the firefighters going to put out the big fire?”

“Yes. They’re in those fire trucks.”

“Uh….”

As worry deepened on Woo Ju’s face, Seol Won finally turned back to him.

“What’s wrong, Woo Ju?”

“Hmm~ Firefighters must be scared of the fire… It’s dangerous, isn’t it? Mommy, you said Daddy went into the fire too. Is Daddy okay?”

“Ah….”

Only then did Seol Won recall mentioning her father when explaining fire trucks in a picture book.

To Woo Ju, who didn’t understand death or sacrifice, Seol Won had explained, “Mommy’s daddy was a brave person who jumped into flames to save people.”

Therefore, Seol Won reassured Woo Ju with the same explanation.

“It’s okay. Mommy’s daddy was a brave person, remember?”

“Does brave mean not scared?”

“It’s scary. He must have been scared. But Daddy was a wonderful person who saved people in danger.”

“Uh….”

“Our Woo Ju worrying like this would make Daddy happy. He’ll be okay.”

Woo Ju seemed slightly relieved and turned away from the window.

The noisy siren sounds had faded, and the road had returned to calm.

But in Seol Won’s heart, a memory fragment left by the fire trucks fell softly.

It was a memory from shortly after they had spent their first night together.

It was when her hospitalized mother’s condition was stabilizing.

Her mother, carefully observing Seol Won’s expression, had unexpectedly suggested they visit her father’s grave with Chae Ha.

Her mother wanted to do it before it was too late, as they had never shown her son-in-law’s face since their marriage.

Seol Won had considered the idea too.

Normally, as it was a contract marriage, there was no need to introduce Chae Ha.

But deep inside, Seol Won had harbored the desire to introduce Chae Ha to her father as the man she loved, even if only in name.

However, Seol Won hesitated and never brought it up.

Proposing such a request, likely to be rejected, was not easy.

And that matter remained a regret in Seol Won’s heart.

Suddenly, Chae Ha’s voice pierced her thoughts.

“By the way, Min Seol Won. It might be good to pay respects to your father too, don’t you think?”

“Me?”

“We’ve never greeted your father before. Since we have our little one, let’s go together. You said he was laid to rest at the National Cemetery, right?”

“Ah… Yes. That’s right.”

Seol Won’s voice came out dazed.

Chae Ha’s easy suggestion of her long-held wish seemed unbelievable.

Moreover, his expression was filled with solemn respect.

“We should introduce your wonderful father to our little one. He was a great man.”

“……Okay.”

“Let’s go together soon.”

Saying this, Chae Ha extended a hand toward Seol Won.

Soon, his large hand gently enveloped hers.
Soon, his large hand gently enveloped hers.

A comfort greater than words radiated from its warmth.

Seol Won had already heard from the doctor how well Chae Ha had taken care of her mother.

By now, it wasn’t strange for him to say such things.

It wasn’t a lie or a quick-witted response to win her favor, but simply ‘sincerity.’

And Seol Won, too, genuinely wanted to introduce Chae Ha to her late father.

As her precious husband, Woo Ju’s father, and the person she loved.

[Star icon]

Summer was gradually reaching its peak.

Seol Won began helping out again at Laura and James.

She worked briefly while Woo Ju was at daycare, but just being able to touch flowers made her happy.

When she returned home in the afternoon, Woo Ju would come back from daycare, followed by Chae Ha returning from work.

This routine, though not even three months old, felt so natural, as if it had always been their way.

It was a question of where one belongs.

The answer was gradually finding its place in Seol Won’s heart.

Had she not left in such a hurry five years ago, this might have been her life much earlier.

The thought of Woo Ju still not knowing who his father was felt unbearably regrettable.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

“Oh, I forgot to put it on vibrate.”

Seol Won quickly took off her gloves to answer the phone while she was alone tending to the plants.

The caller was Jae Yun.

She had been feeling the need to meet and talk to him properly.

“Hello, Jae Yun.”

[Oh, you picked up quickly. That’s good. I’m not disturbing your work, am I?]

“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”

[Ah! You know, Seol Won, your birthday is coming up.]

“Birth…day…”

She had completely forgotten about it.

With adapting to this place and experiencing many events, she hadn’t had the chance to think about it.

Usually, on the island, she would have a simple dinner with Jae Yun’s family.

[Yes. It seems a bit troublesome to come down to the island with Woo Ju, so I asked my parents, and they agreed to come up to Seoul. Is that okay with you?]

“……”

[We’ve celebrated together every year, so they must feel a bit sad. I told them to wait a bit since we’ll be returning to the island soon. You know how my parents adore you and Woo Ju more than me.]

“Ah…”

Seol Won understood the concern of Jae Yun’s parents for her.

They were trying their best to repay their debt to her in their own way.

Paying the price of her father’s noble sacrifice.

But Seol Won realized it was time for her to make a choice.

She had received more than enough help from their family, entrusted to their care.

She hadn’t expected her mother’s last wish for her to seek them out in times of trouble to come true, but that was enough.

Seol Won’s rightful place was not on the island but here, by Chae Ha’s side.

So, Seol Won decided to convey her firm decision without hesitation this time.

“I’m sorry, Jae Yun. This birthday… I want to spend it with Chae Ha and Woo Ju, just the three of us.”