“Five years ago, on May 24th. Investigate what happened that day from the beginning. From the moment I left home to the moment I arrived at Gangwondo Yangyang, leave nothing out and investigate everything.”
“Understood, Deputy Director.”
“Also, investigate the ferry and the people who came and went on this island at that time. Don’t miss anything.”
“Yes.”
“And also……”
While incessantly giving instructions, Chae Ha’s gaze suddenly moved to the business card left on the corner of the marble desk.

Choi Jae Yoon.

On the back, there was the name of a boat and a company name.

“No, I’ll look into this myself. You can leave.”
As the unpleasant scene on the island from the day before crossed his mind, Chae Ha’s hand involuntarily squeezed the business card.

A man who called Seol Won as if she were his woman.

A man who was called ‘Dad’ by a child who looked exactly like Seol Won.

There was no hesitation. Chae Ha immediately dialed the phone number written on the business card.

After about three rings, the voice of the other party flowed out as if he had been waiting.

[This is Choi Jae Yoon.] “I am Kwon Chae Ha, Min Seol Won’s husband.”
[…….] At the word ‘husband’, the other party paused for a moment and then exhaled softly from the other side of the receiver.

[You’re probably wondering why Min Seol Won is on the island.] “And why she is with you.”
[Alright. I’ll tell you. It’s not a big deal for you to find out even if I don’t tell you.] With that, Jae Yoon laid out the situation briefly and concisely.

It was so straightforward that one might suspect it had been prepared in advance.

“So you’re saying… Min Seol Won was found on the shore in a daze five years ago? You and your parents found her after she had drifted to the island?”
[That’s correct.] “Do you want me to believe that? That a person who had an accident in Gangwondo was found on the West Sea coast?”
[Whether you believe it or not, that’s up to you, Mr. Kwon Chae Ha. I’m just telling you the facts as they are.] “……Alright. Let’s say that’s the case. Then why didn’t you report it immediately?”
[We intended to report it, but she was very confused. Her memory was fragmented. And for whatever reason, she kept repeating that she didn’t want to go home. So, my parents took care of her for a while.] She didn’t want to go home……

At those words, Chae Ha’s heart twitched.

But there was one more thing he had to confirm.

“She had a child. And he was calling you ‘Dad’, how did that come about?”
[…….] The flowing answers abruptly stopped as if the power had been cut off.

Only a faint sound of breathing was heard, yet the emotional turmoil was palpable.

Chae Ha, too, was striving to maintain the silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Jae Yoon’s answer came back.

[I think it would be better for you to hear that directly from Ms. Seol Won. It might be quite shocking for you.] At that answer, infinitely polite yet infinitely provocative, a horizontal crease appeared on Chae Ha’s forehead.

Does that mean he won’t reveal whether it’s true or not right now?

[That’s all I can say to you for now. However, there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you personally.] “A request?”
[As you probably saw yesterday, Ms. Seol Won doesn’t remember Mr. Chae Ha. I found out about you personally. It appears your married life wasn’t happy. There’s even talk of remarriage with the daughter of Baek Young Group.] “What are you trying to say?”
Chae Ha spat out an animosity that was almost deadly, gnashing his teeth towards the handset.

Soon after, Jae Yoon got to the point.

[Wouldn’t it be better to live our own lives without confusing a person who doesn’t remember? You’re not someone who matches well with Ms. Seol Won anyway…….] “Mr. Jae Yoon.”
That was the limit. Chae Ha, who had no intention of listening to his request or warning any longer, discarded the politeness he had maintained all along.

“It’s none of your business whether my wife and I suit each other. Just because Min Seol Won doesn’t remember doesn’t mean she isn’t my wife. I’ll hang up now.”
Roughly putting down his cell phone, Chae Ha ran a rough hand across his forehead.

“She can’t remember? Do you expect me to believe such a thing?”
A derisive, selfmocking laughter slipped out.

He couldn’t figure out what he was angry at.

Min Seol Won not remembering him? The child that looked like her calling another man father?

No. There was just one thing that enraged him the most.

Despite clearly seeing with his own eyes that she was alive, the fact that she wasn’t by his side right now.

“Damn……”
Unable to contain his impatience, Chae Ha made a call somewhere else this time.

“It’s about the person who visited this morning. When will the test results be out?”
“Ah, are you referring to the paternity test? As per your request, we’re proceeding as quickly as possible. You should be able to get them by tomorrow morning at the earliest, or by tomorrow evening at the latest.”
Tomorrow morning……

Without hesitation, Chae Ha picked up the jacket he’d left and carelessly put it on.