Min Ah had declared her independence as soon as she entered college.

Her adoptive parents, who had a biological child of their own later on, ultimately bid her farewell with money.

A small studio apartment, tuition and living expenses to graduate from college. It was the least they could do for their adopted daughter whom they had treated neglectfully.

Still, out of affection for raising her, they would call her for a meal during the holidays.

Optimistic and cheerful Min Ah always said she was quite lucky.

Every time she said that, Eun Jo thought.

It would have been really nice if that luck she believed in so strongly extended to her man.

Lee Kyu Ho.

This man, who was quite affectionate and caring in his own way, was too indecisive and weak to fully commit to Min Ah.

He was not capable of protecting Min Ah, who was pregnant with his child, from his parents who vehemently opposed the relationship.

Thinking of her pitiful younger sister, who appeared before her eyes heavily pregnant, Eun Jo gave the man sitting opposite her a cold glance.

“…….”
“……Have you been well?”
“You didn’t come because you’re curious if I’ve been well. Let’s get to the point. I don’t have much time. Oh, and I asked you not to come to the office like this.”
“Min Ah won’t answer the phone at all. She’s ignoring my texts.”
“You shouldn’t do that. Did you forget your promise? Anyway… I had a busy situation at home.”
Eun Jo suppressed her rising sharp emotions and lowered her voice to keep calm.

What could be achieved by being harsh? This man is, after all, Da On’s biological father.

Even if they couldn’t meet for one reason or another now, as time passes and the child grows, they will naturally come to meet.

“What was the busy thing? It wasn’t something bad, right? I was extremely anxious and restless. Naturally, I couldn’t eat anything.”

Eun Jo let out a weak laugh, as if she couldn’t believe it.

It was astonishing that a man, both of whose parents were PhDs in Engineering, was talking about dreams and fortunes.

“It’s not like that. I don’t understand why you can’t let go of this foolishness.”
She said that, but Eun Jo turned her gaze far away outside the cafe, feeling her chest getting heavy.

How could one let go of attachment?

From her precious, adorable child who was living and breathing.

From a woman whom he once loved to death and perhaps still loved. How could he easily let go of his attachment?

In truth, Eun Jo herself didn’t know the answer.

Rather, she was quicker to understand the anxious and pained heart of this man.

“It’s not because of the baby. Even if it’s hard now……”
Her throat tightened.

Why do people keep digging up painful memories from the past?

“Kyu Ho. As I’ve said before, it may be impossible to completely sever our ties. Isn’t that so? If Da On wants to meet Kyu Ho later. No, she will have to meet him at some point, he is her son. But it’s already too late to tie us together as a family. It’s not good for you to keep doing this, Kyu Ho.”
“No matter how much I try to forget, I keep thinking…… I miss her…… It hurts.”
“Who? Min Ah? Or Da On? Stop dreaming. Stop drinking first and mentally separate yourself from your mother. That’s the priority. After the treatment is over…… let’s talk again.”
Kyu Ho, who was undergoing alcohol addiction treatment, nodded silently.

As she left the cafe and was about to hail a taxi, Eun Jo froze in surprise.

She spotted Secretary Kang, with whom she had briefly exchanged a glance once before.

He bowed his head in greeting.

“……What brings you here?”

“I came to take you to the chairman’s house. But it seemed like you had a visitor, so I waited. Let’s go.”
“…….”
He immediately opened the back door of the car for her and put Eun Jo’s luggage in the trunk.

.
.

About 40 minutes earlier.

Secretary Kang, who had been watching Eun Jo and Kyu Ho enter a cafe near the office, received a call from Jae Ha.

[Yes.] [You’ve arrived. No matter what she says about sitting in the front, make sure she sits in the back.] [Why? Are you trying to restrain me? No, I don’t know how you’ve managed to hold your breath all this time. Phew…….] [Shut up. But why are you acting like that? You texted me that you’re leaving work now.] [Oh, yes.] [Oh, yes? What’s going on, tell me right now.] [Well, there’s a guest.] [The guest is a man.] [How could you.] [You’re telling me everything. Who is he? Have you seen him before?] [Not me, of course.] [Stick with her. Make sure you drop her off properly.] [Don’t worry. I will make sure she sits in the back and I will take her to the house properly.]

Secretary Kang took a quick glance at Eun Jo through the rearview mirror. Her face was blankly staring outside the window.

Her deep face was somewhat poignant.

Tsk, tsk, tsk… her face is as blank as a white sheet. It must be terribly difficult.

‘The father of the baby. Our Da On’s father.’
Eun Jo was calming down her dizziness, repeating this to herself in her heart.

It was clear that this reached Kwon Jae Ha through the early evening purple air.