Stretching her arm, Se Kyung gazed at the ring on her finger. Dr. Shim’s words were echoing in her head.

“Rozel, right? Just a short distance from here, there’s a four-story building on the main road with a jewelry shop. The owner is a famous gem appraiser and jeweler who worked in France and the U.S. before coming back to Korea about 5-6 years ago. He opened his own store. The jewels he deals with are all top-grade. I heard that the primary clientele includes wives of chaebol families. Even the secondary stones are of the highest quality, so the prices are quite high, aren’t they?”

After saying this, Dr. Shim had returned the ring to Se Kyung.

She wasn’t sure if he knew what he was getting into or just stumbled into the store by chance. Either way, her opinion of Angko’s father, whom she had thought to be a regular company employee, seemed to have gone up a notch.

“Feels like my finger has gotten heavier.”

She had suspected the stone was a diamond when Tae Jo didn’t respond to her question.

It felt a bit awkward to just accept such an expensive gift. She wanted to give something back.

“What would be good?”

Lost in thought, Se Kyung envisioned Tae Jo.

His three-piece suit he wears to work? Or a watch? Maybe buying shoes would be nice.

“But I don’t know his shoe size.”

Should she sneak a peek at his shoes next time she visits his house?

“Wait, how did he even know my ring size?”

Se Kyung twirled the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, neither too tight nor too loose.

She hadn’t told Tae Jo her ring size, nor did she think anyone around her knew it. Did he measure her finger while she was asleep?

Ziiiiiing.

As Se Kyung was browsing the internet, deep in thought about a gift for Tae Jo, her phone screen lit up with the name of the warmest person in the world.

“Yes, mom.”

[Dash] What are you doing? Are you at home? Did you eat?

Immediately after answering, Jung Ran bombarded her with questions. Se Kyung chuckled weakly. Not even a child anymore, and her mother still starts with asking if she has eaten. Maybe she worries her grown daughter might be starving?

“I’m home. I’ve eaten, and now I’m lying on the sofa.”

[Dash] Don’t lie down right after eating, it’s not good for your stomach. Are you alone?

“Yes.”

[Dash] Where’s the baby’s father?

“He had some errands to run. Did you finish closing the cafe, mom?”

[Dash] Yeah, I’m about to lock up and leave. How about you? Any pain?

Jung Ran’s voice was laced with concern.

She, too, was aware of Se Kyung and Ju Hee’s issue. She had been deeply hurt reading the articles, as the criticism aimed at her daughter had upset her. She had even hidden behind her shop to cry in private.

Especially knowing that Ju Hee, who had once been so close to Se Kyung, was behind it had shocked and disappointed her greatly.

“I’m fine. Angko is growing well, too.”

Lightly patting her belly, Se Kyung forced a cheerful tone.

[Dash] That’s good to hear. I saw Yoo Na’s interview. I’m grateful she stepped in like that. It’s good to see you on TV these days.

“Right? I actually just did a shoot with Yoo Na.”

[Dash] What kind of shoot? Couple’s Dream?

“Yes.”

[Dash] But you’re not married yet. What were you doing there?

Se Kyung scratched her cheek. She had thought the same thing before. Why was she on ‘Couple’s Dream’ when she wasn’t married?

“No, it’s not just for married people.”

[Dash] Isn’t it? I thought only married couples were on that show.

No, that’s right…

“I was a guest on Yoo Na’s side. After this incident, Yoo Na wanted to share how I had helped her in the past. It was partly for drama promotion. Yoo Na might have mentioned you too, so watch it when it airs.”
[Dash] She’s talking about me on TV? Hmm, anyway, tell Yoo Na to come to Jeju Island with her husband sometime.

Se Kyung suppressed a laugh as Jung Ran grumbled and tried to change the subject, clearly embarrassed that her story might be mentioned on TV.

“Yoo Na is busier than me these days. I’ll tell her to visit when she’s free.”

[Dash] Do that. And tell her I’m thankful. Make sure you eat well. I’ll come up to Seoul again later.

“Okay. But don’t push yourself too hard.”

[Dash] What’s pushing? I’m visiting my daughter. Rest up. I’ll call you again later.

“Okay. You too, mom.”

After hanging up, Se Kyung stared at the ceiling, feeling the silence of the house more acutely after talking with her mom.

“Hmm.”

She picked up her phone again and browsed through her call list. Her finger hovered over Tae Jo’s name.

“Should I ask what time he’s coming back?”

Due to an upcoming workshop, Tae Jo had gone to a training center in Gapyeong with Executive Kang.

Glancing at the clock, Se Kyung pressed the call button. The connection tone dragged on, probably because he was with Executive Kang.

Just as she was about to hang up, thinking it might be a bad time to call, Tae Jo’s voice came through.

[Dash] Oh, Se Kyung.

“Is it a bad time to take a call?”

Se Kyung perked up her ears, wondering if she might hear Executive Kang’s voice.

[Dash] No, it’s fine. Go ahead.