Se Kyung went to the kitchen, grabbed some snacks, and sat down on the sofa. That’s when her phone, placed on the table, vibrated lengthily.

She checked the caller ID and answered the call.

“Hey, Yuna.”

The caller was Yuna, who had been busy with her activities recently.

[Dash] What are you doing? Are you at home? You must be busy with the drama, right?

Yuna bombarded her with questions as soon as the call was connected.

“A bit busy. I’m at home now, but I have to go out this afternoon.”

[Dash] We need to meet up sometime. It’s been hard to catch up lately.

“It’s because you’ve been busy. Are you still doing things alone? Haven’t signed with an agency?”

[Dash] Haven’t found the right place yet. Decided to go solo for now.

“How about the yoga studio? Did you quit teaching?”

[Dash] Yeah. Managing the schedule was feasible for a day or two, but it got tough with varying filming times. But how did you manage it? For me, it’s variety show filming, but you had drama shooting. Did you handle it all alone?

Yuna sounded weary, complaining about the difficulty of driving and keeping up with schedules.

“I just endured it. That’s why I joined an agency so quickly.”

[Dash] Your current agency was introduced by actor Moon, right? I should have sought him out when you joined…

Yuna seemed to regret the timing, and Se Kyung just offered an awkward smile.

I already found him, Yuna.

[Dash] Oh right, PD Lim asked if you’d be interested in appearing on ‘Couple’s Dream’ for drama promotion.

“Me?”

Why have they been asking an unmarried person to appear recently…

[Dash] Not necessarily, just if it’s necessary for drama promotion. You mentioned it before, right? That it’d be good to have us as guests on a couple’s show.

“Wasn’t that just passing conversation?”

[Dash] Half and half? I’d love to appear with you, but I’m a bit worried. I wouldn’t want you to be exploited for the show and get backlash.

Yuna added that she hesitated to ask, fearing that Se Kyung might be affected by any negative fallout.

[Dash] But luckily, our couple’s story has been trending lately, so appearing now might help promote your drama. Our show is a couple-based reality program, and the drama production hasn’t offered any guest appearances. So PD Lim asked me to inquire directly if you’d consider appearing.

“I do like the idea of appearing with you, but…”

Se Kyung had a few situations to consider. The nature of observational reality shows meant that cameras would be rolling all day. What if her morning sickness was captured?

“I have a lot of schedules already lined up. I’ll think about it another time.”

[Dash] Alright. Or come over when you’re free, even if it’s not for the show. You should visit our house too.

“I will.”

[Dash] Ah, I have to go in for shooting. Se Kyung, I’ll call you back later.

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Se Kyung chuckled to herself. She was grateful for PD Lim and Yuna’s consideration.

“Then I should get ready to go out too.”
Se Kyung stretched her arms out wide and stood up.

As the destination came into view, Se Kyung’s hands moved nervously. Caught in the rush hour traffic, her car finally arrived in front of the restaurant.

As Se Kyung was about to get out of the car with her bag, Je Hoon called out to her urgently.

“Sister, let me know when you’re heading home.”

“No, I’ll get home on my own. You head back too.”

After waving to Je Hoon, Se Kyung entered the restaurant. The manager at the entrance greeted her.

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, it should be under the name Shim Haejung.”

Upon mentioning Dr. Shim’s name, the hall manager checked and then led her to an inner room.

True to its name, Blanc, the interior was elegantly decorated with white ornaments and curtains.

“This is your room.”

The manager who guided Se Kyung knocked on the door. Inside, Yeryeong and Dr. Shim were already seated at the table.

“Welcome, Se Kyung.”

“Sorry, am I late?”

“It’s peak traffic time. Sit down. We’ve already ordered, is that okay?”

“Yes.”

Se Kyung nodded and sat next to Dr. Shim, smiling slightly at Yeryeong across from her.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No, we arrived just in time too. Where did you come from, Se Kyung?”

“From an event. The interview took longer than expected.”

“Don’t worry about being a bit late. Here, take this.”

Yeryeong handed Se Kyung a shopping bag that was beside her.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the exhibition catalogue and some related products from the other day.”

“Oh, thank you. I hadn’t expected this.”

Se Kyung opened the shopping bag and examined its contents.

There were two cups with cat characters, a catalogue, and an acrylic frame of a painting that Se Kyung had shown interest in.

Knock, knock.

“We’ll start serving the food now.”

As the door opened, a staff member entered and began setting the ordered dishes.

They started with an amuse-bouche, including onion soup, before the main courses were served.

“I heard the drama you’re in is being broadcast now.”

“Yes. It was originally scheduled for year-end, but the airing got moved up.”

Se Kyung cut into her tender steak and took a bite.

“You’re the main character, right? What’s it about?”

“The main character, abandoned by her father, becomes the heiress of a chaebol family according to her deceased grandmother’s will. It’s about her seeking revenge on the family that oppressed her and her mother.”

“Oh, sounds interesting.”

Dr. Shim listened with interest. Then, another knock was heard, and a staff member came in.

“Your ordered dishes are ready.”

The staff member, smiling, placed a large plate on the table.

As the scent of seafood hit her, Se Kyung felt something surge up. She unwittingly took a deep breath.

“This bouillabaisse is particularly good here…”

Yeryeong, explaining, noticed something off and looked at Se Kyung. Se Kyung’s face contorted as if she felt uncomfortable.

“Se Kyung? What’s wrong…”

“Ugh.”

Unable to hold back, Se Kyung suddenly gagged. Dr. Shim froze in shock.

“Se Kyung, are you feeling unwell? Want to go to the restroom? Haejung, could you…”

“No, I’ll be fine soon… Ugh.”

Se Kyung was interrupted by another bout of gagging. Dr. Shim gently stroked her back, looking at Yeryeong.

“…”

What’s happening?

As Se Kyung repeatedly gagged, Yeryeong, bewildered, scanned the table.

What’s causing this…

Yeryeong alternated her gaze between the plate in front of Se Kyung and the recently served dish.

Is the meat off? It was odd for Se Kyung to suddenly feel sick after eating just fine.

‘Wait, something’s off…’

Yeryeong’s eyes then turned to Dr. Shim and Se Kyung.

Unlike herself, flustered by the unexpected situation, Dr. Shim seemed to know something, displaying an embarrassed expression.
In the midst of this unexpected situation, unlike Yeryeong who was flustered, Dr. Shim seemed to know something, his face showing an awkward expression.

‘Could it be… No, surely not.’

Yeryeong involuntarily swallowed hard.

Dr. Shim was an obstetrician, and Se Kyung was a patient who visited his obstetrics clinic.

And Yeryeong was aware of it.

She knew that there could be various reasons for visiting an obstetrics clinic, not just one.

But… something kept triggering her keen radar.

“Se Kyung.”

At Yeryeong’s call, Se Kyung flinched, her face pale with embarrassment.

Yeryeong glanced at Dr. Shim, who was struggling to maintain his composure, and then spoke again.

“I’m sorry if I’m wrong.”

“…….”

“Are you pregnant?”