**Special Chapter 4**
Ji Hyun-oh was always a composed man. He never faltered in any situation and handled things with ease. Especially in business, he was so composed that people who criticized him behind his back called him cold-blooded.
It was the same in a recent business situation. A fire broke out suddenly at the Ulsan factory, which was preparing for an opening. Thankfully, there were no casualties, but the raw materials caught fire, causing significant damage, and there were also issues with the products that needed to be shipped immediately. Everyone was taken aback by the unexpected situation, but Hyun-oh, upon hearing the news of the fire, didn’t change his expression and gave instructions calmly. Thanks to him, the situation was resolved relatively smoothly within a short period, and his leadership in such a huge disaster was covered extensively in economic newspapers. Even in such a tremendous disaster, he remained unwavering.
“What did you just say?”
Dropping the utensils from his hands, he widened his eyes in surprise. Hyun-oh’s lips trembled slightly. He asked again to confirm whether he had heard correctly. At his reaction, Sua, who was sitting in front of him, blushed deeply.
“I’m pregnant. With your, no, our baby.”
It was an astonishing statement, even upon hearing it again.
Of course, they had plans for a baby. They had been married for quite some time, and Sua, who had once seemed young to Hyun-oh, was now well into her late twenties. Above all, there was deep love between them.
He wanted to see a daughter resembling Sua because he loved her. But thinking vaguely that someday they would have a child and actually hearing that they were expecting were entirely different stories.
“Why are you so surprised? Aren’t you happy?”
At her question, an inexplicable sound flowed from Hyun-oh’s throat, seeming to twist.
“…I’m happy.”
Happy. A strange sensation surged within him as if something were bubbling up inside. Happy, and worried. A very complicated and subtle emotion shook Hyun-oh.
He reached out and gently held her hand, which she had placed on the table.
“Are you okay? Why aren’t you taking tests? Should we go to the hospital now?”
At Hyun-oh’s question, losing his composure, Sua laughed again. Whenever she laughed, her eye corners curved beautifully.
“No, I’ve already been there on my way home today.”
Then she handed him a black photo. In the black photo, a white circle could be seen, and on top of it, a small diamond-like object twinkled. Hyun-oh’s gaze fixed on that spot.
“I’m 6 weeks pregnant.”
“6 weeks?”
“Yes. This is the gestational sac here.”
Sua pointed to the white circle with her hand.
“This dot-like thing here is our baby.”
“Our baby….”
“It’s smaller than a grain of rice. Amazing, right? I’ve been staring at it all the way home.”
Hyun-oh silently looked at the photo.
Before meeting Sua, he had never thought about wanting a child. He wasn’t particularly fond of children, and above all…
Hyun-oh had been Ji Hyun-oh, a PY group man, since birth. Living as the successor to PY, rather than enjoying life as Ji Hyun-oh. No matter where he went, his life was burdened with the name PY before his own. Especially because of his mother’s desire to make him the successor at all costs, he couldn’t live freely. Although he didn’t dislike his life, it was difficult to say that he enjoyed it because it felt burdensome.
Perhaps that’s why. If he had a child, he would unconsciously avoid thoughts about the child because he didn’t want to burden them with such a future.
There were times when he thought that even if a child were born, the overwhelming feeling of burden would engulf him first.
But…
“It’s too cute.”
Sincerely, his emotions burst out.
He couldn’t bear the adorableness of the baby, who was still smaller than a grain of rice, even in the photo.
“Is it really our baby?”
“Of course.”
“Sua, you’re pregnant.”
How natural it is. When a healthy man and woman love each other, a baby is born. But now that it had become his reality, Hyun-oh realized that what was natural to others was not necessarily natural to him. Everything seemed miraculous and moving. Still gently placing his hand on her smooth belly, Hyun-oh asked again.
“Sua, how’s your body?”
“The baby’s position is good, and my condition is good too.”
“Really? I heard pregnancy and childbirth are difficult, so I’m worried about the future.”
The baby in the photo in his hand was so lovely and moving, yet he was more worried about Sua than the baby.
Although there were few cases of pregnancy and childbirth around him, he still knew that it was not an easy journey.
He suddenly felt afraid that she might be in pain or difficulty.
He used to not be afraid of much, but now he was afraid of even trivial things. Would the baby in her belly be healthy?
Seeing Hyun-oh showing signs of worry, Sua tightly grasped his hand resting on her belly and said firmly.
“It’s okay.”
A faint light emanated from Sua’s face as she spoke.
“I’m happy. It seems our baby has brought us luck. To find out on the day such a good opportunity came to us.”
“…Yeah, it seems so.”
“In fact, at first, I thought it would be difficult due to occupational issues. But then the president noticed and suggested that I take a leave of absence from work for about a year and a half, and during that time, try writing slowly. I’m also considering it, what do you think?”
“Taking a break from work is a good idea, but can you write?”
“Of course. I’ll do my best so that you’re not uncomfortable. Is that okay?”
Hyun-oh frowned at Sua’s words.
“Uncomfortable? There’s no reason to call it uncomfortable when you’re carrying our baby and pursuing your dream. Life may change a bit, but it doesn’t matter. Even if I have to reduce my work, let’s do it together.”
“Your job is so important. Don’t overdo it.”
Hyun-oh shook his head.
“My job is something someone else can do for me.”
PY Group was a big company. However, because it was a big company, not everything was expected of Hyun-oh. Above all, Hyun-oh had decided to leave PY to protect Sua. There was nothing more important to him than Sua, not even the baby in her belly.
“Before giving birth, there will be someone who can replace me little by little. But…”
He tightly held Sua’s hand. Not painfully, but reassuringly.
“No one can replace the position of Han Sua’s husband. No, more than anything, I want to be by your side.”
The words that came out of his mouth, as if prepared, surprised not only Sua but also himself.
It wasn’t a statement to accommodate her or to make her happy, but it was a feeling that truly sprung from deep within him. His first child. From the size of a grain of rice to growing up healthily and being born, he wanted to accompany Sua on that journey. If she suffered from morning sickness, he wanted to comfort her, if she found it difficult to move, he wanted to lend her his hands and feet, and he wanted to be there when the baby was born.
“Sua, don’t worry. You need to be happy for the baby to be happy. I’ll do everything.”
“…Hyun-oh.”
Hyun-oh confessed his love to her.
“Thank you.”
For loving me.
For asking me to marry you.
And for coming back to me.
For giving me the chance to have a child and to be together like this.
“Thank you, and I love you.”
Tears welled up in Sua’s eyes at the endless confession.
* * *
Late at night.
In Hyun-oh’s house, where darkness and silence had settled, there was a peculiar sound. Tick, tick, the sound echoed, then a rattling sound spread.
Sua, who was lying down to sleep, suddenly sat up at the unexpected noise. Hyun-oh had gone down to Gunsan today and hadn’t returned home yet. Could it be a burglar?
Startled, she lifted her heel and cautiously walked towards the direction of the faint sound.
