Chapter 1
“Let’s get ready quickly.”
At Seol-ah’s words, Yumin started packing his drawing books and study sheets into his bag.
“Are you staying there all day today?”
“No, only until before lunch.”
“So, we’re eating lunch at home?”
Yumin’s face brightened.
Seven years old this year.
His chubby cheeks and rosy lips were adorable, making Seol-ah smile back at him.
Seol-ah didn’t want things to be this way.
She wanted to spend the whole weekend playing with Yumin. But she couldn’t.
She had to pick up part-time jobs here and there to make sure she could provide a good life for Yumin.
He was a child she had to raise alone. A life she had to endure alone.
Thankfully, the convenience store where Seol-ah worked allowed her to bring Yumin along. While she worked, Yumin sat in a corner, drawing pictures or doing his study sheets.
“Was it hard getting ready and coming out early? Did you have breakfast?”
The store manager, Baek In-Sook, was a woman in her sixties and a single mom like Seol-ah. Her son had already graduated from university and was preparing for a job, so she could understand Seol-ah’s struggles well.
“Yes, I had breakfast with Yumin at home.”
“That’s enough? Here, these are close to expiring, but take them anyway.”
In-Sook handed her some boiled eggs, even offering enough for Yumin.
“Oh no, these still have plenty of time left before expiring. You can sell them.”
“How much do you think we’ll make selling these? Just eat them.
Protein is important. Yumin should eat too.”
“Thank you.”
Yumin, who loved eggs, quickly took them with both hands and politely bowed.
“Aww, look at this polite boy! You raised him so well.”
In-Sook gently patted Yumin’s head, and he laughed shyly.
Watching how In-Sook cared for her and Yumin like they were her own family made Seol-ah’s heart ache with gratitude.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
While Yumin and Seol-ah ate the eggs, In-Sook brought milk for Yumin and a soda for Seol-ah.
After finishing her soda, Seol-ah stood up.
“Yumin, study while I work, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, Mom, don’t worry about me.”
Seol-ah lightly kissed Yumin’s forehead and went to the counter.
Like always, there were kind customers and a few difficult ones who rudely threw crumpled bills at her.
With her experience, Seol-ah handled them all calmly and got through the morning.
Soon, it was almost lunchtime.
As she wrapped up her tasks and prepared to leave, someone approached the counter for payment.
“Oh, sorry! Let me help you right away.”
She looked up and froze in place.
The tall man standing before her was someone she thought she’d never see again—a man she’d left behind seven years ago.
“Ha.”
Words failed her. How could this be happening?
He was a memory she had buried, someone she believed she’d never cross paths with again.
Han Seung-Jun, head of the JK Group’s Strategic Planning Division and the oldest grandson of the JK Group chairman—a man powerful enough to make the world tremble.
Seung-Jun’s eyes were calm and unreadable, but Seol-ah could tell he was just as shocked. His hand gripped a can of coffee tightly.
“Pay,” he said.
Seol-ah hurriedly scanned the coffee.
But her hands trembled, and she accidentally dropped it.
She quickly bent down to pick it up, sensing someone approaching her.
“Mom, I’ll get it for you.”
It was Yumin, who had come to help her.
“Thank you. Go back and study now, okay?”
Her voice trembled as she took the coffee from him, trying not to look at Seung-Jun.
Seung-Jun watched them silently, his expression unreadable.
Seol-ah completed the transaction and handed him his black card—one she recognized instantly. It was the same card he’d once told her to use freely seven years ago.
She had refused it back then.
For three years, she was his secretary. For one year, his lover. That was enough.
When she found out she was pregnant and learned he was engaged to someone else, she knew it was over. She couldn’t raise this child like someone else.
Seung-Jun took the coffee but left the card. Without another word, he walked out of the store.
“Excuse me, sir!”
Seol-ah ran after him, holding the card. Before stepping out, she glanced at Yumin, who was focused on his study sheets.
“Sir, you forgot your card.”
Seung-Jun stopped and turned to her. Instead of taking the card, he stared at her.
“Sir.”
“Keep it.”
“Sorry?”
Seol-ah’s eyes widened.
“It’s yours. Just like everything else you took from me.”
“What… are you talking about?”
His cold, quiet laugh pierced the air as he leaned closer to her.
“Like my son.”
Seol-ah’s heart dropped.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, trembling.
Seung-Jun smirked but didn’t press further.
“Truth comes out eventually. I’ll come back after I find it all out.”
He placed the card in her hand and walked away.
Seol-ah stood frozen, clutching the card like it was a knife stabbed into her chest.
