Chapter 04
“What kind of gift would you like?”
It was their first birthday celebration as a couple, and Seung-jun wanted to give Sora the perfect gift.
“A star. That star is always there, even if I can’t have it.”
Her answer was unexpected.
Most people would have brushed it off with a sweet promise like “I’ll bring you the stars,” or taken her to an observatory.
But Seung-jun wasn’t like most people—he genuinely wanted to give her a star.
He spent the next few days researching meteorites.
While doing so, he learned about a rare diamond recently mined and auctioned for a hefty price.
It was made of elements not found on Earth, originating from a meteorite that had struck the planet long ago.
Seung-jun bought the diamond at an exorbitant price and had it crafted into a one-of-a-kind necklace by a master jeweler.
However, after receiving the gift, Sora disappeared. She left nothing but a simple resignation letter behind:
“I am resigning due to health issues.”
He shredded the letter in a rage, roaring like a lion.
He mobilized every resource to search for her across Korea. He almost found her, tracking down traces of her movements.
Then, a package arrived at his office.
Inside the yellow box was the diamond necklace. It was a rejection of his sincerity.
No matter how much effort he’d poured into it, she never acknowledged his feelings. Perhaps, to her, he had never meant anything from the start.
He decided to move on. Though the rejection left him bitter, he focused on his work.
His face hardened, his heart turned cold, and his body grew numb, but he refused to search for her again. He couldn’t bear another rejection.
“[Vice President, Madam is looking for you.]”
The phone call interrupted Seung-jun’s thoughts.
He sighed deeply and turned to glance inside the café.
There she was—Sora—sitting with her head down, covering her face with both hands.
‘Why is she upset when I should be the angry one?’ Seung-jun thought as he turned away, heading toward his car.
Once inside, memories surfaced.
“From now on, I’m your mother.”
“No, you’re not my mom! You’re my aunt!”
“No! You must call me Mother. If you don’t, you’ll be punished.”
Seung-jun, born the second son of Chairman Han, was adopted by his childless aunt when he was seven.
His biological mother, now demoted to “aunt,” was warm and nurturing, always hugging him and comforting him.
But after the adoption, she could no longer embrace him. His new “mother,” a stoic woman with a doctorate in education, believed children could be “reformed” with discipline and structure.
Seung-jun bore the emotional void alone.
He picked up his phone and called. A calm voice answered.
“[Where are you?]”
“Running an errand outside, Mother.”
“[Your behavior has become sloppy lately. Be mindful.]”
Even now, Hyoyoung, his adoptive mother, believed she had “created” him, raising him into the man he was.
“I’ll do better,” Seung-jun replied habitually, knowing this answer would appease her and spare him from her lectures.
“[Good. I’ve set up a date for you.]”
Seung-jun, now 37, had been on many arranged dates, but none had worked out.
“[This one is perfect—one of my former students. You’ll like her.]”
Suddenly, Sora’s tearful face flashed in his mind. He chuckled bitterly. Why was he thinking about her?
“Mom.”
At home, Sora held her son, Yumin, in her arms.
Earlier that day, Seung-jun’s harsh words rang in her ears:
“You dressed him in rags and called that pathetic cake a birthday treat?”
She had fired back at him, but his words still stung.
She had bought Yumin’s clothes from the cheapest stalls, ensuring they were sturdy enough for a child’s rough play. Yet, to Seung-jun, her son must have looked like a beggar.
“Yumin, what happened today? Where did you meet that man?”
Yumin hesitated, his eyes wide and uncertain.
“Just tell the truth, sweetheart,” Sora said gently.
But Yumin lowered his head, tears pooling in his eyes.
“Mom… I’m sorry,” he sobbed. “I hit Shinyoung, even though I knew you’d be upset.”
Sora’s eyes widened. Yumin had never hit anyone before.
“What happened? Why did you do that?”
But Yumin stayed silent, trembling.
“Yumin, you can tell me,” she urged, trying to keep her voice calm.
Still, he refused to speak.
“Do you not trust me?” Sora’s voice rose slightly.
Her thoughts spiraled: Do you also see me as worthless? Am I just a mother who dresses you poorly and feeds you cheap meals?
Tears rolled down Yumin’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” he repeated.
Sora’s heart ached as she fought back tears of her own.
“I’m sorry, too,” she whispered, pulling Yumin close.
Sora wasn’t a perfect mother. She wasn’t “strong” or “magnificent” like people said mothers should be. She was just surviving, battling loneliness and inadequacy every day.
She had run from Seung-jun not out of spite, but because of the life she carried within her—their child. She hadn’t wanted to depend on him or be pitied.
When Seung-jun had gifted her the diamond necklace, she had thought it was a token of love. But after his sudden marriage announcement, she realized it wasn’t. To him, it was likely just payment for her time and silence.
Now, years later, Sora struggled to raise her son, relying on the kindness of others. Her boss, Insook, had once found her collapsed outside a convenience store. From that moment, Insook had taken her in, offering her a job and a bit of stability.
Through it all, Sora’s only strength came from Yumin. But even that was starting to feel like it wasn’t enough.
