#48.

The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the window into the management office. Kim Eun-ju closed her eyes for a moment and stretched. It was a rare moment of peace.

Lee Han was squatting next to the stroller, chatting with Jin-woo. A bright smile was on his face.

,Jin-woo-ya, you’re so pretty. So cute.”

Lee Han said, gently pinching the baby’s cheek. When Jin-woo met Lee Han’s eyes, he giggled and reached out his little hand. It was as if he was greeting an old friend. Lee Han picked up Jin-woo and stood up.

,Eun-ju-ssi, Jin-woo is so pretty. I’ll take care of him for a while. Eun-ju-ssi, please get some rest.”

Lee Han smiled at Kim Eun-ju. Kim Eun-ju looked at Lee Han with surprised eyes. He looked so natural and familiar with taking care of the baby.

,Lee Han-ssi, you’re really good at taking care of children. How are you so good at it?”

Kim Eun-ju asked in admiration. Lee Han seemed to be lost in reminiscence for a moment. A shadow of memory passed through his eyes.

,Actually, I’m from an orphanage. I grew up taking care of my younger siblings since I was little.”

Lee Han said calmly. Kim Eun-ju’s eyes widened. She began to look at Lee Han in a new light.

,Ah, I’m sorry… Seeing how well you take care of children, I really respect you.”

Lee Han gently rocked Jin-woo and smiled.

,It’s okay. Children are special to me. That’s why I’ve been trying to take better care of them.”

Jin-woo seemed happy in Lee Han’s arms and asked for sleep. As if his arms were the warmest and safest place. Lee Han gently stroked the baby’s head.

Kim Eun-ju was feeling a new emotion towards Lee Han. Like warm sunlight, his sincerity was caressing her heart. She wanted to know more about the person named Lee Han.

,Jin-woo really likes Lee Han-ssi, too.”

Lee Han carefully laid the baby in the stroller and turned to Kim Eun-ju. There was a subtle warmth in his smile.

,It’s something I like to do. I’ll take care of Jin-woo often in the future. If it’s helpful to Eun-ju-ssi, please tell me anytime.”

Kim Eun-ju nodded slightly in gratitude. She couldn’t know Lee Han’s true feelings, but she could definitely feel the sincerity he was showing.

,He has a different charm than Hyun-woo…’

A strange feeling towards Lee Han began to bloom in Kim Eun-ju’s heart. She herself found it difficult to define what kind of feeling it was. However, she knew for sure that she felt comfortable when she was with Lee Han.

–

On a weekend afternoon, Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo were walking along the promenade in the apartment complex with Jin-woo in a stroller. Unlike the sunny weather, there was an awkward and cold atmosphere between the two. Lee Hyun-woo opened his mouth first.

,The weather is really nice today. Don’t you feel a little better coming out for a walk like this?”

,Yeah, it is. It’s not bad.”

Kim Eun-ju replied briefly.

The two exchanged words from time to time, but soon silence fell. Only the sound of footsteps and the rattling of the stroller wheels broke the silence.

Then, Lee Han was seen walking from afar. He smiled brightly when he found the two and approached.

,Hello, Eun-ju-ssi, Hyun-woo-ssi. You’re out for a walk today.”

Lee Han greeted in a bright voice.

,Yes, Lee Han-ssi. Thanks to you, I’m taking a break for a while.”

Kim Eun-ju replied. Lee Han looked into the stroller and said.

,Jin-woo seems to be growing up very well. It’s nice to see you taking a walk and having a change of pace.”

A smile spread across Kim Eun-ju’s face at his warm words.

,Lee Han-ssi, thank you so much for always being so considerate.”

While they were talking, a young woman approached slowly. Her bright clothes and bright smile were eye-catching. Kim Eun-ju smelled a familiar perfume from her and was puzzled.

,Hyun-woo-ssi, it’s the first time I’ve seen you on the weekend.”

She greeted Lee Hyun-woo. Then the woman looked into the stroller and said.

,This child is Jin-woo. He’s so cute.”

Lee Hyun-woo looked embarrassed and replied.

,Yes, hello. It’s nice to see you here.”

Kim Eun-ju felt uncomfortable in one corner of her heart. Hyun-woo and that woman know each other. Watching their seemingly intimate conversation, she became increasingly anxious. Even after the woman left, Lee Hyun-woo’s expression did not improve. Lee Han suddenly started talking as if trying to turn the topic to Jin-woo.

,Jin-woo still looks handsome like Hyun-woo-ssi. It’s been so hot lately, but it’s a little cooler today, so it’s good for Jin-woo.”

But Kim Eun-ju’s heart was already filled with suspicion.

,Who is that woman? Why is she talking to Hyun-woo so naturally? Hyun-woo is definitely hiding something from me…’

All the way back home after the walk, Kim Eun-ju was overwhelmed with complicated feelings. Lee Hyun-woo spoke to her from the side, but her heart did not calm down easily. All that lingered in her mind was suspicion about Lee Hyun-woo and that woman.

–

A few days later, Kim Eun-ju headed to the management office with a heavy heart. As she walked, pushing the stroller, her mind was complicated with all sorts of thoughts. When she opened the office door, Lee Han greeted her happily.

,Eun-ju-ssi, welcome. You must have had a hard day today, too?”

Kim Eun-ju felt relieved at Lee Han’s warm voice.

,Yes, it’s been really hard these days. I feel a little relieved when I talk to Lee Han-ssi.”

She replied and entered the office following Lee Han’s guidance.

Lee Han sat Kim Eun-ju in a chair and made her coffee. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth with a serious expression.

,Eun-ju-ssi, I have a picture that I took a few days ago. I thought I should show it to you.”

Kim Eun-ju’s heart seemed to sink at his words. Lee Han carefully opened the drawer and took out a picture. His hand was trembling slightly as he handed it to Kim Eun-ju.

Kim Eun-ju’s eyes widened as she received the picture. It contained a picture of Lee Hyun-woo and the young woman she had met that day, talking intimately. She felt like she was suffocating.

,Lee Han-ssi, what is this? Is Hyun-woo really with that woman…?”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice trembled. Lee Han quickly shook his head.

,Eun-ju-ssi, don’t ever think that way. This picture is just a scene of them talking. Hyun-woo-ssi loves you. Maybe that woman is just someone he knows.”

But Lee Han’s words did not reach Kim Eun-ju’s heart. Tears welled up.

,Lee Han-ssi, thank you for comforting me like this. But my heart hurts so much.”

Then Lee Han gently put his hand on Kim Eun-ju’s shoulder. His touch was so warm and tender.

,Eun-ju-ssi, cheer up. Everything will be alright. I’ll always be by your side. You are not alone.”

Kim Eun-ju lowered her head at Lee Han’s comfort, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Before she knew it, she was sobbing in Lee Han’s arms, and Lee Han silently stroked Kim Eun-ju’s back. It was as if his warmth was enveloping her.

,Thank you so much, Lee Han-ssi. I feel a little relieved thanks to you.”

For a while, they held each other like that. Lee Han’s arms felt like the safest place in the world to Kim Eun-ju. Leaning on his comfort, she gradually regained her peace of mind.

Hyun-woo’s image in the picture kept appearing in her mind, but at this moment, she wanted to forget everything. She only wanted to focus on Lee Han’s warmth. Just as his kindness promised, she desperately hoped that everything would work out in the future.

After a while, Kim Eun-ju stopped crying and comforted Jin-woo. Lee Han, looking at her, carefully opened his mouth.

,Eun-ju-ssi, actually, taking pictures is illegal. So I can’t give it to you, but I promise I’ll find out for sure.”

,Really? I would be so grateful if Lee Han-ssi could do that for me.”

Relief crossed Kim Eun-ju’s face. Lee Han looked at her eyes seriously and continued.

,Eun-ju-ssi, don’t worry. I’ll find out everything and tell you. Hyun-woo-ssi definitely won’t have any problems.”

,Thank you so much, Lee Han-ssi. Thank you so much for helping me like this.”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice trembled. Lee Han sent her a warm smile and gently held her hand.

,It hurts my heart to see Eun-ju-ssi having a hard time. Come anytime you’re having a hard time. I’ll always be here.”

Kim Eun-ju nodded at his kind words. The anxiety that had taken root deep in her heart seemed to subside a little.

–

Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo’s bedroom was shrouded in a cold silence. They were lying with their backs to each other, deep in thought. Kim Eun-ju hesitated and opened her mouth.

,Hyun-woo-ssi, are you very tired these days because of work? Why don’t you sleep alone in another room so you don’t wake up at night because of Jin-woo?”

Lee Hyun-woo hesitated for a moment and nodded.

,Yeah, I think that would be good.”

Kim Eun-ju’s heart turned cold as Lee Hyun-woo accepted the offer without much hesitation. As he left the room, she was left alone. She hugged the blanket and burst into tears.

,What is this… He didn’t seem very willing, but he suggested sleeping separately so easily.’

Kim Eun-ju buried her face in the pillow, shedding tears mixed with sadness and loneliness. To try to sleep apart without even a little hesitation. His attitude was upsetting and painful.

,Why did it turn out like this… Why have we grown so far apart…’

Kim Eun-ju sobbed inwardly, hugging the tear-soaked pillow. She felt sorry for herself for suspecting her husband, and she was desperate for the growing distance.

,Am I being too suspicious…”

The warmth she received from Lee Han today came to mind. His presence was comforting and weighed heavily on her heart at the same time. Kim Eun-ju was overwhelmed with complicated emotions and cried for a long time until she fell asleep.