#86.

The high, blue autumn sky stretched out like an endless canvas over the apartment complex. Each time a cool breeze blew, the trees along the walking path swayed and danced, and the maple leaves, beginning to turn red, scattered in the wind. Within that beautiful scenery, Han Su-jin and Park Tae-young could be seen.

Han Su-jin was wearing a light pastel-toned dress, and her belly was slightly swollen. Park Tae-young was dressed in a neat casual shirt and jeans. The pace of the two was slow, and their gazes toward each other were filled with deep affection.

Park Tae-young walked beside Han Su-jin, leaning toward her. His hand cautiously reached out toward Han Su-jin’s arm. Han Su-jin naturally accepted his touch.

,Honey, what are you doing?” Han Su-jin said, turning her head slightly to look at Park Tae-young. A playful smile hung on her lips. ,Don’t make such a fuss.”

At that moment, a familiar voice carried on the wind. ,Hello.”

The two’s gazes simultaneously turned toward the direction of the sound. Han Su-jin’s eyes sharpened for a moment before quickly softening.

Lee Han was standing there. A gentle smile hung on his lips, and his neat suit sparkled in the autumn sunlight. A look of delight momentarily flashed across Park Tae-young’s face. Han Su-jin naturally linked arms with her husband.

Lee Han’s voice rang out softly. ,Are you coming back from somewhere?” His gaze briefly went to Han Su-jin’s belly before returning to the faces of the two.

Park Tae-young turned his head toward Han Su-jin. ,Ah, we went to the OB-GYN together.” His voice was filled with pride and joy.

Lee Han sent a caring gaze toward Han Su-jin. ,Are you feeling alright?”

Han Su-jin smiled and replied. ,Yes, the baby is healthy.” Her voice was steady, and her eyes were full of confidence.

,It’s our Byeol-i (Star),” Park Tae-young said proudly. ,Isn’t it a pretty name?”

Lee Han nodded with a gentle smile. ,It’s a really pretty name.” His eyes briefly went to Han Su-jin’s belly before returning to Park Tae-young.

A moment of silence passed. Lee Han put his hands in his pockets and offered a farewell. ,If you ever need any help, please tell me anytime.”

Han Su-jin gave Lee Han a meaningful smile at his words. ,Yes, thank you.”

After Lee Han left, Park Tae-young looked at Han Su-jin and whispered in a voice full of joy. ,It’s so fortunate that our Byeol-i (Star) has so many people congratulating us like this.”

,I know,” Han Su-jin replied. A complex emotion flashed across her eyes, but it soon changed into a warm smile.

Under the autumn sunlight, the shadows of the two stretched out long. Han Su-jin gazed into the distance for a moment before smiling at her husband again.

—

Late in the evening, Kang Ji-won’s living room was shrouded in darkness. Lying on the sofa, Kang Ji-won’s fingers were mindlessly swiping across her phone screen.

,Why did I say that…’ Kang Ji-won sighed, recalling the past events.

Suddenly, the ringing of the phone startled Kang Ji-won, and she sat up. Seeing the name on the screen, her heart began to beat rapidly.

,Park Min-ah’

,Hello?” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled.

Sobbing could be heard from the other end of the receiver.

,Min-ah-ssi? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Concern was evident in Kang Ji-won’s voice.

,Ji… Ji-won-ssi…” Park Min-ah’s voice was broken. ,I’m sorry… for saying that before…”

,Ah, she’s talking about what happened then.’ Kang Ji-won murmured inwardly.

,No, it’s okay,” Kang Ji-won said. ,More importantly, why are you crying?”

,I went to find that man because of the picture Ji-won-ssi showed me.” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled.

Kang Ji-won held her breath. ,Could it be…’

,But…” Park Min-ah’s voice grew smaller. ,That man… said he saw me with another woman… and wants to break up.”

,I knew it…’ Kang Ji-won’s heart ached.

,Min-ah-ssi, are you okay? Should I come over now?”

,Yes… Ji-won-ssi… I’m so sad.”

,Okay. I’ll be right there. Should I leave the door open?”

Kang Ji-won hung up the phone and walked toward the front door. ,How should I comfort her…’ Her mind was complicated.

Kang Ji-won got out of the elevator and stood in front of Park Min-ah’s house. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked.

,Min-ah-ssi, it’s me.”

Kang Ji-won stepped into Park Min-ah’s house through the open door. She saw Park Min-ah huddled on the living room sofa, sobbing.

,What should I do…’ Kang Ji-won hesitated for a moment before approaching Park Min-ah.

,Min-ah-ssi…” Kang Ji-won carefully placed her hand on Park Min-ah’s shoulder.

Park Min-ah raised her head to look at Kang Ji-won. Her eyes were red with tears.

,Ji-won-ssi…” Park Min-ah said, hiccuping.

Kang Ji-won hugged Park Min-ah without a word. Park Min-ah’s shoulders trembled.

,How should I comfort her…’ Kang Ji-won pondered before carefully opening her mouth.

,So… you decided to break up?”

Park Min-ah suddenly raised her head. ,No, I just asked him. If he was cheating…”

Kang Ji-won stared at Park Min-ah with surprised eyes.

,Then he suddenly got angry,” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled. ,He said if I was going to suspect him like that, we should just break up…”

,This guy…’ Kang Ji-won’s fist clenched unconsciously.

,I just asked… I don’t know why he’s doing this to me,” Park Min-ah sobbed again.

Kang Ji-won sighed and patted Park Min-ah’s back. ,It’s okay. Everything will be alright.”

,To torment Min-ah-ssi like this…’ Anger surged within Kang Ji-won’s heart. ,I need to show that guy what’s what.’

Kang Ji-won hugged Park Min-ah, lost in complicated thoughts.

—

Late in the evening, Kang Ji-won’s footsteps echoed through the apartment complex as she returned from the kindergarten. Her gaze was directed toward the management office.

,How should I bring it up…’ Kang Ji-won stood in front of the management office, contemplating.

Just then, the door to the management office opened. Kang Ji-won quickly hid in the shadows.

A woman pushing a stroller came into view. Lee Han followed behind her.

,It’s the woman I saw before…’ Kang Ji-won’s eyebrows furrowed.

Lee Han whispered something to the woman. A faint smile spread across the woman’s lips.

Kang Ji-won held her breath and watched the scene. The woman left, and Lee Han went back into the management office.

,I knew it… that guy…’ Kang Ji-won’s fist clenched unconsciously.

With the sound of the door closing, the anger in Kang Ji-won’s heart grew even stronger.

,I can’t take it anymore.’

Kang Ji-won took a deep breath and headed toward the management office. Her steps were filled with resolute determination.

Kang Ji-won opened the door to the management office and stepped inside. Lee Han, who was sitting at his desk looking at documents, raised his head. His eyes met Kang Ji-won’s.

,Welcome,” A gentle smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. ,What brings you here so late?”

Kang Ji-won ignored Lee Han’s smile and stood by the door. Her eyes were sharp.

,Do you know Park Min-ah-ssi?” Kang Ji-won’s voice was cold.

Lee Han’s expression momentarily stiffened. His eyes sharpened, and his smile disappeared.

,Park Min-ah-ssi?” Lee Han said, slowly standing up. ,Is something wrong?”

Kang Ji-won took a step forward. ,Answer my question. Do you know Park Min-ah-ssi, or not?”

Lee Han was silent for a moment. His eyes scanned Kang Ji-won up and down.

,I know her,” Lee Han finally opened his mouth. ,But who are you, and why are you asking?”

The two’s gazes collided intensely. The air inside the office grew heavy.

,I’m Min-ah-ssi’s friend,” Strength entered Kang Ji-won’s voice. Her hand unconsciously clenched and unclenched into a fist.

,A friend? What’s your name?” Lee Han asked, interrogating Kang Ji-won instead.

,Why do you need to know?” Lee Han replied to Kang Ji-won, who was snapping back at him. ,I’ve known Min-ah-ssi for a long time, but I’ve never seen someone like you before.”

,If you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. I’m Kang Ji-won, and I’ve heard a lot about you from Park Min-ah-ssi. If you’re going to treat her like that, break up with her right now. Do you know how much Min-ah-ssi is hurting?”

Lee Han blinked for a moment, then quickly returned to his nonchalant expression. A smile hung on his lips.

,Kang Ji-won-ssi,” Lee Han said softly. ,What right do you have to say such things? What do you know about my relationship with Min-ah-ssi?”

,This guy…’ Kang Ji-won’s face hardened. Her eyes grew even sharper.

,I’m going to expose all your secrets,” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled. ,I’m going to let everyone know what kind of person you are.”

Lee Han’s eyebrows raised slightly. He tilted his head slightly and asked.

,Secrets?” Curiosity was evident in his voice. ,What secrets do you think I have, Kang Ji-won-ssi?”

Kang Ji-won gripped the phone in her pocket tightly. Lee Han was still smiling, waiting for Kang Ji-won’s next move.

Kang Ji-won took out her phone with a trembling hand. After touching the screen a few times, she held out the phone to Lee Han.

,What’s this?” Lee Han’s eyes went to the screen.

,Is it okay for you to be doing this with a married woman?” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled.

Lee Han looked at the screen for a moment, then chuckled. Kang Ji-won’s face flushed at his reaction.

,That’s all you’ve got? And do you even know that this is illegal filming?” Lee Han said mockingly.

Lee Han slowly approached Kang Ji-won. His eyes sharpened.

,I have no intention of letting go of Park Min-ah,” Lee Han’s voice lowered. ,Or… did she tell you to do this?”

Kang Ji-won couldn’t say anything, and her hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

,I see, no,” Lee Han muttered. A smile spread across his lips. ,Then how do you think Min-ah-ssi will see you if she finds out about this?”

Kang Ji-won’s eyes wavered, and she took a step back.

,You…” Kang Ji-won said, trembling with anger. ,You’re hitting on married women, what kind of…”

,You’ll regret this,” Kang Ji-won said, gritting her teeth.

Lee Han slowly returned to his chair and sat down. His eyes were still sharp.

,I’ll talk to Min-ah-ssi directly. Oh, and of course, I’ll tell her about the person who’s trying to break us apart.”

A chill ran down Kang Ji-won’s spine at those words. She turned around and left the management office without a word.

The sound of the door closing echoed emptily, and Kang Ji-won’s mind was complicated.

,What do I do now… How do I tell Min-ah-ssi?’

Her steps grew heavy, and the night air felt cold.