#40.

Kim Eun-ju quickly stepped forward at the sound of the front door opening. Her husband, Lee Hyun-woo, who had returned late, was smiling with a tired face.

,Honey, you worked hard today.”

,Yeah, but it’s the weekend now. Where’s our son?”

,He’s already asleep. He was so excited today when we went out.”

Lee Hyun-woo loosened his tie and entered the living room. Kim Eun-ju approached and took the shirt from his hand.

,Did you have dinner?”

,I ate while working overtime.”

As Kim Eun-ju was about to put the shirt in the laundry basket, a slightly different scent than usual brushed past her nose. It smelled like perfume…

,Could it be a woman’s perfume? No, it can’t be.’

Kim Eun-ju shook her head and began to sort the laundry. As she was diligently folding clothes, trying to suppress her wild imagination, Lee Hyun-woo approached the baby’s crib and bent down.

A happy smile appeared on his face as if he was listening to his son’s breathing. Kim Eun-ju’s heart warmed in an instant. Lee Hyun-woo turned his head and met Kim Eun-ju’s eyes.

,Is it hard taking care of the baby?”

,No, I feel like I’m rewarded for everything when I see our son.”

,I also feel relieved when I come home and see our son.”

Lee Hyun-woo smiled brightly and walked towards Kim Eun-ju. The two people with smiles embraced gently. Kim Eun-ju buried her face in Lee Hyun-woo’s broad chest.

,There’s no way this person doesn’t love me. I must be too sensitive.’

Kim Eun-ju decided to put aside her unnecessary worries and doubts. Enjoying this happy moment was the most precious thing for Kim Eun-ju.

–

On a warm early summer afternoon, Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo were walking along the promenade in the apartment complex with their baby in a stroller. A refreshing breeze blew gently through the lush roadside trees.

,Hyun-woo-ya, but you know.”

,Yeah, why?”

,I think I should start preparing to return to work.”

Lee Hyun-woo’s pace slowed down at Kim Eun-ju’s words.

,Already going back to work… Our baby is only one year old now…”

Lee Hyun-woo looked at the baby in the stroller with worried eyes. The baby, wearing white innerwear, was sleeping peacefully.

,There’s no choice, we can’t afford to live without both of us working in this day and age. Especially with our salaries as public officials…”

Lee Hyun-woo nodded at Kim Eun-ju’s words. Their income was not enough to cope with the soaring prices.

,It would be nice if our parents lived nearby…”

,Well, there’s nothing we can do…”

Kim Eun-ju’s parents lived in Gangwon-do, and Lee Hyun-woo’s parents lived in Jeju-do. It was difficult to expect help because they lived far away.

,The good thing is that the daycare center in the complex operates for free until late.”

,This apartment itself is lucky, and they even provide this kind of support. But I’m worried that our baby is still too young. What if he can’t adapt?”

Kim Eun-ju shook her head at Lee Hyun-woo’s words.

,It’s strange these days to send your child to daycare late. Don’t worry too much.”

The two walked slowly along the shaded promenade, side by side, exchanging concerns about childcare and finances. Then someone greeted them cheerfully.

,Hello.”

Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo turned their heads at the greeting they heard while walking along the promenade.

,Oh? Lee-han-ssi, hello.”

,Hello, Eun-ju-ssi.”

Lee Han approached with a friendly smile. Kim Eun-ju immediately recognized Lee Han and greeted him happily.

,Honey, this is Lee Han-ssi, our apartment manager.”

Lee Hyun-woo looked at Lee Han with curious eyes. At Kim Eun-ju’s introduction, he immediately greeted Lee Han.

,Ah, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hyun-woo.”

,Yes, nice to meet you too. I’m Lee Han, the manager.”

Lee Han gave a sly smile and shook hands with Lee Hyun-woo. Then, he slightly bowed his head towards the baby sleeping in the stroller.

,So pretty. A blessed baby.”

,Thank you. It’s nice to bring the baby out on a day like today.”

,Yes, the weather is nice and refreshing, so it’s perfect for a walk. Moreover, the landscaping in the apartment is something the company is constantly paying attention to.”

Lee Han looked around and chimed in. His attitude was friendly and kind to the two, while his eyes carefully scanned Kim Eun-ju.

Lee Hyun-woo smiled brightly and continued the conversation.

,I should come out often on weekends to take a walk.”

,It’s rare to see couples raising children these days, so I respect you.”

Lee Han praised Lee Hyun-woo, and Kim Eun-ju’s expression changed brightly, and she was proud.

,Well, then, have a nice walk and have a good day. I’ll go take care of my business now.”

,Okay. It was nice seeing you, Lee Han-ssi.”

,Yes, take care.”

Lee Han bowed to Kim Eun-ju and her husband and hurried away. As Lee Han passed by Kim Eun-ju, a scent stimulated her nose. It was a scent she had smelled before. When she recalled, it was the scent she smelled on Lee Hyun-woo’s clothes last night.

,Did he meet that person?’

Kim Eun-ju smiled brightly as she looked at her husband, who was smiling brightly as if the slight doubt in her heart had disappeared, and her innocent baby.

–

Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo sat side by side on a beautifully landscaped bench in the complex, with their baby, who had fallen asleep, in the stroller. The warm afternoon sun embraced the young couple and their baby.

Kim Eun-ju looked up at the sky. The gentle breeze and blue sky, this peaceful moment was so happy. Lee Hyun-woo stared intently at the baby’s face, a smile on his lips. He seemed not to get tired of looking at his son, who was sleeping soundly.

At that time, a couple approached and spoke to them.

,Hello. Eun-ju-ssi”

,Soo-jin-ssi, I see you again here.”

,The baby was sleeping. I’m sorry.”

Han Soo-jin looked into the stroller and covered her mouth in surprise. Kim Eun-ju smiled with a happy face.

,It’s okay. He won’t wake up with just this much.”

,Honey, these are Eun-ju-ssi and her husband that I told you about before.”

Han Soo-jin said, looking at her husband Park Tae-young, who was standing next to her.

,Hello. I’m Park Tae-young. Nice to meet you.”

Park Tae-young greeted Lee Hyun-woo.

,Yes, I’m Lee Hyun-woo. I’m glad to meet you.”

Lee Hyun-woo also replied to Park Tae-young’s greeting with a bright smile.

Han Soo-jin looked at Kim Eun-ju’s baby with envy.

,Honey, Eun-ju-ssi’s baby is so cute, right? He looks like an angel when he’s dozing off.”

Park Tae-young, who was listening to those words, looked at Han Soo-jin with affectionate eyes and said.

,I hope we have a baby soon too. I want to have a pretty baby like Hyun-woo-ssi’s son.”

Han Soo-jin, who was listening to those words, looked at Park Tae-young with affectionate eyes.

Kim Eun-ju recalled herself and Lee Hyun-woo in the early days of their marriage from the 모습 of Park Tae-young and Han Soo-jin. The strange excitement and fear, and the affectionate feelings about conceiving, giving birth, and raising a new life were so similar to Kim Eun-ju at that time.

Soon, Kim Eun-ju approached Han Soo-jin and whispered in her ear.

,I unconditionally wanted a daughter when I was born, but when I actually gave birth to a son, he was so lovely. Soo-jin-ssi, do you want to have a son or a daughter?”

Han Soo-jin smiled shyly and replied.

,Well, I don’t care if it’s a son or a daughter. I just think it’s important to be healthy. But actually, Tae-young-ssi seems to prefer a daughter.”

,My husband also wanted a daughter at first. So, as soon as we had a baby, he used all sorts of secrets to have a daughter.”

Kim Eun-ju whispered with a sly smile.

Han Soo-jin’s eyes widened.

,Oh my, are there such secrets?”

,Um… first of all, the woman has to be on top. And um… you have to wear pink underwear on that day.”

Han Soo-jin felt her face turning red. But she couldn’t suppress her curiosity.

,So what was the result? Was it effective?”

Kim Eun-ju looked down at the child and smiled.

,Well… you know when you see our son. It was completely useless.”

,Hahaha, maybe those methods actually led to you getting a son?”

The two women burst into laughter. Lee Hyun-woo and Park Tae-young, who were next to them, looked puzzled because they didn’t know what they were talking about, but they seemed satisfied just seeing their wives happy.

Han Soo-jin said.

,We’ve only recently started talking about having a baby. Tae-young-ssi always comes home from working hard, but he still tries hard for me…”

Kim Eun-ju held Han Soo-jin’s hand tightly.

,That’s the happiest time. You’re making a baby with love for each other. Don’t give up even if it’s hard. Miracles will surely happen.”

Han Soo-jin hugged Kim Eun-ju tightly with gratitude. Her heart was filled with love for Tae-young and hope for a new life.

Lee Hyun-woo and Park Tae-young called their wives, looking puzzled.

,Honey, what are you whispering about?”

Kim Eun-ju and Han Soo-jin smiled and approached their husbands.

Kim Eun-ju was smiling calmly as if the content of the conversation they had just had was nothing. On the other hand, Han Soo-jin avoided eye contact with a slightly flushed face, still lingering from the joke she had just made. But there was a friendly atmosphere between the four people. The joyful laughter of the young couples echoed in the park.

At that time, Lee Han was seen walking slowly from afar. Han Soo-jin’s smiling face hardened in an instant. When she met Lee Han’s eyes, her body tensed up without her knowing it. But Lee Han did not show any special interest in Han Soo-jin.

,Hello. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Tae-young-ssi too.”

Lee Han approached between the two couples with a sly smile.

,Ah, hello.”

,It’s been a while. Lee Han-ssi.”

Lee Hyun-woo greeted Lee Han happily, and Park Tae-young also welcomed Lee Han brightly.

Lee Han continued the conversation with the two men, exchanging light jokes. Light topics such as weather stories and information on the complex’s amenities were exchanged.

Han Soo-jin gradually relaxed as Lee Han did not turn his attention to her and Kim Eun-ju. But she tried not to make eye contact with Lee Han and gently linked arms with Park Tae-young.

,Well, then I’ll go back to work. Have a good day.”

Lee Han bowed to the two couples with an indifferent face and disappeared quickly.

Kim Eun-ju smiled brightly as if nothing had happened. She looked happy leaning on her husband Lee Hyun-woo’s arm. Guilt washed over Han Soo-jin’s heart as she glanced at that 모습.

,I’m sorry, Eun-ju-ssi… But I have no choice…’

Han Soo-jin bit her lip tightly.

Han Soo-jin held Park Tae-young’s hand tightly without making eye contact with Kim Eun-ju. And she whispered to herself with a faint smile.

,It can’t be helped… It’s not my fault…’

But no one in this place was aware of the secrets and pain hidden behind that smile.