Soon the house slipped into its usual morning rhythm, buzzing with overlapping sounds and movement. Doors opened and closed, footsteps hurried across the floor. Eunsup was up and already in a rush, scrambling to get ready for school. Hae-in stayed in the kitchen, quietly helping So-hee prepare breakfast.
Mi-sook's voice rang out now and then, scolding Eunsup for running late while he searched frantically for his things. Jong-soo got ready for work alongside his father, the calm efficiency of routine settling in. Ji-hoon was still in the room, probably getting ready for his day.
Before long, everyone gathered at the dining table. Ji-hoon joined too, but his eyes immediately began searching.
She wasn't there.
Mi-sook noticed it instantly. "What are you looking for?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Ji-hoon turned to her without hesitation. "Where is Hae-in, Omma?"
"She's in the kitchen today," Mi-sook replied. "With So-hee. After so long, we finally get to see your wife."
Her tone carried a hint of teasing, but underneath it sat worry… and disappointment.
Ji-hoon smiled lightly. "She had work commitments, Omma. She had to finish them. That's why she was busy all these days."
"All these days?" Mi-sook scoffed. "It's been more than a month. Ever since you guys got married, she barely stayed in this house. Not even weekends."
Ji-hoon walked over and kissed her head gently, then wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Forgive her, Omma. You love me, right?" he murmured, his voice warm and coaxing. The charm was unmistakable.
She glared at him, unconvinced.
"Please… she took two weeks' leave," Ji-hoon said quickly. "She's going to be here with us."
Mi-sook scoffed lightly. "And after that, she'll disappear again."
His smile faltered for a second. He went quiet, lips pressing together, then lifted his head with a faint pout.
"Sweetie… you're married now. And after mar—"
"I know, Omma," he cut in gently. "And we're fine. In fact, we're doing more than good. So don't worry about us."
Mi-sook let out a long sigh, the tension easing out of her shoulders. Ji-hoon leaned in, kissed her cheek again, soft and lingering. "I love you," he said, sweet and unapologetic.
She shook her head, already melting, the familiar fondness winning. Ji-hoon smiled to himself and finally sat down at the table.
Just then, So-hee came in with the food, placing the dishes neatly. Mr. Han glanced at Ji-hoon over his glasses.
"Your Omma is right, Ji-hoon. At this stage, you both should focus on building your relationship. Getting too busy with work can bring uncertainty. Think wisely."
Ji-hoon nodded without hesitation. "I understand, appa."
That was when Hae-in appeared, carrying another tray of food. The moment Ji-hoon saw her, his gaze softened instantly, a bright smile spreading across his face without effort. She noticed it and returned a small smile.
He gestured beside him, and she came over, settling into the seat next to his. Mr. Han's eyes shifted to her. Feeling his gaze, Hae-in smiled politely.
"Good morning, appa."
He nodded back, "Morning," already chewing his food, quiet but attentive.
Ji-hoon stole a glance at her again, his smile lingering,
"Morning, oppa," she greeted Jong-soo softly.
Jong-soo looked up from his plate and smiled. "Morning Hae-in…"
Mi-sook's eyes lingered on Hae-in a second longer than usual, as if words were lining up at the edge of her lips, waiting for permission. Before she could speak, Mr. Han cleared his throat.
"Hae-in."
She straightened slightly and looked at him. "Yes, appa."
"How are you doing?" he asked.
The dining table seemed to grow quieter. The clinking of spoons faded into the background. Hae-in froze for a beat, instantly understanding that this wasn't a casual question. So-hee looked at her, caught her eyes, and blinked once, slow and reassuring.
"I'm fine, appa," Hae-in replied at last.
Mr. Han smiled then, gently, as if satisfied, dissolving some of the tension. "I asked because it's really rare to see you in this house," he added, almost lightly.
She smiled, slow and awkward, her fingers tightening around her chopstick.
"Don't misunderstand," he continued. "I know you're educated, independent, and smart."
Hae-in paused. Even Ji-hoon paused mid-bite.
"But now you are married too," Mr. Han said, his voice calm, measured. He looked at her directly. "So I would suggest you focus on your married life now."
Hae-in lowered her gaze. It wasn't defiance, not disagreement, just a quiet heaviness settling in her chest. Ji-hoon noticed it immediately. The slight droop of her shoulders, the way her eyes slipped away.
He jumped in at once.
"Our life is fine, appa. We're doing great," he said, a little too quickly, but steady. "She just had commitments she already promised to finish, and then the marriage happened suddenly. That's why she was busy. Now she's taken leave to spend time with family."
He glanced around the table, his smile polite but firm. "Why is everyone so worried about her job?"
The question hung there, gentle but unmistakable, like a hand raised to shield her.
"We're worried, Sweetie," Mi-sook said gently, though concern sharpened her tone. " Because it affects your relationship. Newly married couples should spend time together. But the way you two are always buried in work, it hardly feels like you're married at all."
Hae-in's breath hitched. She hadn't expected this. Not this open disappointment. Her fingers curled slightly in her lap.
"Who said we're not spending time together?" Ji-hoon asked, his voice calm but firm.
Mi-sook shot him a pointed look.
"Coming home late doesn't mean we're not together, Omma," he continued softly.
Mr. Han turned his attention to him, waiting.
"I pick her up from the office daily," Ji-hoon said, choosing his words carefully. "Then we go to the restaurant. She stays there while I finish my work. We eat together, talk, spend time… then come home. That's our routine."
It wasn't the full truth, nor wasn't full lie either. But it was close enough to protect her.
Mi-sook let out a small, unconvinced snort.
Ji-hoon blinked once, then added, "If you doubt me, ask Ji-seok hyung."
Hae-in glanced at him, then at her mother-in-law, who was now studying her face instead.
"Why are you looking at her?" Ji-hoon said, "Look at me."
Mi-sook met his gaze, suspicion still lingering in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Ommoni," Hae-in said softly. "I really had work commitments to finish. That's why I was busy. It's my fault… please don't scold him."
Mi-sook studied her for a moment, then her expression softened. "Don't apologize to me, Hae-ina. We care about both of you. That's why we're worried." She paused, then asked gently but pointedly, "And if this job is so stressful and time-consuming, why are you still holding on to it?"
She continued without waiting for an answer. "Just leave it. Why exhaust yourself over a certain amount of money?" Her voice turned almost indulgent. "My sweetie earns well. If you need money, take it from him. And if he refuses," she added matter-of-factly, "take it from his wallet or the restaurant counter. No one will stop you."
Ji-hoon's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why would I not give her money?" he asked, clearly offended.
"Don't interrupt," Mi-sook cut him off, her tone firm.
Turning back to Hae-in, she said more gently, "You've worked hard for all these years. Now it's time to rest. Focus on your family. On your personal life."
Hae-in's fists curled beneath the table, her knuckles tightening.
"And if you still want to work," Mi-sook added softly, "you can help Ji-hoon at the restaurant."
Mi-sook wasn't the only one now. Mr. Han nodded in agreement. "She's right, Hae-ina," he said calmly. "Take a break. Resign from your job."
"I'm not asking you to sit idle at home, wasting your time," Mr. Han continued calmly. "You both are young, almost the same age. That itself makes you an ideal couple." His voice carried certainty. "To bond together. Work together. Build your future side by side. And this is the right time for that."
Hae-in breathed in slowly, listening to every word, every suggestion.
On the surface, everything sounded reasonable. Sensible advice. A well-intentioned roadmap to a stable future, offered with care and full familial support.
Just… not meant for her.
Because she wasn't the right person to receive these suggestions.
She had never wanted to be part of this system, this neatly defined life. Her dreams didn't fit into it. Her plans had been drawn in a different direction altogether. Maybe this advice worked for So-hee. It had shaped her life, and she seemed content, even happy.
But not Hae-in.
And yet, she didn't know how to say it. How to explain that she wasn't rejecting their concern, only that she wasn't built to live the way they were asking her to. That she was the wrong person for this kind of guidance.
So she stayed quiet.
The silence stretched, drawing everyone's attention to her. Finally, Mr. Han spoke again, his tone measured.
"Think about it, Hae-in. Take your time and come to a decision. There's no need to rush." He paused briefly. "But I would appreciate it if you could make the right decision soon."
Ji-hoon looked at her.
Something tightened painfully in his chest. He knew what she wanted. He could almost hear the thoughts she was holding back, the words pressing against her silence. Every instinct in him wanted to speak, to shield her, to stand up for her right then.
But he didn't.
Not yet.
Because he wanted to understand her completely first. To step fully into her heart, earn her trust, and learn the shape of her fears and dreams. Only then could he stand beside her without hesitation, without doubt.
So he stayed quiet.
Breakfast ended soon after, the heavy conversation dissolving into lighter, unrelated topics. Plates clinked, voices rose and fell.
But Hae-in remained silent, quietly eating her breakfast.
Ji-hoon glanced at her again and again, subtly, carefully.
Just to make sure she was okay.