Translator: Nox

Chapter 15

15. Moved to Tears?

Kangwoo's heart pounded wildly as he looked at Naeun's tear-streaked face. In the chilly early winter night, with the children...

In Kangwoo's eyes, Naeun's pale yet flushed face seemed fragile, as if it might shatter at any moment, burdened with a heavy load.

He spoke to her in a gentle voice.

"What's wrong? Are you crying because I gave you some cold medicine? Moved to tears?"

Kangwoo tried to make a light joke, but he couldn't hide the affection in his words.

Naeun slowly shook her head with a faint smile.

"No, it's not that..."

Kangwoo sat beside her, focusing intently as if not wanting to miss even her breath. It was just handing over a pill, yet he desperately wanted to hold her hand. But forcing a smile, he asked,

"Then are you crying because you're hurting?"

Naeun shook her head again, blinking silently. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes and slid down her cheeks.

Her voice grew hoarse with emotion.

"That's not it either. My eyes are just tired, I think. Thank you."

Naeun let out a small breath and took the pill he offered. His fingertips felt warm against her hand.

Kangwoo watched quietly as she swallowed the pill, then closed his eyes. Images of her alone, exhausted from caring for the children all this time, pierced his heart painfully. What was it about this woman that kept stirring these unfamiliar feelings? Kangwoo felt confused.

"If it's because your eyes are tired..."

Kangwoo continued cautiously, his gaze fixed on her reddened eyes,

"From now on, tell me whenever you're tired."

His words spread through Naeun's chest like warmth. She smiled without replying, stood to put away the cup,

"Just lie down. You're sick. And if you can sleep right now, go to bed properly."

Naeun stood but staggered from dizziness. Kangwoo quickly reached out, but she steadied herself and gave a wry smile.

"Yes. I will. Good night, CEO."

"You seem to often misunderstand kindness. Or did you wobble on purpose to make me worry?"

There was a hint of hurt in Kangwoo's tone. Her guarded demeanor bothered him.

Naeun frowned slightly, bristling.

"It's not that. I can handle it myself."

Her words carried pride. She was used to not relying on anyone, believing she had to stand on her own.

Kangwoo chuckled and shook his head.

All suffering from colds, and here was exhausted Naeun trembling on her frail shoulders, shedding tears. An impulse rose to hug those small shoulders tightly. Kangwoo took a moment to steady his breath, regaining composure, but her face bore traces of long hardship. Behind her smile lurked hidden sadness, making him simply want to hold her.

As she tried to stand again, Kangwoo took the cup, but Naeun hurriedly raised her hand to stop him and sank back into the sofa. Kangwoo stared at his rejected hand for a moment, then petty irritation slipped out in childish words.

His voice was light, but the message was serious. A subtle regret spread at how thoroughly she blocked him.

Naeun tried to avoid his gaze but felt her face heat up more. Though flushed from fever, she knew her heart raced even harder.

"Of course I can live alone,"

Naeun replied in a low voice.

Kangwoo raised an eyebrow slightly and said,

"I was just trying to steady you because you looked dizzy. No ulterior motives."

Kangwoo felt an urge to tear down the walls she had built. Naeun forced a calm smile and replied,

"I don't think you have ulterior motives. I'm a mom."

Naeun looked straight at Kangwoo, drawing a line as if to define boundaries. But she worried he might see through the facade meant to protect herself.

Kangwoo gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"Drawing lines like this. So what if you're a mom? Doesn't make you not a woman?"

He looked at her earnestly. He couldn't understand why her boundaries twisted him up inside.

"Or does being a mom suddenly make you age dramatically?"

Naeun was speechless, staring at him. Frozen, she couldn't utter a word. To her, Kangwoo said,

"In my eyes, Han Naeun, you're a very beautiful woman. Still in your twenties, and pretty."

For a moment, Naeun felt her breath stop. Then, flustered, her face reddened. Unsure how to react, she stared blankly as Kangwoo turned without another word and went up the stairs.

Naeun sat there until his footsteps faded, trying to calm the waves of trembling in her chest.

Unconsciously, she cupped her burning cheeks with both palms. That man was definitely teasing her. Childishly, because she rejected his hand. But if he had held her, her heart would have raced wildly. She had to be careful.▲

"Didn't expect this."

Kangwoo muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs.

Why did he overreact like that? Pretty? She's a mom.

But as soon as he shut the door and entered his room, Naeun's pale face resurfaced. The moment she staggered, he had nearly pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm crazy. Why am I like this?"

Kangwoo didn't usually drink much, but he occasionally had a glass of wine before bed or some whiskey. The second floor was fully self-sufficient. No need to go downstairs for simple tea or whiskey—they were all stocked. Seeing the whiskey and tea display, he thought of the rooibos tea she had given him, which wasn't there.

"Anyway. Kids' barley tea and such..."

He oddly wanted to grumble about her flaws.

"Drinking tasteless tea, acting all stiff like she can handle everything alone. And why is her body so slender? Why so pretty? Lovable... Why did I even say that?"

He was dumbfounded.

"Not her, the kids. The kids are lovable."

-3-

I grew up without ever feeling that warmth. Mother Gyeonghye always emphasized discipline. She praised good deeds but lacked Naeun's warmth. She was always strict.

Kangwoo was convinced his brother's divorce involved Gyeonghye's strictness.

Even if his sister-in-law was vain and flashy, had she been around, Minho wouldn't have developed selective mutism—that was Kangwoo's thought.

"Women are impossible to understand."

Impossible. What's so sweet and cozy about Han Naeun's world? Living with that smile all alone. He envied the smile she gave the children.

"So annoying."

Even her constant presence in his thoughts was annoying. Everything.

Kangwoo came down the stairs early the next morning for work. At this hour, no one on the first floor should be awake. Especially since all three had taken cold medicine and slept.

But there she was—Naeun, laying out various vegetables on the table.

"CEO, leaving this early? You haven't eaten yet, then."

Her casual tone, as if nothing happened, irked him.

"It's fine."

As he tried to leave, Naeun's voice stopped him.

"I made omelets. Eat before you go."

Now he noticed the savory omelet aroma. Kangwoo turned.

"For the kids' side dish today?"

"Yes. Cheese omelet—soft and good. Won't you have some?"

Facing her smiling face melted his sulky mood. Kangwoo asked curtly,

"How's the cold?"

"I'm an adult. Slept after one pill, and I'm fine now. See? Strong."

As if. With those slender arms. But the omelet's temptation on an empty stomach made his mouth water and appetite stir.