Ch#50
50. If We Marry Teacher Han
At Kang-hyeok's words, Kyung-hye turned her head to gaze at the snow piled outside the window for a long moment before turning back toward Na-eun. She continued in her usual calm tone.
"Since Min-ho likes Teacher Han so much, it would be great if you could become our Min-ho's mom...."
Na-eun's eyes widened in shock, freezing in place. Her heart pounded as if stabbed by a knife. At that moment, Kang-hyeok let out a dry laugh and shifted slightly in his seat. He shot Kyung-hye a look mixed with surprise and displeasure.
"Mother. You're really putting people on the spot. I'm Min-ho's dad. The person who becomes Min-ho's mom would also be my wife—can you just say things like that so casually?"
Kyung-hye raised an eyebrow briefly at his reaction, then took another sip of tea as if she'd expected it.
"Did I say anything wrong? Teacher Han isn't lacking in any way, and neither are you. I just think she'd be the perfect mom for Min-ho."
Kang-hyeok took a deep breath. A heavy silence settled in the room. Na-eun tried to calm her racing heart.
"Even if it's just passing comment, please don't say things so carelessly."
Kang-hyeok said firmly again. Complex emotions flickered in his eyes.
"Fine. It was just a passing comment. Did it upset Teacher Han?"
Kyung-hye asked in a much softer voice. Her gaze was still sharp, but laced with subtle interest.
Na-eun forced a smile and replied carefully.
"It was startling, but not enough to upset me."
Kyung-hye nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Teacher Han is so honest. Most people would deny it in a situation like this."
Na-eun let out a small breath as she looked at Kyung-hye.
"Because it's true that I was startled."
Kyung-hye gave a faint, enigmatic smile, her lips twitching slightly.
"Right. We should be honest with each other. I like that about Teacher Han."
"Thank you. If that's all, may I go now?"
Kang-hyeok stood up then. Na-eun thought he was just seeing her out to the entrance, but he followed her and started walking.
"Can we talk on the way to the annex?"
Na-eun nodded at Kang-hyeok's words.
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Does our Min-ho say he hates his dad?"
"Min-ho doesn't talk about that. He doesn't mention his dad at all."
"I see."
Na-eun spoke as she looked at Kang-hyeok, who had fallen silent as if he had nothing more to say.
"You're very worried about Min-ho, aren't you? That's why you haven't gone abroad and are staying here."
Kang-hyeok didn't respond.
He loved his son dearly. And he was the one who had inflicted an indelible wound on that son. Not every divorced family turned out like this, and it tormented him. He was grateful for this woman who understood his weaknesses, and her giving Min-ho the love he himself couldn't provide shook his heart.
Just then, a heavy voice came from behind.
"What are you two doing here?"
Kang-woo's voice was low but carried a sharp edge. He frowned slightly as he looked at the two standing among the snow-covered trees in the garden. Na-eun sensed his gaze, swallowed quietly, and greeted him quickly.
"Why is Teacher Han Na-eun out here?"
"Welcome, President."
Kang-woo shifted his gaze from Na-eun to Kang-hyeok and asked. Wariness darkened his eyes.
Na-eun tried to keep a calm expression, but her heart was already uneasy. She smiled carefully and said.
"Yes. They asked me to stop by the main residence briefly."
Kang-woo narrowed his eyes at his brother. Kang-hyeok stood straight, ignoring Kang-woo's stare. A cold wind passed between them, rustling the fallen leaves among the branches.
"When did you get here, hyung?"
Kang-woo's words were stiff and distant.
Kang-hyeok shrugged slightly and replied indifferently.
"Yeah. Planning to stay at the main residence starting today."
Kang-woo's eyes wavered slightly at that. He muttered quietly.
"I see? What if you run into Min-ho and he cries again?"
Kang-hyeok replied flatly, unshaken.
"Won't run into Min-ho. I'll just handle work from the main residence and head out for meetings. Most of it can be done online anyway."
The subtle tension between the brothers squeezed Na-eun. The atmosphere felt like it could shatter any moment, so she held her breath quietly, waiting for a chance to speak. Kang-woo's face was set hard, his gaze piercing as if trying to read Kang-hyeok's mind.
Kang-hyeok avoided his brother's uncomfortable stare and greeted Na-eun.
"I'll head in first. Please take good care of our Min-ho."
"Yes. Go ahead."
As Kang-hyeok disappeared into the main residence, only Kang-woo and Na-eun remained in the garden.
"Why were you two alone?"
"Pardon?"
Na-eun hadn't even realized she was alone with Kang-hyeok.
"We just talked about Min-ho briefly on the way out from the main residence."
"I figured. But seeing you standing with some other guy instead of me pisses me off."
Na-eun tilted her head at Kang-woo's words and said.
"Some other guy? It's Min-ho's dad."
"Anyone but me is some other guy. No guarantee my brother doesn't find the woman I'm crazy about attractive too."
Na-eun laughed at Kang-woo's words.
"No way."
The two stood in the main residence garden, feeling the cold evening air. Moonlight shone softly on the snow, filling the space with quiet serenity. Kang-woo put his hands in his pockets and stepped closer, gazing deeply at Na-eun. The tree lights twinkled even from afar, gently outlining their silhouettes.
Na-eun glanced around, subtly tense. Aware of Kang-woo's gaze, she avoided his eyes. Kang-woo watched her face quietly before smiling. His smile held a complex emotion.
"You really fell for me at first sight?"
When Na-eun asked back, Kang-woo nodded and replied.
"Yes. Want me to explain in detail?"
His voice carried a playful warmth.
Na-eun shook her head with a small laugh.
"No. I just don't think I'm the type someone falls for at first sight...."
Kang-woo frowned slightly at her words and asked seriously.
"Why do you think that?"
Instead of answering, Na-eun silently watched the snow settling on a small tree in the garden. Her breath faintly spread in the cold air.
"I got a job right after graduation. But you know where? A kindergarten. And I became a mom at a young age. Raising a kid while being a kindergarten teacher isn't easy at all. So I never really dated."
"You haven't met any guys all this time?"
As Kang-woo asked quietly in succession, Na-eun hesitated before giving a small laugh.
It wasn't "barely"—she'd never dated at all. But saying she'd never dated, that Choi Kang-woo was her first love at this age, felt too pitiful, so she phrased it that way. Kang-woo chuckled.
"Seems like it."
But he didn't probe further into sensitive areas. No questions like how Ji-ho was born or who his dad was—he showed no sign of it.
For whatever reason, this woman was a first for him. He didn't know the circumstances of how Ji-ho became Na-eun's son, but he wanted to respect her life as it was.
The garden shimmered quietly under the moonlight. Each time the snow on the trees shifted slightly, it sparkled. Na-eun gazed at Kang-woo, trying to read the sincerity in his eyes. They were filled with confidence.
"Don't be alone with my brother. I don't like it."
Kang-woo's voice was low but firm.
Na-eun smiled playfully at his words.
"Jealous type."
Kang-woo nodded right away and replied boldly.
"Yeah. I'm the jealous type with a long grudge—petty as hell. So think of your boyfriend as someone with tons of jealousy and endless possessiveness."
Na-eun turned her head with an exasperated look. Kang-woo boldly revealing his feelings like this was both cute and absurd. She sighed, trailing off.
"Anyway. Why are you so bold about it? Jealousy, long grudges— that's something to be proud of?"
Kang-woo slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded slyly.
"Of course. Isn't it natural to be obsessed with my woman? Love is possessiveness and exclusivity. Even better if it helps the other grow beyond that. I'd do anything for Na-eun's growth. But no other guy— I don't even want them near you."
