Young Hwa brings her and Little Hae to his place. Little Hae is already asleep. She can't handle going to her house and face her family. They don't know that she was coming. The real reason she decided to come back after 3 years was because of Yeom Young Hwa. She was going to introduce him to her family.
Their relationship is neither platonic nor like lovers. It hasn't progressed to the state where he could stay with her in the same room. But, there is some progress.
He puts Little Hae on the bed. The child's face is peaceful now. A little while ago, the child was really distressed to see her mother's crying. Kyuri is sitting on the bed. His coat is still covering her head. He gets a soaked cloth and wipes her face first. The woman looks at him with deep sadness in her eyes. Young Hwa smiles kindly and takes her both hands.
"Kyuri, what happened three years ago?" He asks her quietly.
She looks down at their hands, unable to say anything.
"Kang Si An is her father." Young Hwa speaks to her softly, "If you don't want him to see her, you need a solid reason."
She remains silent. He sighs. He gets it. It's not easy to forget a past love. It's been him who wanted her. It was from the moment he saw her. The woman's expressions were interesting. The child was also the reason. The same interest drove him to see the child and her mother again. Slowly, it grew to something more. He was eager to see them again. When he was here, he would only think about this woman and her daughter. He felt like they were his family.
"I will talk to him." He hears her say, "He won't bother us again. I will see him tomorrow."
Seeing her pale face and the dark look in her eyes, he frowns at her slightly. "Kyuri, what are you going to do?"
"Young Hwa." She places her hand on his shoulder. "I told you that I will give us a chance. I mean it. After I am done talking to him, I will take you to my family. I will also meet your family. We will get married when you want."
"I will come with you." He is afraid that something bad would happen to her. Kang Si An's temper is not good. "You are my fiancee. I can't let you see another man alone."
Kyuri chuckles lowly. "Trust me, I am a superwoman. I will let you in my secrets one by one. Otherwise, you might run away because of the shock."
Young Hwa lets out a sigh. A woman like her won't like to be told what to do. "Okay, I will trust you. I already think that you are a superwoman."
She smiles at him sadly. "Young Hwa, thank you for today."
"Don't thank me." He kisses the back of her hand. "I am sorry that you had to go through that alone."
He pats her head until she falls asleep, watching both mother and daughter. Though Little Hae looks a lot like Kang Si An, Young Hwa observes that she has the same peaceful expression as her mother.
***
"Don't make trouble," Kyuri warns Little Hae who is sitting on Young Hwa's lap. Little Hae gives her a solemn nod, still affected by Kyuri's outburst. She won't make trouble. She doesn't want to see her mother cry again.
"Kyuri, Little Hae and I will have fun when you are gone." Young Hwa rubs Little Hae's head, understanding what's going inside his lovely daughter's head. He doesn't want her to change too much. Kids should enjoy childhood. That's how memories are made. "She can make some trouble with me."
"Tch! Don't overdo it," Kyuri tells him. She kisses Little Hae's forehead. Young Hwa also raises his head, looking at her expectedly. She hesitates before pecking his forehead. After waving at the father and daughter, she leaves the house. She doesn't like saying goodbye even if it means that she is only going out for a while.
In a cab on the road to Kang Si An's apartment, she calls his number. He hasn't changed his number yet. After three rings, he picks up. His voice is hoarse and sluggish. "Who is this?"
"Me." Kyuri clenches and unclenches her fist. "We need to have a talk. Where are you?"
"I am at my place." Kang Si An's voice becomes louder. "I will come to see you. Where are you?"
"Stay at your apartment. I am coming there." Kyuri realizes how desperate she sounds. But, she's tired. She won't let him see Little Hae. She will do whatever it takes. She knows how stubborn and persistent he is. He's the man who can even delay death because he wanted her to come and see him for one last time.