Chapter 83
"Noona, come play with me here!"
Haemin called out to me from the top of the slide, waving his hand excitedly.
"Be careful up there," I replied, raising my voice slightly. "Watch your step. Noona will wait here."
My eyes followed his small figure as he slid down, laughing brightly. I sat on the swing nearby, slowly moving back and forth, feeling oddly at ease just watching him enjoy himself.
There were quite a lot of children at the playground today.
I picked Haemin up from school as usual. After we stopped by to buy his favorite ice cream, he suddenly asked if we could come to the playground.
He seemed unusually energetic today. And since Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee had gone out and said they would be back a little late, I thought, why not take Haemin out for a bit? So I agreed and brought him here.
But thinking about it now… something felt off.
Both Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee had been acting a little strange this morning. Still, I decided not to dwell on it too much.
I pushed my feet lightly against the ground, the swing creaking softly beneath me.
"Noona!" Haemin called again after reaching the bottom of the slide. "I went really fast!"
"I saw it. You did great."
He grinned proudly and ran back toward the slide, lining up again.
I watched him quietly.
I gently swung back and forth, my hands loosely gripping the chains.
The sounds around me slowly faded and before I realized it, my thoughts drifted back to what had happened yesterday.
_____
[ And then… you came home. ]
My breath catching in my throat.
[ I was completely speechless at that moment. I never thought your mother would actually go that far. I never imagined she would really hurt herself like that.
After Chairman Seo helped get me released, I didn't waste any time. The first thing I did was try to find you, Harin. It didn't take long before I found out where you were staying. ]
He looked at me, his gaze filled with hesitation.
[ But I didn't dare to meet you right away. I was afraid you were still angry at me. I was afraid that seeing me would only hurt you more. So I held back.
Then I went to visit your mother. I couldn't bring myself to go near her. I just stood outside her ward, watching from a distance. Seeing her like that, I couldn't stop feeling guilty for everything that had happened to her. I really wanted to go inside and apologize, but I was afraid I would only make things worse.
I asked the doctors to keep me updated on her condition. I was also relieved when I heard that you were visiting her every day. At least she wasn't alone when I couldn't be there.]
He paused for a moment, then his expression darkened.
[ But as the day went on, I received some bad news from her doctor. Physically, your mother was improving. But mentally…]
He shook his head slightly.
[ It wasn't getting better. It was getting worse.]
My heart sank.
[ They said she was under a lot of mental stress. Her emotions were very unstable, and she sometimes felt disconnected from herself or reality.
Also, they noticed something troubling. When you were around, she acted like she was normal. But when she was alone, it was different. She became restless, anxious, even suspicious for no clear reason. The doctors said she often talked to herself, repeating the same thoughts again and again.
Most of those thoughts were about me. She kept blaming me for everything that happened. The resentment kept building up, and she couldn't let it go.
They were also worried because those thoughts sometimes turned dark. She showed signs of thinking about hurting herself again.
They warned me that if this continued, she could become a danger. Not just to herself… but to people around her.]
I felt cold all over.
[ That's when I started worrying about you, Harin. You were visiting her so often. I was afraid that one day she might lose control and hurt you.
So I made the decision to transfer her to a better facility so she could receive more intensive psychiatric care.
She's being taken care of properly, Harin. I made sure of that. I personally chose the hospital and the doctors in charge. They specialize in cases like hers. I told them to monitor her closely.
She's in good hands. I promise you that.]
His gaze settled on me.
[ I know that even after hearing all this, you'll probably think that most of it is my fault. And you wouldn't be wrong. I won't make excuses for that.
I know you might still hate me after this, and I understand that. But at least… you have the right to know what actually happened. And I want you to know that I'm not the kind of man you think I am, Harin. ]
His voice wavered.
[ Every single day, I regret it. If I had handled things differently, maybe none of this would have happened. I know it's already too late, but I have already submitted my resignation letter to the chairman. This time, I want to be by your mother's side. I want to show her that I am capable of changing for our family. And if, after everything, she still chooses not to forgive me… then I'll accept it with an open heart. ]
My chest tightened. I clenched my teeth, forcing the tears back.
He took a small step toward me and I immediately raised my hand.
"Stop right there."
He froze.
"It's… it's hard for me to accept all of this," I said, my voice strained. "I can't just believe everything you said."
His shoulders lowered a little, but he nodded and smile softly.
"Don't worry, Harin. I understand. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me one day. Whatever happened… I will always love you. And you will always be my beloved daughter."
I turned away, no longer able to hold back my tears.
"You've said what you needed to say," I continued quietly. "So you can go now."
There was a brief pause.
"I hope… I don't see you again."
_____
*Sigh*
How could I have said that to my father. But it's really hard for me to believe everything he said. It just doesn't make any sense for my mother to harm herself. My mother was too scared when she saw blood, and now you're saying she stabbed herself? It's just ridiculous.
I let out another long sighed and watch my watch.
It was almost seven.
"Haemin," I called out gently. "Let's go home now. Your mom will be worried if we come back too late."
Haemin looked up at me from the slide, his cheeks slightly flushed from running around.
"Already?"
"Yes," I said, standing up from the swing. "It's getting late. You can play again next time."
He nodded obediently, took one last slide, and came running to me, brushing dirt from his pants.
I held his hand gently as we left the playground. Haemin walked beside me, quietly humming to himself and swinging our joined hands.
I glanced down at him.
For some reason… he seemed unusually cheerful today.
"Haemin," I said casually, slowing my steps a little. "You look happy today."
He stiffened.
"Huh?" He looked up at me too quickly.
I nodded. "You've been smiling a lot since earlier. Did something good happen at school?"
His eyes widened for half a second.
"N-no!" he replied immediately, shaking his head. "Nothing happened!"
That response alone made me more suspicious.
"Really?" I tilted my head slightly. "Not even a little?"
He hesitated and quickly nodded.
"You're sure?"
"Yes!" He nodded rapidly, then looked away, his ears turning a faint red. "Really. Nothing at all."
I couldn't help but smile at how flustered he looked.
"Okay," I said lightly. "If you say so."
But even as I said it, my curiosity only grew.
We continued walking, and I noticed… Haemin kept glancing at me. Every time our eyes met, he quickly looked straight ahead again, as if trying to act normal. He was doing a very poor job at it. I wonder what was going on with him today.
When we finally reached the apartment building, I noticed the lights in the living room were off. It looked like Mr. Kim and Ms. Lee hadn't returned yet.
I unlocked the door, and the apartment was dark.
That was strange.
Just as I reached out and turned on the light—
"SURPRISE!"
*Confetti popped*
"HARIN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"Huh?" I froze in the hallway, caught completely off guard.
Mr. Kim stood near the table, his voice loud and cheerful. Ms. Lee was beside him, clapping her hands excitedly. The living room had been completely transformed. Soft lights illuminated the space, the walls were beautifully decorated, and the table was set with plenty of food. At the center sat a cake, its candles already lit.
For a second… I loss for words.
"…My birthday?"
Haemin let go of my hand and stepped forward, standing right in front of me.
"Happy birthday, Noona."
I stood there, still stunned.
My birthday? Today?
I quickly took out my phone and checked the date.
Yeah…
It really was my birthday.
I had forgotten about it.
Since I always celebrated it with my mom and not my dad, I had already stopped caring whether it was my birthday or just another day. It didn't really matter to me anymore.
But now—
I stared at the scene in front of me, my heart feeling unexpectedly warm.
So… that was why they had all been acting strange today.
Ms. Lee walked over and took my hands.
"We've been keeping this a secret all day," she said, clearly pleased. "Did we surprise you?"
"You really didn't have to go this far," I said quietly.
Mr. Kim said brightly from the table.
"What are you talking about, Harin? You're already part of this family. Of course we're going to celebrate your birthday."
Feeling overwhelmed, I lowered my gaze and nodded slightly.
"…Thank you."
Then I looked at Haemin. He was grinning from ear to ear.
I reached out and gently pinched his cheek.
"So that's why you want to go to the playground today, huh?"
He let out a small laugh, rubbing his cheek shyly.
Ms. Lee chuckled.
"Of course. We needed time to set everything up."
Mr. Kim crossed his arms proudly.
"You should've seen us decorating. I almost put the banner upside down."
Ms. Lee shot him a look.
"Almost?"
I couldn't help it but laughed.
"Thank you, everyone."
Ms. Lee gently guided me toward the table.
"Make a wish, Noona. Hurry, before the candles melt!"
Suddenly, that word made me pause.
A wish, huh?
Could I really wish for anything?
I wondered if I even deserved to wish for something good.
My mind drifted back to what had happened to me over the past few months. Back when my world felt quiet. When I thought my life would always be that way. Just me and my mother, moving through the days without much laughter. Back when every day felt the same.
And now… somehow, I was standing here.
In front of the three who weren't even connected to me by blood, yet treated me as if I were truly theirs. A family that cared about me without asking for anything in return. Days that once felt empty had slowly become brighter.
I smiled.
Closing my eyes, I leaned forward slightly and spoke before blowing out the candles.
"I wish for this family's happiness. For all of us to stay healthy, to keep smiling like this… and to continue being together, just like we are now."
Then I blew out the candles.
The room filled with cheers and clapping.
Ms. Lee pressed her palms together, her eyes already glassy. "Harin, saying something like that so suddenly, you almost made me cry on your birthday."
"We're glad we met you that night, Harin," Mr. Kim said. "Ever since you started living here, this house has felt more lively.
And to be honest,sometimes we feel a little guilty. We start to think we might have taken advantage of you… because you've been helping us so much since you moved in. Picking up Haemin from school, helping Sunhee around the house, and even assisting me with my work."
"Please don't say that. I've never thought of it that way."
"But still… we're truly grateful, Harin. And even though we know our time together might not be permanent. Just so you know… that this will always be your home."
Ms. Lee nodded beside him, smiling gently.
"And if there ever comes a day when you feel lost or lonely. Just remember that you'll always have us, worrying and caring for you deeply. We'll always be here, waiting for you."
"Thank you," I said again, bowing my head slightly, my heart swelling after hearing that. "Really… thank you, Mr. Kim. Ms. Lee. And you too, Haemin."
Haemin smiled shyly while Ms. Lee exchanged a glance with Mr. Kim, then cleared her throat lightly.
"Ah—about that, Harin. Well… you see… you've been living with us for more than three months now."
I blinked, a little confused.
"So… if you don't mind," she continued, "maybe you could start calling us Ahjumma and Ahjussi instead?"
My face heated up instantly.
"I—" I hesitated. "Is… is that okay?"
Mr. Kim waved his hand dramatically. "Of course it is! I've been waiting for that, you know."
I laughed nervously, then took a small breath.
"…Ahjumma. Ahjussi."
For a second, the room went quiet.
Ms. Lee covered her mouth, her eyes widening before they softened completely. "Oh my… did you hear that?" she said, clearly touched.
Mr. Kim glanced away with a shy smile. "Ah… so this is what it feels like to be called that."
Haemin looked confused by the reaction of both of his parents.
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh seeing them.
Mr. Kim clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough talking. Let's eat!"
We all sat down and started enjoying the food. Laughter and chatter filled the room.
"Open your mouth, Haemin," I said, holding a small fork of cake in front of him.
He opened wide immediately, eyes sparkling. "Ahhh—"
I laughed and fed him the cake. "Eat slowly."
"It's good!" he said with his mouth half full.
"Of course it is," Mr. Kim said, taking a small bite of his food. "I chose it myself."
Ms. Lee let out a small laugh. "Really? I thought you almost picked a smash cake earlier, if I hadn't stopped you."
"W-Well, that was because I was considering everyone's long-term health."
"Mm. Is that so?"
I smiled quietly as I watched them go back and forth. Then I reached over and wiped a bit of cream from the corner of Haemin's mouth.
"My dongsaeng here is a messy eater, isn't he?" I teased.
(Note: Dongsaeng = Little brother)
"I'm not messy."
Ms. Lee laughed. "You are. Just like your father."
"Hey, why am I getting dragged into this?"
Seeing them like this really warmed my heart.
Then—
*Knock Knock*
All of us froze.
Ms. Lee was the first to glance toward the door.
"Are we expecting someone?"
Mr. Kim shook his head slowly. "Could it be our neighbour?
*Knock Knock*
The sound came again, clearer this time.
I stood up. "It's okay. I'll get it."
I walked toward the door, mildly curious about who could be visiting at this hour. Reaching for the handle, I pulled the door open.
And then—
I froze.
Standing right in front of me was a woman holding a tall bouquet of flowers, so large it completely covered her face. The flowers were fresh and full, the stems wrapped neatly, the bouquet almost as tall as her upper body.
For a second, I just stared.
"…Hello?" I said carefully, trying to peek around the flowers. "Who is—"
The bouquet suddenly shifted to the side.
The woman leaned her head out from behind it, a familiar smile appearing on her face.
"Happy birthday, Harin."
My breath caught…
Because the woman standing there was—
"Mom!?"