Side Story 6
The traffic light turned red.
The car slowly came to a stop.
Was this a relief or not?
“Daddy—”
When his father, who usually answered his questions right away, remained silent, Se-ryun called out to Si-heon in a slightly sulky voice.
“Lily is…”
Si-heon furrowed his brow.
If only Noh Man-su were here right now.
His secretary, who could recite most romance novels by heart, would have explained the process of how babies are made without shattering a child’s innocence.
“…from love.”
“Huh?”
“Daddy loved Mommy. And Mommy loved Daddy. That’s how Lily happened.”
Se-ryun tilted his head.
“Love? Then does Lily have a heart-shaped face?”
At his young son’s words, Si-heon, who had been quietly thinking, let out a faint laugh.
Se-ryun wasn’t focused on how his little sister came to be—he was curious about what she looked like.
“Hmm.”
“I’m glad I look like Daddy.”
Se-ryun spoke cautiously.
“Yeah. Since we have you, who looks like me, it’d be nice if Lily looks like Mommy.”
Si-heon felt a swell of pride seeing his son carefully gauging his reaction, worried he might feel left out.
Though his appearance was a perfect copy of himself, Se-ryun’s kind heart and thoughtfulness were all Ga-eun.
And that pleased Si-heon immensely.
“Daddy thinks so too.”
“Right?”
When his father agreed, Se-ryun beamed.
Above all, that smiling face resembled Ga-eun’s, making him an utterly precious son.
“Let’s stop by Grandma’s and have some ice cream before heading home. Mommy’s probably still resting.”
“Yay!”
Se-ryun cheered.
After Grandma and Grandpa, the person Se-ryun loved most was Auntie Grandma.
Auntie Eun Seon-mi, who had injured her head while trying to save Mommy, spoke with a stutter and slow deliberation, but she adored Se-ryun endlessly.
Since he was little, she had read him fairy books, stumbling through the words, and held his hand tightly until he fell asleep.
Thanks to her childlike state, Eun Seon-mi could instantly understand what Se-ryun wanted or was trying to say, often conveying it to Ga-eun and Si-heon.
Thus, she had become something like Se-ryun’s spokesperson.
“I’m gonna ask Auntie Grandma to draw me a picture. And she has to draw me too!”
“Yeah. She’ll love that.”
The black SUV headed toward an upscale nursing facility.
Connected to a large general hospital right next door and conveniently close to Si-heon’s home, they visited often.
Though located in Seoul, the facility was surrounded by mountains, allowing residents to be close to nature. With dedicated medical staff and various therapy programs—including art—it was the perfect environment for Eun Seon-mi.
Unlike at Doguk General Hospital, where Gye Yeong-cheol had once admitted her, there was no possibility of hidden abuse here.
Because she was a VVVIP patient—personally visited by Kwon Si-heon, the heir of Hwanhee Group, who had requested special care for her.
“I’ve heard she’s a woman of remarkable character. The facility, too.”
“Y-you flatter us.”
“From what I’ve gathered, aside from a minor fire three years ago caused by a patient’s carelessness, there have been no issues. Especially not ones involving… people.”
“Y-yes, we treat all our patients with genuine care. Looking after them as if they were our own family is our pride.”
“I hope that noble philosophy continues. I’d hate to see anything unpleasant happen. Especially now, with the baby coming.”
It had been a threat disguised as a request.
The hospital director, understanding immediately, broke into a cold sweat and promised to take the utmost care of Eun Seon-mi.
Fortunately, Eun Seon-mi herself loved the facility, particularly its structured programs—especially the art classes.
Designed like a cozy resort, the place was welcoming not just for patients but also for visiting family members.
After parking, Si-heon went through a brief check-in procedure before heading to Eun Seon-mi’s room with Se-ryun.
“Auntie Grandma!”
“S-Se-ryun-ah!”
Se-ryun dashed over and wrapped his arms around Eun Seon-mi’s waist.
“I missed you!”
“I-I-I m-missed y-you too, S-Se-ryun-ah.”
Se-ryun reached into his yellow backpack and pulled something out, handing it to her.
“I drew this for you! It’s a ladybug! They say if you have one, it brings good luck!”
Eun Seon-mi’s face lit up as she took the laminated, ladybug-shaped drawing Se-ryun had made.
“S-So, so p-pretty! I-I love it! Th-thank you, S-Se-ryun-ah. A-Auntie G-Grandma will d-draw you s-something too.”
Se-ryun listened patiently until she finished speaking, then nodded with a bright smile.
“Okay!”
Watching them, Si-heon slowly approached.
“Auntie.”
“K-Kwon s-sir, y-you c-came too?”
Eun Seon-mi’s delighted expression resembled Ga-eun’s.
Si-heon smiled and bowed slightly.
“Yes. Ga-eun is resting, so she couldn’t join us today.”
“W-We t-talked th-this m-morning. Sh-she s-said she’ll c-come n-next w-week. W-with the b-baby.”
“All four of us will come together.”
“G-Good! I-I’ll d-draw s-something f-for y-you too, K-Kwon s-sir!”
“I’d be honored.”
Excited, Eun Seon-mi and Se-ryun held hands and moved to a bench.
A caretaker, familiar with the routine, brought over art supplies.
Sitting side by side, they drew together, and when they finished, they enjoyed ice cream while Si-heon watched over them protectively.
“Auntie Grandma, I’ll come again next week!”
“Mhmm. B-bye, S-Se-ryun-ah. G-Goodbye, K-Kwon s-sir.”
“We’ll call when we get home. Thank you for taking care of her.”
As Si-heon bowed, Se-ryun also pressed his small hands together and bowed politely.
“Thank you for taking care of Auntie Grandma!”
The assigned caretaker bowed her head as if deeply moved.
Kwon Si-heon, the executive director of Hwanhee Group, and his son Se-ryun visited this place often—and every time they left, they bid farewell with such sincere courtesy.
It was their way of entrusting Eun Seon-mi to their care.
“Please don’t worry. She eats well and participates actively in all the activities. She’s so kind that she’s very popular here.”
At those words, Si-heon allowed a faint smile.
Ga-eun would be so happy to hear that.
Satisfied with the response, Si-heon took Se-ryun’s hand and headed home.
Eager to share the good news with his wife as soon as possible.
***
“Mommy!”
At the lively voice, Ga-eun set down the book she was reading and opened her arms, embracing Se-ryun as he rushed toward her.
“Did my Se-ryun have a good day today?”
“Yes! We went to see Auntie Grandma. They said she’s eating well and is really popular!”
Si-heon, watching his son steal his line, smiled with crinkled eyes.
Ah, a step too late.
“Did Mommy have a good day too?”
“Yes, Mommy had a good day too.”
Se-ryun carefully placed his hand on Ga-eun’s rounded belly and whispered,
“Did Lily have a good day? Daddy and I saw Auntie Grandma and had ice cream. Let’s eat some together later.”
Touched by his sweet words, Ga-eun hugged him tightly and kissed the top of his head.
“Lily would love that.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. She said she’s happy to have such a kind big brother.”
Se-ryun giggled, cheeks dimpling.
As Si-heon ruffled their son’s hair, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Ga-eun’s forehead.
“I’m home.”
“You worked hard today.”
Under his gaze, Ga-eun’s cheeks flushed pink as she added,
“I missed you so much.”
The tension in Si-heon’s eyes melted away.
Seemingly accustomed to his parents’ affection, Se-ryun paid no mind and focused entirely on talking to Lily.
“Lily, look! Auntie Grandma drew this leaf for me. After a hundred sleeps, we’ll draw together too, okay?”
Plop. Sitting on the floor, he pulled out the drawing from his yellow backpack and began chattering away in his tiny voice, explaining every detail.
Ga-eun leaned into Si-heon’s embrace, cradling her belly as she listened to their son’s adorable rambling.
She was so happy it brought tears to her eyes—but unlike before, there was no lingering fear.
No matter what storms come, he and I will lean on each other and endure. And so will our children.
As if reading her thoughts, a large hand adorned with a ruby wedding band gently enveloped hers, which bore a matching ring.
Ga-eun smiled warmly.
A hundred days later,
Lily was born.
Just as they’d known all along—she was a girl.
A princess with Ga-eun’s beauty and Si-heon’s strong will.
Her arrival was nothing short of regal.
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