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Side Story 8
Sol safely celebrated her fifth birthday.
Winter had arrived, blanketing the streets in snow. From early that morning, Sol had rushed outside, happily rolling snowballs and playing without a care in the world.
Normally, Juhye or Daehyun would have anxiously followed after her.
But today was different.
Juhye slowly opened her sleepy eyes and stared blankly out the still-dark window.
Because the sun rose late in winter, even sleeping in didn’t make her feel particularly guilty.
“Mmm…”
The arm that had slipped out from under the blanket trembled in the cold air.
Just as Juhye curled up, intending to burrow back beneath the covers, a strong pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind—as if they had been waiting for her to wake up all along.
Daehyun pulled her tightly against him in a single motion.
Their bodies fit together without the slightest gap.
His warmth was almost startling, but instead of resisting, she found herself enjoying the embrace.
“You’re awake?”
“When did you wake up?”
“Who knows.”
“You could’ve woken me…”
She mumbled quietly.
Daehyun gently turned her around to face him.
His kisses trailed from her forehead…
…to the bridge of her nose…
…and finally to her lips.
The affectionate way he rubbed his cheek against hers made it impossible to miss how much he loved her.
Sometimes, Daehyun’s affection swept over her like a storm, leaving her wondering how she was even supposed to respond.
“Hng… wait…”
Just like now.
As his hand slipped beneath the hem of her thin nightdress, seeking her bare skin, Juhye quickly grabbed his wrist.
Apparently displeased at being stopped, a hint of dissatisfaction flickered across his eyes.
“We’re the only two people here.”
Juhye had spent years using Sol as an excuse to dodge his advances whenever possible.
Naturally, Daehyun wasn’t about to let that excuse work today.
“Don’t make it sound like you’ve been waiting for Sol to leave.”
“Me?”
“I’ve never done that.”
“It certainly feels like it…”
“I’ve just been looking forward to spending time alone with you.”
His shameless answer was accompanied by his lips finding her shoulder in an instant.
“Haa…”
Juhye let out a soft sigh as her head tipped back.
His warm lips teased her delicate skin, leaving faint red marks behind.
Today was the day Sol had promised to spend with her grandfather—Chairman Jin Sucheol.
Early that morning, a secretary had taken Sol to see him.
For the first time in a long while…
Juhye and Daehyun had the entire day to themselves.
They planned to enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant.
Then watch a movie together.
Unfortunately…
Things rarely went according to plan.
“I thought we agreed we’d eat first—ah!”
“I’m hungrier for you than for breakfast.”
Daehyun muttered the embarrassingly sweet words as though they were perfectly ordinary.
Supporting her lower back, he pulled her firmly against him.
She immediately felt the unmistakable heat of his body behind her.
Trying to tug her slipping satin nightdress back down, Juhye couldn’t help laughing.
“Really…”
“Aren’t you a little too… enthusiastic first thing in the morning?”
“I behaved myself and let you sleep all night.”
“Surely you can forgive me for wanting you this morning.”
“It’s not like you couldn’t because of me…”
“Besides, Sol was here…”
“Juhye.”
“Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?”
Daehyun let out a long sigh before pressing his thigh firmly against the small of her back.
Feeling the solid pressure, Juhye instinctively arched slightly and shook her head.
Truthfully…
She was just as happy to finally have time alone with him.
But everything had its proper order.
“We still have plenty of time.”
“We have breakfast.”
“Then the movie.”
“Our date is more important.”
“What if I count this as part of our date?”
“I want to go out with you too.”
Her adorable complaint left Daehyun speechless.
At last, he summoned every ounce of self-control he possessed.
After one final kiss…
He reluctantly got out of bed.
Relieved, Juhye gently stroked his cheek in praise.
If he’d tempted her any longer…
She knew she would have given in.
“Hm?”
While Daehyun headed into the bathroom, Juhye picked up the phone that had been vibrating nonstop.
She’d noticed it buzzing for quite some time.
As expected…
There were several missed calls from Juyoung.
Juyoung unni?
What happened?
Curious, she called back.
The phone connected almost immediately.
“Unni, sorry. Did you call?”
“Juhye, are you free this evening?”
There was still plenty of time until evening.
The call felt completely out of the blue.
Especially because Juyoung usually spent weekends traveling with Yoonhee.
Checking the wall clock, Juhye asked,
“What brought this on all of a sudden?”
“I was thinking maybe we’d all have dinner at your place.”
“Yoonhee’s been saying she wants to see Sol again.”
Yoonhee had always adored Sol.
Since there wasn’t much of an age difference between them, the two girls got along wonderfully and even shared their toys without fighting.
Thinking of how adorably Yoonhee had grown, Juhye smiled.
“Sol’s still out playing with Grandpa.”
“If I call ahead, I can stop by Chairman Jin’s house and pick her up.”
“No, I’ll just contact the secretary.”
“By the way…”
Juhye hurriedly got out of bed and began putting on her underclothes before casually continuing,
“If Kangil’s coming too…”
“Should the four of us have dinner together?”
“Daehyun’s home too—”
“Don’t even mention his name!”
Juyoung suddenly exploded, cutting her off.
Startled, Juhye tightened her grip on the phone.
At that exact moment, the bathroom door opened.
Daehyun stepped out, drying his hair with a towel.
Frowning, he searched through his clothes.
His own phone, lying nearby, was vibrating violently.
The caller ID clearly displayed…
Kangil.
“…?”
Juhye and Daehyun looked at each other.
Both silently wondering…
What on earth happened?
* * *
Several hours later.
After watching a movie with Daehyun and returning home…
Daehyun briefly went back out.
Not long after Sol returned home, Juyoung arrived as well.
“Juhye.”
“Do you have any beer?”
The very first thing Juyoung asked after barging into the house was for beer.
She was carrying her second child, born only last year.
Meanwhile, Yoonhee clung happily to her side.
Hearing voices, Sol came running to the front door.
The instant she spotted Yoonhee…
She began jumping excitedly.
Since the secretary had only just brought her home, Sol was still wearing her winter coat.
“Wow! Unni!”
“Hi, Sol.”
Yoonhee naturally handed Sol the doll she was carrying before taking off her shoes.
Holding the doll tightly, Sol spun around in circles with delight.
Juyoung whispered something into Yoonhee’s ear.
Yoonhee nodded before dashing toward the bathroom.
Apparently, she’d been told to wash her hands before playing.
“Unni, put Yoonseong over here.”
“I already got the baby crib ready.”
“You still have this crib?”
Juyoung looked surprised.
Then her eyes slowly narrowed.
“You don’t mean…”
The playful gleam in her eyes was unmistakable.
Juhye clicked her tongue.
“There you go again.”
“You were about to say something weird.”
“Is asking whether you’re thinking about a second child weird?”
“When I asked you that the first time…”
“You told me not to talk nonsense.”
It had been exactly one week before Juyoung discovered she was pregnant again.
When she’d mentioned that her period had suddenly stopped, Juhye had cautiously suggested the possibility.
Juyoung had vehemently denied it.
She had only just regained enough freedom to focus on work after Yoonhee started kindergarten.
She insisted there was no way she’d be starting over with another baby.
“That was then.”
“This is now.”
Juyoung muttered sheepishly as she walked toward the dining table.
At that moment…
Sol, now changed into comfortable clothes, came running over.
“Auntie!”
“Let me see the baby!”
“Really?”
“You want to meet Yoonseong?”
Smiling brightly, Juyoung gently laid Yoonseong in the baby crib.
Sol climbed onto the chair beside it and carefully peered inside.
After Yoonhee quietly explained something to her, Sol cautiously reached out and touched the baby’s tiny hand.
“Unni…”
“What did you say the baby’s name was again?”
“Chae Yoonseong!”
“Yoonseong?”
Yoonhee proudly answered for her little brother.
Filled with admiration, Sol looked down at the sleepy baby.
Yoonseong was such a calm child.
He didn’t fuss or cry.
He simply blinked his eyes quietly, making him unbelievably adorable.
“Hi, Yoonseong.”
As though he understood her greeting…
The baby broke into a bright smile.
Sol stared at him for a long, long time…
Completely fascinated by her new little friend.
