Chapter 138 - You will always have me (2/2)

Ha-Neul: ”I will cry too.”

Do Sejin: ”...Give it a try.”

Ahn Hana returns from the court and finds her two children sitting on the chair inside her office. The strange man is not seen anywhere around. She finds it odd.

'My dear, they want something from you.'

She takes a seat and waits for one of them to speak up.

”Mother, how was your day?” Ha-Neul grins at Ahn Hana. ”I missed you a lot.”

Ahn Hana quietly stares back. Ha-Neul looks down. Jae Hyun is already hiding behind his sister. The silence is scaring the small ones.

'You have never been good with children.'

'I don't know what to say to them.'

'Dear, call them to you first.'

”Come here.” Ahn Hana's voice is low. The kids are usually closer to Do Sejin. When it comes to their mother, there's always a silent gap between them. Unlike ȧduŀts, they are unable to understand or breakthrough this silence.

Ha-Neul bravely walks toward her mother with Jae Hyun right behind her. She stops near the table. Her mother's icy face is scary.

”Come closer.”

They hesitantly get closer to her, as if going toward a fearsome stranger instead of their own mother.

'Ha-Neul, my day was good. How was your day?'

Ahn Hana lets out a sigh. ”Ha-Neul, my day was good. How was your day?”

”It was good.” Ha-Neul tries to smile. Ahn Hana's gaze is severe. Jae Hyun peeks at his mother. He can't take this pressure and starts weeping with his mouth closed. His mother hates noises.

'Take him in your arms and pat him.'

Ahn Hana follows Yi Hwan's instructions and takes him in her arms. When they were small, it was easy to be with them. Jae Hyun stiffens when she pats his back like a robot. Ha-Neul gulps down.

Both children are thinking, 'Where is Father?'

Do Sejin opens the door to the office, carrying a cup of coffee in his hand. He sees the awkward silence in the office. Jae Hyun bursts into crying after seeing his father. Ha-Neul's lips are trembling. Ahn Hana has a blank expression.

He puts the coffee cup in front of Ahn Hana and takes Jae Hyun in his arms. He pats him soothingly. He holds Ha-Neul's hand and goes out of the office.

She leans back in her hair. Jae Hyun's crying hurts her brain. She sips the coffee quietly.

'You will always have me.'

She nods. She will always have Hong Yi Hwan by her side.