Chapter 1

A Child Like Me

1-183 Complete

|| Plada 作

1. I Have Something to Say

“Just one word.”

In the suffocating silence, he finally spoke.

“That child is mine.”

His deep voice sent a shiver through her heart.

A sigh threatened to escape, but Jung-oh tightly closed her lips.

Was it certainty, or just what he wanted to believe? She couldn’t read his mind.

Her heart, which had always beaten rapidly for him, now throbbed painfully. Her eyes stung as she strained to keep them open.

“That Ye-na is my daughter.”

Jung-oh noticed his eyes, which were fixed on her, trembling slightly. His voice was desperate and urgent.

“Say she’s our daughter.”

When she didn’t respond, he repeated his plea.

Some emotion he had suppressed welled up in his throat, making his voice waver.

It was the same words, over and over.

As if there was only one possible answer. As if it couldn’t be denied.

If you just answer, I’ll give you everything.

The unspoken words hung in the air, rubbing against her heart.

I’ve been holding back, so why is your face twisted?

Jung-oh touched his cheek. Her hand had risen without her noticing.

But his expression didn’t improve. If anything, he seemed angrier.

“Say it.”

He grabbed her hand, which was brushing his cheek, and urged her with a louder voice.

“Say it. Please.”

Who drove this man to madness?

Who made him so desperate?

Whether the truth or a lie, it didn’t seem to matter to him now.

She had to speak for him.

Her eyes, trying to gauge the weight of her answer, wandered like a lost child.

His desire for her to be entirely his might have led to a wrong judgment. It could be a dangerous impulse to give up everything to hold onto her.

But, in truth, it was something she had also desperately wanted.

At twenty-three, she had turned thirty.

Seven long years. She wanted to end this pain now.

She wanted to be honest, for herself and for her daughter.

“Yes. Your child.”

Her voice was calm, but it soon wavered.

Uncontrollable emotions burst forth with her voice, blurring everything before her eyes.

“Our... our child.”

She stammered, speaking the truth he wanted to hear.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Jung-oh. 23 years old.

Something impossible happened to her.

Her hand holding the pregnancy test trembled.

“This can’t be.”

Not a faint line, but two lines as clear as if drawn with a marker.

On a sunny day outside, it felt like a storm was raging inside her home.

Something that couldn’t possibly happen.

“This can’t be...”

Her voice was thick with tears.

“This can’t happen...”

She had only been worried about her period being late. Her stomach had felt a bit queasy, and she had been unusually sleepy.

To calm her queasy stomach, she impulsively bought a test at the pharmacy.

When she left the pharmacy, she thought it was just an unnecessary worry.

After seeing the result, Jung-oh groaned and left the house again.

At another pharmacy, she emptied her wallet to buy three more tests.

‘Please, let the first one be defective!’

But her wish wasn’t granted. All the tests showed the same result.

Jung-oh pulled at her hair, wanting to cry.

How could I have drunk alcohol yesterday, not knowing this!

‘No! That’s not the issue right now!’

Her inner self was torn, arguing with itself.

Stay calm. I need to stay calm.

Jung-oh slowly stroked her chest, taking deep breaths.

They had been dating for six months. It was both of their first relationships. Or, to be honest, she didn’t really know much about him.

Jung-ji-hun. Twenty-six years old. A fourth-year business student at K University. He was about to graduate and planned to get a job, though he hadn’t decided which company yet. His father ran a cookie factory. That was about all she knew.

One day, while on a working holiday in Australia, Jung-oh had been crying in front of a Korean mart after going two days without food when she first met Ji-hun. He lent her 20 dollars when she told him she had no money for food. That led to them occasionally keeping in touch, and they met again in Korea after she returned.

Jung-oh trusted Ji-hun absolutely, knowing he was a good man. Even though he was reluctant to talk about his family, she assumed he had his reasons.

“My father rarely comes home. In 26 years, I’ve only seen him a handful of times.”

She remembered him saying this. That’s why, after realizing they both had their own shortcomings, she stopped asking him about his past.

Their relationship had been perfect. Love is about the present, and it was happy.

The past six months had been filled with happiness. There was no room for anything else.

He wasn’t one to express his feelings much, but he was an excellent man in every other way. Brave, affectionate, polite, considerate... she could attach all the good adjectives to him.

He was also very careful about contraception. At least, that’s what she thought.

‘...Wasn’t he?’

She was no longer sure.

She remembered his intense gaze, which seemed to bind her. On those nights, things always went his way.

Was all his passion safe? Was he perfect?

“Then what is this result!”

She wanted to deny the result. But if she denied it, it meant there was another problem with her body. If it wasn’t pregnancy, it was a serious issue.

‘I should go to the hospital first. Get a proper check-up before telling him.’

But, should I go alone? I’m scared.

If I go to confirm my pregnancy before marriage, won’t people look at me strangely?

How much will it cost? I’m a student and have no money.

“Ahhh... What should I do, really.”

Jung-oh collapsed onto her desk.

What should I say to him?

Will he come with me if I ask?

What if he gets angry and asks how this could happen?

“No, why would he get angry! It’s your mistake! It’s your fault, brother!”

Standing up abruptly, Jung-oh scolded the absent Ji-hun, waving her finger at him.

She hadn’t told him yet, and he hadn’t gotten angry. Worrying about things that hadn’t happened was an old habit.

What should I do now? I’m only twenty-three.

“What time is it? Oh!”

While agonizing, the appointment time had approached. Jung-oh hurriedly got dressed and left the house again.

The appointment was at 5 PM.

The distance to the subway station was too short to take a taxi, and she didn’t feel like running. She wasn’t sure, but she felt she should take care of her body.

Still, she walked quickly and reached the subway station at 5:10 PM.

She saw Ji-hun standing alone in front of the station. She could recognize him from a distance. His striking physique, which made people think he could be a model, subtly drew attention.

That’s my boyfriend!

Honestly, his good looks are a bit overwhelming. When they held hands on the street, she often felt the intense gazes of onlookers. She wasn’t intimidated, but sometimes she playfully scolded him, saying he was prettier than her and should be less attractive.

He would answer without changing his expression.

“What are you talking about? You’re much prettier.”

As if comparing himself to her was absurd.

She knew his words were 100% sincere, not just flattery.

While worried that he was wearing rose-colored glasses, Jung-oh was happy. It’s instinct to want to look beautiful to the person you love.

Jung-oh’s steps slowed as she saw Ji-hun. When he spotted her, he walked over.

“Sorry. Did you wait long?”

Jung-oh asked as Ji-hun approached. Without answering, he quickly fastened her coat buttons.

“Why are you doing that?”

Her coat was suddenly taken off and draped over her shoulders.

She hadn’t thought to dress warmly due to the shock of the pregnancy test. Only then did she realize she had come out in a light autumn coat.

Ji-hun quickly slipped her arms into the sleeves of the coat.

His shirt stretched taut over his broad shoulders and firm chest.

“I have style too.”

Jung-oh pouted at him for making her a snowman with his coat. Regardless, Ji-hun finished buttoning it up.

She might have refused more firmly under normal circumstances, but today she wanted to feel warm.

With the large coat, she felt like she was wrapped in a blanket. Satisfied, he smiled slightly.

“What’s this?”

“It suits you well.”

Though it seemed like he was teasing her, Jung-oh couldn’t complain. His smile was too charming.

Still, she had to say something.

“Shall we go eat?”

“No!”

Jung-oh shook her head, slightly flustered by Ji-hun’s first question. She feared her stomach would churn if she saw food, especially after seeing the two lines on the test.

“You’re not eating?”

“No.”

His smile, which had melted her heart, faded. Ji-hun frowned and examined her.

Seeing her refuse her favorite food, he concluded she wasn’t feeling well.

His large hand, which could cover her face, gently pressed against her forehead.

Despite the cold winter breeze, he immediately changed his plans.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

He decided she was a patient.

Ji-hun’s fingers interlocked firmly with hers. Their hands gradually absorbed each other’s warmth.

The warm feeling of his body and heart filled her, easing her anxiety.

In the crowded one-room area.

The sun had set by the time they reached her apartment. Ji-hun let go of her hand at the entrance.

“Go in quickly.”

“Come in for a bit.”

“No. You look tired. Go rest.”

“No! I’m not tired at all. I’m full of energy!”

Jung-oh’s face turned red as she denied her condition, raising her voice.

“I have something to do at home.”

He gave another excuse, smiling warmly.

“What is it?”

“Hey, Jung-oh!”

Just as she asked, a man called her name from a distance.

“Senior.”

Turning her head, Jung-oh spoke to the man. He was a senior from her department who lived nearby.

Ji-hun also turned his head, frowning.

Standing next to Jung-oh, Ji-hun was ignored as the man approached and tousled her hair.

“Hey, you’ve been MIA for almost a month.”

Ji-hun also raised his hand, but fortunately, the man withdrew his before Ji-hun could stop him.

“Have you been busy?”

“Yes, a bit.”

“Busy dating?”

The man teased her. Ji-hun’s eyes narrowed, making Jung-oh feel embarrassed. While she was pursing her lips, the man finally noticed Ji-hun’s fierce gaze and quickly backed off.

“Enjoy your date and let’s have dinner later.”

The man gave a quick nod to Ji-hun and left.

After the man left, the atmosphere became awkward. Feeling the need to explain, Jung-oh cautiously spoke.

“He’s a senior from my department who lives nearby.”

“Let’s go up.”

He changed his plans again. Earlier, he had said he would just leave and had an errand to run.

Jung-oh nodded, hoping to talk to him quietly.

But the steps felt heavy as they climbed.

In the tension of his heavy footsteps following her, Jung-oh moved slowly.

They soon reached the third floor.

Jung-oh’s slender fingers unlocked the door, and the front door creaked open in the quiet.

In the cozy space of about four pyeong, it felt like a storm was about to hit.

As expected, Ji-hun embraced her shoulders from behind.

Even knowing the storm was coming, Jung-oh let out a low gasp.

“You’re cold.”

“...”

“I’ll warm you up.”

While unbuttoning the coat he had put on her, he whispered close to her ear. His breath moved to her neck.

As the thick coat he had put on her fell to the floor, he turned her around.

His intense gaze seemed to erase all her thoughts, making her dazed.

As she moved her head, his sharp jawline stood out.

The clear shadows cast by the dim light were etched in her eyes, making them hurt.

Trying to create some space by stepping back, she was quickly closed in by him. Her feet slipped, and she found herself sitting on the bed, unintentionally leading him there.

He seemed satisfied, smiling faintly as he leaned down.

His breath, full of intent, calmly entered her mouth. It was gentle but not entirely tender. The hot breath made her eyes sting, and she closed her eyelids. Just holding her racing heart was a struggle.

Her body, eyes, and voice couldn’t escape him.

She always fell for him, as if it were natural.

What should I do?

Still, she had to say something.

“Wait...”

She couldn’t overpower him. She had never even tried.

“Wait.”

Jung-oh managed to speak, breaking free from his kiss. Her voice was small, mixed with heated breath.

His eyebrows slightly distorted just from her stopping.

Her wet lips glistened. His gaze was fixed on them.

As if urging her to speak.

Jung-oh moved her heated lips and slowly spoke.

“I... I have something to say.”

Her heart pounded for a different reason.

What expression will you have now?