A child who looks like me

Seven years ago, the hit-and-run driver who hit Ji-heon constantly denied his wrongdoing. Kim Jin-goo, having a criminal record, was not believed by anyone.

Eun-bi’s claims played a significant role in this as well. However, Eun-bi began to doubt her memory on the matter. What if Kim Jin-goo wasn’t the real culprit?

Meanwhile, she learned that the police had not collected her dashcam footage. Hopeful, Eun-bi checked the dashcam video. To her surprise, the video briefly captured the face of the perpetrator.

The culprit was wearing the same clothes that Kim Jin-goo had been wearing at the time of the accident. However, it was not Kim Jin-goo.

Eun-bi noticed that Kim Jin-goo had a tattoo on the back of his left hand, but the man in the video did not have that tattoo. It was clear that there was a conspiracy to frame Kim Jin-goo.

However, Eun-bi ultimately could not reveal this fact. The video also briefly showed her fleeing the scene of the accident. It was something Ji-heon and Young-mi could never find out.

Thus, Eun-bi kept the truth of the incident hidden, and Kim Jin-goo ended up being convicted and imprisoned. In the meantime, Ji-heon’s health recovered, and Mrs. Jang Young-mi regarded Eun-bi as her savior.

After serving a year in prison, Kim Jin-goo was released but soon committed another crime, receiving a five-year sentence. It was a long time. Eun-bi completely forgot about Kim Jin-goo.

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

A dark night.

Eun-yeob hurried to Eun-bi’s house after receiving a call from her.

“Chae Eun-bi, what happened?”

Bursting through the door, Eun-yeob grabbed his trembling sister, who was curled up in a blanket.

Kim Jin-goo isn’t the hit-and-run driver who injured Ji-heon. The real culprit is still out there.

“Kim Jin-goo said he would kill me.”

Eun-bi spoke with a face twisted in fear.

“Did you record it? Did you record it?”

“…….”

“You should have recorded it! Can’t you do that one thing right?”

“Where was I supposed to find the time for that? Do you know how scared I was?”

Eun-yeob raised his voice, and Eun-bi fired back.

“What’s the real culprit like? Did you see his face clearly?”

“…….”

“You said you had the video file.”

Based on the information he had heard over the phone, Eun-yeob demanded what they needed right away. Eun-bi got up. The dashcam memory card must be somewhere. It was likely tucked away in a box with old USB drives.

“Ah… it’s not here…”

Eun-bi upturned the box, unable to find the memory card. Eun-yeob joined her in searching for the memory card. But it was nowhere to be found.

“How can you keep something so important so carelessly?”

“…….”

“You’re really useless.”

As usual, Eun-yeob’s criticisms poured down. Still, Eun-bi could not say a word.

“Don’t you remember anything at all?”

“How can I remember something from seven years ago?”

“Was he about the same height as Kim Jin-goo?”

“He was the same height, same build, same clothes. I can barely believe it myself. If it weren’t for that tattoo on Kim Jin-goo’s hand, I would have sworn he was the same guy.”

With a voice tinged with indignation, Eun-bi’s words made Eun-yeob think deeply.

A man who looked just like Kim Jin-goo, driving Kim Jin-goo’s car.

That meant the hit-and-run was undoubtedly a planned crime. Someone had plotted for a long time to frame Kim Jin-goo. If someone would do such a thing…

First, they needed to investigate Kim Jin-goo’s past grievances.

“Listen, Chae Eun-bi. This is a secret between you and me, okay?”

Eun-yeob firmly cautioned Eun-bi.

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

The living room, which had been turned upside down by the balloon explosion, had become a playground for Ye-na. Ji-heon momentarily put off cleaning and called everyone to the dining table. The table was filled with dishes that Jung-o favored. Thanks to Ye-na, who diligently relayed information to Ji-heon.

Ji-heon and Jung-o’s Evening

Jung-o’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked, “Did you do all of this?”

“No, it was my mother…”

Ji-heon’s shy response was met with a wave of dismissal from Guk-soon.

“I just helped a little because we were short on time.”

Guk-soon tried to shift the praise back to Ji-heon, but Jung-o could guess that Guk-soon had done most of the work. Ji-heon probably just flailed around, just like he did when he first tried to cook seven years ago.

“Mom, Ji-heon cooks well. He may have forgotten everything now, but since he did it seven years ago, he’ll learn quickly if you teach him.”

“Are you only thinking about making others cook while not thinking of learning yourself?”

“Mom says that being able to eat well is part of fate. Besides, Ji-heon wants to learn how to cook!”

Jung-o’s imagination already pictured her mother and son-in-law cooking happily together in the kitchen. Ji-heon, showing no signs of discomfort, supported Jung-o’s words.

“I’m happy about it. If my mother teaches me, I’ll learn diligently.”

“Oh, this is too much pressure.”

Even as she said it was burdensome, a smile stretched across Guk-soon’s lips.

Ye-na wore a happy expression throughout the meal. After finishing her food, she busily ran around, creating a mess in every corner of the house. Jung-o hurried after Ye-na, and Ji-heon’s gaze occasionally lingered on Jung-o as he sat across from Guk-soon, chatting.

Ye-na, having run over after playing a game with her grandmother, settled on Guk-soon’s lap and exclaimed, “Grandma, I want to live here! It’s nice here!”

“Right? Grandma thinks it’s nice, and the kitchen is really great too…”

Guk-soon’s attention was drawn to the spacious kitchen above all. It was as large as the restaurant’s kitchen but not cluttered, which she loved. Cooking in a kitchen like this would surely bring happiness every time.

But this house felt overwhelming.

“It’s really nice, but… looking at the windows makes me a bit dizzy.”

The sight was so dizzying that even looking out the window was a challenge. She had to hold her breath while going up in the elevator because of the nausea.

“I’m sorry, Ye-na’s dad.”

“It’s alright.”

Ji-heon also understood Guk-soon’s difficulties, having heard about them from Jung-o beforehand.

“I’ll try to find a house as soon as possible. I’ve heard there are apartments available next to the Dobin family’s complex. Let’s go check them out tomorrow.”

Ji-heon methodically laid out their plans for the future.

“And on Monday, I plan to register the marriage. We’ll prepare for the wedding afterward.”

“Do we really have to have a wedding?”

With the wedding happening only when the child turned seven, it was bound to attract all sorts of gossip. Concerned about the spotlight falling on Jung-o, Guk-soon cautiously asked.

“We will. We’ll do everything we need to do.”

Ji-heon’s determination was unwavering, without a hint of hesitation. Guk-soon felt relieved hearing such a firm response from her son-in-law.

She believed that Ji-heon would protect Jung-o so that she wouldn’t face any hardships. Meanwhile, Ji-heon’s gaze occasionally turned toward Jung-o.

As they enjoyed the delicious food, tidied up the house, and discussed their future plans, night fell upon them. Jung-o, who had worked over the weekend, also began to feel tired. Ye-na fell asleep in Ji-heon’s arms. Guk-soon got up from her seat.

“I’m feeling a bit sleepy now. You should get some rest. I’ll take Ye-na to the room at the end.”

“No, Mom. I’ll take care of Ye-na…”

“Thank you, Mother.”

As Jung-o tried to take care of Ye-na, Ji-heon bowed respectfully first, making Jung-o glance at him in surprise, feeling as if he had interrupted her.

Ji-heon followed Guk-soon’s instructions and carried the sleeping Ye-na to the last room. After making sure Ye-na was settled in, he calmly conveyed other important matters and politely took his leave.

As soon as Guk-soon mentioned feeling sleepy, everything progressed smoothly. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“Well, good night.”

“Okay. Ye-na’s dad, you worked really hard today. You were wonderful.”

“Thank you.”

“Congratulations to both of you.”

With kind words exchanged, Guk-soon waved her hand. The atmosphere felt as if the wedding had already taken place, causing Jung-o’s cheeks to flush slightly.

While Jung-o waved her hand in a daze, Ji-heon bowed to Guk-soon and carefully closed the door while stepping back. His movements were as skillful and precise as a hotel manager.

Once turned away, he playfully asked, “Are you sick? Your face is red.”

“Uh? No. It’s just…”

“…….”

“Oh, today was really hard for you. You must be very tired.”

“No, not at all.”

“Even if you say that, you’ll probably feel tired later. Once you lie down, sleep will come pouring in.”

“Jung-o.”

“…….”

“I have something to say.”

The Intimate Moment Between Ji-heon and Jung-o

His expression suddenly grew serious, causing her to tense up as well. With a fatigued look, Jung-o’s half-closed eyelids shot wide open.

“What is it? …Is it about my mother?”

“……”

“Or is it about Chae Eun-bi?”

“Let’s go inside.”

Ji-heon grabbed Jung-o’s hand. His grip was strong, even though his voice was soft. Following his brisk pace, Jung-o matched his steps, her heart racing just as fast as her feet moved. Soon, their toes reached the bedroom.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and entered the room.

With a soft click, the door closed, and the lights turned on.

“What is it? Hurry up and tell me.”

“It’s that…”

“Yeah. Yeah. Just say it.”

“I love you.”

Jung-o’s eyes went blank, unsure if she had heard him correctly. The tension in her shoulders melted away, but her gaze sharpened.

“…Are you joking?”

He simply smiled lazily.

“My heart dropped, you know…!”

Before she could finish her sentence, her body floated up before sinking back down. The soft bed sheets enveloped her back, and in front of her stood Ji-heon.

His eyes, which had suddenly taken over her space, showed no signs of fatigue at all. Instead, they sparkled with eagerness, as if to say this was just the beginning.

His gaze savored her like a delicious meal before consuming it. In truth, he had been looking at her like this all day, but she had been too busy chasing after Ye-na to notice.

“I’ve been waiting for this. To lay you down here.”

With his straightforward words, he leaned down. His warm breath brushed against her cheek before trailing along her neck and collarbone. The gentle caress made her squint one eye. Ji-heon’s gaze deepened, enchanted by her beauty.

Since their secret rendezvous in Australia, many things had happened between them. Though their hearts had connected, their bodies had not. It had been a time filled with many challenges.

“What do you think marriage is? Just a co-parenting partnership?”

Every moment spent raising their beautiful child together was precious and happy, but they couldn’t be satisfied just viewing each other as the child’s father and mother.

In front of Guk-soon, he had maintained a composed demeanor, and for Ye-na, he had been the kind father who fulfilled all her requests. But that wasn’t all there was to him. Jeong Ji-heon wasn’t simply a respectable man or a kind one.

“I think it’s this.”

The noble definition of marriage he once held dear now slipped into a more sensual tone along with his voice. It was a claim true to Jeong Ji-heon—provocative yet closer to the essence of the matter. Jung-o found no urge to argue.

His lips, awakening the truth, brushed against her full lips, moving into a territory that no one else dared to touch—one that only Ji-heon was permitted to explore.

As she exhaled the breath she had been holding, a gasp escaped her, and she twisted her body. The man, on edge from her small tremors, lifted his gaze to check her face once more.

Amidst the excitement, he found a strange comfort in this moment.

The way she stirred and drove him crazy felt like salvation for him.