Explosive Remarks (1)
"Then don't do that kind of stuff."
"If I don't, I can't shake that woman off!"
"Why are you trying to shake her off?"
"Because she's a bad influence on you!"
"I went along with it, so it's my fault too."
"No! You're not at fault. That woman who egged you on is the one to blame."
Ahyun was defending me fiercely, painting Boksun noona as the villain through and through. It seemed like she was redirecting all her disappointment and anger toward Boksun noona instead. I felt a mix of guilt and affection for Ahyun, who'd chosen to hate her over hating me.
So, does this mean I just need to get Ahyun and Boksun noona to get along?
I didn't think all the women in my life had to be besties. But since they'd bump into each other often, it made sense to smooth things over enough that they wouldn't fight.
While I'm at it, maybe try a 3P!!
Fueled by grand dreams, I pulled Ahyun into a tight, tender embrace.
"You must be really hurt, huh? I didn't want you to find out like this..."
"Why are you apologizing? Don't. You were just the victim here."
"Don't hate your teacher. It's not like that. It's because I'm a bad guy."
"You're not bad! The problem is that woman who doesn't help you at all. She's unqualified as a teacher too."
"You're my woman, but so is your teacher. And I don't date you thinking you'll be useful to me. I just like you. That's it. Same for you, right?"
"Haesol, you're too nice for your own good."
I get caught cheating, and she calls me nice? What an amazing world.
"I talked it over with Boksun noona. We're calling that bet off—it never happened."
"Huh?"
"I told you, I'm the bad guy here. I have no intention of giving up on your teacher, and I don't want to give you up either. So that bet was never gonna fly from the start."
Even if they actually fought it out and one won, I wouldn't let either go. The bet wouldn't change a thing, so it was invalid from the jump.
"You need to focus on your idol career now. You gonna let a woman like that hold you back?"
"She's not holding me back. You and your teacher are both solid pillars for me."
"Pillars? How?"
"Just having you by my side gives me strength. Don't push yourself. You're precious and valuable to me just as you are."
I stroked Ahyun's hair, hugging her tight to round out the sharp edges jealousy had carved into her heart.
◇◇◇ Women’s Obstetrics Clinic
"Jin Jua, come on in."
"Yes."
Jua entered the exam room with a face full of worry—and on the flip side, brimming with excitement.
"How've you been?"
"Good."
"Eating well?"
"Yes. I've been meticulous about all the stuff you told me to take."
"Good girl. Did you tell the baby's dad? Would've been nice if he'd come with you today."
"...I haven't told him yet."
"I know it might seem nosy, but you should let the father know ASAP. You know that if you don't tell him in advance and have the baby, he can claim custody anytime he wants, right?"
Jua bit her lower lip at the obstetrician's words.
"The baby's dad is young."
"You're young too, miss. And hiding the baby's existence is a crime."
Especially if it's a boy. Things would get way more serious. The state scrutinizes parents' backgrounds rigorously, and if either has issues, they can seize custody by force.
But Jua showed no positive response about the father throughout the appointment.
Once the exam wrapped and she left the hospital, Jua's expression flipped completely from what it had been in the room.
"As long as it's a girl, it'll be fine."
The baby's father was Haesol, on the cusp of debut.
Tell Haesol, who's about to debut, that I have his kid? Who'd welcome that? He'll hate it for sure.
So Jua planned to keep hiding it as long as possible. That had been her intention from the start.
The doctor had scared her with talk of the state taking the baby, but Jua had already researched that angle thoroughly.
The country doesn't care about girls.
If it was a girl in her belly, she could raise it without ever certifying the dad, just as planned.
I need to stall as long as I can.
She didn't want to burden Haesol. Her very existence would be a weight on him, a massive weakness. Celebs' private lives get dissected so easily—how could she drop this bomb and stress him out?
She hadn't gotten pregnant to derail his future.
But I do need to tell him eventually, right? That's how I'll make him mine.
Right on cue, a text popped up.
"Ah... what do I do, Haesol? I miss you, but I won't be able to see you for a while."
Especially once the bump shows...
But it'd be okay. By the time her belly swelled, Haesol would be swamped with debut prep.
"Am I being too greedy?"
Her desire for a baby and her desire for Haesol had merged to create this situation. No turning back now that it'd happened. Full speed ahead was all that remained.
She tucked the ultrasound photo preciously into her wallet and headed to her parents' house. She'd need their full support to have and raise the baby. If they refused, she was out of options.
"Mom, I'm pregnant."
"...Have you lost your mind?"
"In this day and age, everyone's too busy praising pregnancies for that kinda talk, don't you think?"
"The man! Is he stepping up?"
"He doesn't know yet."
Smack! A solid whack across the back.
She'd expected a spanking if she spilled, so she took it in stride. Just lighter than anticipated.
"That all?"
"What, you think I'd hit a pregnant girl hard?!"
"Mom! Waaah!!"
Jua was barely into her early twenties. She'd steeled herself for this pregnancy, but facing it head-on still scared her.
"Be honest. Planned?"
"...How'd you know? I didn't say anything."
"Aigoo! Just like your mom! Like mother, like daughter!"
"Ow ow ow!"
Smack smack! Another solid back-smack from Mom.
"Sigh, like mother, like daughter. Same antics, so of course I know."
"...You pulled the same stunt?"
"How else could a dirt-poor girl with nothing but looks snag your dad? I jumped the gun like you—picked a sweet, innocent guy and got knocked up first. Your naive dad married me out of responsibility."
"What? How'd I not know?"
"Why tell my daughter something like that? And you figured it out and did the same anyway."
"......"
Speechless, Jua pondered a moment before replying.
"Since I take after you, you'll help, right?"
"You crazy bitch."
"Mom! Baby can hear! No cursing."
"Bullshit. Bullshit. It doesn't even have ears yet, you wench!"
One extra word, and she got an earful. Jua cowered, clutching her belly.
"Mooom~"
"How old's the dad?"
"Twenty."
"Sigh, you really snagged a naive one. Not that guy?"
"He doesn't know yet. You're the first I told."
"Good choice. Young guys usually bail on responsibility."
"But there's a snag. Can't make direct proof he's the dad."
"What kinda nonsense is that? He won't marry you? Some loser bitch my daughter picked? I didn't raise you like that."
"Hey, listen!"
She explained the dad's situation to her foul-mouthed mom, who glared daggers.
"So many naive guys out there, and you pick one about to debut?"
"You'd get it if you saw his face."
Like mother, like daughter—both suckers for looks. That's why she could stand tall before Mom.
"Got a pic?"
She knew Mom would perk up like that.
"If he's debuting, marriage is off the table. You'll raise it solo, and what if it's a boy?"
"No way~ Haven't you seen the boy birth rates? Even lower than last year. What are the odds I'd hit that? You'll help, right Mom?"
"You ever think about your life?"
"Having a baby is every woman's dream life. I'm already winning."
"Sigh, I gave birth to this and choked down seaweed soup."
Mom shook her head in exasperation at her wild-child daughter, but her face flushed with anticipation for the grandbaby.
"How far along? How's your body?"
"About three weeks. I'll take everything the doc prescribed."
"Morning sickness hits soon—you won't handle it alone. Stay home for now. Cancel all workouts."
"Okay. But I dunno what to tell the dad. You're experienced—advice?"
"Men treat their first baby's mom right. Look at your dad. Even with all those rich-house girls, he comes home regular. That's 'cause he knocked up his first wife."
"Got it."
She was the most pampered of Dad's kids.
"Don't slack after birth. You're not first wife yet. Showbiz? Temptations everywhere. Don't get cocky after one kid. You're secure when the marriage papers are filed."
"Yeah. What'd Dad do when you told him you were pregnant?"
"Face went white. Thought the world ended."
Jua listened intently to Mom's battle-tested wisdom, ears perked.