A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 151

151. Karma

Seung-gyu arrived home early to a boisterous welcome from his three children.

“Daddy!”

“Daddy!”

“Mister!”

From Do-bin and Do-yoon, and even Ye-na, Seung-gyu felt a wave of happiness mixed with a touch of dizziness at their energetic greetings.

After acknowledging each child, Seung-gyu headed to the kitchen.

“I’m home.”

“You’re early,” Jin-seo replied, glancing up from her dinner preparations. Seung-gyu rolled up his sleeves and approached her.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Go play with the kids.”

“That sounds a little…intense.”

“Just read them a book.”

At his wife’s gentle command, Seung-gyu reluctantly gathered the children, a hint of nervousness in his heart. When he announced story time, the children chirped with excitement like a flock of sparrows.

Despite his initial hesitation, Seung-gyu was a good father. Unlike Jin-seo, who always looked for opportunities to educate them, he knew how to engage with the children on their level.

His storytelling skills were also superior to their mother’s. He used different voices and read with such captivating realism that the children adored it.

“In 1820, a girl was born in Florence, Italy…”

The children, who had been chattering moments before, became completely absorbed in Seung-gyu’s voice, falling into a captivated silence. Jin-seo smiled, pleased.

However, as if those few happy minutes were merely a fleeting dream, while Jin-seo continued preparing dinner, her attention diverted from her husband’s reading, the living room erupted into a chorus of tears.

“Waaaaah!”

“Why are you crying! What happened!”

Hearing Do-bin’s piercing wails, Jin-seo rushed into the living room. Do-bin, Do-yoon, and Ye-na were all crying as if their world had ended, united in their sorrow.

In the midst of the chaos, Seung-gyu was holding the youngest, Do-yoon, trying to soothe him while beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Jin-seo scolded, “Why are you making the kids cry!”

“I didn’t make them cry! Nightingale made them cry.”

As soon as Seung-gyu defended himself, Do-bin grabbed Jin-seo’s leg and shook it. “Mommy, Nightingale died!”

It seemed Seung-gyu had been reading them a biography of Florence Nightingale [a celebrated English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing]. Jin-seo stroked Do-bin’s head and said, “Yes, she passed away a long time ago.”

“Waaaaah… Why did she die, waaaaah…”

“Everyone dies. Mom dies, Dad dies, and our Do-bin will die someday too.”

Waaaaaaaah!

Do-bin’s crying intensified at Jin-seo’s matter-of-fact answer.

“I don’t want to die!”

“Yes, of course. Everyone wants to live. No one wants to die.”

Ye-na also started sobbing beside them, caught up in Do-bin and Jin-seo’s conversation. Jin-seo hugged Ye-na tightly and looked down to gently discipline Do-bin.

“That’s why you have to live your life to the fullest while you’re alive. Got it? Brush your teeth diligently, too.”

“If I brush my teeth diligently, I won’t die?”

“You’ll live longer than if you don’t brush your teeth, right?”

“Yes. I’ll brush them.”

Do-bin, swayed by the mini-lesson, nodded vigorously and wiped away his tears.

“Ye-na, you brush your teeth diligently too. Let’s live together for a long time.”

“Yes. Promise.”

Fortunately, the children’s crying fit didn’t last long. Seung-gyu and Jin-seo both secretly sighed in relief.

“Okay, if you’re done crying, let’s eat quickly.”

Jin-seo skillfully guided the children to the kitchen.

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

Jeong-o and Ji-heon visited the hypnotherapy center after a considerable time.

Ji-heon told the doctor about the recording file from seven years ago that Bae-il had given him.

“The aversion to hypnosis may stem from this experience,” the doctor concluded after hearing the full story.

“Knowing the cause doesn’t bring back the memories. I still don’t remember anything from my military days, and I can’t recall anything from our dating days either.”

“It’s possible the memories have faded naturally over time.”

“That could be the case. I desperately want to remember everything, but the feeling of helplessness when things don’t go as planned is overwhelming.”

Jeong-o also felt a pang of sadness at Ji-heon’s confession. Ever since learning about Eun-yeop’s actions seven years ago, Ji-heon seemed to have recurring nightmares. Jeong-o, watching him, also felt anxious.

However, the doctor had a different perspective.

“There may be pressure in your subconscious, but Ji-heon acknowledged the helplessness he felt. This indicates that his mind is gradually finding stability.”

*I can see it that way, too.*

Jeong-o’s heart was also calmed by the doctor’s positive interpretation.

*My husband is doing his best to overcome this. I’ll cheer him on and be patient.*

Jeong-o left Ji-heon, who was swamped with work, and went to Do-bin’s house. When Jeong-o arrived to pick up Ye-na, the children had just finished eating.

While Ye-na was getting ready to leave, Jin-seo whispered to Jeong-o, “Um, Ye-na might say something a little strange.”

Jin-seo then recounted the children’s crying episode before dinner.

“I think I said something a bit too serious.”

“No, thank you for explaining it in a way that Ye-na could understand, Unnie [term used to address a female older sister or friend].”

Although it was a serious topic, from Jeong-o’s perspective, hearing about the children’s reactions after the fact, she found it funny and endearing, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

After leaving Do-bin’s house, Jeong-o held hands with Ye-na as they walked home. Jeong-o casually asked, “Ye-na, were you sad today after reading the biography?”

“Yes. I was sad because Nightingale died.”

“Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I’m okay.”

“…”

“Mom, we all die.”

“…That’s right. You’re right.”

“So, Mom, it’s a happy and grateful thing that Mom and I are alive like this, right?”

Jeong-o’s eyes welled up at her child’s profound sentiment.

“Yes. You’re absolutely right.”

Once you understand that death is the natural order, living feels like a miracle.

“Especially Mom is really happy and grateful to have met Ye-na. Because our Ye-na is Mom’s daughter.”

The hand holding her child’s hand felt warmer and stronger.

*There are so many people who have a positive influence nearby.*

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

After dropping Ye-na off at home, Jeong-o immediately left again. The police station had called several times, but she hadn’t been able to go because she was busy. Jeong-o gathered the necessary documents and headed to the police station.

Jeong-o’s eyes narrowed as she approached the entrance of the police station. She recognized the figure sitting near the entrance, shoulders slumped in defeat.

As Jeong-o cautiously approached, Eun-bi turned her head sharply, causing Jeong-o to step back in surprise.

“Oh my, you startled me!”

Eun-bi stared at Jeong-o without a word, as if questioning her presence.

“I came to withdraw the charges.”

Jeong-o had no choice but to reveal her purpose.

Jeong-o and Ji-heon had decided to drop the charges. They had also decided to overlook the false statement about the accident seven years ago. Chae Eun-bi wouldn’t necessarily be sorry or grateful for this, but they made the decision knowing Chae Eun-bi’s unfortunate circumstances.

Chae Eun-bi remained motionless, as if she couldn’t believe it. Or perhaps her body was frozen, unsure of how to react. Jeong-o cautiously approached again. Chae Eun-bi, stripped of her layer of hatred, looked so fragile and pitiful, much like Kwon Bae-il.

“…Are you okay?”

She instinctively asked how she was doing.

At that simple question, Eun-bi shed thick tears.

That wasn’t Jeong-o’s intention, to make her cry. Jeong-o felt even more awkward at Eun-bi’s reaction. She hurriedly rummaged through her bag, searching for a tissue, but couldn’t find one.

Watching Jeong-o’s clumsy search, Eun-bi finally spoke.

“I envy you.”

Jeong-o’s hand, still searching through her bag, stopped.

It seemed sincerity was best conveyed in a cold tone, devoid of pretense. The ability to extend a hand to an enemy required boldness and composure [余裕 – yoyu]. She envied Jeong-o’s position, her ability to possess such qualities.

“I envied you too.”

“…”

“But I don’t want to be you. It wasn’t like that thirteen years ago either.”

Jeong-o also revealed her true feelings.

Eun-bi coldly retorted at Jeong-o’s confession, “I don’t want to say I’m sorry to you, because I just did my best to survive.”

But there was no strength in her voice, so Jeong-o didn’t feel any resentment. Instead, she felt a sense of anxiety, as if Chae Eun-bi might disappear along with her fading voice.

As she feared.

“But I…”

“…”

“I think I’m going to die.”

Eun-bi had completely broken down.

Seven years ago, she had falsely accused an innocent person of a hit-and-run, which ultimately led her own brother to kill someone. And the father of the child growing inside her was the man who had reported that brother.

There must have been happy moments, but Eun-bi couldn’t recall any of them now. All she held in her hands was despair. Living was hell, so dying seemed like a viable option.

Tears flowed weakly, falling onto the back of her hand. Jeong-o, who had been sitting beside her, moved closer and took Eun-bi’s hand in hers. Eun-bi’s tears seeped into Jeong-o’s palm.

“Chae Eun-bi, don’t give in to weakness,” Jeong-o said, raising her voice slightly.

“It’s okay. I don’t need an apology. Of course, I want to receive it, but my desire shouldn’t cause you harm.”

Jeong-o didn’t want this outcome either. She had imagined Chae Eun-bi sobbing and sincerely apologizing, but she didn’t want her soul to be destroyed by that pain.

“This will all pass, too. You’ll overcome it all and be okay. Someday, there will be a moment when you’re grateful to be alive.”

*I hated you, but I don’t want you to give up on your life. I want you to overcome everything!*

“I know because I’ve lived as a single mother for seven years. It’s as rewarding as it is difficult. I’m proud of myself. Things that once seemed daunting become sources of happiness.”

There are times when I’m so angry about something outside the house that I want to frown, but I have to smile because of my child. The smile I force onto my face inevitably becomes the feeling of that day. So, from some point on, I was able to genuinely tell myself that I was happy.

You’ll experience that kind of life too. Someday, you’ll be happy to be alive.

“You can do it too. You’ll do well.”

Jeong-o’s clear voice wavered with emotion. Chae Eun-bi’s face, as she looked up from below, was contorted with pain. She was just a vulnerable woman who needed a hug and comfort.

Eun-bi couldn’t contain her emotions any longer and burst into uncontrollable tears.

Eun-bi’s crying continued for a long time. Jeong-o couldn’t bring herself to hug and comfort Eun-bi, but she quietly stayed by her side.

“Tell me if you need my help. I’ll help you if I can,” Jeong-o said when Eun-bi’s crying finally subsided.

After hesitating for a long time, Eun-bi asked Jeong-o for a favor. It would be her first and last request.

“…Can you let me meet someone?”

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

The next day, in the afternoon, Jeong-o visited Bae-il’s hospital room.

“Hello. How are you feeling?”

Bae-il blinked in surprise at the unexpected visit and replied, “I’m getting better.”

“Ji-heon couldn’t make it. I came alone today,” Jeong-o said, getting straight to the point.

“Actually, someone wants to meet you, but I can’t unilaterally bring them without asking for your permission. I just received a note.”

Bae-il’s expression turned somber as he looked down at the note Jeong-o handed him. He seemed to know who the request was from.

Jeong-o left immediately after delivering the note. After she was gone, Bae-il unfolded the note.

As expected, the sender was who he anticipated.

「Kwon Bae-il,

It’s Chae Eun-bi.

I’m pregnant. You know very well what the child looks like.」

But his heart sank at the unexpected content.