Chapter 6

　　She was right. My guess was right. He held his breath, waiting for her to say the words, and clenched his fist tight. He tried to act nonchalant, but he couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. He’d have to pretend he didn’t know until she told him herself.

　　—“I have to go pay the bill now,” she said. “I’ll tell you the details when we meet. See you later.”

　　—“Alright. Get home safe.”

　　Ending the call, he put down his phone and blinked rapidly. He didn’t know what to do with this dazed, giddy feeling. He shot up from his seat and began pacing around his desk, then, as if struck by an idea, sat back down in front of his monitor.

　　“There will be a lot to prepare.” He wanted to give their child everything, to ensure they wouldn’t fall short of anything. He opened a browser and began searching for baby supplies. From bottles and clothes to diapers and toys, the list was endless. Stunned by the sheer volume of information, he blinked in astonishment.

　　Just then, a low chuckle sounded from behind him. “By any chance, is your wife expecting?”

　　“What?” He spun around to see Secretary Nam standing with his hands behind his back, a knowing look on his face.

　　“Congratulations, Mr. Ryu. This is wonderful news for the family.”

　　“Ah… Yes, well. Thank you.” Feeling a flush of embarrassment, Jihun hastily closed the search window and picked up his fountain pen. He felt pathetic, so excited about the pregnancy that he couldn’t even focus on work.

　　Secretary Nam, watching him with an amused expression, offered something unexpected. “If you have any questions, sir, feel free to ask me anytime.”

　　“You, Secretary Nam?”

　　“Of course. I happen to be something of an expert in that area.”

　　Right. Come to think of it, Secretary Nam was already a father of two. Having unexpectedly stumbled upon a childcare veteran, Jihun looked up at him with newfound reverence.

* * *

　　The air was cool and crisp. In the passenger seat, Saebom’s face lit up as she watched the autumn leaves flutter past the window. Just a few months ago, the sweltering heat had left her perpetually sticky; it was hard to believe it was already fall. Time flies.

　　She turned her head and found Jihun’s eyes already on her.

　　“What is it?” she asked, tilting her head. His gaze felt unusually intense today, weighted with even more affection than usual.

　　“It’s nothing.” Even as he said it, his lips were curved in a smile.

　　Did something good happen? Saebom swallowed her curiosity. Soon, the sedan pulled up in front of the mansion. She hopped out of the car, looking up in wonder at the massive ginkgo tree that enveloped the property. It’s huge. So many branches.

　　Jihun got out after her, his voice a low reprimand. “What if you fall jumping like that? You have to be more careful. You’re not just looking after yourself anymore.”

　　“Huh? What did you say?” Her admiration for the foliage had drowned out his words. When she asked again, he just waved his hand dismissively.

　　“Go on in. I’ll just make a quick call.”

　　“Okay. Don’t be long.”

　　Saebom crossed the beautifully landscaped garden toward the front door. Her married friends always complained about their in-laws, but for her, it was the opposite. She enjoyed every visit, probably because her parents-in-law welcomed and cherished her like their own daughter.

　　She rang the doorbell and waited. A moment later, thumping footsteps grew closer, and the front door burst open.

　　Whoa, you scared me. Startled, Saebom clapped a hand to her chest.

　　“Congratulations! My dear daughter-in-law!”

　　As soon as she stepped inside, a shower of confetti rained down on her head. Hmm?

　　Bewildered, she stared at Hwayeong, who was gleefully sprinkling colorful flecks over her. For some reason, her mother-in-law was ecstatic. What is going on?

　　Behind Hwayeong, Saebom’s jaw dropped when she saw Seunghwan clapping silently. “Wh-what is all this, Mother?”

　　“What is it? It’s a party to welcome our new family member!”

　　“A party…?” Out of the blue? A question mark floated over Saebom’s flustered face. It had been months since her wedding. Why were they suddenly celebrating with a banner and balloons?

　　Oblivious, Hwayeong wrapped an arm around her shoulders, her eyes glistening with tears. “Oh my goodness, I was so happy when I heard the news yesterday.”

　　“Excuse me…?”

　　“Anyway, this is just wonderful. From now on, you must only see and hear beautiful things. Do you understand?” Overcome with emotion, Hwayeong hugged her tightly, then grabbed her wrist. “Come here for a second. I have something to show you.”

　　“What? Right now?”

　　Saebom let herself be pulled toward a room on the second floor. She had no idea what was happening, but it seemed best to go along with it.

　　“Ta-da! I decorated it in a hurry after hearing the news yesterday. What do you think? It’s a bit lacking since I only had a day, but I wanted to do at least this much.”

　　Saebom’s jaw dropped. The room was decorated with a baby cradle and a mobile. It hardly looked like the work of a single day; it was perfectly equipped with everything needed to raise a child. Oh my god.

　　She swallowed her bewilderment, clutching the stuffed animal Hwayeong had handed her. “Mother, what is all this…?”

　　“What do you mean? Our grandchild will be here soon. We have to be prepared.”

　　“What? Grandchild?”

　　“I heard all about it. I heard you’re pregnant!”

　　Pregnant? Clutching the stuffed rabbit, Saebom gaped. She couldn’t hide her utter bafflement at this news of a pregnancy she knew nothing about.

　　“What? Me? Pregnant…?”

　　“Yes! Jihun told me all about it at the party yesterday!”

　　Saebom instinctively looked down at her stomach, then back up at her in-laws. Pregnant? How can I be pregnant without knowing it? Flustered, she blinked rapidly. She had never said a word about being pregnant. How had things gotten this far? Haha.

　　Feeling profoundly awkward, she offered them both an embarrassed smile.

* * *

　　Late that evening, after dinner at her in-laws’, Saebom returned home, a hollow smile on her face. Fortunately, her explanation had cleared up the pregnancy commotion, but an awkward discomfort lingered. She felt bad for disappointing her parents-in-law after they had been so excited.

　　Holding her coat, she paused on her way to the dressing room and turned to Jihun. “So, you thought I was pregnant, too?”

　　“Uh…? Uh, no. I…” Jihun, who had been silent, trailed off, startled.

　　From his flustered reaction, Saebom knew he had been secretly hoping for it. Come to think of it, he had been staring at her so intensely in the car. It was a gaze filled with twice the usual affection. She hid a smile as he avoided her eyes. The way he’d mistaken her seasonal illness for a pregnancy was cute, but she also felt a pang of sympathy for his disappointment.

　　“So, what did the doctor say was wrong with you?” he finally asked.

　　“Just a lowered immune system. I caught a bug. The doctor told me to eat plenty of vitamins, probiotics, and fruit.”

　　“Ah…” Jihun nodded in understanding.

　　“But I really had no idea,” Saebom said, a note of wonder in her voice. “I didn’t know everyone was hoping for it so much.” She looked up at him, her face apologetic.

　　He waved his hands dismissively. “No, don’t worry about it. I never said I wanted a child that badly. I’m happy with just the two of us. Don’t feel pressured by what happened today.”

　　She knew he was only saying that for her sake. Draping her coat over a dining chair, Saebom closed the distance between them.

　　“Why?” she murmured, her voice turning seductive. “I want one.”

　　“Huh?”

　　“I want to have your baby.” She grinned, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “So, should we give it a real try tonight? Even if we conceive now, it’ll be ten months before we meet them, anyway.”

　　She smiled, repeating the very words he had said on their honeymoon. They had been putting off the conversation, using their busy lives as an excuse, but maybe it was time. She looked up at him, watching his stunned expression, and tossed out a little bait.

　　“Well, if you don’t want to, that’s fine. I suppose I’ll just go take a show—”

　　“No! I want to. I want to very, very much.”

　　As if afraid she’d change her mind, he cupped her face and lowered his head. Saebom met his kiss, her arms winding around his neck, happiness bubbling up inside her until it filled every part of her being.