Taeho walked toward the kindergarten van with Hayul. Hayul, holding Taeho's hand, skipped along, seemingly in a good mood.
"Are you going to tend the garden at kindergarten today?"
"Yes······."
"You have to do it with a partner when you tend the garden. Who's your partner, Hayul?"
Taeho was subtly worried that Hayul, whose language development was slower than her peers, might be ostracized.
"Phew······."
Hayul let out a deep sigh.
Taeho's heart sank.
"Why? Won't the kids be your partner?"
"Taepyeong and Hyeonu keep fighting."
"Really? Why are they fighting?"
"They said they want to be partners with Hayul."
"Huh?"
"The kids said they want to be partners with Hayul. The teacher said to do it later. Taepyeong and Hyeonu fought. They won't yield."
"They're saying they both want to partner with you?"
"Yes."
"Really? Hahaha."
Taeho burst into light laughter before quickly putting on a serious expression.
"Ahem, no!"
"Huh?"
"Tell them they can't. Say you don't partner with just anyone. Those little rascals have an eye for people, wanting to partner with our Hayul······. Hahaha."
Hayul, wearing her small backpack, tilted her head. She couldn't understand why Uncle Bear was laughing.
"Director, hello? Hayul, hello?"
"Teacher, hello?"
The kindergarten teacher took Hayul, helped her into the car, and fastened her seatbelt. Hayul looked for Taeho outside the window.
"See you later, Hayul!"
"Yes!"
Hayul smiled brightly and waved her tiny hand.
Taeho smiled as he watched her.
How precious these ordinary moments were.
Seeing the child's bright smile warmed his heart naturally.
"Our Hayul has really grown up a lot."
Taeho murmured as he looked at Hayul.
Jeong Miyeong was quietly watching the scene from the window of the second-floor inpatient room.
The sight of Taeho getting into the car with Hayul.
The child smiling brightly.
Most of all, the deep sense of peace permeating Hayul's face.
Had Hayul ever smiled this brightly before? No matter how hard she searched her memories, nothing came to mind.
Jeong Miyeong had grown up in an unhappy household. Eager to escape, she married as soon as she became an adult. Her husband was a kind, shy young man she had met at the restaurant where she worked part-time.
After Hayul was born, her husband decided he needed to increase their income and started working in delivery. He left at dawn and returned late at night, but said if they worked hard for a few years, they could build a foundation. It was a happy time, even without money, because they had dreams.
But when Hayul was three, her husband was the victim of a hit-and-run. After ten months in a coma, he finally passed away in the hospital. She had emptied all their savings and even the deposit on their rented house to pay the medical bills.
After that, Jeong Miyeong sent Hayul to a 24-hour daycare and lived in a boarding house while working any job she could get.
She had always lived feeling chased by something, and the child had been anxious too. Thinking that Hayul's delayed development was her fault, she cried tears of guilt every time she saw her.
But now, complete peace was on Hayul's face. The certainty of being loved, the belief that she was safe, was clearly revealed.
Director Gang Taeho and Dr. Seong Gihwan were giving Hayul everything she had been unable to provide.
Jeong Miyeong's chest grew hot. Joy and sorrow washed over her simultaneously.
***
That evening, Taeho and Gihwan were having tea in the living room, going over their day.
Having just put Hayul to sleep, the two were conversing in quiet voices.
"Something interesting happened at Hayul's kindergarten today."
"What was it?"
"They pair up to tend the garden, and Taepyeong and Hyeonu fought over being Hayul's partner, apparently."
"Excuse me?"
"Both said they wanted to do it with Hayul. So the teacher decided they'll take turns being partners day by day. This week is Taepyeong, next week is Hyeonu, like that."
Gihwan's face contorted at Taeho's explanation. He seemed to mix wariness and bewilderment.
"Ha······ no way. I need to teach Hayul to be careful of boys."
"Mr. Gihwan, it's natural for kids to act like that."
"Natural? Hayul is still young and doesn't know, so we have to teach her."
As Gihwan spoke seriously, Taeho struggled to hold back his laughter and said,
"Aren't you worrying too much?"
"It's not worry, it's prevention! Kids these days are quick, so we have to prepare in advance."
"Hayul needs to develop social skills normally too. It's important to get along with friends."
Gihwan thought for a moment and let out a sigh.
"That may be so, but······ our Hayul is so innocent that I'm worried."
"That innocence is Hayul's charm. Don't worry too much."
Taeho gave Gihwan's shoulder a light pat.
Gihwan still wore an uneasy expression.
Then the front door opened. Jeong Miyeong entered with a stiff face.
"I have something to tell you both."
"Please, have a seat over here."
Taeho and Gihwan offered her a seat.
Jeong Miyeong carefully sat at the edge of the sofa. She was silent for a moment, gripping her hands tightly. Then she slowly opened her mouth.
"Could you two······ adopt Hayul?"
"What did you say?"
Gihwan sprang up in surprise.
Taeho couldn't hide his flustered expression either.
"Miyeong, what are you suddenly saying······."
"I'm serious. It's the result of deep thought."
Jeong Miyeong said resolutely.
Gihwan sat back down and asked.
"Why, all of a sudden?"
Jeong Miyeong's voice trembled, but she was filled with conviction.
"I have no foundation. No house, no job, and I'm at a loss about how to live from here on. You two even paid the hospital bills for me."
Taeho cut in.
"Those things can be solved. Even if it takes time······."
"No. That's not the problem."
Jeong Miyeong shook her head.
Holding back tears, she continued.
"Would I have the energy to properly care for Hayul while working? Hayul is a child who needs special care. She has sensory hypersensitivity symptoms and needs to continue psychotherapy. I don't have the confidence to do all that by myself. Not economically, nor time-wise."
Jeong Miyeong said, looking at the two alternately.
"I've been watching how you two care for Hayul. I saw Hayul's face when the Director read her books—how comfortable she looked. And how happy she was when playing with Dr. Seong."
Gihwan's heart was conflicted.
On one hand, he was happy. At the thought of being able to stay with Hayul. But at the same time, he felt sorry. That the birth mother had to make such a painful decision.
Gihwan spoke cautiously.
"Miyeong. You really won't regret this?"
Jeong Miyeong gave a bitter smile.
Wiping her tears, she said.
"Right now, Hayul's happiness is the most important thing. And she looks happiest when she's with you two."
Taeho, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth carefully.
"Please take your time to think it over."
"No. I've already decided. I want to take legal steps as well."
"But when Hayul grows up and learns the truth······."
"Please explain it to her then. Tell her it was a decision Mom made because she loved Hayul."
Jeong Miyeong answered resolutely and firmly closed her mouth.
***
At 3 PM, the kindergarten van stopped in front of Geumsan Clinic.
Hayul got off with her backpack, taking quick steps.
The child ran excitedly toward the second-floor inpatient room of Geumsan Clinic as usual. She stopped.
Her mother's bed was neatly empty.
Hayul's eyes looking around the lobby grew anxious.
"Mom?"
The nanny came down to find Hayul.
"Hayul, come on up. Shall we go up and have a snack?"
"Where's Mommy?"
Hayul's voice grew smaller. For the past few days, Mom had always been there to greet Hayul when she returned from kindergarten. But today, she was nowhere to be seen.
"Mom!"
Hayul suddenly cried out and began looking around inside the hospital. The first-floor lobby, in front of the examination room, even the restroom.
"Mom!"
The child's voice gradually turned desperate.
"Mom's gone!"
Hayul's shoulders slumped. Tears began to well up in her large eyes.
"Mom······."
Hayul no longer cried out loud. Instead, she huddled her small body even tighter and quietly bowed her head. Tears fell down her cheeks, but instead of crying out loud, she bit her lips tightly.
"Mom is gone."
Hayul's voice was now close to a whisper.
The child walked to a corner by the wall, huddled her small body, and sat down. Hugging her knees to her chest, she bowed her head deeply.
The nanny felt as though her heart was being torn apart watching that sight. It hurt far more than if Hayul had cried loudly and thrown a tantrum; seeing her quietly despair and withdraw inwardly was much more heartbreaking.
It was pitiful that a child of merely seven had learned resignation.
"Hayul!"
A familiar voice was heard. Hayul stopped crying and turned her head.
Jeong Miyeong appeared, smiling alongside Nurse Bak Geumja.
"Mommy!"
Hayul escaped from the nanny's embrace and ran to Jeong Miyeong.
Jeong Miyeong hugged Hayul tightly. The child's small body was still trembling.
"I'm sorry, Hayul. Mommy went out for a moment because of something important."
Jeong Miyeong sat down, meeting Hayul at eye level.
"Hayul, Mommy has something important to tell you."
"Yes······?"
Hayul asked anxiously.
"Mommy is going to study from now on."
"Study?"
"Yes. I'm going to learn how to help people."
Hayul's eyes brightened slightly.
"But the school is a bit far away, so I won't be able to see Hayul every day."
Hayul's expression darkened again.
"But I'll come to see Hayul every Saturday and Sunday to play together. I promise."
"Really?"
"Really. And just one year. If you wait just one year, Mommy will finish studying and we can live together again."
"Really?"
Hayul asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes. Can Hayul wait?"
"Yes!"
Hayul finally smiled brightly. Tear streaks still remained, but her face was full of hope.
Miyeong hugged Hayul tightly again. This time, it was an embrace of relief.
Shortly after, Jeong Miyeong found Taeho's consultation room.
"Director."
"Please come in."
As soon as Jeong Miyeong entered, she bowed her head deeply.
"Director. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity I couldn't have dreamed of. Supporting my tuition and living expenses for a year······."
"It means you should study harder instead of spending time working part-time to earn living expenses. You are Geumsan Clinic's first scholarship student. Once you obtain your nursing assistant certification, you'll work together with us at Samcheok Emergency Center."
"Samcheok Emergency Center?"
"Yes. The former Samcheok Medical Center has been remodeled and opens next week."
Jeong Miyeong's eyes widened, and soon tears rolled down her cheeks.
Hayul takes after her mother.
Taeho smiled awkwardly as he watched Jeong Miyeong crying without saying a word.
"Well, it's a good thing for me too. It's hard to find medical staff. Especially someone trustworthy is even harder to find."
"I don't know anything, though. Will I be okay?"
"You've endured difficult times, Miyeong. That experience will be a great help in understanding patients."
"I'll work hard. I'll work really hard and help many other people."
Taeho nodded.
"Promise me just one thing."
"Yes, anything."
"Keep your promise to Hayul. Come every weekend and spend time with the child."
"Of course I'll keep it. That's what I want more than anything."
Jeong Miyeong left Geumsan Clinic by bus. She had decided to get a room in a boarding house in Gangneung, where the nursing school was.
For the first time, she made a concrete plan for the future.
In one year, obtain her nursing assistant qualification. Work at Samcheok Emergency Center. Live in a small house with Hayul.
A life where she no longer had to run away. A life where she could work proudly and raise her child.
Jeong Miyeong murmured.
"Hayul. Mommy will become a really good person and come back. Please wait for me."