Chapter 48…………………………..

Inside the pot where steam was rising in soft curls were shrimp, clams, crab, and squid, packed to the brim.

The two of them picked up their spoons. Hana scooped up some broth and carefully brought it to her lips.

The rich, spicy flavor spread through her mouth.

Hana’s eyes sparkled.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s really good.”

“Eat a lot. You must be tired from walking.”

“Okay.”

While they ate, their conversation continued naturally.

“Have you come to the sea often?”

Hana asked.

“When I was a kid, I came a lot. With my parents.”

Geon-woo said as he set down his chopsticks.

“Every summer vacation we’d go see the ocean. My father liked the sea.”

“I see.”

“What about you?”

“Me too.”

Hana hesitated briefly before answering.

“I came often too. I really like the ocean.”

She turned her gaze back out the window. Sunlight sparkled and shattered across the surface of the waves.

Geon-woo watched her for a moment.

I didn’t know she liked the sea this much.

It was something new he had learned about Hana.

Even after they finished eating and stepped outside, the sea breeze was still soft. Their stomachs were full, and they felt good.

The two of them headed back toward the beach.

This time they walked in silence, simply looking at the sea. Everything felt peaceful.

Time seemed to flow slowly.

The awkwardness between them also melted away little by little.

The sun began to tilt toward the west. The sky turned orange, and the sea took on a golden glow.

They walked toward the breakwater.

It was a long, narrow path of cement. Every time the waves crashed against it, white spray burst upward.

“Walk carefully.”

Geon-woo said as he went ahead.

“Okay.”

Hana stepped forward slowly. The cement beneath her feet was slightly wet, probably from the waves splashing up.

Walking carefully, she finally reached the end of the breakwater. The sea surrounded them on all sides. Hana stood there absentmindedly for a moment, taking in the wide-open view. Geon-woo stood beside her.

The wind grew stronger. Hana wrapped her arms around herself. Geon-woo glanced at her.

“Are you cold?”

“…A little.”

Without saying anything, Geon-woo took off his coat.

“Put this on.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Hana waved her hands to refuse, but Geon-woo quietly draped his coat over her shoulders.

“Really, I’m fine…”

But he had already fastened the coat around her.

“Better now?”

Hana was momentarily speechless.

“…Yes. It’s warm.”

At that moment, her face grew hot. The warmth of Geon-woo’s body lingered in the coat. A faint scent and gentle warmth seeped deep into her chest.

The two of them looked back out at the sea.

After a moment, Geon-woo spoke quietly.

“Hana.”

“Yes.”

“How was today…?”

There was no teasing or lightness in his eyes—only sincerity. Hana looked at him for a moment, then smiled gently.

“It was nice.”

It was a short answer, but it held plenty of meaning.

“I’m glad I came.”

“That’s a relief.”

Geon-woo smiled slightly.

“I was worried you might feel burdened.”

“At first… I did.”

Hana admitted honestly.

“But once we came… it was better than I expected.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

She turned her gaze back toward the ocean.

“It’s been a really long time since I could just sit like this without thinking about anything.”

Geon-woo silently looked at her profile. Her hair fluttered in the wind, and the shoulders wrapped in his coat trembled slightly.

There was peace on her face.

She’s beautiful.

He thought to himself. If he said it out loud, it felt like the moment might break, so he simply watched her quietly.

And at that moment, words he had been holding deep inside his heart began to rise up.

If he didn’t say them now, it felt like today’s sea and this warm moment would mean nothing.

Geon-woo slowly opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

It was a small, low voice. But countless emotions were tangled within that single sentence.

Hana turned her head and looked at him. His eyes were serious, filled with sincerity. The smiles and calm expressions he had shown until now seemed to dissolve into that one apology.

“About my mother.”

His voice grew even quieter.

“I should have noticed.”

He paused for a moment, as if steadying his breath. After looking at the sea once more, he continued slowly.

“It’s all my fault. I’m really… sorry.”

Hana couldn’t say anything. The ocean before her blurred slightly. The wind blew, but she simply stood there.

“From now on… no matter what happens, I won’t let something like that happen again.”

When he finished speaking, the sound of the waves crashed loudly.

A long silence flowed between them.

Hana slowly lowered her head, then turned her gaze toward the sea again. Far away, the sunset was falling beyond the horizon.

Geon-woo also looked out at the sea. Neither of them said anything.

Strangely, though, the silence between them today didn’t feel heavy.

Instead, it felt like their hearts were becoming a little lighter.

It felt as though the heavy stone resting on their chests was slowly sinking to the bottom.

“And…”

Geon-woo continued carefully. Hesitation filled his voice.

“Until now… the way I treated you carelessly… I’m sorry about that too.”

He paused again and lowered his head. The wind brushed through his hair and tickled his face, but he couldn’t lift his head.

“I mean it. No matter how complicated my feelings were… I shouldn’t have expressed them like that.”

His voice trembled.

After a short silence, as if he were steadying his breath, he whispered softly.

“I was just… angry. I was hurt… and I think I didn’t even think about your feelings. I’m sorry. Really.”

Hana slowly turned to look at him.

He had an expression she had never seen before.

Embarrassment, regret, and sincerity mixed together on his face.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”

Geon-woo said quietly.

“I don’t even deserve that.”

“……”

“I’m just… really sorry.”

That was the last thing he said.

Hana looked at him silently, then gave a small nod. She didn’t know what to say or how to respond.

Only the wind filled the space between them.

And so the two of them stood there for a long time, silently looking out at the same sea.

Serin lay on her bed, slowly scrolling through her phone screen, letting time pass absentmindedly.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains and softly illuminated the room.

On a relaxed weekend morning, she scrolled through her contacts without much thought until her finger naturally stopped on one name.

[Madam]

The moment she saw that name, she found herself pressing the call button.

The ringtone sounded several times. A brief silence passed between the familiar connection tones.

Then—

“Hello?”

It was Mi-suk’s voice—familiar, yet somehow distant.

“Mother, it’s me.”

“…Ah, Serin.”

“Do you have time today? I was thinking we could have lunch together for the first time in a while.”

“Lunch?”

“Yes! There’s a restaurant that just opened yesterday. I thought you might like it.”

A short silence followed.

Then a low, firm voice spoke.

“…Serin.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but I think it’ll be difficult for us to meet for a while.”

Serin’s expression froze.

“…What?”

She asked for the reason.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“Geon-woo and Hana aren’t even divorced yet.”

Mi-suk’s tone was firm.

“If the two of us keep going out together, people might start talking.”

“…But—”

“It wouldn’t hurt for us to be careful. Don’t you think?”

Her voice was calm but resolute. It was no longer the warm tone that used to call her ‘our Serin.’

“I’ll contact you later. I’m sorry.”

Click—

The call ended.

Serin remained frozen, holding the phone in her hand. Her mind went blank.