“This is so delicious!”
Kate’s eyes sparkled for a brief moment as she took a bite of the chocolate cake served as dessert after the main course.
At Vendia’s gentle persuasion to spend just one day for herself, Kate had finally agreed to go out for the first time in ages.
Her baby was being looked after by Sasha, one of Vendia’s people. Not only that—thanks to Vendia, she had changed into a pretty dress and even put on makeup. Now, she was sitting in a lovely restaurant.
It felt like a total reset.
She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d done anything for herself—she’d been working nonstop and taking care of her baby all day, every day.
“Here, have some more.”
Vendia slid her own plate over to Kate.
Though Kate’s makeup masked most of it, the faint blue bruise under her eye was still visible.
That bruise hadn’t been there just a few days ago…
Which meant that bastard had laid hands on her again.
Vendia didn’t ask. She simply treated Kate like she always did—like nothing had happened. Because that’s probably what Kate wanted.
“Then I won’t say no. Thank you.”
Kate beamed as she pushed her empty plate aside and pulled Vendia’s plate toward herself.
“Kate, let’s do this more often.”
“Oh no, today is more than enough. I’m already grateful.”
Kate gave a small, soft smile.
It was a day of rediscovering a sense of peace and quiet joy she’d forgotten. A moment where she didn’t have to calm a crying baby or worry about feeding her child—a time spent entirely on herself.
But—
“I’ll just think of this as a midsummer night’s dream. Time to go back to reality.”
Kate set down her fork on the now-empty plate again.
“My family needs me.”
A flicker of bitterness passed through her eyes. Her husband and mother-in-law didn’t work, so Kate was the only one providing for the household.
If she didn’t work, they’d have no income. They’d starve.
And to make things worse, the store’s rent had just been raised by 40% a few days ago. That meant she’d have to work even harder. For her child—for Regen.
“Hohoho, baby! Order anything you want~”
That was the moment it happened.
A revolting, overly sweet voice rang out, making the hairs on Kate’s arms stand on end. Her entire body froze.
“A-Are you sure? I hear this place is kind of expensive…”
“Of course! Do you think I’d be scared of a little restaurant bill? You think I can’t afford to treat my baby? That hurts!”
The petulant voice of a middle-aged woman piped up.
The voices were coming from the table right behind Kate and Vendia’s.
Kate’s back was to them.
The thin partition between the tables didn’t muffle much, and the restaurant was quiet—so their entire conversation came through loud and clear.
“I didn’t mean it like that, ma’am. I was just worried… you’ve been pushing yourself lately…”
“Pushing myself? Don’t be silly.”
“You know I’m, well… pretty good-looking. I don’t really date people who aren’t wealthy.”
“Oh, I know! I know! I’m very aware that a lot of people want a piece of my baby. I’ll work harder, okay?”
“I hate people who go into debt just to impress me.”
“I don’t have any debt! And baby, you know my shop is the most popular tart place in First District! That watch you liked—I’ll get it for you soon!”
The woman’s voice grew more desperate, trying to flatter the man as he questioned her with obvious doubt.
“That shop of yours probably doesn’t make enough to cover a watch like that. Do you have another plan?”
“Of course. I told my employee the rent’s gone up 40%. She’ll have to bake more and sell more. What else can she do?”
“Wait… The rent really went up 40%?”
“Hohoho~ baby, you’re so cute. Of course that was a lie. Our shop does so well, First District actually reduced our rent by 50%!”
The woman’s boastful voice oozed through the air. She was obviously trying to impress the man with how “smart” and “resourceful” she was.
Vendia calmly looked over at Kate.
“Are you okay?”
“…”
Kate didn’t respond.
Her hands, resting on the table, were trembling so hard they looked like they might break.
“You really landed yourself a good little sucker.”
“Right?! She’s so dumb she just does whatever I say. I don’t even have to teach her. Just rake in the money—hohoho!”
The woman’s voice was now shrill with laughter.
“Kate?”
Startled by Kate’s sudden movement, Vendia stood up from her seat.
Kate, who had been shaking like a leaf, suddenly stood and strode away without a word.
“Here, baby, I bought this for you. I thought it’d suit—”
The woman, dressed in expensive clothes and heavy makeup, was grinning at the man when she noticed Kate approaching and turned her head.
“…Who—oh my! Kate?”
It took her a moment to recognize her daughter-in-law, standing right next to her.
“Mother.”
“Wh-What are you doing here?! And what on earth are you wearing?!”
“You told me the rent went up by 40%. You said I had to work harder to make up for it.”
Kate’s voice trembled with fury as she spoke.
“Th-That’s…”
“You never told me about the rent decrease either.”
“Wh-What nonsense are you spewing?! Shouldn’t you be at the store preparing for tomorrow? And what about your kid?! You’re a mother—you shouldn’t be wandering around like this!”
“…”
Kate stared at her with a blank expression.
Unlike herself, who hadn’t had a moment to care for her appearance, her mother-in-law’s skin glowed with luxury.
Not a single bruise, not a crack on her lips. Red lipstick perfectly applied. Fingers adorned with glimmering, expensive rings.
While Kate’s hands—burned and cracked from baking tarts—had never worn a single ring.
Her eyes shifted to the table.
Inside a small gift box lay a fancy tie pin. Something her mother-in-law had just gifted to the man sitting across from her.
Kate had earned that money. Working nonstop, even just days after giving birth, serving customer after customer—money she had never even touched.
“I’m an employee? I’m your daughter-in-law! And that’s not just my child—it’s your son’s child too!”
Kate finally snapped. Tears streamed down her face as she shouted.
All the pain and resentment she had bottled up until now came pouring out.
“And who do you think you’re yelling at?! This is what happens with girls raised without parents. What a mistake it was letting someone like you into our family!”
Her mother-in-law’s voice was full of contempt.
Kate, biting her lip, turned sharply and walked away—eyes bloodshot, hands clenched into fists.
“You brat! You better stop right there! Where do you think that dress came from?!”
Even as she left, her mother-in-law’s shrill voice chased after her.
Kate made her way quickly toward the exit, desperate to leave this place—when the door opened, and a couple walked in.
“We have a family dinner voucher—are you two family?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Just seat us already. Can’t you see my wife is pregnant and having trouble walking?”
The manager looked at the voucher and asked, to which the man replied curtly, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Sweetie, don’t scare the staff.”
The young, beautiful wife rubbed her pregnant belly and leaned into her husband.
“Sorry, baby.”
The man’s grumpy face softened as he looked at her lovingly and lowered his head to her round belly.
“Our little gift, Daddy’s sorry.”
They looked like the picture of a happy couple expecting a baby.
Kate—her face pale—stepped in front of them.
The sudden shadow startled the couple, and they looked up.
“Y-You?! What are you doing here…”
The man’s eyes widened in shock.
“You…”
Kate couldn’t finish her sentence.
Her eyes swam with emotion, like a ship caught in a storm.
Because that man—the husband of the pregnant woman—was Kate’s husband.
