Episode 8
When Haena turned around in surprise, it was just Uiryeong unni standing there.
“Miss…”
“Ah! N-no, that’s not what I meant…!”
Haena was about to explain that she wasn’t missing that cold-hearted director, but her real mom and dad—but she
quickly closed her mouth.
No, wait. It’s okay for a kid to miss her parents. No need to explain.
“I’m sorry… I was just… talking to myself.”
“No, Miss! Why are you apologizing?!”
Uiryeong ran over and hugged Haena tightly.
Haena was startled by the sudden warmth but slowly reached out and hugged her back.
“I understand how you feel, Miss. Of course you miss your mom and dad… You’re at an age where parents mean the
most in the whole world…”
Haena didn’t answer.
Even when she was thirty-two, her parents were the most important people to her.
And that would probably never change.
“The director may seem cold, but that’s not how he really feels.
He’s doing it all because he cares about you… Can you wait just a little longer?”
“Father, really?”
He didn’t seem like that kind of person at all.
He looked like the type who’d bleed gold instead of blood if you stabbed him.
“Yes. He may not express it well, but he’s always worried about you.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. He just doesn’t want you to get hurt or upset. That’s why he acts that way.”
Hearing that, a small doubt formed in Haena’s heart.
Uiryeong didn’t seem like the type to lie.
She honestly felt like the only warm person in this cold Hong family.
Still…
Then what was that attitude earlier, huh?
If only she had the original Hong Haena’s memories, she could understand this family better.
But in the novel The Chaebol’s Way of Love, the villain Hong Haena wasn’t described in detail.
That meant she didn’t know anything about her past pain or the family’s secrets.
Haena let out a big sigh and nodded.
Yeah… nothing ever comes easy.
“Alright, nanny. I’ll try to wait.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Uiryeong gently patted Haena’s head and held her hand tightly.
“Oh! Miss, if you feel ready… the director and chairman are having dinner together.
Would you like to join them?”
Hmm.
Haena thought about it and asked back,
“Nanny, do you think they’ll hate me if I don’t go?”
“Huh?! Of course not, Miss!”
“Then… will it make things worse between us if I don’t go?”
Uiryeong started sweating nervously from Haena’s strange questions.
At the same time, she felt even more pity for the girl.
Miss… you’ve never said it out loud, but you must’ve been walking on eggshells around your family all this time…
Even Uiryeong thought the Hong men were cold and hard to approach.
They were never the type to show affection openly or shower Haena with love.
But that didn’t mean they hated her.
They loved Haena—in their own clumsy way.
…At least, that’s what Uiryeong believed.
“Then I won’t go.”
“!”
Haena smiled brightly.
Because it was after 6 PM, and this counted as overtime.
No thank you to unpaid late-night shifts.
No thank you to last-minute dinner meetings either.
Unless it’s absolutely necessary!
Haena had officially decided to treat Chairman Hong and Director Hong like annoying, picky bosses.
“…Haena said she’ll eat dinner in her room?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Uiryeong cautiously watched Chairman Hong’s expression, worried he might get upset.
And sure enough, he looked disappointed but didn’t say anything and turned his head away.
“Then I guess it’s just the two of us.”
“Let’s eat.”
Ido’s eyes also flashed with a hint of sadness, but he didn’t show it.
Even Uiryeong could tell he was thinking, Yep. I expected this.
“You. Did you at least say hi to the kid?”
“Yes.”
Chairman Hong clicked his tongue at his son’s emotionless reply.
“She didn’t faint or cry again?”
“She didn’t today.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I guess she’s a little more stable since you’ve been gone.”
The chairman seemed a bit more at ease as he took a bite of rice.
He’d been worried too.
Haena crying and fainting just from seeing her dad had been a big concern for the whole family.
“Maybe I should stay away more often.”
“If that’s what keeps her calm, then yes.”
Chairman Hong nodded like it was obvious.
“She does seem brighter lately.”
“…Really?”
“She talks like some weird grown-up now.
The therapist says it’s probably because she’s been stuck at home watching too many dramas.
Apparently, kids her age like to copy adults, so it’s not a huge concern—but we should keep an eye on it.”
A kid talking like a grown-up?
That actually sounded really cute.
Ido couldn’t hide how disappointed he felt.
Why didn’t Haena show him that cute side?
Does she really hate her dad that much…?
“Ever since her mother passed, she hasn’t been herself…
But if this helps her get back on track, maybe we should just let it be.”
“…Yes.”
Ido pulled himself together.
It wasn’t important for Haena to act cute around him.
All she needed to do was grow up healthy and happy. That was it.
“She’s still acting like a brat with kids her age, though.”
“Did something happen?”
“Cheongyoung Group’s grandsons came over, and Haena made one of them cry—again.”
Ido just chuckled quietly.
Like father, like daughter—she never lost to anyone.
“I’m worried. If she keeps making every boy she meets cry, who’s gonna marry her?”
“Haena doesn’t have to get married.”
“What? What kind of nonsense is that?
Of course she needs to meet a good man and start a stable family!
That’s just how humans are meant to live. Man or woman—everyone needs a family.”
Chairman Hong’s narrow-minded opinion made Ido sigh and wipe his mouth.
“I don’t agree.
You know I married Surin and followed that exact path… and we weren’t happy.”
“People don’t need a family to be happy.
They need to live how they want to be happy.”
Ido looked calmly at his father.
“And I want Haena to live the life she wants.”
“You think I’ll just allow that? If you let people do whatever they want, they become lazy and foolish!”
“Haena can do whatever she wants.”
Ido spoke more firmly than ever.
“As long as it makes her happy, Haena can do anything.
Because I’ll be there to protect her.”
“You brat…”
Chairman Hong frowned, clearly unhappy.
“You think that’s the right answer? You think happiness is everything?
No. Adults are supposed to guide children, teach them discipline, shape them into proper people!”
“That’s exactly how you raised me, Father.”
Ido said it plainly.
“But that didn’t make me happy.”
Chairman Hong flinched—but didn’t argue back.
“I just want Haena to be healthy and happy.
As long as she doesn’t hurt herself, I’ll let her do anything.”
“Hong Ido!”
“Please don’t try to control her.
Don’t interfere with Haena’s choices.”
“You… You don’t know how dangerous that thinking is!
If Haena goes the wrong way, do you realize how much damage she could cause?
Think about the influence she’ll have!”
“I don’t care about other people.”
Ido slowly stood up.
“When Haena almost died because of me, I made a promise to myself.”
For the first time, Chairman Hong saw his son defying him.
He was shocked—but said nothing.
“No matter what happens… I’ll protect Haena.”
And in that moment, it was clear from Ido’s eyes:
He meant every word.
