* * *

There was no time to wonder why her body healed.

She only thought about Kongja, who must have been very scared.

As she stood up to leave, her baby angel was pouting with a messy face.

‘Honestly, I was surprised.’

A child who rarely cried had burst into sobs.

When the baby called out “Mama” while crying, Soo-jung realized.

‘Kongja isn’t crying because he’s scared.’

He was crying because he thought she was hurt and was worried about her.

Soo-jung stroked Kongja’s cheek. His chubby cheeks were softer than cream puffs.

“Did you cry because you were afraid mommy would get hurt?”

She let out a long sigh. Auntie An, watching them, said.

“To me, it seems both you and Kongja are fine.”

“I think so too. I know my body best. I’m okay.”

But there was still something bothering her.

“Auntie An, do you know?”

“Know what?”

“I’ve lived my life as I pleased.”

That was something Auntie An knew well. She nodded.

“You’ve lived quite boldly, ma’am.”

“I’m not really afraid of getting hurt.”

She loved action.

Her body was naturally light, and she enjoyed learning new things.

She had her share of minor injuries, but they healed quickly.

“But I think I need to be more careful now.”

She was astonished that someone was so shocked when she got hurt.

“You, ma’am?”

“I didn’t expect Kongja to cry so desperately because I got hurt.”

“This little one cares about you.”

“Yes. It’s the first time.”

Soo-jung stroked her angel.

“I didn’t realize I could make someone worry like this.”

“Ma’am.”

“And there’s no one for Kongja but me.”

It was so obvious. She only realized it now.

Soo-jung sighed.

Responsibility.

She thought she understood it well, but she only truly realized it now.

“Miss, you’ve grown up,” Auntie An remarked with a slight smile.

“Indeed, better late than never, right?”

Ma Soo-jung responded, also smiling a bit.

“That’s so like you, Miss, not thinking it’s too late.”

Ma Soo-jung lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Since I’m at it, maybe I should grow up a bit more?”

“Huh? What do you mean, Miss?” Auntie An asked, puzzled.

“It just occurred to me. There’s someone else I need to take responsibility for.”

Auntie An closed her mouth, understanding the implication.

“Marie.”

Ma Soo-jung sighed.

“Well, it still hurts that she said she would hate me forever.”

“Miss,” Auntie An began, but Ma Soo-jung cut her off.

“Even if she doesn’t want to see you, you should still see her.”

The little Kongja slept soundly.

Ma Soo-jung whispered softly, “Now that I think about it, I should have asked her why.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“I was too shocked, and she was screaming so much I couldn’t do anything. I was more worried about her getting a fever from all the screaming. And she did.”

“Marie does have a temper.”

“I wonder who she got it from.”

Auntie An smiled a bit, knowing well the source of Marie’s temperament.

“It’s been a long day,” Ma Soo-jung said, stroking the little Kongja’s cheek. “Have sweet dreams, my little Kongja.”

Auntie An placed the Kongja in a safe cradle. Ma Soo-jung got up from the bed and picked up her phone.

“Miss?”

“I’m going to contact Marie.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Ma Soo-jung smiled slightly.

“The old me would have run away. But these past few days, I don’t want to avoid things anymore. Strange, isn’t it? I’ve become a bit bolder lately.”

Auntie An chuckled, wholeheartedly agreeing.

“You’ve always been a bit bold, but you’re definitely more intense these days.”

Ma Soo-jung took a deep breath, looking at her phone.

Auntie An approached and held her hand.

“Marie must have been waiting too.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, of course. You’re her mother.”

Ma Soo-jung swiped the screen again.

The ringing seemed longer today.

Soon, a small voice was heard on the other end of the line.

Auntie An quietly withdrew and looked out the window.

Despite the turmoil, it was a quiet night.

* * *

“Ah, I feel alive,” Grandma said, pressing her nose to my head, inhaling deeply as if her nose had just been freed from a blockage.

‘She seems like a complete addict…’

I thought, looking around to make sure no one else was watching.

Unfortunately, there was no one else to witness this.

‘Someone should really know about Grandma’s behavior. It would change my standing in this household.’

Grandma breathed in the scent of lemongrass deeply.

“Ah, my headache is easing.”

Is that so?

Then please come and see me more often.

I smiled brightly.

Grandma glared at me.

“Don’t get cocky just because I like your scent.”

Ah, I’ve been caught.

“No matter how much I like it, if you get in the way, I’ll get rid of you.”

Grandma grumbled more.

As expected.

‘This isn’t easy.’

Little things seemed to work, but she never fully came around.

‘I’ve got a long way to go.’

Several months had passed since the movie shoot.

Mom had gone out occasionally, but that was it.

‘Ah, no progress at all!’

Being a celebrity means constantly making progress, doesn’t it?

Shouldn’t the whole world know me at once?

‘Maybe that’s why my coins are stagnant too.’

I whispered softly, “Check coins!”

[Total Coins: 26,323]

They were steadily increasing, but not skyrocketing.

‘It’s been months since the shoot.’

The movie should be released soon.

I looked at the subtitles.

They still hadn’t shot up.

I heard a breath above me.

When I looked up, Grandma said, “What are you looking at? Ah, when is Soo-jung going to get rid of this kid?”

Oh no.

‘Grandma is also not making any progress.’

Hurry and become infatuated with me.

I raised my small hand. It was still tiny.

‘Eat, sleep, and poop.’

Isn’t that a waste of life? Just getting older without doing anything!

‘Of course, I’ve tried.’

I exercised.

Hating being a baby, I worked hard to strengthen my legs.

As a result, I managed to take my first steps.

Though, because of the “cost” from using the coins before, I fell after every ten steps.

‘Well, Auntie An’s reaction was funny.’

Auntie An took pictures, saying, “Kongja, let’s keep this a secret from Miss. She would be sad if she missed your first steps.”

A very convincing reason.

‘Mom is busy.’

I sighed.

Already troubled, Grandma kept spouting bad words.

“You’re nothing but a burden in Soo-jung’s life. It’s a good thing she finally came to her senses and is taking care of Marie.”

Marie?

Who was Marie again?

Before I could think, Grandma kept inhaling deeply and said, “The preview screening is in a few days. Will this movie do well? Why did she make such a horrid movie? Zombies, how degrading.”

Wait, Grandma?

‘Preview screening? Already?’

I didn’t know that ‘City of the Dead’ was to be released.

Wow.

I pressed my cheeks with both hands.

‘The time has come.’

Look at me, audience!

Please!

Grandma muttered, “Why is he like this? Stop trying to be cute. Being affectionate won’t work!”

This time it’s different!

Grandma continued grumbling.

I shook my head.

The road was still long.

Then, the door opened, and Auntie An hurried in.

“Madam, the Miss is coming.”

“Oh? Okay! Got it.”

Her words were calm, but her actions were not.

Grandma hurriedly grabbed her cane and left.

I tilted my head.

‘Why not just stay here until your daughter comes back?’

Grandma hurried out, saying, “Don’t tell her I was here.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Wow.

‘So it was a secret that you were coming to see me.’

I didn’t expect her to run away like this.

* * *