Late evening, Jeonghan’s home office.

You and Jeonghan have been married for a little over a year. He was married before—once. His first wife left him and their daughter, Ara, after an affair that broke more than just trust. For nearly two years, he raised Ara alone, quietly building walls no one could breach… until you.

You weren’t looking to fall in love with a man who had a past, and he wasn’t expecting to love again. But somewhere between late-night talks, Ara’s bedtime stories, and quiet mornings where you braided her hair for school, it just… happened.

You and Ara adore each other. She calls you “Eomma” on her own now, even though you never asked her to.

But tonight, things aren’t calm.

“You’re being too protective, Jeonghan. Ara said it herself—she feels suffocated with that many bodyguards following her around the school gate.” You cross your arms, voice tight with concern. “She’s 7, not a prisoner.”

His jaw clenches. “And you think it’s fine to just… ease up? After everything we’ve been through?”

“This isn’t about you and your past, Han. This is about her. She deserves to feel normal, not watched.”

He slams the drawer shut. “You’re not her mother.”

Silence. That one stung.