Areum is examining herself in front of her dressing table mirror. She holds her cheeks, which have become warm again as she recalls Saga's statement about not wanting children, shared with both of his in-laws. Areum takes a deep breath and pats her cheeks.

"Come on, Kang Areum! The most important thing is Saga's life. After all, there has never been a plan for having children since the beginning of your marriage," Areum monologues, strengthening herself, though deep down, Areum is sad because she secretly wants to have children with Saga.

"Why are you talking to yourself?" Saga suddenly questions when he enters the room, surprising Areum. Areum massages her chest gently, then turns to Saga, standing at the doorway with a puzzled expression.

"Hey! Can't you at least knock before entering the room? You startled me," Areum says, annoyed.

Saga raises his eyebrows in confusion; isn't this their shared room? Why should he knock?

"This is our room, Areum. Why should I knock?" Saga asks, puzzled.

Areum is momentarily silent, cursing her foolishness. Shortly after, she looked back at Saga and let out a soft snort. "Still, you surprised me!"

Areum stands up from her seat and leaves the room, letting Saga look at her, puzzled. Saga rubs the back of his head and shrugs.

Saga and Areum are now in the car, on their way to the new mall opened by Tae Jun. Saga feels a bit strange because, since morning, his wife hasn't spoken much. Even now, Areum looks out the window without conversing with Saga.

Occasionally, Saga glances at Areum with a puzzled frown. Saga clears his throat and makes Areum glance at him briefly. With no response from Areum, Saga clears his throat again, making Areum look directly at him.

"Are you thirsty?" Areum asks.

"Yeah," Saga replies shortly.

With little conversation, Areum opened the dashboard and took out a bottle of mineral water. She hands it to Saga after unscrewing the cap. "Drink!"

Saga looks at his wife and takes the bottle of mineral water. After taking a sip, Saga hands the bottle back to Areum. She closes the bottle, and Saga glances at her again before sighing softly.

"Why? What's wrong?" Saga asks.

"Why what?" Areum replies with a question.

"Come on, why are you talking in riddles?" Saga retorts.

Areum waits to answer. She looks at Saga and then lowers her head. "I'm not... it's nothing."

"Then why have you been so quiet all day?" Saga inquires.

"Not really, maybe I'm just tired."

"Areum!"

"Yes?"

"Yes!" Saga finally loses his patience and raises his voice at Areum. She is surprised and looks at Saga with wide eyes in disbelief. Realizing his folly, Saga bites his lip and quickly signals the turn signal. Saga pulls over the car and looks at Areum with a guilty expression.

"Sorry for snapping at you. You startled me," Saga apologizes remorsefully.

Areum remains silent, not responding to Saga's apology. She takes a deep breath and turns her face away. "We might be late, Saga-ssi. We should continue our journey."

Saga sighs in frustration, realizing that Areum must be angry with him now. He continues to stare at Areum and grips the steering wheel tightly.

---
Several days have passed since the misunderstanding involving Areum's and Saga's parents about Areum's pregnancy. However, it turns out that this hasn't made Areum forget about Saga, who insisted on not wanting children then. Today, Areum and Saga visit Mr and Mrs Min. Both in-laws still appear disappointed but remain polite, seemingly careful of Areum's feelings, following Saga's request.

"Enjoy your meal!" Areum says briefly after preparing dinner for Saga. Areum then walks away from the dining room while Saga continues to observe Areum, who is now entering her room. Saga sighs heavily and rubs his face in frustration.

Sometime later, Areum leaves her room and finds Saga sitting in the living room. "He has finished eating," Areum thinks as she heads towards the dining area.

Areum is taken aback when she sees the dining table exactly as she left it earlier. The dishes she prepared are untouched. Areum quickly walks to the living room and stands beside Saga, engrossed in his iPad.

"Why aren't you eating?" Areum asks.

"Not hungry," Saga replies shortly.

"You didn't eat anything at Eommonim's house either. Why say you're not hungry?"

"Just not hungry. What can I do?" Saga responds without looking at his wife. Areum takes a deep breath and catches Saga's hand just as he is about to change the TV channel.

"Saga-ssi, did I make a mistake? Why the food strike?" Areum asks.

Saga remains silent and releases his hand from Areum's grip. He looks intently at Areum and stands up.
"Isn't it me who made a mistake towards you? That's why you're ignoring me and even letting me eat alone?" Saga questions.

Areum stays silent, looking at Saga intently and unsure how to respond. She can't say that she now wants to have a child, contrary to their parents' expectations. Even though Saga claims not to divorce Areum as per their previous contract, he still desires a child-free life.

"Look! You're silent again. I'm not a mind reader who knows my own mistakes. So, I ask you, please tell me what my mistake is that makes you so quiet!" Saga pleads.

Areum remains silent and continues to gaze at her husband. Areum takes a deep breath and then gently takes Saga's hand.
"You haven't made any mistakes. I'm sorry if I've been silent. Maybe I'm just tired. Let's have dinner together! I'll keep you company, Saga-ssi," Areum says again softly.

Saga doesn't respond and doesn't accept Areum's invitation. Instead, he continues to stare at Areum intently and sighs heavily.
I made a mistake that I wasn't aware of. Can't you tell me?" Saga requests again.

Areum forces herself to smile, shaking her head slowly. "There's nothing, Saga-ssi. Trust me! Let's eat!"
Areum then leads Saga to the dining table so her husband doesn't question what is on Areum's mind.

"Your well-being is more important to me. I can think about and forget the child issue," Areum thinks to herself.
***
Tae Jun has just entered his room. He loosens his tie somewhat harshly and throws himself forcefully onto the bed. He covers his face with his arms, and after a few seconds, Tae Jun lowers his hands and gazes at the ceiling of his room. For some reason, he finds himself thinking about Areum.

"Why does that girl keep filling my thoughts? You're crazy, Min Tae Jun!" Tae Jun monologues.

Tae Jun falls silent again, preoccupied with thoughts of Areum. His contemplation is interrupted when his phone rings. Tae Jun answers the call but remains silent, listening to the reports from his subordinates.

He sighs and closes his eyes slowly. After a few seconds, Tae Jun opens his eyes again.

"Just keep following and monitoring both of them. Wait for my next orders!"

Tae Jun then lowers his phone onto the bed and looks at the wall where there's a family photo. In the picture, he stands alongside Saga, and their parents are seated in front of them.
***