"Take responsibility. It's your baby."
"How do I know that's true?"
That wasn’t the response I expected. I thought he’d say something like “What?” or “You’re lying.” But I never imagined he’d speak so coldly.
"What did you say?"
"I said, how do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know you didn’t sleep with someone else a month ago?"
"..There was no one else.."
"What?"
"..I said, there wasn’t anyone else."
"What was that? I can’t hear you."
"You're the only one I slept with!!"
I sat on a wide sofa, holding a warm cup of tea.
What’s he going to say now? I was a little scared of what might come next.
What if he told me to get rid of it? I wasn’t confident, but… it’s a baby.
"..I’m going to keep it."
"What?"
Tears fell without me realizing. They say pregnancy messes with your hormones—I guess it’s already started. I placed my hand over my still-flat stomach and said,
"Hic… I’m going to have the baby… Don’t tell me to get rid of it…"
He seemed flustered and handed me his handkerchief.
I wiped my tears and held the handkerchief tightly.
"I’m not even asking you to raise the baby with me… But I’m still a new employee… If I have the baby, I might get fired… And then I won’t have any money… So even just some financial help would…"
"Who said you’d raise it alone?"
"Huh…?"
"I’ll take responsibility."
I didn’t expect this…
"Let’s get married."
"What?!?!"
"Marriage?! But I…"
"I’m surprised too. But this is my responsibility."
Then he began to explain.
The more I listened, the smaller I felt.
"As you might know, I’m an executive director at AJ Group. My father is the vice chairman of the group."
"So… you’re a chaebol third generation…"
"Well, that’s what people say."
At 27, I was about to marry into a chaebol family.
But… is this really okay?
"I work at H Company… I’m just a new employee. My parents are just ordinary folks…"
"Where do you live?"
Before I knew it, I was in a soft, plush car.
He said he’d take me home since I was pregnant, but I wasn’t even showing yet…
"You can drop me off at that corner."
"I asked where your house is. Should I just wait here if I ever need to come again?"
"No… Um, go two blocks past that convenience store…"
Why is he so cold even when offering a ride?
"I’ll come by again tomorrow. If we’re getting married, we should tell your parents, don’t you think?"
"Wait… Are you really going to marry me?"
"Yes."
Back at home, I collapsed onto the sofa and gently placed my hand on my still-flat stomach. With a trembling voice, I spoke.
"Hi, baby… I met your dad today, and he was really cold. But I want to raise you without lacking anything. I’m glad I spoke up. Right?"
I gently rubbed my belly and smiled faintly.
"I’m definitely going to have you. I’ll raise you with all the love I’ve got. Baby… I’ll love you so much, okay?"
And the night quietly passed.
The next morning, a black sedan was parked outside.
That must be his car.
"Get in."
The window rolled down, and there he was in the driver’s seat.
I thought there’d be a chauffeur…
"Good morning…"
"Morning."
"Um… where are we going now…?"
"Didn’t I say? To meet parents."
"Seriously..?!"
"Yes. Now, shall we—"
"Wait a second!!"