Obedient child [1]

When she was met with the sight of a small child the moment she opened her eyes, Sihyeon was surprised and moved slightly back.

The pain that permeated through her body caused her to groan.

"Fuck!"

Upon realization that a small child was beside her, her eyes widened, and apologetically staring at him, she spoke out, "Just pretend that you didn't hear that, all right?"

This was one of the things Sihyeon had seen from the adults around her when they cursed around children, and therefore, she replicated it.

The memories of yesterday were starting to flow inside her mind, and she was well aware of how the boy beside her was her child. 

In the presence of the five year old, she found herself being awkward and patted the back of her head. She didn't know how to act around him. 

How do I treat him?

Minjoon nodded.

Looking at how adorable he looked, she had the urge to let out a squeal and pinch his chubby cheeks. 

'No, you can't do that, Sihyeon. That doesn't seem like something a mother would do. Mother! Mother! Mother! Fuck! I became a mother overnight when I need my mother to live my life! How am I supposed to take care of a child when I am one myself?'

At that, Sihyeon tried to recall how her mother would treat her five year old. Although memories from that long were vague, there were few that came to her mind.

"So, do you go to school?" Sihyeon asked.

Minjoon blinked his eyes a couple of times, and there was a hint of confusion present in his eyes. His silence made her wonder whether or not she had asked something insensitive.

"Mommy, do you really not remember anything?" he softly questioned.

At that instant, her heart ached for the small child.

Min Sihyeon would feel terrible— even at her age— if her mother had lost her memories and became irresponsible. It was obvious that a five year old would be frightened.

It was akin to losing his mother!

"It seems that I don't," she vocalized.

Being placed in an awkward situation, she did not know how to lift the Minjoon's mood.

The silence caused her to speak up.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself? Although I can't take care of you— I mean, I can't even take care of myself— we will probably work something out. Why don't you start with your favorite things?"

After a second of hesitation, the boy nodded, and the corner of his lips curved to form a wide smile. Seeing that caused her heart to feel satisfaction, and an equally bright smile appeared on her face.

°°°

"Then, Yeonjun and I got into a fight. He was the one who started it, but I won because he started to cry first," Minjoon voiced out.

"You did a great job! Let me tell you that only in the elementary, you will be able to beat up someone without facing any consequences. 

That's why you should try to beat up everyone and get revenge because once you are older you wouldn't be able to do so.

There is this girl I wanted to beat up for years, but I was unable to do so because of the consequences. Now I can't even remember how things ended up for both of us. It would—Oh fuck!"

She exclaimed when she noticed the man standing near the door, and her heart almost jumped out her chest at the sight of Lee Hyunjin. 

She didn't even hear him enter the room.

The man was truly quite peculiar.

But after assessing his visuals, she could say that he was strikingly handsome— the one that made one's heart pound at first sight. Moreover, it appeared that he had a considerable amount of wealth as well.

It was truly shocking how someone as ordinary as she ended up marrying such an attractive man!

He probably would be perfect if it wasn't for that attitude of his! Maybe he had his own troubles about the situation, but wasn't she the most pitiful one?

When the realization struck her, she covered her mouth before saying, "Erase that from your mind as well."

Right then, she recalled the words she had discussed with Minjoon and wondered whether or not the man would take those to be a bad influence on his child.

Following her gaze, Minjoon turned back and spoke out, "Father!"

The man nodded before taking a few steps forward. Min Sihyeon stared at his lips, waiting for him to open them. 

But the man merely observed her silently.

That's why Sihyeon had taken it upon herself to speak up first.

"Mister, or do I call you Uncle? That won't be appropriate since we are married, right? I will just go with Mr. Lee. Is that fine?" she said.

Taking the silence as a sign of agreement, she continued, "Mr. Lee, I get that the situation is puzzling to you, but do understand that it is way more difficult for me— not that you have any reason to cater to my mood. 

However, it would be great if you could be a little more understanding of my situation. I mean, I am just nineteen— at least mentally— but here I am, married to an old man. You are not that old, but you get my point.

Look, I don't know how adults handle situations or how they are supposed to react, but please be aware that I am not in the mind to think like an adult now. 

That's why, since I am under your care for now— if that's not the case, take me back to my parents— you should do your job properly."

Min Sihyeon was proud of herself because of how well that came out to be although it was somewhat shameless in her opinion.

Lee Hyunjin remained silent for a moment before answering, "I apologize. I will pay more attention to it in the future."

'That didn't even sound sincere.'

Holding in her urge to roll her eyes, she said, "So, that means that you will answer my questions, right? I am not a patient person, and a fractured leg isn't enough to hold me back."

'Wow! Although you are bluffing, you are really cool, Sihyeon!'

Seeing his blank face, she wondered whether or not she will be given silent treatment this time around.

"I will try," he replied.

His words caused the corner of her lips to curve upwards, and a wide smile appeared on her face. That went smoother than she had expected. Originally, she thought that it would take more effort on her part.

Clapping both of her hands, she voiced out, "Now, if that's settled, can you get me some snacks? I am starving. 

The food here was too bland, and you were too inconsiderate as a caretaker to bring me something delicious. Don't misunderstand; I am not blaming you."

"That won't be appropriate for you," he said.

"Did the doctor say that? These doctors panic for no reason. I am pretty sure a few snacks won't do me no harm," Sihyeon stated— in hopes of convincing the man.

No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn't think of the detrimental effect the snacks would have on her. 

A fractured leg wasn't that much, and according to the doctor, the wound on her head and stomach wasn't that deep. The only serious consequence to this was her memory loss.

"Mom, you want to have snacks?" the little boy questioned. "I have some in my bag."

Seeing how the boy was about to open his bag, Sihyeon found herself being excited, but the realization sunk into her that the boy was her child. Thinking about it like that made her think herself as too shameless.

"That's fine," she said, "You can have them. Mr. Lee is right; it won't be proper for me to have snacks."

"You will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow," he said.

'This is sooner than I had expected!'

"That's great then!" she excitedly exclaimed.

Staying at a hospital room did not suit her in the first place, and now that she was allowed to get discharged early, there was no way she was going to decline!

Initially, she had thought that it would take her days, but luckily, that wasn't the case.

"The hospital is too unsafe," Lee Hyunjin voiced out, "You will be given better care at the mansion."

She nodded, and that's when, the realization had struck her, causing her to be shocked.

"A mansion!?" she exclaimed— a little too loudly.

'This man considers hospital to be unsafe and has a mansion? Care will be given to me there!? How rich is he!'

"Wow! Wow! Wow! Mr. Lee, you must be quite rich. I wonder how my future self married such a man like you. Damn! Are you sure that I am not in the parallel world? My luck was never that extraordinary," she stated, "This really makes me interested in our stories!"

Above all of that, Sihyeon was curious to know how she had fallen for such a stoic man like him; he most definitely did not appear to be type. She preferred men with a bubbly and friendly persona.

Lee Hyunjin possessed neither of those traits.

She then added, "You really don't talk much, do you? Nevermind then."

Both of them were utter opposites in this aspect.

Min Sihyeon was told— and was even reprimanded— from a young age that she talked way too much. However, this was a habit of hers that she wasn't able to correct.

Then, turning her gaze to the boy, she noticed that he stared at her eagerly and said, "Mom, can I stay with you tonight?"

His adorable face, when those words left his mouth, made her unable to refuse him. That anticipation in his eyes made her almost squeal. The boy was too cute for his own good!

The bed here was large enough for both of them to share. Even though Sihyeon never slept with a kid before, she was willing to give this a try for she did not have the heart to turn him down.

She nodded and voiced out, "Let's do that then."

"Return home for today. You can sleep later on," Lee Hyunjin said, bringing disappointment to two individuals.

"Why not? Isn't it just sleeping together?" she spoke out, showing her objection.

"Do you know how to take care of a child?" he asked, rendering her speechless.

"Mommy doesn't need to take care of me; I will be fine," Minjoon vocalized.

As much as she wanted to support his opinion, she noticed the intense stare of Hyunjin and decided to back away. She did not want to get into a problem for hurting his child.

"Let's do this some other time then," she stated, "Sleeping at the hospital bed is not comfortable after all."

The boy's expression turned downcast while he lowered his line of sight to stare at the ground, causing her chest to squeeze painfully. Nonetheless, the boy obediently nodded.

Seeing such an understanding child really surprised her for most kids she knew of his age was much more persistent and irritating. For a five year old, he was truly docile and well-mannered.