Instant Regrets Book II

Chapter 14

The next day, Jennie woke up early to prepare breakfast for Hyeong. She had decided to take a day off from work to spend some quality time with her son.

While Hyeong was engrossed in playgroup, he focused on his favourite activity – playing with sand. He carefully filled his toy truck with white sand, his small hands working diligently. As he was quietly engrossed in this task, a sudden noise caught his attention.

Hyeong stopped what he was doing and turned his gaze toward the source of the sound. Curious, he got up and approached the lush vegetation nearby. At first, he saw nothing and thought he might have imagined it. But then, a wounded raven descended to the ground as if seeking help.

Startled, Hyeong felt a rush of fear and ran back toward the house. However, after a moment, he stopped, realizing that the bird was injured and needed help. Determined, he returned to where he had seen the distressed creature.

Hyeong called for his mother, "Mom, come quick! There's a hurt bird!"

Kneeling down, Hyeong carefully approached the injured raven. His initial fear was replaced by compassion as he looked at the wounded creature and asked, "Hey, what happened to you?" It was as if he believed the bird could understand him.

"Honey, come and eat some strawberries. Stop playing and let's take a bath!" Jennie called from the house.

Hearing his mother's voice, Hyeong shouted back excitedly, "Mommy, I found a hurt bird!"

Hyeong gently picked up the injured raven and found a comfortable container for it. "Wait here, Flappy. That's your name for now, okay? I'll be back soon," he told the bird before covering it with large leaves.

Hyeong then looked around to see if their pet cat, Luca, was nearby. He called out, "Luca? I've got a bird. Please don't hurt him, okay?"

With that, Hyeong ran back inside the house.

Seeing her son running towards her, Jennie immediately noticed something on Hyeong's hand. "What happened to your hand? Did you play in the sand again? Come here, let's get you cleaned up before we eat," she said, concern in her voice. They made their way to the bathroom.

"Mommy, I'm sorry," Hyeong mumbled, thinking that Jennie might be upset with him.

Jennie knelt in front of her son, gently removing his soiled clothes. She spoke softly, "I've told you not to play in the sand, haven't I? I just don't want you to get sick, honey. You know I worry about you."

Tears welled up in Hyeong's eyes as he asked hesitantly, "Are you mad at me, Mommy?"

Jennie smiled warmly and hugged him tightly, her affectionate embrace dispelling the sadness from Hyeong's eyes. However, something on her finger caught Hyeong's attention.

"Mommy, why do you always wear that ring?" Hyeong asked, pointing to her wedding ring.

Jennie glanced at her hand, her eyes softening. "This? It's my wedding ring, honey. When your daddy and I got married, he gave me this ring as a symbol of his love and commitment to me," she explained, her smile filled with love.

Hyeong, with his childlike curiosity, continued to inquire, "When Daddy married you, that's why I was born, right, Mommy?"

Jennie couldn't help but pinch his cheeks affectionately. "Yes, honey. Because of our love, we were blessed with you, a healthy and smart child. Shouldn't you be thanking Mommy for that?" She teased playfully.

Before Hyeong could respond, his inquisitive nature took over, and he asked, "Mommy, why do people wear wedding rings on the fourth finger?"

Jennie smiled, expecting this question from her intelligent son. She answered, "Many cultures choose to wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger because the ancient Egyptians believed there was a vein in this finger that went directly to our heart."