our crossed paths | jww.

thirteen.

"You have a daughter?!"

"No!" Jiwoo quickly denied, almost too quickly.

"Then who is this, Kang Jiwoo?" her mother asked, eyeing the little girl curiously.

Ahrin, feeling shy around strangers, clung to Jiwoo's legs, her tiny fingers gripping tightly.

"She's a friend's daughter," Jiwoo explained, trying to sound calm despite the rising panic. "It's a long story, but she needed a safe place, and I couldn't just leave her alone."

Her parents exchanged looks, but her mother, sensing the urgency in Jiwoo's tone, decided not to press further—at least, not yet.

Her mother's expression softened as she descended the stairs, smiling warmly at Ahrin. "Well, she's adorable! Come here, sweetheart."

Ahrin hesitated, looking up at Jiwoo for reassurance. Jiwoo nodded, and Ahrin slowly stepped forward, slipping her tiny hand into her mother's.

"Hello, Ahrin-ah. I'm Jiwoo's mom. Do you like cookies? I just baked some," she said in a gentle, welcoming voice.

Ahrin's eyes lit up. "I love cookies!"

Jiwoo's mother chuckled softly, leading Ahrin towards the kitchen. "Then you're in for a treat! Let's get you some, and maybe you can help me decorate them."

As Ahrin eagerly followed, Jiwoo's mother shot her daughter a knowing look over her shoulder. "We'll talk later," she whispered, her eyes clearly saying, I want the full story.

Jiwoo sighed in relief. At least her mother was handling this better than expected. She followed them into the kitchen, watching as Ahrin happily chatted with her grandmother about cookies, feeling an unexpected wave of warmth and protectiveness towards the little girl.

"Dr. Jiwoo, look! My cookie is pink!" Ahrin giggled, proudly showing off her creation covered in pink icing.

"That looks delicious, Ahrin!" Jiwoo praised, nodding in approval.

"This one is for Daddy, this one is for me, and this one..." Ahrin carefully picked up another cookie, icing it with great concentration. "This one is for Dr. Jiwoo!"

"Ahrin, you're so clever!" Jiwoo's mom exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. But she kept exchanging glances with Jiwoo, her curiosity about the child growing with every moment.

Later, after Ahrin had been tucked in for a nap in the guest room, Jiwoo and her mother returned to the kitchen.

"She's adorable," her mother whispered, a touch of nostalgia in her voice. "It's been ages since we had a little one around."

Jiwoo smiled tightly, hoping to keep the conversation light. "Yes, she is. Ahrin's a sweet girl."

Her mother handed her a cup of tea, her tone becoming more serious. "You've got some explaining to do."

Jiwoo took a deep breath, sipping the tea before recounting how she met Wonwoo, the accident on the mountains, and how he was a single father raising Ahrin. She carefully avoided mentioning Wonwoo's late wife, knowing it wasn't her place to share that part of his story.

"So, you've known him for some time now..." Mrs. Kang mused, her expression thoughtful.

"Anyways, Jiwoo, it's nice to see you with a child. It suits you."

Jiwoo stiffened, sensing the direction the conversation was headed. "Mom, please don't start."

Her mother sighed, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's arm. "I'm just saying, Jiwoo. You're getting older. Your father and I worry about you being alone. We want to see you happy, with a family of your own."