Before she knew it, the car arrived at Choi Kang-woo’s estate. As Han Na-eun stepped out, she was momentarily rendered speechless. The first thing that struck her was a high wall that stretched on, seemingly without end. It was her first time standing before such an imposing barrier.
Beneath the clear, late-autumn sky and the biting wind, the wall stood like a fortress, utterly disconnected from the world outside.
“Let’s go in.”
At Choi Kang-woo’s command, the driver swung the gate open. The entrance was sturdy, adorned with sophisticated, intricate ironwork. As the heavy gates groaned, Han Na-eun felt as though she were catching a glimpse of a secret world.
She took a step inside, holding Han Jiho’s hand firmly.
The path from the gate to the entrance was wide, flanked by trees with leaves dyed in deep shades of crimson. Fallen leaves carpeted the ground, fluttering and dancing whenever the wind caught them.
Han Na-eun felt her breath hitch again at the sight of the main building looming in the distance. Built from dark, heavy bricks, it resembled a massive castle, its majesty intensified by the chill of the late-autumn air.
At the far end of the garden stood the annex. While smaller than the main structure, it remained grand in its own right. Han Na-eun felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the grounds and the vast distance between the two buildings.
Inside the foyer, they were met with a spacious living room. It was devoid of a single speck of dust, feeling more like a sterile hotel lobby than a home.
When Choi Kang-woo introduced Chairman Choi Sang-Hoon and Director Choi Kyung-Hye as Minho’s grandparents, Han Na-eun squeezed Han Jiho’s hand, prompting him to bow deeply.
“Hello, Grandma. Hello, Grandpa.”
“Oh. Yes. So, you’re our Minho’s friend?”
“Yes!”
“Minho is over there. Why don’t you go and play with him?”
Han Na-eun looked over to see Minho smiling at Han Jiho.
“Hello?”
The woman greeting them was Minho’s nanny—a face Han Na-eun recognized from the kindergarten pick-up line.
“Ms. Lee, take the children and look after them.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Only after watching Ms. Lee lead the boys away did Han Na-eun sit down before Chairman Choi Sang-Hoon and Director Choi Kyung-Hye.
“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
At Choi Kyung-Hye’s words, Han Na-eun bowed her head.
“Yes, Director.”
“You don’t have to call me Director here. Just call me Minho’s grandmother.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. Please, understand. I’m more comfortable maintaining the professional title.”
“She has a stubborn streak, doesn’t she?” Chairman Choi Sang-Hoon remarked with a chuckle, and Han Na-eun offered a faint, polite smile.
“Were you aware that our Minho has selective mutism?”
At the Chairman’s question, Han Na-eun lowered her head.
“Yes. I was aware.”
“Who told you?”
“No one. I observed the symptoms myself. Since the Director is so protective, I knew no one else would speak of it carelessly.”
Seemingly satisfied, Choi Kyung-Hye smiled. “That’s fortunate. So, you’ve agreed to come on as Minho’s live-in tutor?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve thought it over well. We will compensate you accordingly…”
Choi Kyung-Hye scanned Han Na-eun from head to toe. Han Na-eun felt as if needles were pricking her skin, but she remained motionless.
“Tell us whatever you need, and we will provide it without hesitation. We want you to be a tutor befitting our Minho, so you won’t look out of place anywhere you go.”
The implication was clear: her current appearance was lacking. Han Na-eun did not react. Chairman Choi nodded, satisfied.
“I’m pleased after seeing you myself. Choi Kang-woo was right to recommend you. One look tells you you’re trustworthy. I look forward to your care of our Minho.”
Han Na-eun bowed her head. “Thank you. I will do my best.”
No sooner had the introductions ended than Choi Kang-woo stood up. “Let’s head to the annex now. You can see where you’ll be living.”
“Yes.”
They walked toward the annex together. It was further than it had appeared; it took five full minutes to reach, even for an adult.
The first floor had been recently renovated. Two rooms stood side by side, clearly designed for children with charming wallpaper, desks, and furniture tailored for play. The rooms were nearly identical, save for their color schemes.
“I assume these are the children’s rooms.”
“Correct. One is for Han Jiho, the other for Minho. They were decorated to be equal.”
“Yes.”
“As for your room, I didn’t know your preferences, so I chose a neutral design. I believe this should be suitable, Han Na-eun.”
The space was brighter than any room she had ever occupied. The walls were painted a soft cream, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Natural light spilled through large windows, softened by translucent white curtains.
“If you don’t like it, I can have it redone…”
Before Choi Kang-woo could finish, Han Na-eun shook her head.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I love it. It’s more than I deserve.”
It was the truth. She had never dreamed of such luxury. The queen-sized bed featured a light beige headboard and pastel-toned bedding. A small wooden nightstand held a soft lamp and a stack of books, and in the corner, a cozy nook with a sofa and coffee table invited her to rest. It was a dream.
Choi Kang-woo nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. Let’s plan for you to move in next week.”
“And will we be the only ones using this space?”
“Yes. The second floor is my space.”
“Pardon?”
She hadn’t expected this. She thought the annex meant she and the children would be on their own, but this man would be living just above her?
As Han Na-eun looked at him in bewilderment, Choi Kang-woo said casually, “The annex was originally a space I used alone. During the renovation, the second floor was designed to be completely independent.”
“Ah, I see…”
She felt a weight settle in her chest, but Choi Kang-woo continued calmly. “A housekeeper will clean both floors and prepare your meals before leaving in the morning. And don’t worry about me. I leave early and return late. I’ve had little contact with Minho while he was in the main building, but now that he’s here, I suppose I’ll see him more often.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Since the spaces were independent, it seemed unlikely they would cross paths often. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, Choi Kang-woo narrowed his eyes.
“Do you always accept everything so readily?”
“Pardon?”
His tone felt sharper, more aggressive.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her own voice carrying a hint of defiance.
Choi Kang-woo glanced around the room. “You seem so uninterested in your surroundings—even the interior design. I expected you might have had more requests.”
“No, I truly mean it. You’ve provided a wonderful environment where Minho and Han Jiho can play safely. I am genuinely pleased.”
He looked at her again, his gaze searching. He was known for his poker face, but this woman was just as impossible to read. She would smile brightly, yet when she spoke, she maintained a deliberate, chilly distance.
It made him want to bridge that gap.
* * *
Tomorrow was the day of the move. Beforehand, Han Na-eun explained the situation to her son. He was only five, and she wasn’t sure how much he would understand, but she knew he needed to be prepared for the change.
“Mom. Are we going to live with Minho at the new house?”
“Yes, we decided to live with Minho.”
“Why? Is Minho becoming our family?”
Having been taught that living together meant family, the clever Han Jiho asked immediately. Pondering for a moment, Han Na-eun gave a small smile.
“If living together makes us family, then of course Minho is family. But Minho has his own Mom, Dad, and Uncle, and you are Mom’s son, right?”
“Yes. I know. So, we’re a family that lives together.”
His small mouth was so adorable as he thought through the logic. Han Na-eun kissed his cheek repeatedly, the kisses landing with little popping sounds.
“My Han Jiho. How can you be so smart?”
“I’m smart because I take after Mom!”
He answered confidently, grinning wide to reveal his small, even baby teeth.