The front door clicked open, and Hye-mi stepped inside, his hair slightly messy from the wind. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of the heater. He froze for a second when He saw Mira and Denial sitting on the sofa, wrapped in a thick blanket together, cheeks pale.
"Oh my babies…" He rushed over, kneeling in front of them. His palm pressed against Mira's forehead, then Denial's — both cold as ice. He kissed their foreheads one by one. "You're burning up, aren't you?"
Denial sniffled softly. "We're fine, mom. Just tired."
"Fine, my foot," Hye-mi muttered under his breath, tucking the blanket tighter around them. "You two are not going to school until you're better."
From the kitchen came the smell of rice porridge. Joon-ho was stirring a pot, sleeves rolled up, face calm but focused. Soo-yeon sat nearby on the sofa, gently rocking the baby girl in his arms.
Hye-mi turned toward him. "Soo-yeon, where's Seo-jun? Didn't he say he'd be home by now?"
