The Hwang Mansion had never been this lively.
Cars continued arriving one after another outside the gates. Security moved around the property, guiding guests toward the entrance while staff hurried through the halls, making sure everything was ready.
Tonight wasn't about business.
It wasn't about old secrets.
It wasn't about the past.
Tonight was about one little girl who had somehow brought two families together.
And for once, everyone seemed willing to forget everything else.
The sound of another car arriving made Yerin turn toward the window.
She was standing upstairs, holding her daughter carefully against her chest.
Do-hyun stood beside her.
"They're here," he said quietly.
Yerin looked at him.
"Both of them?"
He nodded.
"Both."
Hwang Tae-sung had finally returned.
And so had Do-hyun's father.
After months away, both fathers were finally home to meet the newest member of their families properly.
Yerin looked down at her daughter.
The baby was peacefully asleep.
"She's going to meet her grandfathers tonight."
Do-hyun smiled.
"She already has everyone wrapped around her finger."
Yerin smiled.
"She hasn't even opened her eyes properly."
"Doesn't matter."
He looked at their daughter.
"She's already winning."
Yerin laughed softly.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then they heard footsteps approaching.
The doors opened.
Tae-sung entered first.
His usually stern expression softened when he saw the baby.
Behind him came Do-hyun's father.
Both men stopped when they saw their granddaughter.
Tae-sung slowly stepped closer.
"Can I?"
Yerin nodded.
She carefully handed the baby to him.
For a man who had spent his life surrounded by power, Tae-sung suddenly looked completely uncertain.
He held the baby carefully.
His eyes softened.
"She's beautiful."
Do-hyun's father smiled.
"She is."
For a few seconds, both fathers simply looked at the baby.
No arguments.
No questions.
No past.
Just family.
Yerin watched silently.
She knew the peace wouldn't last forever.
But tonight, she allowed herself to enjoy it.
The night before the celebration had been almost impossible.
Ha-yoon had barely slept.
Neither had Yerin.
And Do-hyun had somehow decided that if his daughter woke up, he had to wake up too.
At three in the morning, Yerin looked at him from the bed.
"Do-hyun."
"Hm?"
"She's sleeping."
"I know."
"Then why are you awake?"
He looked toward the crib.
"Just checking."
Yerin sighed.
"You've checked seven times."
"Eight."
She stared at him.
"You counted?"
He nodded seriously.
Yerin couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"You are impossible."
He smiled.
"So I've been told."
Their daughter suddenly made a tiny sound.
Both immediately looked toward the crib.
Yerin slowly turned toward him.
"Don't."
"I wasn't doing anything."
"You were about to get up."
Do-hyun paused.
"...Maybe."
Yerin laughed quietly.
"We need sleep."
He looked toward their daughter.
"After she sleeps."
Yerin smiled.
"She's already sleeping."
Do-hyun finally lay back down.
"Fine."
Five minutes later, Yerin heard him whisper:
"Is she still sleeping?"
Yerin covered her face with the blanket.
By evening, the mansion had transformed.
Elegant lights illuminated the garden and the entrance. Guests filled the halls.
Business associates, family friends, close relatives, and people from both families arrived throughout the evening.
Emily arrived with her parents.
The moment Emily's mother saw Yerin, she smiled warmly.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Emily's father looked toward the baby.
"May we meet her?"
Yerin smiled.
"Of course."
She carefully brought Ha-yoon closer.
Emily's mother immediately softened.
"Oh, look at her."
Emily's father smiled.
"She's beautiful."
Emily stood beside them.
"I told you she was going to be adorable."
Her mother laughed.
"You've been saying that for weeks."
"Because I was right."
Across the room, Min-jae arrived with his parents.
His mother immediately greeted Yerin.
"Congratulations, dear."
"Thank you."
She looked toward the baby.
"May I?"
Yerin nodded.
Min-jae's mother carefully held Ha-yoon.
Her expression immediately changed.
"Oh my."
Min-jae smiled.
"See? She's already stealing everyone's attention."
Emily looked at him.
"You're just jealous."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
Min-jae's father laughed.
"Let them argue."
Emily's father smiled.
"They seem to do that often."
Min-jae looked offended.
"We don't argue."
Emily stared at him.
"We absolutely do."
Everyone laughed.
Yerin had chosen a deep emerald evening gown.
It was elegant and simple, with delicate jewelry and her hair styled neatly. Her makeup was soft and understated.
Do-hyun wore a perfectly tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a simple watch.
And their daughter wore a beautiful ivory dress with tiny embroidered details.
Whenever the three of them stood together, people couldn't help but look.
One of the guests smiled.
"You three look like a perfect family portrait."
Yerin smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Do-hyun glanced at her.
"You hear that?"
"What?"
"We look perfect."
Yerin raised an eyebrow.
"Don't get used to compliments."
He smiled.
"Too late."
Eventually, the lights in the main hall dimmed.
Everyone turned toward the stage.
Yerin and Do-hyun walked forward together.
The room filled with applause.
Do-hyun carried Ha-yoon carefully while Yerin walked beside him.
They reached the stage and sat together.
The host smiled.
"Tonight isn't only a celebration of a beautiful new member of the family. It's also a celebration of two families coming together."
More applause followed.
Do-hyun looked at Yerin.
She smiled.
The host turned toward them.
"And now, the moment everyone has been waiting for."
Yerin looked at Do-hyun.
He nodded.
She stepped toward the microphone.
"We kept her name private because we wanted to share it here, with everyone who came to celebrate her."
Do-hyun looked down at his daughter.
Then he said:
"Her name is..."
He paused.
Yerin smiled.
"Choi Ha-yoon."
The room erupted in applause.
Emily clapped enthusiastically.
Ji-hoon smiled proudly.
Min-jae whistled from his seat.
Do-hyun looked down at his daughter.
"Ha-yoon."
He repeated the name quietly.
Yerin smiled.
It finally felt real.
Their daughter had a name.
Their daughter had a place in the world.
And she had a family waiting to love her.
The celebration continued with conversations and laughter.
One guest approached them.
"Who does Ha-yoon resemble more?"
Yerin immediately answered.
"Everyone says Do-hyun."
Do-hyun smiled.
"She's lucky."
Yerin looked at him.
"Don't get too confident."
The guest laughed.
Another guest asked:
"Who is more protective?"
Yerin and Do-hyun looked at each other.
They answered simultaneously.
"Him."
The entire room laughed.
Ji-hoon called from behind them.
"That's not even a question. Obviously Do-hyun."
Do-hyun shook his head.
"You all talk too much."
Yerin laughed.
"He's right, though."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"You too?"
"Especially me."
He smiled.
For several hours, they spoke with guests, accepted congratulations, took photographs, and watched their daughter become the center of everyone's attention.
But beneath the happiness, something remained unspoken.
Yerin occasionally looked toward her father.
Do-hyun occasionally looked toward his.
And Ji-hoon noticed both.
He knew exactly what they were thinking.
The truth.
Their fathers.
The past.
The evidence they had collected.
Eventually, Ji-hoon quietly approached them.
"We'll talk after everyone leaves."
Yerin nodded.
Do-hyun gave him a small look.
"Tomorrow."
Ji-hoon understood.
"Tomorrow."
The mansion slowly became quiet.
The guests disappeared one by one.
The music stopped.
The lights were dimmed.
The celebration was over.
But Yerin was still wearing her emerald dress.
She carried Ha-yoon upstairs.
"I'm going to give her a bath."
Do-hyun immediately looked at her.
"I'll do it."
Yerin stopped.
"You?"
"Yes."
"You've already been doing everything today."
"I know."
He reached for their daughter.
"Give her to me."
Yerin smiled.
"Fine."
Do-hyun carefully took Ha-yoon.
"Go change."
Yerin nodded.
"And remove your makeup."
She looked at him.
"You're giving me orders now?"
"Yes."
She laughed.
"Okay, Mr. Choi."
Do-hyun carefully bathed their daughter.
When he returned, Yerin had changed into comfortable clothes.
Her makeup was still on.
He handed Ha-yoon to her.
Yerin began changing the baby's clothes.
Do-hyun sat beside them on the bed.
Ha-yoon grabbed his finger.
He smiled immediately.
"Look at that."
Yerin glanced over.
"She likes you."
"Obviously."
Yerin laughed.
"Your ego is unbelievable."
Do-hyun gently played with Ha-yoon's tiny fingers.
The baby suddenly laughed.
Both of them froze.
Yerin's expression softened.
"She laughed."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"I heard."
He gently lifted Ha-yoon onto his lap.
"Again."
He made a tiny sound.
Ha-yoon laughed again.
Yerin smiled.
"You've found your new favorite person."
Do-hyun looked at his daughter.
"I think so."
He kissed her forehead.
Then gently played with her until she became sleepy.
"I'm going to take a shower."
Yerin nodded.
"I'll take her."
When Do-hyun returned, Yerin was sitting with Ha-yoon in her arms.
He prepared the baby's milk and handed it to Yerin.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Yerin carefully fed Ha-yoon.
Do-hyun sat beside her, watching quietly.
Eventually, Ha-yoon's eyes began closing.
Yerin smiled.
"She's asleep."
She carefully carried her to the crib.
She placed her inside and gently pulled the blanket over her.
Do-hyun walked toward her from behind.
He gently slipped his arms around her.
Yerin relaxed against him.
He kissed her temple.
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Watching their daughter sleep.
They eventually went to bed.
The room was quiet.
Yerin lay facing Do-hyun.
"So..."
He looked at her.
"Today was good."
"It was."
She smiled.
"I still can't believe we have a daughter."
"Neither can I."
They were quiet for a moment.
Then Yerin's expression became serious.
"What are we going to do tomorrow?"
Do-hyun knew exactly what she meant.
He looked at her.
"We confront them."
"Both?"
"Both."
Yerin nodded.
Do-hyun reached for her hand.
"Together."
Yerin smiled.
"Together."
She slowly moved closer and rested her head against his bicep.
Within minutes, her breathing became slow and peaceful.
She had fallen asleep.
Do-hyun looked down at her.
Then toward the crib.
Ha-yoon was sleeping peacefully.
He gently pulled the blanket over Yerin.
Then closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would bring difficult conversations.
Maybe anger.
Maybe answers they weren't ready for.
But tonight...
They were together.
Yerin.
Do-hyun.
And their daughter.
Their family.
And for the first time, the future was entirely theirs to face.
...To Be Continued...