AOA 73

It feels like the phrase “The world is beautiful” exists just for moments like this.

Even without eating, I felt full. The world around me sparkled with the colors of the aurora. My steps were light, as if I were walking on clouds.

Because of the butterfly effects, big and small, incidents that hadn’t occurred before the regression kept happening. The days when I used to fret over whether this would affect the stock market had vanished.

I wanted to shout and boast about it everywhere, but I held onto my reason. I checked stock trends on my phone only when absolutely necessary. My social circle was small, but still, if I kept staring at my phone all day, someone was bound to find it suspicious.

Rumors of Nogeum Pharmaceuticals’ new drug development began spreading around noon on Thursday. The official announcement came just before the market closed.

The next day, as soon as the market opened on Friday, Nogeum Pharmaceuticals hit the price ceiling. That day, I had to constantly keep myself from smiling too much.

Even on the day after Saturday, when my biological father’s 60th birthday party was held, the beauty of the world didn’t fade.

I felt like I could laugh off anything absurd he might say.

Sunday started off cloudy, not quite fitting for a warm spring day. I carefully chose my clothes and accessories.

My biological father, who was sensitive about appearances, had bought me several expensive suits, insisting I had to match Baek Mugyeong’s class. So I had plenty to wear.

I couldn’t remember what I wore to his 60th birthday party before the regression, but since Baek Mugyeong would be with me today, I had to be more mindful than usual.

There was no helping it, next to that man, I would inevitably look plain. Still, if I didn’t want my father nitpicking, I had to dress my best. Especially today, since it was his sixtieth birthday celebration.

I put on the carefully chosen outfit and fastened the watch and bracelet. The watch was from my father, and the bracelet was from Baek Mugyeong.

I looked down at the bracelet, shimmering brilliantly. It was a luxury brand I’d never even heard of, and it cost a ridiculous amount. I’d looked it up on my phone and was shocked by the absurd price.

Worried that Kim Juhyeon might try to steal the bracelet like before the regression, I’d secretly installed a home CCTV system. But she hadn’t shown any interest in my belongings.

Maybe it was because, unlike before, I was in my right mind, and the stolen content stepmother hadn’t come to the house to stir up trouble. Or maybe she was just biding her time, waiting for the right moment.

“Quiet is good.”

I wasn’t disappointed. No conflict was the best outcome. Even now, just thinking about how Kim Juhyeon had lied to my younger sibling and slammed the door in his face before the regression made me grit my teeth, but she hadn’t done anything yet.

I wasn’t planning to set any traps. Instead, I decided to wear the bracelet more often.

If it was something I wore regularly, Kim Juhyeon wouldn’t think of taking it. But just in case, if she couldn’t break her old habit and dared to steal this engagement gift, I’d tear her apart.

“I’m not falling for it this time.”

Even though I was about to go see my biological father, stepmother, and Jeong Guhyeon, I didn’t feel upset. I felt relaxed, thanks to the solid numbers in my bank account.

To be honest, it was all relative. Compared to the value of the watch and bracelet on both wrists, it might not be a huge amount.

But it was enough to keep me from being pushed around by my father. That was all I needed.

Knock knock knock.

I was adjusting my clothes with a light heart when I heard a knock.

“Yes?”

Thinking it was the weekend housekeeper coming to get the laundry, I answered without much thought. But the one who opened the door was Baek Mugyeong.

“Oh–what is it?”

Normally, if we were going out together, the one who was ready first would wait downstairs in the living room. This was the first time Baek Mugyeong had come to my room, before or after the regression.

I wondered if something had come up and he couldn’t attend my father’s party. But I was wrong.

“I have something for you.”

The man who stepped inside handed me a red paper bag.

It had a luxury brand logo I recognized plastered across the front.

I had a pretty good idea of what it was. I’d received something similar before.

“Was this a gift too?”

“…Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s a bracelet. You should wear it today.”

Another bracelet. I raised my right wrist toward him.

“I already am. See? The one you gave me before.”

“You can wear this one too.”

He set the paper bag on the table, pulled out a leather case from inside, and held up a sparkling bracelet. It was silver, with an unusual braided design.

“This too?”

“Yes.”

At his look, I instinctively held out my arm.

Then Baek Mugyeong fastened the new bracelet onto my already adorned right wrist.

Two bracelets sparkled on my wrist. They were pretty, but it felt like too much. Maybe even more so because stolen content I’d never worn bracelets in my life. I wasn’t sure if this was okay.

“This feels like overkill. Doesn’t it look weird?”

“It suits you well.”

Baek Mugyeong said, with eyes so serious it looked like he was appraising jewelry or something. The compliment sounded hollow, too polite to be sincere. It didn’t suit him at all, and his hand still holding mine was starting to feel awkward.

“Thank you.”

I gently pulled my hand back as I offered my thanks. The gift might’ve come from the buyers, but since I’d gotten it through Baek Mugyeong, he deserved the gratitude.

I wondered, could I keep something like this if we divorced? It probably had high resale value too.

Despite those stray thoughts, I smiled at Baek Mugyeong. A well-fed bank account made it easier to stay relaxed.

“Is there anything else to prepare?”

“No. I’m all ready.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Baek Mugyeong gave another subtle nod toward the door. I smiled and looked up at him. My steps were lighter than ever.

My biological father constantly chanted that honor and dignity were everything, but in truth, he loved to show off.

For his 60th birthday party, he rented the largest banquet hall in a hotel and decorated it lavishly. He pulled every connection he had to invite only people of the right “caliber.”

The most high-profile guest, of course, was Baek Mugyeong, Executive Director of DS Motors and Baek Jinseok’s grandson.

Even though he was the guest of honor, [visit our site]my father was far more delighted to see Baek Mugyeong than me. As soon as he saw him, he grinned and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

“Oh! My son-in-law is here!”

He went on bragging for ages to anyone within earshot about how his son-in-law was none other than the Executive Director of DS Motors. Then he personally escorted Baek Mugyeong to his seat, still busy showing him off the whole way.

I got the cold shoulder by comparison, but I didn’t mind at all. It was better to be ignored.

Since we sat at a table with immediate family, I had to face some unpleasant people, but compared to the needle-pit awkwardness before the regression, it was nothing. I quietly played the role of a reserved but well-mannered son.

Of course, that didn’t mean no one tried to provoke me.

“How have you been? It’s been a while since we talked.”

My stepmother asked warmly, with a too-friendly smile. I’d quit my internship at the art gallery when I started attending a new university in March. I hadn’t seen her since. Naturally, I hadn’t called either. We weren’t on those kinds of terms.

I didn’t bother wondering why stolen contentshe was acting like this. The best approach in moments like this was to be normal and polite.

“I’ve been doing well, thanks.”

“It must’ve been a while since you last studied in Korea. I’m glad to hear you’re adjusting fine.”

“Yes.”

“How about at home? I’m curious how you’re living. It’s been about half a year since the wedding, shouldn’t you tell us how things are going? Right?”

She smiled with a calm grace as she glanced between me and Baek Mugyeong. That was when I finally realized what she was angling for.

Not long after we got married, she’d bluntly asked when she’d be invited to our newlywed home. I’d told her Baek Mugyeong wasn’t fond of guests, so we wouldn’t be inviting anyone.

She must’ve thought that was just an excuse because she went so far as to ask Baek Mugyeong himself if he was planning on hosting. Thankfully, he firmly said he wasn’t, and the topic was dropped.

But my stepmother’s obsession was no joke. For her to bring it up again here, at my father’s [unauthorized copy]60th birthday, meant she was determined to get inside that house somehow.

I could never let that happen. Before the regression, she’d barged in and taken both money and jewelry. Back then, I’d brushed it off, thinking I wasn’t in my right mind. But now? I’d be way too embarrassed to explain any of that to Baek Mugyeong.

“Mother. Like I told you before, Mugyeong doesn’t like having people in the house. Even staff are kept to a minimum. I’ve brought it up a few times, but he always says no. Right?”

I spoke up with a smile before Baek Mugyeong could respond, glancing at him naturally to prompt his agreement.

There was a bit of a lie mixed in, but it was true that he was the first to say we shouldn’t let anyone in. He was sharp enough to figure out what I needed from him.

Just in case, I shot him a look that clearly said, Back me up. Now.

“I don’t like having people in my space. Even my grandfather and uncle have never visited.”

Thankfully, Baek Mugyeong responded with a businesslike tone, perfectly understanding what I meant. Even though he was backing me up, he still somehow made it sound annoyingly cold.