Small and Fragile Things - Chapter 20

“Please, enjoy your meal.”

Moon Heesook, wearing an apron and a blue headscarf, had beads of sweat dotting her forehead from all the effort she was putting in.

“If you’re still hungry, have some more. I made plenty today, so don’t worry.”

She was decked out in an orange apron, hair tied back tightly, plastic gloves, and a face mask—fully geared up. She was volunteering at the One Meal of Love food truck, something she’d been doing monthly for years.

It was only recently that people found out she was the wife of the Chief Prosecutor of the Western Seoul District. Until then, everyone had just thought of her as a kind-hearted lady. So when her real identity came out, it left the other volunteers a bit stunned.

“Ma’am, you should take a break now. You’ve got to wash dishes later—rest up a little.”

“How many times do I have to say I’m not a ‘ma’am’? You keep calling me that.”

“Well, come on, everyone here’s a ma’am. Over there’s the lady from Seojeong, and this side’s Eungye, and I’m from Ilwol. Right?”

“You got me there. Alright, how about a coffee break, my fellow ma’ams? I’ll make it!”

She checked that the line had thinned out, then stepped aside and began brewing coffee.

Nobody ever had a bad word to say about Moon Heesook. She always led by example, never shied away from hard or messy work, and unlike certain people who only showed up for photos during election season, she was the real deal. Everyone agreed on that.

Always dressed modestly, carrying a well-worn bag on her shoulder, and arriving with a bright, sincere smile—she’d left quite an impression. Even those who’d assumed people from her social class would be arrogant admitted she’d changed their minds.

“Ahem. My son’s coming to volunteer next time.”

“Oh wow! The one who just got into university? That’s impressive. Most kids his age are out partying.”

During the coffee break, one of the volunteers shared the news with obvious pride, and everyone joined in the praise.

“Didn’t you say you had a son too, Heesook? How old is he?”

“I’ve got one. He’ll be thirty soon.”

“No way! You look way too young for that. You’ll be welcoming a daughter-in-law soon, then?”

“I’d love that, honestly.”

“If he takes after you, he’s probably good-looking. Nothing to worry about.”

It turned out most of the volunteers had sons, so the conversation flowed naturally—from school to jobs to marriage.

Then Heesook stepped away to take a phone call, and as soon as she was gone, the team leader leaned in and lowered her voice.

“I heard her son’s been sick. Had some serious surgeries as a kid. Still goes in and out of the hospital, apparently.”

“Oh no… Did I just bring up marriage without knowing that? That’s awful.”

“I figured I should give you all a heads-up so nobody slips up again. There’s a reason she’s so committed to this work.”

There were a few clicks of the tongue and sympathetic sighs, but soon the chatter drifted elsewhere.

When Heesook came back, she apologized quietly and said she had to leave early because something had come up at home.

The other volunteers, still thinking about what they’d just heard, nodded and offered vague, warm words of support. Everyone assumed it was her son again.

But Heesook wasn’t heading home.

She left the food truck area and walked to a quiet alley just before reaching the main intersection. There, a sleek black sedan was waiting for her.

“Thank you for your hard work, ma’am.”

“Roll the window down and crank the AC.”

The moment she got in, she pulled off her outer layer, which reeked of food, and quickly changed into the fresh clothes she had prepared. She let her tightly bound hair down, wiped each finger with disinfectant wipes, cleaned her face with a skincare pad, and misted her scalp thoroughly with aromatic spray.

“Ah… finally.”

The sharp scent spread through the car, and the tense furrow in her brow slowly eased.

She pinned up her freshly fluffed hair with practiced hands and smiled as if nothing had happened.

“Did you all eat? Don’t tell me it was just a sandwich again.”

“We went to ‘Hwadam Rice Pot,’ the place you recommended.”

“Oh, it’s good there, right? Did you try the braised mackerel?”

“Yes, it was delicious. Thank you for the recommendation, ma’am.”

Moon Heesook was always the picture of grace—soft-spoken, polished, and kind.

The kind of elegance that came from a good upbringing. An only daughter from a wealthy family, she’d grown up surrounded by love and attention, which had made her both poised and tolerant. She’d married a man who matched her perfectly—someone who adored and respected her—and lived a life others envied.

But even her seemingly perfect life had one painful flaw.

Her son—Kim Soohwan.

“We’ll be stopping briefly.”

The car, weaving through downtown Seoul, came to a quiet halt along a tree-lined street between office buildings.

A woman, who’d been waiting nearby, quickly climbed into the seat next to Heesook. The whole thing took just seconds—swift, discreet, almost rehearsed.

The door clicked shut, and the car started moving again as if it had never stopped.

“It’s been a while, ma’am. I hope you’ve been well.”

“Yes, it has, Director Park. But no—I haven’t been well at all.”

Her response was cool, laced with obvious irritation. She didn’t bother hiding it. It was clear this meeting wasn’t just a social call.

Park Eun-young lowered her gaze, catching on fast.

Even if she was rattled inside, her expression stayed unreadable—training and experience had taught her how to maintain her composure.

“…I apologize.”

When someone in her position is upset, the only right move is to apologize first.

“You know what I’m going to ask.”

Moon Heesook only ever dropped her composure when it came to her son.

Graceful in everything else, she had no patience or forgiveness when it came to Soohwan.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, ma’am.”

“The fact that you’re in my car right now—in the middle of Seoul—that’s already a problem. You’re supposed to be somewhere else.”

Park Eun-young knew full well: in some ways, this woman was more terrifying than her own boss. Those confidentiality contracts weren’t just for show.

Besides, she had her own secrets to protect.

“I’m sorry. I have nothing to say.”

But Heesook was quick and sharp—skilled at managing people.

“I saw your younger brother’s name on the new trial list for the VI-2 experimental treatment. Even though he had already participated in a previous clinical trial.”

“…I’m incredibly grateful for that, ma’am—truly…”

“Who do you think pulled those strings? My husband?”

She knew very well. There’s nothing more effective than using someone’s family against them.

Even if someone was ready to die for their cause, the mention of a loved one could shake them.

“I get it. You signed the NDA. You’re not in a position to talk freely. But sometimes in life, you have to cross the line. When you have something you desperately need to protect.”

As she looked at Park Eun-young—whose face was slowly draining of color—Heesook calmly cut away any traces of guilt or pity from her heart.

Because she had something to protect, too.

Something more important than her own life. Something irreplaceable. Beyond comparison. Her top priority.

And in the face of that, human emotions like sympathy had no place.

“If it’s that hard to talk, just answer yes or no to what I ask.”

She took a deep breath.

Ever since she learned that Park Eun-young had met her husband the day before, a knot of unease had been sitting in her chest.

She fidgeted with her perfectly manicured nails, then finally spoke.

“…Did he die?”

***

Meanwhile, Irang was running in a dream.

Through a vast field covered in flowers she didn’t recognize, she ran and ran, breathless and free.

The wind brushing her cheeks, her hair fluttering behind her, the soft crunch of grass beneath her feet—all of it felt too real to be a dream.

Her chest felt light, like all the weight had lifted.

She ran without thought, lost in the motion—until suddenly, the scenery changed, and she skidded to a stop.

She was at the edge of a steep cliff.

Heart pounding, she stepped back cautiously—then saw a single purple flower blooming out of a crevice in the rocks.

It was beautiful. The kind of flower that makes you reach out without thinking.

I want it.

The feeling wasn’t logical. It was just pure desire.

She lay on her stomach and reached out, stretching her arm as far as it would go—but the flower was always just out of reach. So close. Almost there.

She kept trying, even as sweat formed on her brow.

And then, a breeze rolled in. Cool and familiar.

She turned her head, instinctively drawn to the scent.

Huh?

In that moment, her balance shifted. Her world flipped upside down.

…Thud.

“Ugh…”

Irang groaned and blinked open her eyes, her whole body aching.