Eun-soo looked down at her coffee, feeling a heavy weight in her chest.
She had assumed Jin-woo was just a cold, busy businessman who didn't make time for his son.
She thought the mother was likely just as distant, but the truth was far more painful.
"I am so sorry for asking," she whispered, her voice trailing off as she became very quiet.
Jin-woo noticed the change in her expression and looked at her with a calm, steady gaze.
"Is something wrong?" he asked gently.
Eun-soo simply shook her head from side to side, mimicking the way Hajun had done earlier that morning.
"Please, don't feel bad," Jin-woo said, trying to ease her guilt. "It happened six months ago, and things are slowly getting better."
"I make sure to spend as much time with Hajun as I can to help him through it," he added.
Eun-soo nodded, feeling a new sense of respect for the man sitting across from her.
As they continued to talk about Hajun, a rare, genuine smile finally appeared on Jin-woo's face.
He told her how Hajun was such a good child, never throwing tantrums and always being polite to everyone he met.
Eun-soo listened intently, realizing that she had seen that same politeness in the classroom today.
After they finished their drinks, Jin-woo checked his watch and noticed how dark it had become outside.
"Miss Eun-soo, it's getting quite late," he said. "Please, let me drive you home."
Eun-soo hesitated, not wanting to overstep the boundaries between a teacher and a parent.
"Thank you, but I can go by myself," she replied with a polite smile.
Jin-woo didn't push her, but he walked out of the café with her to make sure she was safe.
He stepped toward the curb and waved his hand to hail a taxi for her.
When a car pulled up, he stepped forward to hold the door open, waiting until she was safely inside.
"Thank you, Mr. Seo," Eun-soo said as the taxi began to pull away toward her apartment.
Once she was gone, Jin-woo turned to Hajun, who was standing quietly by his side.
"How was your first day, Hajun? Did you like your new school?" he asked.
Hajun looked up at his uncle and gave a small, honest nod.
"I like Teacher Eun-soo," the boy said softly. "I felt comfortable there today."
Jin-woo felt a wave of relief wash over him and patted the boy's shoulder.
"That's good to hear," he said, leading Hajun back to the Mercedes to head home to Gleam Tower.