Part 1: First Day in the Golden Cage
Mother's First Task
A silence fell over the dining table. Lee Yun-Woo's (Lee Yun-Woo) eyes, which were often filled with the sharpness of business deals, were now clouded with suspicion and uncertainty. He watched Yu-Jin (Kim Ji-Su)'s face closely. He couldn't find any pretense or deceit—only a clear, almost unsettling sincerity.
"What... are you saying, Ji-Su?" Yun-Woo asked very slowly, as if he knew the illusion would break if he spoke too loudly. "Did something happen to you last night... at a club? Or do you need something?"
Yu-Jin felt a pang of pain at his reaction. Yun-Woo was assuming she was only saying 'sorry' because she needed money or was in some trouble. The Kim Ji-Su in the novel would have done exactly that.
Yu-Jin put on a determined smile. "No, Yun-Woo. I don't need anything. And I don't remember anything from last night, except that I had a very bad dream." (This dream was Park Yu-Jin's struggling former life.)
"I have decided that from now on, I will not be the bad wife I have been. I know I have caused you and the Baby Boy a lot of pain. Today, I will stay with Ha-Joon and Ju-Won. You go to your meeting."
Yu-Jin reached out her hand across the table, as if she wanted to touch him, but she stopped herself. She knew that Kim Ji-Su had pushed Yun-Woo away for years.
Yun-Woo remained silent. He took a sip of his coffee.
"I admit it's hard for me to believe your words, Ji-Su," he finally said, his voice carrying years of pain. "But... I would be happy if you spent time with the children. I have to catch an 8:30 AM flight. My driver is waiting."
He got up from his seat and looked at Yu-Jin for a moment. His eyes regarded Yu-Jin as a complete stranger. He simply said, "I will return tonight. Until then... take care of yourself."
He quickly exited the dining room.
Lee Ha-Joon and Lee Ju-Won
As Yun-Woo left the door, Mrs. Choi came in, followed by the two little children—Ha-Joon and Ju-Won—running after her. Both looked at each other when they saw their mother alone at the dining table.
Ha-Joon asked Yu-Jin softly, "Mom, did Dad leave? Was he angry with you?"
Yu-Jin's heart broke. These children had only witnessed tension and separation between their parents.
Yu-Jin immediately got up and knelt on the floor, embracing both Baby Boy. "No, my dear children! Dad is not angry. He just went to work. And yes, I am with you today! We are going for spring pickling!"
The children's eyes lit up. They had never expected their mother, who was always 'sleeping,' to play with them.
"First, let's have breakfast!" Yu-Jin announced.
Yu-Jin served breakfast to her children for the first time in that luxurious penthouse. She noticed that the children loved the Seaweed Soup (미역국 - Miyeokguk), but since Kim Ji-Su disliked vegetable omelets, she never ate with them. Yu-Jin now happily ate the same omelet, which she would have found too expensive in her previous life.
After breakfast, Yu-Jin had to get the children ready to go out. The children's closets were filled with splendid clothes and toys, but the biggest challenge for Yu-Jin was the layout of the penthouse. She knew nothing about this house!
"Ha-Joon, will you show me the way to the garden?" Yu-Jin whispered.
Ju-Won looked at his mother, "Mom, did you forget? You know the way. It's to the left."
Yu-Jin quickly corrected her mistake. "Yes, I know. But today, I want my Baby Boy to show me the way. You are the guide!"
🌳 First Lesson in the Garden
As they reached the vast, privately maintained garden outside, Yu-Jin breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like she had come from her old life's small shop to this "Golden Cage."
The children happily picked up their small trowels and mud pots. Yu-Jin also started the pickling work with them. The sun was falling on her face, and the smell of the earth reminded her of Park Yu-Jin's simple and contented life.
Just then, Ju-Won asked, "Mom, you look different today."
Yu-Jin's heart skipped a beat. "Different? How, sweetheart?"
Ha-Joon said, "Before, you never sat on the ground. And you... you always kept us away. Today, you are showing us so much love."
Tears welled up in Yu-Jin's eyes. She knew she had to fix all of Kim Ji-Su's mistakes.
"Yes, my sweet Baby Boy," she said, hugging them. "Mom has realized what is most important in life. From now on, I will be with you every moment."