“Sister-In-Law!” – Hyun-Jin & Ye-Ji
(Continuation of Ch. 17)

Author’s P.O.V

Riel gave a small smile to the street photographer and handed him some money before she sat in the car.

As Riel sat on the passenger seat and put on the seatbelt, In-Yeop started the car.

“Who was that guy you were talking to?” In-Yeop asked while focusing on the road.

Riel let out a sigh and said, “Just a street photographer.”

In-Yeop stopped the car at the red light and looked at Riel in disbelief. “Did he take your pictures without your permission?!”

Riel shook her head and said, “No. Can you stop the car near a frame shop?”

In-Yeop started the car again. “Okay.”

---

After that, when In-Yeop stopped at a frame shop, Riel got off the car and made her way inside the shop while In-Yeop sat in confusion. After a while, Riel came out of the shop with a small smile on her face. She got inside the car with three frames in her hand. She put on her famous blank face and handed a frame to In-Yeop without looking at him. She gave another frame to Inho, who was sitting in the back.

“Let’s go,” Riel ordered while folding her arms over her chest.

In-Yeop took a glance at the frame and smiled widely. ‘A Happy Family of Three’ In-Yeop said in his mind and looked at Riel before starting the car.

“Mom! I love this picture! Can I keep it?” Inho innocently asked.

“Of course, you can, baby,” Riel said with a smile.

“I’ll keep it on my study table!” Inho said excitedly.

In-Yeop chuckled humorlessly. ‘What if he gets to know that I'm his real father who left him and his mom?’ He sighed. ‘I need to do something.’

Soon, they reached home. They got out of the car and went to the door. Riel opened the main door and got inside with In-Yeop and Inho. They entered the living room.

“Why is no one here?” In-Yeop asked.

“Jungkook? Yeji? Hyunjin?” Riel yelled their names as she put her bag on the couch.

“Noona, Hyung! We're out in the swimming pool!” They heard Jungkook’s voice from the backyard.

“Aish, these kids!” Riel shook her head. “Inho baby, go upstairs and get freshened up, okay?” Riel softly said to Inho.

“Okay, Mom!” Inho replied cheerfully as he ran upstairs.

After sending Inho upstairs, In-Yeop and Riel made their way to the backyard swimming pool.

“Sister-In-Law!” Hyunjin and Yeji yelled together as they saw Riel and In-Yeop entering the backyard swimming pool area.

“Noona! Brother-in-law!” Jungkook also teased them, a mischievous grin on his face.

Riel rolled her eyes playfully. “You guys are impossible,” she said, shaking her head with a smile.

In-Yeop chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging. It had been a long time since he felt this connected to a family. He glanced at Riel, who was now laughing with her siblings, and felt a pang of guilt mixed with hope.

“Come on, join us!” Hyunjin called out, splashing water playfully.

Riel and In-Yeop exchanged a glance before Riel shrugged and kicked off her shoes. “Why not?” she said, stepping closer to the pool.

In-Yeop followed suit, feeling a bit more relaxed. As they joined the others by the pool, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy. For a moment, all worries and secrets were forgotten, replaced by the simple pleasure of being together.

---

Inho came down after freshening up when he heard some noises from the backyard. He made his way to the backyard and saw his mom, uncles, and aunt having fun in the pool. He pouted.

“Mom! Why are you having fun without me??” he yelled, puffing his cheeks in anger.

In-Yeop chuckled at his face, finding it really cute. “Come here, my little champ!” In-Yeop said.

Inho quickly took off his clothes and ran inside the pool, splashing water everywhere as he jumped in. The others laughed and welcomed him into their playful chaos.

Riel smiled warmly at her son. “There you are, Inho! We were just waiting for you to join us.”

Inho grinned widely, his earlier pout forgotten. “I’m here now! Let’s play!”

The family continued to enjoy their time together, the pool filled with laughter and joy. In-Yeop watched Inho and Riel, feeling a mix of happiness and a twinge of sadness. He knew he had to find a way to tell Inho the truth about their relationship, but for now, he decided to cherish these moments.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the backyard, Riel looked around at her family, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Despite the complexities of their relationships, these moments of togetherness made everything worthwhile.

× × ×
To Be Continued

I’m Alive 🙂

- Author Eun
- Love Ya!