His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 49: Daughter-In-Law

Before Shuri could respond, Snowball growled in her arms, clearly displeased with Jin's presence.

Like Snowball, Noran wasn't in a good mood either.

His displeasure was evident despite he was wearing a mask, though Jin didn't seem to notice.

"This man again?" Noran thought, his eyes holding hostility.

Unlike Noran, Snowball openly showed his frustration by barking at Jin.

Shuri gently stroked the dog's fur, trying to soothe him. "It's okay, Snowball. Jin isn't a bad guy,"

However, Snowball's barking only grew louder, his eyes fixed on Jin as if telling him to stay away from Shuri.

Jin smiled helplessly and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "It seems this little guy really doesn't like me."

Amid Snowball's barking, Shuri glanced at Noran and noticed he was frowning.

She was amazed at how she could still read his emotions despite having lost her abilities and him wearing a mask.

It just proved how important Noran was to her, even now.

Reluctantly, she realized she had no choice but to pass Snowball back to Noran.

"Please take good care of Snowball. I need to go," she said softly.

As Noran took Snowball from her, he purposely brushed his hand against hers.

Shuri felt her heart race from his touch and thought she had gone crazy.

They had been so intimate in their past life, and now, after being separated for a decade, a simple touch made her heart flutter like this?

Noran's fingers lingered on hers for a moment longer than necessary, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through her.

He then leaned in slightly, his voice low and husky as he whispered, "I've left something very important at your clinic. I'll have to come back soon to retrieve it."

Shuri gasped, her heart pounding furiously.

Wasn't that the same line he had said when she first discovered his feelings for her in their first life?

He definitely remembered everything!

"Shuri?" Jin's voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

She quickly pulled her hand back, trying to compose herself.

Her cheeks flushed, and she struggled to steady her breathing.

"Shuri, is there a problem?" Jin asked, glancing suspiciously between Shuri and Noran.

Shuri quickly lowered her face, not wanting Jin to see her blushing. She shook her head, her voice barely steady. "I-It's nothing."

She then turned to Snowball, her voice softening as she stroked his fur. "I'll see you later. Be good, okay?"

The message was directed at both Snowball and Noran, though she couldn't bring herself to meet Noran's eyes.

Noran kept quiet while Snowball whimpered softly, his eyes following her every move.

With a reluctant sigh, Shuri straightened up and nodded to Jin. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Jin. We can leave now."

As they walked away, she couldn't help but glance back at Noran, her heart aching with the unspoken words between them.

Jin, noticing her distraction, quickly open the car door and led her into the car.

Noran watched them go, his expression darkening.

Snowball whined pitifully in his arms, missing his mother.

Noran patted him gently and said softly, "Don't worry, your mommy will come back to us soon. I promise."

...

At the Park residence.

Shuri was having dinner with Jin, Hana, and Aera, but she was unusually quiet.

Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Noran.

After avoiding him for more than eight years, he suddenly reappeared in her life, seemingly remembering everything about their past together.

What was happening?

She was confused and didn't know what to do.

A part of her yearned to reunite with him, but another part was worried about the consequences.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't realize she had stopped eating until Aera called her name.

"Shuri? Shuri, dear?"

"Ah, yes?" she snapped back to reality.

"Why are you in a daze, dear? Are you unwell?" Aera asked, her concern evident.

Both Hana and Jin looked at her with worried expressions as well.

"No, I'm fine. Just a bit tired from work," Shuri replied, managing a smile. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Aera, what were you saying?"

Aera sighed and shook her head gently. "That's why I always say girls shouldn't work so hard. They should be like Hana and me, enjoying life at home and depending on their men for financial support." She then turned to her son, Jin, and added, "You should take better care of Shuri, so she won't have to work so hard."

Hana intervened with a gentle laugh. "Oh, Aera, don't blame Jin. It's my Riri who wants to work. She's always been so independent and driven."

Aera sighed again, this time more heavily. "My useless son can't even make your daughter date him properly. I wish Shuri would accept Jin. It would make our families so much closer."

Jin's cheeks reddened slightly, but he remained silent, glancing at Shuri with a mixture of hope and embarrassment.

Shuri felt a pang of guilt as she noticed his reaction. She had always appreciated Jin's kindness and enjoyed his company, and although she had good feelings for Jin, she knew she could never date him because of her unresolved love for Noran.

Hana reached out and patted Aera's hand. "Even if our children don't end up together, Aera, I already see you as my sister. You're like a family to me, no matter what."

Aera's expression hardened with determination. "I feel the same way, Hana. But you know, my biggest wish is for our children to be together so we can truly be family."

Aera's resolve stemmed from a visit to a renowned fortune teller, Master Hoon. He had told her that if her son married Shuri, it would bring the family good luck and health. Aera had taken his words to heart and became deeply convinced that Shuri was a lucky charm.

After meeting Shuri and Hana, Aera noticed significant improvements in her own life.

Her mental health, which had been plagued by depression, began to improve, and the Park family business started to thrive.

She truly believed that Shuri and Hana were blessings to her and her family, and she wanted to secure their presence in her life.

Shuri felt a growing discomfort with the conversation, sensing the weight of Aera's expectations. Jin noticed her unease and spoke up, his tone gentle but firm.

"Mum, you shouldn't pressure Shuri like that. You're making her uncomfortable," Jin said thoughtfully.

Hana added gently, "I think it's better for them to take things slow. If they like each other, they'll naturally come together."

Although Hana liked Jin and thought he was a wonderful match for her daughter, she also wanted Shuri to marry a man she truly loved, just as she had.

Hana believed that genuine love and mutual affection were the foundation of a happy and lasting marriage.

She wanted Shuri to experience the same deep connection and joy she had found in her own marriage.

Aera frowned, clearly unhappy. "Tsk, maybe my son isn't good enough. Otherwise, why can't he get Shuri to like him?"

Shuri didn't want Aera to misunderstand Jin, so she finally spoke up, her voice gentle but sincere, "Mrs. Aera, Jin is a wonderful man. It's not his fault at all. The truth is, I'm just not thinking about dating at the moment. I have a lot on my mind and many responsibilities. But I truly appreciate all the love and care you've shown me over the years. Your support means a lot to me."

Aera's expression softened, and she smiled warmly. "Shuri, you're such a good girl. It'd be so nice to have a daughter like you. Instead, I have three sons who don't know how to appreciate me as their mother, and my two older sons ended up marrying girls who can't even be compared to you. If they weren't already married, I would have made them go after you as well." freēnovelkiss.com

She paused and sighed. "I really want a daughter like you, Shuri..."

Throughout the entire dinner, Aera kept praising Shuri, her bias and intentions becoming increasingly evident. She complimented Shuri on everything, from her manners to her looks and talents.

It was clear that, in Aera's eyes, Shuri was the perfect match for Jin. Aera made it obvious that she wouldn't agree to any other girl becoming her third daughter-in-law. Her focus remained on Shuri, making her preference unmistakably clear to everyone at the table.

As Aera continued to sing her praises, Shuri forced herself to smile, but inside, she felt a growing unease.

A part of her was flattered by Aera's affection and high regard, but another part of her found it unsettling.

In her first life, Noran's parents had been so against their relationship that their opposition had ultimately led to her death.

The contrast between her past and present lives was stark.

Now, here was Aera, a matriarch of another powerful family in the country, so desperate to have her as a daughter-in-law that she would go to great lengths to make it happen.

Shuri couldn't help but wonder, would Noran's parents welcome her in this life too, like the Park family?

She quickly shook her head, thinking they would likely still see Sophia as a better partner for him. She shouldn't get her hopes up.

Noran hadn't left the Kingston family in this life, and she didn't want him to make such a sacrifice for her again.

"Yes, we shouldn't repeat what we did in our previous life," Shuri thought, her fingers tightening around the edge of her napkin.