Chapter 21: Which father are you talking about?

When morning came, Hana woke up with a panicked expression, her breathing labored. The images from her dream came rushing back into her mind.

Hana dreamed that after both of her parents died, her family company went bankrupt. She became poor and was taken care of by three powerful men on the Melvin Continent like a pet canary. Every night—even almost every day—she had to serve them in bed.

Hana wiped her face, which was covered in cold sweat.

"Damn," she cursed softly. She immediately sat on the edge of the bed. How could I have such a terrible dream?

Hana turned to the side, looking at her three children whose faces did not resemble one another. She bit her fingers until they made a clicking sound.

This must only be a dream, right? Even though I’m quite beautiful, there’s no way I could become the pet of three men at once, right? But... what if it’s true? And where did I actually get these three children from? Hana pulled the blanket up and covered her face, which had now lost all its color.

Although she could not clearly remember the men’s faces, the memories of them hurting her in bed still appeared vividly in her mind.

"Mom..." Zahn, who was sleeping beside her, woke up because of Hana’s large movements.

Hana turned toward him with tearful eyes filled with fear. She quickly fixed her hair and looked at her youngest son.

"Did Mom wake you up? Sorry... go back to sleep, it’s still too early."

Zahn rubbed his eyes and then hugged Hana. "Did Mom have a nightmare?"

Hana shook her head. "No. It was just an ordinary dream."

"You’re lying, Mom."

Hana smiled faintly, then laid Zahn down and hugged him again. Their rental room only had one bed, so they slept squeezed together. Actually, Hana wanted to buy another one, but her savings were set aside for the children’s school expenses. She didn’t want to use them for her own comfort.

"Mom, tell me about the dream. I can’t sleep again if Mom hasn’t finished telling me about it."

Hana lowered her head and looked at her son, who was staring at her with his big round eyes. She sighed. She knew very well that Zahn would not calm down until he heard it.

"Mom dreamed that she met your fathers," Hana answered softly.

"Our fathers? Mom knows what our fathers look like?" Zahn asked with a little worry.

Hana shook her head. "Mom doesn’t remember their faces."

"Then why did Mom wake up panicking? Were our fathers in Mom’s dream ugly?"

Hana remembered the three men in her dream and then shook her head. "They were handsome. They should be. Besides, aren’t you three very handsome?" she said gently.

Zahn nodded confidently. "Mom, our fathers are handsome. They must be very handsome. There are no men more handsome than our three fathers."

Hana smiled and lightly kissed his forehead. "But in Mom’s dream, they were cruel and powerful people. They hurt Mom. That’s why Mom considered it a nightmare."

Zahn shifted his body slightly so he could see Hana’s face. "They were cruel?"

"Ehm," Hana answered. "Mom doesn’t like cruel men."

"Mom," Zahn grabbed Hana’s arm, "I’ll hit them if they do anything bad to Mom. I won’t let them hurt Mom. I swear."

"Zahn... if your fathers are powerful rich men, I don’t think Mom can marry them," Hana said after falling silent for a moment.

Even though in that dream the three men who might possibly be the fathers of her three children treated her well and even provided many servants for her, they were still rough in bed. And that alone was enough to make Hana refuse. Whether it was a dream or reality, she didn’t care.

Zahn looked at Hana’s still-pale face, then gently kissed her. "Mom, I swear I won’t let anyone hurt you. Big Brother Sean and Big Brother Kevin will definitely do the same."

"Zahn... if Mom chooses not to marry, or marries an ordinary man who isn’t rich, can you forgive Mom?"

Zahn lightly bit his lip. "But what if our father is actually poor? Would Mom not be afraid anymore?"

Hana thought for a moment and then nodded. "If your father is poor, that’s even better. Mom will definitely marry him happily. As long as he isn’t cruel," she said as she began to feel sleepy.

"Zahn, go back to sleep, okay? Mom is tired. Good night." Hana closed her eyes before Zahn could answer.

Zahn looked at Hana as her breathing began to become regular. He squeezed her hand tightly. "It seems I have to ask Dad to sell all his companies and become poor immediately. Mom must not know that Dad is a rich and powerful man on the Melvin Continent," he whispered, then closed his eyes as well.

The next morning, when Hana arrived at the shop where she worked, her coworkers immediately surrounded her.

"Hana, the event has been moved up! We’re leaving this afternoon. Boss has already gone home to pack and told us to go home and pack as soon as we’re done here."

Hana tilted her head. "That quickly? Why so sudden?"

"I don’t know the details, but Boss said it was an order from the mayor’s guest who is holding the event."

"Right," another coworker chimed in while tidying up the shop. "You’re coming, right?"

Hana nodded, put down her bag, and joined them in arranging the goods. "I’m coming. My children agreed. I just need to talk to the auntie who owns the apartment building."

"They’ll definitely agree. They’re very kind to you. There’s no way they would refuse to look after your obedient and handsome children."

Hana simply nodded and started working. One hour later, the shop was closed.

"Hana, don’t be late! Boss will pick us up here at three, then we’ll gather at the pier with the employees from the other shops."

"Got it," Hana replied.

She went home carrying two large bags filled with snacks and then knocked on Jesy, Jezy, and Jexy’s door.

"You’re home early today?" Jesy, who happened to be standing in front of the door, asked.

Hana nodded. "Auntie Jexy, I brought lots of food for the three of you, and I want to—"

Smack! Jesy lightly flicked Hana’s forehead. "What’s inside that head of yours? You still keep getting my name wrong!"

"Ouch... Auntie, why do you always scold me just because of a name..." Hana said while protecting her head.

"Enough, come inside!" Jesy snorted. "Your children are playing inside."

Hana smiled and immediately went inside.

"How is it? Have you managed to contact your father, Kevin?" Sean asked without turning around. His hands were still busy operating the computer in front of him.

Hana walked closer with her forehead furrowed.

"What do you mean?" Hana asked. "Which father are you talking about?"