Absolute Threshold — Chapter 167. Civilizing the Savage

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 3/3

Jumi had reprimanded her daughter, worried she might disturb her sleeping father.

The toddler, still unable to speak, widened her round eyes. Her lips twitched as she babbled incoherently, as if trying to argue back.

Jumi found her daughter’s attempt to respond so adorable that she couldn’t hold back a smile, warmth swelling in her chest.

But the baby, mistaking that smile for encouragement, swung her plump arm excitedly. She giggled as her rattle struck her father’s neck again, delighted by her own mischief.

“Yuho.”

Swiftly, Jumi scooped her up.

“Enough.”

She pressed a kiss to the girl’s soft cheek before carrying her out.

People often said daughters took after their parents, but even the smallest mannerisms of her little girl mirrored her own. This created an unspoken yet powerful connection between them—unlike her other children, who had changed as they grew.

“You’re exactly the same.”

Jumi’s mother murmured this as she watched her head to the bathroom with the baby in her arms. The nanny trailed behind, having been helpful since morning.

After sipping her coffee elegantly, Kyung’s lips curved into a smile, charmed by the little girl’s sweetness. Fondness filled her heart.

Normally, such impulsive behavior would have annoyed her, but this time was different. Maybe time had mellowed her, or perhaps her love for her granddaughter outweighed any irritation.

“Life’s made you walk in my shoes. Now you have a spirited daughter to raise.”

She said it lightly, joking.

But beneath the humor lay unease. She would have fiercely opposed their marriage, so the news of Jumi’s pregnancy had hit her like a bolt of lightning.

Never in her darkest dreams had she imagined her daughter with a gangster. Yet when she confronted Jumi, her daughter had vehemently denied it.

Kyung had cleared her schedule days in advance to have lunch with the children. The kitchen fell silent once they left.

“Your brothers went with Grandma, so you’ll be spending the day with Mom.”

Yuho, unable to resist touching her mother’s face, babbled as if answering. Though she resembled Jumi, her eyes were strangely like Yoongyo’s.

It was feeding time. After giving birth again, her milk supply had naturally increased. She felt her youth slipping away along with it. Yet, watching Yuho nurse, she felt pure joy.

“Eat well. You need to grow strong.”

Jumi gently stroked her baby’s round belly as she fed her. As she settled Yuho to sleep, her own eyes grew heavy—until they suddenly snapped open.

That’s when she noticed Yoongyo sneaking out of the room, his loose robe barely covering him.

“Your daddy’s lost his mind too.”

She wouldn’t let him near the baby like that. Not when her daughter wasn’t even weaned yet.

Jumi tightened her fists, ready to strike.

But Yoongyo had something else in mind.