Episode 7 of "Family By Choice" unfolds with a dramatic scene where San-ha hastily grasps Ju-won as she teeters on the brink of a ledge, both landing in an unexpected embrace. An uncomfortable stillness envelops them as they make their way back home. Observing Hae-joon's expression, San-ha forces a brave smile, but his composure cracks when he discovers Jung-jae meticulously washing his school uniform by hand. He joins his father, a wave of guilt washing over him, urging Jung-jae to prioritize his health. Hae-joon brings up the return of his mother and mentions his intention to repay Jung-jae regardless, yet Jung-jae assures him that the money matters little. Hae-joon, unable to conceal his emotions, finds solace in tears under the covers.
The next day, Jung-jae finds himself at the noodle shop, engrossed in his finances, when Dae-wook remarks with relief that Jung-hee has departed for Seoul. He adds that Jung-hee and So-hee will be away from San-ha's immediate surroundings for some time. Their conversation drifts to Hae-joon's estranged birth father, Dong-gu, who remains mysteriously absent.
Meanwhile, Dong-gu reappears at the high school, earnestly persuading Hae-joon to accompany him to the USA. Hae-joon's basketball tryouts interrupt their discussion, attended by a scout from Seoul National University. Dong-gu swells with pride as the coach notes Hae-joon as the team's standout player. Afterward, Dong-gu bids farewell, promising to return for the upcoming inter-school basketball match scheduled the next week.
That evening, Ju-won attempts to engage San-ha in conversation, but he remains haunted by their previous awkward encounter. With a curt dismissal, San-ha shuts Ju-won out of his room, citing the importance of his CSAT exam preparations as his reason.
Ju-won couldn't fathom why San-ha had been walking on eggshells lately, yet Hae-joon attributed it to the looming CSAT exams. As Ju-won observed her classmate crafting a talisman for the senior she admired, she sought Dal's assistance to weave similar charms for Hae-joon and San-ha ahead of their pivotal tests. With a care basket in hand, she bestowed her blessings upon the boys, hoping for their success in the exams.
On the day of the CSATs, San-ha and Hae-joon entered their respective halls with different mindsets; Hae-joon opted for a unconventional strategy, marking the same answer for every question, clinging to a slim hope of passing. Meanwhile, Jung-jae and Dae-wook decided to unwind with drinks, giving Ju-won, San-ha, and Hae-joon a chance to celebrate the conclusion of their grueling entrance exams. Ju-won thoughtfully invited Dal, aiming to nudge her closer to Hae-joon.
Under the starlit sky, Ju-won and San-ha grilled meat while Hae-joon and Dal shared thoughts about the exam. An unforeseen mishap led to Ju-won burning her hand, causing San-ha to act impulsively, whisking her downstairs to apply soothing ointment. During this tender moment, Ju-won expressed her joy at seeing Hae-joon and Dal bond, marveling at Hae-joon's obliviousness to romantic cues.
Up on the rooftop, Hae-joon confided in Dal, revealing that his mother had returned to settle scores with Jung-jae. Embarrassment tinged his voice as he recounted how she caught him searching for her on the streets. Dal's heartstrings were plucked by Hae-joon's heartfelt tale, her eyes welling up. Hae-joon, sensing her emotion, endeavored to lift her spirits, promising to keep Dal's secret crush on San-ha hidden in his heart.
Dal attempts to engage in conversation, yet Hae-joon turns a deaf ear to her endeavors. Upon San-ha's arrival, Hae-joon seizes the moment, suggesting to him that he escort Dal to the bus stop, subtly aiming to weave the threads of romance between them. However, Ju-won interrupts, urging Hae-joon to take Dal instead, but San-ha promptly steps in, volunteering for the task.
As they stroll towards the bus stop, San-ha inquires about Dal's reluctance to bare her heartfelt sentiments for Hae-joon. Dal confides in San-ha, expressing her apprehension that such a revelation might transform their cherished friendship into something unrecognizable, a risk she is unwilling to take. San-ha nods in understanding, as he too reflects on how his own feelings for Ju-won have complicated their familial harmony.
Meanwhile, atop the rooftop, Hae-joon and Ju-won both marvel at their mutual blindness to Dal's hidden affections, deeming each other naive in this oversight. At the bus stop, San-ha's phone buzzes with a call from his mother's number, causing him to excitedly shout before swiftly apologizing when he realizes it's So-hee on the line. Jung-hee, nearby, reprimands San-ha for his rudeness, sparking a heated debate between them. She urges San-ha to attend a university in Seoul, but he steadfastly declines. Jung-hee accuses him of only caring when she's sick or dying, words that cut deep and stir San-ha's emotions further.
The following day, San-ha's teacher heaps praise upon him for his impressive CSAT scores and urges him to enroll at SNU, rather than settling for a lesser institution in the countryside. Similarly, the coach exhorts Hae-joon to pursue a prestigious university, recognizing his extraordinary talents. Yet, both San-ha and Hae-joon steadfastly refuse to venture far from their homes for higher education.
Later in the day, the students congregate on the basketball court to witness Hae-joon's inter-school math competition against the rival team, with Joon-ho thoughtfully reserving seats for Ju-won and Dal, only to find that San-ha has sat beside Ju-won instead. Hae-joon demonstrates exceptional prowess, leading their school to victory. San-ha attempts to halt Dong-gu's hurried departure, who insists he must meet Jung-jae. In a rush, Dong-gu informs Hae-joon that his birth father intends to meet Jung-jae. Promptly, Hae-joon dashes back home, while Dong-gu arrives at the noodle shop, where he confesses to Jung-jae his selfishness in retaining Hae-joon, a talent whose potential far outstripped his own grasp. Dong-gu throws aside brochures detailing colleges in the USA with basketball programs that could profoundly benefit Hae-joon, accusing Jung-jae of impeding Hae-joon's path to success. Jung-jae vows to diligently work and save to send Hae-joon to the States.
Dae-wook rebukes Dong-gu for labeling Jung-jae selfish, pointing out that Jung-jae had cared for Hae-joon when his birth parents deserted him. Dong-gu exits the noodle shop but encounters Hae-joon, who is returning home at a breakneck speed. Hae-joon stands up for his "father," Jung-jae, to Dong-gu's displeasure. Dong-gu tries to persuade Hae-joon to accompany him to the States, but Hae-joon resolutely declines.
Dong-gu continues to tarnish Jung-jae's image in Hae-joon's presence, again branding him selfish for hindering Hae-joon's growth. Dong-gu even threatens to shut down Jung-jae's restaurant, but Hae-joon sternly warns him against harming his father. That night, Hae-joon ponders Dong-gu's menacing threats. Meanwhile, San-ha and Ju-won return home together, speculative about Hae-joon's possible response to his birth father's proposition of moving to the USA.
Ju-won confidently asserts that Hae-joon will not abandon their family. Meanwhile, at home, Jung-jae apologizes for missing Hae-joon's matches. Hae-joon reassures Jung-jae that he has no desire to attend a college beyond their small town and urges him to cease worrying. As night falls, San-ha, Hae-joon, and Ju-won find themselves on the rooftop, where San-ha receives a call from the hospital. The episode concludes with a harrowing revelation: San-ha informing his father that Jung-hee has been involved in a car accident, and her second husband tragically perished in the crash.
