Chapter 6 

Yunseul had never looked at him with such coldness before. Her cold stare gradually merged with her jet-black eyes.   

 His head was cocked, his concentrated stare examining every inch of her face as if he was trying to figure out why.    

Yunseul’s neck moved up and down as she swallowed dryly.   

 “Why do you need to go to the gynecologist?”

He asks, his face hardening as if he’s asking you why you need to see a gynecologist. She forced her eyes shut to hide the fact that she was shaking.    

He’d be even more cruel if he saw her shaking. He would pushed her as if he wanted her to be hurt.    

His forehead wrinkled as she kept her mouth shut without responding. It was a look she didn’t want to think about.

Yunseul read his expression and wondered if he was a father. No, he was irritated at the thought of a similar situation.

“Don’t expect anything from me. If you get pregnant, I’ll drag you to the hospital and make you get rid of it. If you give birth secretly, I’ll send you to a foreign country and never let you see me again.”

The echo of his voice in my ears breaks her heart. She also made a promise to herself at the same time. This child is my own and not his or his child’s, so she have to protect her baby.   Yunseul’s face hardened slightly before relaxing.

With a hard expression, she met his penetrating gaze.    

“Today is the day I will be replacing my birth control.”    

Yunseul said coldly, shutting her mouth tightly. She wish she’d thought of it earlier so that she wouldn’t have to engage in unhealthy sex.

When She found out that she was pregnant and needed to stop her birth control, She made up a story. She believed that she should just avoid going to the gynecologist because she didn’t know what she would do if he discovered  was pregnant, but then she realized that if he wasn’t concerned about her, he wouldn’t want to see her medical records, and even if he did, he wouldn’t know if she lied about why she went.   

 No way, the doctor is breaking the law by giving over patient records.

“Do you what to replace it?”

“Yes,”

She responded, staring him in the eye so he didn’t doubted her. She was relieved to see his suspicious gaze calm down.   

“They say you have to change it every three years.”   

In fact, the doctor had told her during the procedure that she only needed to replace it every five years, but Yunseul had also lied about that.

“Okay, but you don’t need to tell me when you go to the gynecologist.”

She nodded, confused as to why he was bothered to tell me all of this. Yunseul pressed the corners of her lips together.    

Fortunately, he averted his gaze. She googled it up and saw that sex should be avoided during the first trimester, but his need for it was relentless, and it was not surprising that he never took a day off. She couldn’t wait any longer to see the doctor.    

She seems to have done an excellent job. Yun-seul felt better after releasing the pressure on her shoulder.

“…Ji, Ji-hyuk?”

 Yun-seul’s body was pushed away from him by the force of his shoulder, and she fell onto the bed. She was dumbfounded because she was so shocked and her eyes widened as she watched him climb on top of her.    

“Wait….”

Her words were cut off by him, quickly pulling down her sleepwear. With a moan, he hurled them to the floor, pulling them from her body.

He looked at her face once while she was on his thighs, his stare making Yunseul feel strangled. she’ve seen this look before, when he’s not sure what he’s thinking but his eyes appear to have deepened.    

It was impossible to move a single finger due to the scary setting. She saw him reach for her hand but didn’t think to back away.    

He pulled her shirt down, showing her br*asts with a bounce while taking it off.    Her n*pples were touched by her big hands.

Her n*pples stiffened. As she realized that the tiny pellets had exploded directly in front of him, the corners of his mouth twitched upward.    

She turns her head away, a flush of shame spreading to the back of her neck.    

“Ugh! Gynecology….”

“I thought you were going tomorrow?” I want you to spread your legs.”

Yunseul’s eyes started fluttering rapidly.   

 “Breathe!”

Her head snapped back as he gently touched her plump br*ast. He straddled her upper body and sank his teeth into the back of her neck while she squirmed, unable to breathe.    

The sensation that started with his bite spread throughout her body and throbbed. Yunseul’s cheeks turned very red.    

As he chewed on her stiffened n*pple, he pulled her shoulders and pushed her head away. Then he put it in his mouth and firmly sucked on it.    

“…It hurts. It hurts…. Ughhh!”

Yunseul sighs and rolls her shoulders. She want to get away from his lips, but they’re too persistent.  When she try to get away, he crushes her chest, pinning her beneath him and leaving her gasping for air.    

He slides the tip of his shaft up and down the damp path, spreading her legs. Yunseul closed her eyes slowly while staring at the ceiling.

She quickly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her right hand. She didn’t want him to see her crying. She try to think of something else to distract herself from her pounding heart, but her eye turns to her bleeding v*g*na. Slowly, back and forth, back and forth.

The inner wall, which had been painful just moments before, became soft.  The doppelgänger slid in and out the entire time. Her inner walls squeezed, as if trying to suck in the p*nis that had escaped, leaving only the glans.    

A strong hand spread her thighs wide, as if he didn’t like how her legs kept folding in the middle.    

“Relax your legs,”

He commands, and she obeys. It was simpler on her body and mind to do as he instructed; being difficult on the bed would only make things worse.  

She arched her back flexibly with a tight hold on her right thigh. Even though she don’t want to, her body responds to him, and a tiny moan escapes through her sealed lips.

The firmly embedded p*nis wriggles, as if looking for a way inside. After a brief pause, she gyrated his hips, circling and circling, and each time her inner walls bucked, asking to be f*cked harder and faster.    

Yunseul covered her eyes with her arms to hide her pleasure.  She was scared She’d break under his forceful hips, yet her v*g*na gaped open to welcome his c*ck against her.   

She involuntarily pushed away from her chest, afraid she’d fall in pleasure and cry out for him to hold her more tightly, but it didn’t matter, her empty eyes slowly turning to him as he pounded and pounded his c*ck into her hole.    

Yunseul closed her eyes and then opened them again. Yunseul’s eyes were as bright as the sun, it appeared and then disappeared. She hates the sight of him and turns her head away.    

“Hmph! Hmph!”

She turns her head away, unsure what to do with her subdued body.  She trembled with masturbation as he rubbed her clitoris from side to side.    

He knew where to touch and where to come apart better than anyone else. No, he was the most knowledgeable in this planet.  She couldn’t help but glance up at him when he bit her clit like he’d bit her n*pple.    

“Stop…. Hmph! Stop!”

She begged and begged and begged, but nothing changed. Despite knowing it, she screamed out and climaxed in an instant, her back bending like a bow.

Physiological tears poured down her cheeks. She could feel his stare on her tear-streaked face, but she was unable to get herself to open her eyes.  

Even though he hugged her so tightly, she was unable to bear the temperature difference in her cold eyes.  

When he was done ejaculating, he pulled back just as coldly, his p*nis slipping out, and a bitterness coursed through his body as if it had been pushed far away.    

This has been going on for three years, not just once or twice, and her sensitivity has increased.

His steps fade away into the distance. Yunseul’s mouth twitched at the sound of his footsteps, as if he had finished his job.    

She sprawled firmly head to toe on the blanket, which was dirty with his fluids and semen, unable to get herself up. She’d use the instrument as an excuse if he tried to stay.

In some ways, it’s the kind of sex they engage in every day, so it makes sense that they’d do it today, so why was she so sure he wouldn’t?    

She’ll need to tell him that she’s going to the gynecologist tomorrow, and they’re going to remove the devices out, and she’ll be waiting until her period to put them back in, so he’ll be careful, since he hates her getting pregnant.

Either that, or she’ll lie and pretend she’s on her period, because she won’t allow herself do anything when she’s on her period, which would be an acceptable excuse. Yunseul placed her arms around her tummy, trying to think to find any reason not to have sex with him.    

She thought she must have gotten a lot of rest at her mom’s hospital, but clearly not. She dozed and slept and slept some more. The lids of her eyes slid down as if weighed down by stones. Slowly, gradually, her blinking had slowed to an end. She quickly passed out and was falling asleep.    

The following day. Yunseul sat downcast in the gynecologist’s waiting room.

She didn’t want to see husbands smiling happily at all the pregnant mums with big bellies.

She didn’t want to show it to her baby.   

She felt bad for the baby, who was unloved by anyone. She was smiling happily as she looked at the maternity notebook, not just as a mother with a full stomach, but also as a woman who was not full because she was in her first trimester.    

She’s not sure why she’s so envious of their happy smiles that there’s no reason to be worried.  Yun-seul stroked her flat stomach softly with her palm.    

She worried about her baby every day. She should have come home sooner. Yunseul’s face became tired as the hours passed.    

She couldn’t help but feel envious as she compared herself to other happy mothers.

She must stand up for herself. She was the only one who could keep her child safe.    

“Ms. Yunseul.”

“Yes!”

Yunseul stood up at the sound of the nurse’s voice calling for her.    

“Come in.”  

“Okay.”    

‘Is the baby all right?  You’re doing fine, baby, aren’t you?’

 Yunseul came into the examination room, her face tensed.    

“You took a pregnancy test?”

“Yes.”   

Yunseul swallowed dryly and locked her eyes on the doctor. Her shoulders became tense, causing her pain.

“We’re going to do an ultrasound, so you’ll need to take off your underwear and change into a skirt inside the curtain.”  

“Okay,”

She said this as she walked through the curtain, where a comfortable-looking skirt hung on the hook. Yunseul removed her jeans and then took off her panties as instructed by the nurse.    

“When you’re finished, please come out and lie down on the bed.”  

“…Okay.”

She took deep, slow breaths in and out, trying to relax despite the strangeness of the situation. She stepped outside the curtain and lay on the bed the nurse had pointed.    

“You can put your legs up here, and your skirt up.”

 “Ah…. Okay.”  

She didn’t mind bringing her skirt up to her stomach, but when the doctor requested her to spread her legs, She blushed with embarrassment.

But She couldn’t keep the doctor waiting any longer, so she swallowed her pride and lay on the bed, positioning her legs where she instructed.

Her legs split up, exposing her buttocks. As the cold air hit her p*ssy, she bit her lip.   

 “I’m going to do a transvaginal ultrasound, but I don’t want you to push.”  

The doctor put a pair of gloves on her hand and lifted the unfamilliar gadget. A nurse next to her told her to calm herself down.   

 “It’s going to be cold, it’s going to feel foreign, and then I’m going to start the ultrasound.”    

Yunseul’s eyes was fixed on the ultrasound screen above her. Her ears were pierced by the first sounds, which were half water and half machine.  

“The nurse is well positioned, congratulations. You’re now nine weeks…. You’re 9 weeks. The fetus is measuring…. Let’s see, let’s see…. 2.49 centimeters. And the heartbeat is 176 bpm, which is good.”

The doctor’s voice disappeared and was replaced by a machine-like sound.  

 “this sound….” is the heartbeat.”

She looked at the doctor, who was smiling kindly, then at the ultrasound screen. Yunseul covered her mouth with her palm. The sound of her heartbeat fills her chest.    

“It’s short, but this is ther arm. You’re moving it around well, right?”

“Ah…….”    

Yunseul’s eyes widened. Something a bit bigger than a blueberry was moving rapidly on the ultrasound screen. But  she can’t see it, just…. She reasoned,

“Oh, there’s a baby in my belly,” 

At this point she realize how difficult it’s been to pump life out of her.    

Her eyes became wet as she felt sad and sorry for having such a wonderful child and only having negative thoughts for a moment.    

“You’re growing well, so, I’m going remove the birth control today.”  

“is it possible to get pregnant…even with all this birth control?”

“Yes, it happens sometimes. Some people think that birth control makes them completely unable to get pregnant, but the truth is that there is no such thing as 100% protection. Unless you don’t have sex at all.”

Yunseul slowly nodded.    

“How wonderful. It’s not even three centimeters yet, but look at it moving. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Mommy, I’m here,’ don’t you think?”

Her nose ran as she fought back a tear. The doctor was right; it was fantastic.    

“Do you have any questions?”

The doctor asked, taking off her gloves and asking her to ask if she had any questions. Yunseul adjusted her skirt and lowered her legs.   

 “They say you have to be careful with having sex during that first trimester…….”

Her throat tightened even though She wasn’t a sinner, her ears were on fire.    

“You should be careful, but the truth is, a lot of people’s sex drive goes up when they’re pregnant. Don’t just do it, it’s not right, because it’s not good for you, it’s not good for the baby.”

I’m not sure what’s taking me so long to say that. Yunseul forced a laugh.   

 “Instead, be careful. More careful when you’re not feeling well.”

“Yes, I understand doc.”  

“Then I’ll see you in two weeks.”  

“Okay.”    

Yunseul stepped inside the curtain to change into her underwear and pants. As she was being taken out, she noticed a pregnant woman sitting in the waiting room. She smiled as thinking of being that full so soon, but she was afraid that someone would find out before she divorced.  

Yunseul stroked her belly tenderly, letting out a little sigh.

‘Don’t worry, sweetie; I’ll protect you.’

She hadn’t recognized she was in her first trimester, so she hadn’t been as careful, even at night and early in the morning, but now she had to be.    

Yunseul gripped the mother’s notepad passionately after getting it. As if it were a baby, She gently flicked the maternity book.  A pleasant spring breeze flowed through her body as she stepped outside for her next visit, as if to bless her pregnancy.    

Yunsul raised her eyes to the the sky. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the clouds. She’d worried about her baby’s safety many times before, but seeing the baby was growing and doing well filled her with a sense of responsibility.   

Yunseul’s expression remained unchanged as she looked up at the blue sky.  After a while, most likely because she was glad that the baby was fine, she became quite cold and her head throbbed. With each breath, hot air escaped her mouth.    

“Ha. Ha……. Ah.”

Her muscles hurt because of the tension.   

She didn’t want to go home right away after, so she stayed out in a coffee shop until it was time for dinner. She didn’t want to go to see her in-laws so she just went home.

But, She was also afraid She’d get in trouble if she didn’t go, so she go even though she was feeling sick, but now she’s not so sure. Yunseul slowly opened and closed her eyes as she stood in front of the gate that threatened to swallow her whole.

Her eyesight was blurry due to the intense heat in her eyes.  She pushed open the gate and walked inside, breaking out in cold sweat. She was frightened as she heard the gate close behind her.   

 She took a step up the stone steps and saw someone standing at the top.    Yunseul’s vision became blurry, and she narrowed her eyes to see clearly the person standing at the top of the stairs.

She tried to see the face clearly.    

“Ah…….”    

It was Junhyuk. He was looking down at me, pouting his lips, and she was wondering if something was wrong.

“Junhyuk!”

He jumped down towards her out of nowhere. As he jumped down the stairs, She tried to catch him, but he fell two steps down.   she was so suprise that she completely lost control over both of her legs.   

 “Junhyuk…….”    

Yunseul stumbled up the steps, almost crawling.    

“Are you okay?”

She knelt on the floor and checked Seo’s face. His eyes were closed.

Seo Jun-hyuk opened his eyes and shouted aloud.

“Why, why…. Why did you do that?”

Seo Jun-hyuk jumped down on his own accord, not being pushed. Yunseul, who was as white as a sheet, fiercely clutched the sobbing Seo Jun Hyuk.    

“Are you hurt?”

“Go away! Go away!”  

“What’s wrong. Junhyuk, why did you do that, huh?”

Her shoulder strength was not that of an elementary school student. It was more like a slap than a push.

However, Yun-seul hesitated to let go of Seo Jun-hyuk. She had no idea what he had in mind, but she was concerned that if she let him go, he might do something much worse.   

 “Jun-hyuk, why are you crying?”

Her throat burned for no reason as she saw his mother hurry down the stairs.   

 “Mom! Mom!”

Hyungsoo, who came out of nowhere, took Seo from her arms and held him in her arms.    

“Who, who did this to you, huh? Are you hurt?”

“Mom…. Hmph. My leg hurts. My leg hurts.”

“No, did you fall down the stairs? Why did you fall down all of a sudden, huh?”

He looks at her with tears flowing down his face as he clutches his leg and cries. As if he is blaming her.    

“mom, it’s because of her!”

he lies, she stares at Jun-hyuk with her mouth open.   

“Hyungsoo, no, it’s not me, I did not do anything….”

“Junseul, you’re telling me that my son is lying?”

It was the first time she’d ever seen her lose her temper. She couldn’t believe Seo Jun-hyuk was lying to her without blinking; she believes his son, her darling son that had been hurt.

“Jun Hyuk jumped out of nowhere, I swear.”  

“You’re a terrible person, Junseul. Is it not enough that you hurt my only son, and now you’re accusing him of being a liar?”

She can’t think of anything to say at the moment. In his mother’s arms, Seo Jun-hyuk’s eyes turned to her. Yun-seul’s eyes widened.

Seo Jun-hyuk, on the other hand, was smiling. A cold sensation went down her spine.   

“If my son get a scar, it is all your fault?”

She was about to suggest her to check the CCTV.    

“What’s going on?”

She could hear his voice behind her. Yunseul turned around to face him. His emotionless eyes was fixed on Seo Jun-hyuk and Hyungsoo.  Yunseul’s stomach clenched uncontrollably.   

 “…Mr. Seo, hmph!”

When he saw Hyungsoo and Seo Jun-hyuk crying, he slowly got up. He went on slowly up the steps and bent down to see Seo Jun-hyuk’s body. Yun-seul locked his gaze on him.    

“Is Jun-hyuk hurt?”

“Yes, he’s hurt. He jumped into Junseul, or something, and he rolled down the stairs.”    

Crawling up the steps pained Yunseul’s palms and knees, but she didn’t show it, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.    

Both Hyungsoo’s bitter eyes and his gaze are drawn to her.

“Be careful. He’s just a kid.”

He’d go with Hyungsoo and Seo Junhyuk, he didn’t believe me, which she had understood right away when she heard his voice.    

Yunseul bit her bottom lip and lowered her gaze. Even if she said she did not do it, it would make no difference because they do not trust her. No. Knowing the truth wouldn’t change anything.

“I’m sorry, Hyungsoo,”

He politely apologized to hyungsoo. He pressed his lips against the lodged tooth, driving it deeper, as if he were apologizing on my behalf.   

 “It’s not swollen, and from the way it’s moving, I don’t think it’s a broken bone. If it’s still hurting tomorrow, I’d better take you to the hospital. Call me if you don’t want to go alone, I’ll come with you.”  

“…Okay, thank you.”

Hyungsoo locked his eyes on her.    

“Junseul, be careful in the future.”

The figures of hyungsoo and him faded as they showed as two, then one, then blurred. Yunseul’s body trembled fiercely, as did hyungsoo’s.   

Yunseul fell to the ground, squeezing her eyes shut and slowly opening them.

Her eyes were engraved with the image of him supporting Hyungsoo’s arm.    

“…………….”

He looked her in the eyes.    

“Youngest wife!”

Mrs. Seo’s voice came from behind her, and she grabbed her arm.    

“Are you okay, youngest wife?”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”    

Mrs. Seo helped Yun-seul stand up and walk past her, along with Hyungsoo and Seo Jun-hyuk. She didn’t mind looking at them any more.

It wouldn’t hurt to try.   

 “Let’s go to the house…..”   

She really didn’t want to even ask him to check the CCTV.

YunSeul’s face turned cold.    

* * * * * * * * * *

“Oh, are you hurt?”

Mrs. Seo took Yunseul into the house, and she felt dizzy for a moment before closing her eyes tightly.    

“Shouldn’t you go to the hospital, your face is white.”

“…….”

“Are you dizzy?”

Mrs. Seo sighed when she didn’t respond and shook her head. She was one of many people who sighed at themselves, but she didn’t mind hearing her sigh.    

Ugh. Yun-seul bit the tip of her tongue, thinking there was some sort of affection in the way she brushed her knee as if upset, when all she did was brush her knee and pat her on the back.

She takes her stiff hand and opens her eyes to see Mrs. Seo checking her wound. She wonder whether it’s because her pregnancy hormones are causing her emotions to change as if she’s in a bad mood.

No one has ever opened up for her in the three years she’s lived in this house, but Mrs. Seo is treating her warmly today.

So…….    This is why….

That clarifies the reason her nose is running. That’s why her eyes are so red.    

“I need to put some medicine on it.”  

“…Mrs…..”    

She looked at the gash on her palm more closely and replied no, called for Mrs. Seo, who was on her way to bring the medicine.

“Yes? Do you need anything? Are you dizzy?”

She forced the corners of her mouth as she looked up at the lady who was asking for assistance.    

“Water… some… water, please.”

“Just sit down. I’ll get you some water in a minute.”    

Mrs. Seo pulled herself up and sat on the couch, then rushed into the kitchen. Yunseul put her hand on her tummy once they were alone.   

 “…Are you okay? You scared me, didn’t you?”

She wasn’t expecting Jun Hyuk Seo’s quick jump. Would he be able to jump down the stairs even if he was playful? No way, would he be capable of such a prank?

She swallowed hard as she recalled him jumping down earlier. She threw her arms over her stomach and embraced her fiercely without realizing it. I was taken surprised, but the child was probably taken surprised more.    

“Here, have some water.”

“Thanks.”

She was thirsty, so she took her cup and drank the water in one gulp. The water was gone in no time.   

 “Do you need more?”

“No, I’m fine.”    

She stroked the back of her neck awkwardly feeling overwhelmed by Mrs. Seo’s worried expression. Then She remembered Mrs. Seo had said she was going home for the evening earlier in the day.    

“Mrs. Seo, is it because of me….”

“It’s okay, I forgot something at work and I came to pick it up. I’m going to my daughter’s house today. My daughter is pregnant and she keeps asking me for something to eat.”

“Your daughter is pregnant?”

Yunseul stood up and slumped back down on the sofa, feeling as if her brain was about to explode.   

 “Oh……. Please go away. I’m sorry about that.”

“Oh, no, I’m not sorry. Aren’t you hungry?”

Why does the question “aren’t you hungry?” make her heart sink?

I’m not sure. She keep telling herself that she need to be strong for her baby, but when she asks if she’s hungry, tears appear in her eyes.   

 She tighten her teeth and close her eyes while cursing herself for being wobbly. Mrs. Seo didn’t want to see her teary eyes.    

“If you want something to eat, please tell me. Why have you lost so much weight lately?”

“…….”    

Ah…. She should have told her to go to her daughter’s house, but she knew she’d end up crying if she said anything, so she kept her mouth shut.   

 “What do you want to eat?”

Actually, she’ve had a yearning for spicy cuisine since she was admitted to the hospital. She rarely look at spicy foods, but they keep appearing in front of her.   

She continue to do so. The notion of spicy cuisine made her mouth water. Mrs. Seo caught Yunseul’s gaze as she raised her eyes. Mrs. Seo was the only person in this house who spoke to her and assisted her behind Hyungsoo’s brother’s back.

“No, I’m fine,”

But She couldn’t believe it, She said. She could have been doing her own thing or working for someone else. That was always the case. There wasn’t a single person she could rely on.   

To defend herself, she needed to be completely alone.  Yunseul’s eyes calmed.    

“I’ll get some rest, and you can leave. Thank you.”

“Yes, please rest.”   

She slumped back into her room, leaving her behind.  Yunseul flopped on the floor, her back against the door, her eyes closed, until after She closed the door.    

“Haa…….,”

She whispered weakly. With each inhale, heat spilled from her mouth. The heat made her eyes feel like they were going to burst.  Yunesul leaned back and rested her cheeks on her knees.

Her knees, her palms, every part of her body pained. Her entire body hurt and throbbed. She tried to sleep but broke out in a cold sweat and her hair was damp at the back of her neck.    

Aside from that, she’d been starving. The desire for something was insatiable. The good news was that her morning sickness had subsided, and that she could eat something.    

She hadn’t eaten in days, and as Mrs. Seo had said, She’d lost a lot of weight.  Yunseul dragged her heavy body to the kitchen. She looked through the refrigerator’s contents. She was looking for something cool after craving spicy food earlier.   

 She quickly peeled an orange from the fruit section. Her mouth watered as the citrusy scent hit her nostrils. Gulp. She swallowed dryly, take the orange into her mouth, and chewed.   

“……Yummy!”

She could have eaten 100 of those. The orange gone in an instant. Yunseul’s mouth watered, and she reached for one from the refrigerator.

She took out another,  Another orange was peeled, put into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed.  Her throat felt like it was about to rip open with each sip, yet the orange slid down without any problems.    

After a while, she noticed she had consumed all of the oranges in the refrigerator. She was so hungry that she forgot to close the freezer door.    

The floor was covered in orange peel, and her fingers were stained yellow.  She stopped eating after she realized the orange had made her feel full. She cleaned down the orange peel and went to her room to get her underwear and pajamas.    

Her eyelids felt heavy, like they wanted to sleep right away, but she chose to take a shower and go to bed because she had been sweating so much.  She was tired, so she cleaned up quickly and went into bed without trying to dry her hair or apply moisturizer.    

He wanted to pull the covers over her head, but her fingers wouldn’t move.

Even the water from the shower was painful enough to cause her shoulders to shake as soon as it hit her body, so she must have done it properly.

How about taking him to the hospital?    

Yunseul laughed, a windy sound exiting her lips. She curled up as much as she could and lay down. Someone seemed to be dragging her down the bed. She passed out as soon as she closed her eyes.    

* * * * * * * * * * *

Ji-hyuk stopped getting dressed and turned his head to look at the bed. Ji-hyuk’s brow narrowed and then straightened, his cold eyes sharpening in disapproval.

As he lay in bed and watched her sleep like a dead man, he felt a surge of irritation.  Since when? Just looking at her makes him feel sick to his stomach. Yes, since their first meeting.

He remembered her talking on about wanting to marry him while staring blankly as if she didn’t know what she was talking about.  He shouldn’t look at her if he get upset just by gazing at her, but Ji-hyuk moved his feet without realizing it.    

He fiddled with his tie, feeling something in his throat as he realized she’d made himself so irritating, and that she was sleeping with such an innocent expression, as if she didn’t know what she was doing.

Ji-hyuk tilted his head to the side.   

 Jun-hyuk, his nephew, had fallen down the stairs three days before, and still she hadn’t been able to get up. Ji-hyuk fixed his gaze on her.

His brow wrinkled. He was tempted to grab her lips, which were slightly apart, but she was breathing because her chest heaved.  What was so bad about it? If he pressed it a bit harder, it was dry enough to break and crack.

Mrs. Seo, who was doing household chores, bowed her head in greeting as Ji-hyuk turned and stepped out into the living room.    

“You must be going to work.”  

“Yes.”    

Ji-hyuk stopped and called out to her as he walked by.    

“Mrs. Seo.”

“Yes?”

“Feed her porridge.”

This hadn’t happened to him in three years, so he gazed at the woman, whose eyes were wide with surprise, and then turned away.

Behind his back, he could hear the woman’s response, but he moved fast. He walked through the garden and opened the gate, and the waiting secretary helped him in opening his car door.  He got into the car and rolled down the window.    

“Is everything okay?”

The secretary in the passenger seat asks, keeping a close eye on him. She observes his expression with caution, knowing that if his not feeling well, he’ll have to reschedule.    

Despite his feelings, Ji-hyuk refuses to pretend to know. His heart falls once more as he recalls the woman who has been sick and unable to get out of bed for days. No, it’s annoyance.    

“No, let’s go.”    

As the car went on, the wind blew through the windows, and he felt like he could breathe again once they were away from his house.

He closed her eyes and lay back against the lovely leather seat. He tapped his index finger against his thigh, a habit he developed when he was feeling stressed.

He hadn’t seen her eat, come to think of it. Ji-hyuk’s face crumpled, as if the weight loss was a self-protest.    

“What about the divorce?”

“What?”

His secretary, who was seated in the passenger seat, looked at him, turned and stared at him, assuming he was talking to her.  He turned away from her and looked out the window.  He saw her brother when he looked up at the sky.

“Ji-hyuk, you will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, get married. Promise me, you’ll marry the one you love. That’s the only way you’ll be happy.”

His ears were penetrated by the voice of his brother, who was now deceased and inaudible. …How can love destroy his life?

Ji-hyuk admired and liked his brother despite the fact that they were siblings in a different boat.

“We’re here.”    

Ji-hyuk was so preoccupied with his brother that he didn’t see he had arrived at the workplace. His cell phone rang in his pocket as he was stepping out of the car.   

 He took it out and gazed at the screen, where he saw his mother.  Ji-hyuk’s brow furrowed.    

Ha…. She told me to die every day when he was struggling, cursed at him for ruining her life, beat him, and forced him to leave the house and live alone. Isn’t the fact that she’s remarried enough? He didn’t like how he kept attempting to step over the line.    

Ji-hyuk declined the call and got out the car.    

Did she wish to have a child? He still can’t believe it.  Ji-hyuk’s face was as cold as ever.