Episode 30

So-jin exhaled a profound sigh, her demeanor growing fatigued as she confronted the man who addressed her. His unexpected closeness was unnerving.

"So-jin, you know..."

"I explicitly told you never to come back. Why are you here?"

"Please! I said it was a huge misunderstanding! Just hear me out, okay?"

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I have nothing further to discuss with you. Leave."

Taking Harim’s hand, So-jin walked past the man. Woon, who stood In front of her house, inquired.

"Who was that?"

"Just someone I once knew."

At that moment, the man interjected.

"Someone you once knew? Really, So-jin? How could you say that?"

"How did the frugal guy who buys second-hand items for his girlfriend but splurges on brand-new bags for another woman get here? You must’ve felt bad about the transportation costs."

"I told you, I bought it because she helped me before. It was strictly business."

"Oh, so you conduct business in a hotel? In a suite, no less?"

"You, you..."

"What? How did I find out? My friend works there! Why, what's the issue? You left the hotel all laughs and giggles. Guess the business meeting went smoothly?"

The man was rendered speechless by So-jin’s outburst while she covered Harim's ears. Then, sensing an opportunity, he turned his attention to Woo and raised his voice.

"Wh-what now? You're saying you've been clean?"

"What?"

"Look at you, inviting a man over in the middle of the night. Or are you living together now? Impressive, So-jin. So you really have multiple men?"

"…Have you exhausted your funds to buy bags for other women and decided to sell your brain instead?"

The sheer thought repulsed So-jin, making her grimace.

"How can you utter such a heartwrenching comment…? I'd rather share a bed with a cockroach than live with this man!"

"What? Are you done talking?"

Woon's temper flared, now directed towards the man.

"Hey, do you want to get sued for defamation? Do you even understand how many lawyers I have under my wing? Claiming I'm living with someone like this is outrageous!"

"No, that's not..."

"And you better prepare to be sued too. Comparing me to a filthy cockroach?"

In an instant, the argument between So-jin and the man morphed into a conflict between Sojin and Woon. They snarled at each other.

"Fine, let's go to court and prove that you and a cockroach are on the same level."

"Prepare to rot in jail yourself. You're facing at least life imprisonment, if not the death penalty."

As the two started bickering, the man gazed in bewilderment. He then grabbed Woon's shoulder, seemingly coming to his senses.

"What are you doing? Is this a joke?"

"What, you want to fight?"

Despite the man’s menacing demeanor, Woon didn't blink an eye. Instead, he nodded as if daring him to strike.

"Go ahead, hit me if you can."

"…"

"I’ll ensure you never set foot on Korean soil again."

"What, what nonsense is this…"

The man's shoulders trembled at Woon's cold world. Witnessing this, So-jin sighed deeply.

"I'm telling you because I still have some regard for you. It’ll get really complicated if you hit him."

"...Are you two conspiring against me? Trying to make me look like a fool? Do you think I’ll fall for such blatant lies?"

"If you think it's a lie, then hit him. Honestly, it might even make me feel better if he gets hit."

At So-jin's words, the man hesitated. Eventually, he released Woon's shoulder and turned away, shouting.

"Anyway! So-jin, I'm really disappointed in you. Meeting another man already? It’s over! Over!"

"What nonsense, don’t ever come back! If you do, I'll report you to the police!"

Whether he heard her or not, the man hurried away.

Finally, the area in front of the house grew quiet, leaving only So-jin, Woon, and Harim. So-jin quickly apologized as she noticed Harim struggling under her.

"Harim, I’m sorry. Was it too loud?"

"No?"

So-jin removed her hands from Harim’s ears. Harim moved around to regain her sense of smell and stared at Woon, who in return looked down at her.

"What's this?"

"…Don’t you know who this person is?"

"How would I know?"

At that, Woon's eyebrows rose.

"Come to think of it, she does look a bit familiar, could it be..."

"She’s not my child. She’s my niece. My sister’s daughter."

Even she had just found out. There's no way he would know.

Woon had no interest in matters not directly related to him. He had even skipped So-jung's wedding and gone straight abroad. There was no chance he would be aware of their relationship.

"Anyway, I brought some wine."

Woon held out a very elegantly packaged bottle of wine.

"Consider yourself lucky. Normally, you’d wait months and still not have the chance to buy it. You’re getting to drink it thanks to me."

So-jin accepted the wine indifferently.

"Uh… Thanks."

"Don’t eat it with something cheap like stir-fried sundae. Pair it with proper food, okay?"

"Like I have that at home. Anyway, you don’t need to come over about the debt or whatever anymore. Got it?"

Though it was Woon who had repaid the debt, So-jin looked relieved.

"I have no business with you either. Anyway, I’m off."

"Ah, wait a second."

So-jin handed Woon a bag as he was about to leave.

"What’s this?"

"Stir-fried sundae. Take it."

"Have you ever seen me eat such cheap food?"

"You keep calling everything cheap, cheap, cheap. Do you want to taste my cheap punch? I don’t want to give it either, but Mister asked me to share it with you. So take it."

Even while exchanging gifts, the two bickered. Then Harim, who stood sandwiched between them, suddenly asked,

"Why are you two fighting?"

With wide eyes, Harim gazed up at them. Woon replied.

"Maybe you’re too young to understand, but you know, fighting happens when people are on equal footing, okay? Your Aunt and I are fighting, but we're leagues apart…"

"What are you saying to a kid? Just leave already!"

So-jin pushed Woon towards his car. She didn't forget to shove the stir-fried sundae in his hand.

"Just go, and don’t embarrass yourself in front of my niece, okay? Though I hate to admit it, she’s technically your niece too…"

Wait, should I say that?

So-jin hesitated as she was about to introduce Harim naturally. If she revealed that Harim was Woon's niece, Woon would inevitably learn that Harim’s father was Hyun.

So-jin realized that if that happened, it would be harder to keep Harim’s existence hidden from Hyun.

…Let’s ask my sister first.

It was best to be cautious. Having made up her mind, So-jin closed her mouth tightly.

"What? Why would she be my niece?"

"I misspoke. Must be because I’m hungry. Anyway, hurry back. I need to go home and eat my stir-fried sundae too."

"How hungry do you have to be to talk nonsense like that?"

"Driver! Let’s go, let’s go!"

So-jin urged the driver and ignored Woon. The car soon departed smoothly, and So-jin, having finally sorted everything out, smiled and took Harim’s hand.

"Now, let’s go eat something tasty with Auntie, okay? We’ll go out if your mom calls later."

"Okay!"

Excited, Harim laughed brightly.

---

Having descended the hill to level ground, So-jung stepped out of Hyun’s arms.

She focused on contacting someone from her phone. Hyun observed quietly and asked.

"Who are you contacting?"

"Mr. Kang-chan. He’s been looking for you. He’ll be here soon. You'll go with him."

"And you?"

"I also called my driver. They’ll be here soon."

After a moment of silence, Hyun commented.

"It’s funny, though."

"What is?"

"Even though we’re technically married, we live in separate homes."

"…"

"So, where’s the house we supposedly lived in together?"

At Hyun’s inquiry, So-jung’s eyes darted around quickly.

"...Why are you asking suddenly?"

"Why not? It’s funny how I don’t know where my own house is."

"Yes, that’s true, but…"

It wasn’t difficult to tell him the address, but the problem was if Hyun decided to go there. Given his current personality, if he knew the address, he would likely visit without reason. If that happened, it would only be a matter of time before he saw Harim's playthings inside.

"Why, is it not okay?"

"No, there’s no reason not to. It’s just surprising you’re asking so suddenly…"

Should I just tell him about Harim?

He’ll find out soon enough anyway. There was a limit to how long she could delay this. As So-jung racked her brain on how to explain, a shadow suddenly emerged between them.

"...S-Sister?"

"You…"

"Well, Sister said she was done with work, so I came… Ah, and brother-in-law is here?"

So-jin was clearly flustered at seeing Hyun. On her back was Harim.

---

Prev || Toc || Next