Husband Role - Episode 10

Eun-seol clenched her fist tightly and struck Min-seo’s side twice, quickly and accurately.

 

Min-seo’s strength weakened with a groan.

 

Immediately, Eun-seol, supporting herself on the collarbone in front of her, struck Min-seo’s chin with her elbow.

 

Thud!

 

In an instant, Min-seo was thrown to the floor. Eun-seol stroked her sore neck and looked down at Min-seo.

 

“…What are you?”

 

Eun-seol said in a hoarse voice.

 

“You…! You stole Jung-hyuk from me! How dare you! How dare you…! If it weren’t for you! If you hadn’t suddenly appeared!”

 

Just as Min-seo, with her face covered in tears, rushed at Eun-seol again, the door burst open and the light flicked on.

 

“Miss Min-seo!”

 

Mrs. Ma-san, wearing a sleep cap, screamed in surprise and hugged Min-seo’s waist tightly. But Min-seo didn’t let go of Eun-seol’s hair, which she had already grabbed.

 

“I told you to let go!”

 

Eun-seol twisted and bent Min-seo’s wrist.

 

“Agh—!”

 

“Lee Eun-seol, you stop it too!”

 

Mrs. Ma-san shouted.

 

It was the first time Eun-seol had retaliated with force like this. It was something she had wanted to do but couldn’t until now.

 

But today, she couldn’t help it.

 

Mok Min-seo had crossed the line.

 

So Eun-seol had to protect herself.

 

“What in the world are you doing!”

 

Dae-hyuk, panting, rushed in. From behind, So-hee’s voice was heard coming down the stairs, “Honey!”

 

“She… she… she’s getting married. She said they’re going to have a meeting between the families! I heard Mom and Dad talking about it earlier! Then what about me!”

 

“Meeee!” Min-seo shouted once more and burst into tears, collapsing on the spot. Eun-seol was powerless in front of Min-seo, who was crying like a child.

 

“Min-seo, Mom.”

 

Dae-hyuk called So-hee in a low voice, and So-hee approached Dae-hyuk with a very subdued expression.

 

“Take Min-seo out.”

 

So-hee grabbed Min-seo’s arm, who had now completely collapsed and started crying. The smell of alcohol wafted strongly from Min-seo.

 

“Min-seo…”

 

So-hee quietly called her daughter, glancing at Dae-hyuk. Min-seo only cried. Mrs. Ma-san, sensing the situation, joined in. Together, they lifted Min-seo up.

 

“Oh my, her face…!”

 

So-hee turned pale when she saw Min-seo’s chin starting to swell.

 

Dae-hyuk glanced at Min-seo’s face and then stared at Eun-seol again with a frightening look. Clear handprints were visible on Eun-seol’s neck.

 

Realizing the situation, Dae-hyuk cursed softly.

 

So-hee, startled by her husband’s profanity, urged Mrs. Ma-san with her eyes. The two women quickly led Min-seo away. In the midst of this, Min-seo shouted.

 

“Just you wait. I’m going to ruin everything!”

 

The door closed with a curse-like shout.

 

“I’m going to ruin everything!”

 

After the sobbing voice faded away, Dae-hyuk pushed up the bridge of his glasses and approached.

 

His large frame and cold expression made Eun-seol feel intimidated again.

 

She slowly backed away, but tripped on the bed and collapsed.

 

“Do you realize what you’ve done?”

 

He asked in a quiet but faintly trembling voice. It was pure anger.

 

Eun-seol had no answer to give and remained silent. Then, an even more ferocious look reached her. Terrified, Eun-seol froze completely.

 

“I… I’ve been busy lately and haven’t been able to pay attention.”

 

Dae-hyuk was having a headache over internal political issues. He had many people to meet and a mountain of things to resolve.

 

The position of Chief of Staff was ambiguous. He had power, but not the authority to act alone, so he had a lot of stress.

 

In the midst of all this, he heard about Eun-seol’s marriage, not Min-seo’s, at a meeting of the Hocheon Foundation. It was hard to control his expression.

 

On the way home, he lashed out at So-hee in the car. So-hee trembled and replied that she was about to tell him. In an instant, his blood pressure rose and his eyes rolled back.

 

“You’ve created a brazen situation.”

 

“…”

 

“When I look at you, Eun-seol, you look just like your mother.”

 

Dae-hyuk had hated Eun-seol’s mother, Ji-young. She was a cunning child. She easily monopolized her father’s love and was still greedy. And that condescending look and voice. It was as clear as if it were yesterday.

 

When she ran away with a poor college student, he thought it was a comedy. And when he found out that she had died shortly after giving birth, he felt a sense of relief rather than sadness.

 

That there was no longer anyone to threaten him.

 

But the sudden appearance of Eun-seol constantly grated on Dae-hyuk’s nerves.

 

Her clear face and the firm voice that she occasionally blurted out reminded him of the deceased. Also, the way she was favored by her father was exactly like Ji-young.

 

For that reason, Dae-hyuk felt nauseous whenever he saw Eun-seol. It was the same right now.

 

“I knew it all along. How cunning you are. Otherwise, how could you even dream of going to medical school?”

 

It was a medical family that started with her father, Bong-cheol. The position of director, which Bong-cheol originally held, was taken over by Bong-cheol’s younger brother, and the rest of the key personnel were also family members.

 

So Eun-seol’s ambition was obvious. She was young and full of poison. Even in this situation, the way she struggled to climb up felt quite disgusting. It was as hateful as a worm that wriggled even when stepped on.

 

“Medical school, I didn’t have any other intentions. It was just a dream I had since I was a child.”

 

Eun-seol said in a trembling voice. That was the truth. Thinking of her mother, who died giving birth to her, she simply wanted to become an obstetrician. It was a dream she had before she even knew that she was the granddaughter of a medical family.

 

“And you’re even going to marry Jung-hyuk. While lulling the family into complacency with your leave of absence.”

 

As if he had no intention of listening to Eun-seol, Dae-hyuk continued with a chilling face.

 

“…”

 

Eun-seol closed her mouth like a clam again. She had forgotten in her excitement. That no one in this house listened to her voice.

 

“Brazen girl.”

 

Dae-hyuk took off his glasses and placed them on the desk as if throwing them. The small cracking sound caught Eun-seol’s attention. She could see the end of the glasses cracking like dry land.

 

Just as a wave of fear swallowed Eun-seol,

 

“Just because you’re doing as you please.”

 

Dae-hyuk approached and threatened.

 

“Do you think I’ll just stand by and watch?”

 

Dae-hyuk reached out his thick hand and grabbed Eun-seol’s collar, who was trembling like an aspen, and pulled her up in one swift motion. The relatively weak Eun-seol was simply dragged along helplessly.

 

“Ugh…”

 

In front of Dae-hyuk, she was always like a rat in a trap. Unable to even have the will to resist, let alone rebel. Even now, Eun-seol was only able to endure by shedding tears.

 

“…Phone.”

 

Dae-hyuk ordered in a low voice. Eun-seol turned pale and couldn’t take any action. Dae-hyuk noticed this and let go of Eun-seol, saying again.

 

“Where’s your phone?”

 

Eun-seol’s gaze barely reached her eco bag, where her phone was. Dae-hyuk rummaged through the bag and took Eun-seol’s phone.

 

Bang! The door slammed shut. Eun-seol, drained of strength, couldn’t get up from her seat for a while.

 

With difficulty, she lifted her eyes and saw the picture of her parents sitting alone on the desk.

 

Her young mom and dad smiling at each other in the frame.

 

Something hot surged from within Eun-seol. At the same time, she felt desperately lonely.

 

 

Late morning. Kyung-ha came over to the detached house to take care of Jung-hyuk’s breakfast. There was no separate manager in the detached house.

 

Since Jung-hyuk only came up to Seoul on weekends, Kyung-ha was enough on her own. No. In fact, she was happy to be able to do even that.

 

Kyung-ha placed brunch in front of Jung-hyuk, who was looking at his phone.

 

On the charcoal-colored plate were half-boiled eggs fried in coconut oil, rye bread, and enoki mushroom salad. She also placed lightly brewed coffee next to it.

 

“Are you waiting for a call?”

 

Kyung-ha asked, handing him another plate filled with fruits, including apples.

 

“No.”

 

Jung-hyuk replied, turning his phone upside down. Judging by the fact that he didn’t remove it from his sight, it seemed like he was waiting for an important call.

 

Kyung-ha pretended not to notice and sat in the seat in front of him. She picked up an apple with her fork. It wasn’t handed to Jung-hyuk separately, but he was the first to pick up the fork on his own.

 

“Thank you for the meal.”

 

Jung-hyuk greeted stiffly and bit into the apple slice. The crisp sound filled the quiet space.

 

Years ago, she had recommended that apples were the best on an empty stomach. There was always an apple in the breakfast that Kyung-ha prepared. Since then, Jung-hyuk always picked up the apple first without being told.

 

He was a delicate son, unlike his gruff appearance.

 

Those around Kyung-ha praised such a son, but she was still disappointed. Because he was so perfect, there was no room to dig in. Of course, that was also the appearance of her only son.

 

“Actually, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

 

Kyung-ha said in a calm voice.

 

“Please speak.”

 

Jung-hyuk replied, putting down his fork.

 

“You can listen while you eat. It’s not a big deal.”

 

Kyung-ha quickly added. Jung-hyuk nodded but didn’t continue eating. So, Kyung-ha quickly got to the point.

 

“It’s nothing much but I’m concerned about Professor Mok’s face, whom I saw at the meeting yesterday. The way he was red and blue, it seemed like he came out not knowing about your marriage.”

 

Jung-hyuk nodded slightly. He wasn’t there and didn’t know the details.

 

“So, I was wondering if we should introduce Miss Min-seo to a good position. I had dinner with Mrs. Jung of K Pharmaceuticals a while ago. It turns out she’s looking for a husband for her second son…”

 

“Taejo?”

 

“Yes, Taejo is already that old.”

 

“I see.”

 

Jung-hyuk nodded, thinking of the bright and cheerful Taejo.

 

“Suddenly, Miss Min-seo came to mind. Of course, I haven’t said anything yet. I’m a little cautious because I thought it might be a rash idea. What do you think, Jung-hyuk?”

 

“That seems like a good direction.”

 

Kyung-ha’s face brightened at Jung-hyuk’s answer.

 

“Really? Then I’ll call Min-seo’s mother in a bit.”

 

“No.”

 

Jung-hyuk continued in a firm voice.

 

“I will visit her and ask for her opinion.”

 

There was something he wanted to confirm.

 

Last night, Eun-seol, who had promised to text him when she got home, hadn’t contacted him. He had waited, shaking off his sleepiness, but his phone was still silent.

 

Eventually, he called her this morning. But no one answered.

 

There couldn’t have been an accident. As a rule, accidents that are worth worrying about are heard the fastest, even if you don’t want to know.

 

“You, personally?”

 

Kyung-ha asked with a puzzled look.

 

“Yes. I think that would be better.”

 

Jung-hyuk’s face, who repeatedly answered, was somehow determined.