Husband Role - Episode 11

Sunday, 3 PM. A peaceful yet ambiguous hour.

 

In the living room, bathed in warm spring sunlight, So-hee was reading. But the pages remained untouched. She was merely rereading the same paragraph over and over.

 

It was because she was worried about the father and daughter, like ticking time bombs, holed up in their respective rooms.

 

Just as So-hee sighed, touching her temple, the doorbell rang without warning. Her heart sank.

 

Stopping Mrs. Ma-san, who was rushing out from the kitchen, So-hee checked the intercom herself. Upon seeing the visitor, So-hee bit her lip. Afraid he would ring the bell again soon, she quickly pressed the open button.

 

The front door opened in an instant.

 

“I apologize for the suddenness.”

 

Jung-hyuk stepped inside, carrying a large fruit basket. The entrance hall was quite spacious, yet it felt cramped with just Jung-hyuk. The tall man sometimes felt like a mountain or a wall.

 

“Indeed. You’ve been rather sudden lately.”

 

So-hee said, her tone a bit sharp.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Jung-hyuk bowed politely and strode inside, as if he didn’t need the hostess’s permission. Flustered, So-hee hurried after him.

 

“If you’re looking for Eun-seol, she’s not home right now.”

 

So-hee said defensively.

 

“I’ll sit for a moment.”

 

Jung-hyuk once again didn’t wait for So-hee’s permission and settled onto the sofa. The fruit basket he had brought was placed on the marble table.

 

Mrs. Ma-san quickly took it to the kitchen and soon returned with refreshments.

 

“I’ve come to see Professor Mok today. Is he in?”

 

Jung-hyuk asked So-hee, who was seated in the place of honor.

 

“You mean him?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Just then, Dae-hyuk, dressed in a neatly buttoned shirt, emerged from the first-floor master bedroom.

 

Jung-hyuk quickly rose and bowed deeply to Dae-hyuk. Dae-hyuk stared at Jung-hyuk with a cold expression for a moment, then dismissed So-hee and Mrs. Ma-san altogether.

 

Now, only the two men remained in the living room.

 

“There comes a day when Jung-hyuk visits our home.”

 

“Please, speak comfortably as you used to.”

 

Dae-hyuk had once used an informal tone. But he shook his head, as if he had no intention of doing so now.

 

“Can’t do that. Jung-hyuk is getting older now.”

 

“Since you say so, I’ll get straight to the point.”

 

Jung-hyuk ignored Dae-hyuk’s sarcasm, feigning respect. Reading this, Dae-hyuk chuckled lowly and replied, “Go ahead.”

 

“I heard you discussed matters between the families yesterday.”

 

“Indeed. In your absence, Jung-hyuk, hiding behind your mother’s skirts, I received an unexpected announcement. You said you’re going to marry Eun-seol? Why? I don’t understand at all.”

 

“Because I like her.”

 

“More than Min-seo?”

 

“I never even considered Min-seo in the first place.”

 

Seeing Jung-hyuk’s straightforwardness, Dae-hyuk exclaimed, “Ha!” and laughed loudly.

 

“In that case, you shouldn’t have kept our Min-seo waiting.”

 

“I never told her to wait.”

 

“I didn’t realize Yoon Jung-hyuk was such an unreasonable person.”

 

“Is he inflexible, or what?” Dae-hyuk muttered. Instead of Jung-hyuk, who remained silent, Dae-hyuk spoke first.

 

“It’s a precious promise passed down from our ancestors.”

 

“I know.”

 

Dae-hyuk glared at Jung-hyuk, who didn’t yield an inch, his eyes blazing.

 

“If you know such an unfortunate event shouldn’t have happened if we were to be connected. This is a terrible misjudgment. Are you looking down on us because we’re just a family of doctors living off the Hocheon Foundation?”

 

Despite Dae-hyuk’s prodding, Jung-hyuk remained calm. Rather, he met Dae-hyuk’s gaze with an even more overbearing look.

 

“What’s the problem?”

 

Jung-hyuk retorted in a stiff voice. Dae-hyuk gritted his teeth at the man’s force.

 

“Didn’t you hear what I’ve been saying, Yoon Jung-hyuk?”

 

“That’s what I’m saying.”

 

Jung-hyuk tilted his head and continued in a chilling voice.

 

“I’m asking why my marrying Eun-seol is a problem. Wasn’t it an arranged marriage where either family would do?”

 

“Ha.”

 

“Let me rephrase the question. Isn’t Eun-seol Professor Mok’s granddaughter?”

 

Jung-hyuk pressed, his expression so cold it seemed like you could prick him with a needle and not a drop of blood would come out.

 

“No, still, shouldn’t you meet the child you were supposed to take responsibility for? Do you even realize how irresponsible your words are?”

 

Dae-hyuk’s words became shorter as he lost his composure.

 

“That’s strange.”

 

Jung-hyuk continued with a cold face.

 

“Why should I take responsibility for Min-seo?”

 

“Hey!”

 

“Did I date your daughter, or what?”

 

“That’s the pot calling the kettle black. So. Is that what you came to our house to say?”

 

“No.”

 

Dae-hyuk was momentarily stunned by the immediate answer. Then, he nervously adjusted his glasses and asked again.

 

“Then why?”

 

“Unfortunately, while I don’t feel any responsibility, my mother seems to think differently.”

 

“That’s…”

 

“It seems K Pharmaceuticals is looking for a marriage partner. As it happens, Madam Jung of K Pharmaceuticals and my mother are close. My mother is considering whether Min-seo would be suitable for that position.”

 

Dae-hyuk’s eyes widened.

 

K Pharmaceuticals was among the top three pharmaceutical companies in the country. As far as he knew, their sales for the first half of the year alone had reached 712 billion won. He remembered the industry being briefly abuzz when they showed a 12% growth compared to last year, breaking through the recession.

 

“…No, why are you telling me this now?”

 

Dae-hyuk muttered in a troubled voice. If he could form a connection with K Pharmaceuticals, Dae-hyuk would sell his soul.

 

“Should Professor Mok’s precious daughter be married off to just anyone?”

 

“…”

 

“Of course, you should think about it a little more. Not only Eun-seol, but Min-seo is also too young to get married.”

 

With those words, Jung-hyuk rose from his seat. Feeling regretful, Dae-hyuk quickly followed suit.

 

“Jung-hyuk.”

 

“Please discuss it thoroughly with your family and contact me again.”

 

Jung-hyuk pulled at his lapel, promising the next time. The jacket was pulled taut by his strength.

 

“Alright, I’ll contact you soon.”

 

Dae-hyuk quickly changed his attitude, even putting on a friendly smile.

 

“I didn’t realize Madam Sung would be so considerate. I was… a bit agitated just now.”

 

He said.

 

“But what about Eun-seol?”

 

Jung-hyuk asked, his eyes showing that he didn’t care either way.

 

“Ah… Eun-seol.”

 

Dae-hyuk muttered in a troubled voice.

 

“Did she come home yesterday? She promised to contact me when she arrived, but I haven’t heard from her.”

 

As soon as he heard Jung-hyuk’s question, Dae-hyuk realized the reason for Jung-hyuk’s visit. He was worried about Eun-seol’s safety.

 

He had a hunch. That the two had shared some feelings. Of course, it might be a hasty judgment.

 

But when was the truth ever important? Dae-hyuk was simply quick to grasp the situation and respond accordingly.

 

“Ah, Eun-seol seems to have gone out for a while.”

 

Dae-hyuk replied, scratching his chin.

 

“Is that so?”

 

Jung-hyuk asked nonchalantly and took out his phone. Before Dae-hyuk could stop him, he touched the call button.

 

It was then. A loud vibration was heard from the kitchen. Flustered, Dae-hyuk rolled his eyes.

 

Jung-hyuk brushed past Dae-hyuk and headed for the kitchen. Dae-hyuk quickly followed, but couldn’t keep up with Jung-hyuk’s fast pace.

 

Buzz—. Buzz—.

 

On the wide dining table, Eun-seol’s old phone was vibrating forlornly. Jung-hyuk stared at Dae-hyuk with cold eyes.

 

“Where is Eun-seol right now?”

 

 

Eun-seol had come to Bong-cheol’s house, avoiding the eyes of her family. The first thing she did was check Bong-cheol’s ‘health journal’. It was a meticulous record of Bong-cheol’s daily routine, kept by his caregiver, Hee-sook, and Eun-seol considered checking the health journal very important.

 

She spent a peaceful day for once.

 

It was when Eun-seol was putting on her coat after confirming that Bong-cheol was asleep.

 

“Eun-seol, is that you?”

 

Hee-sook suddenly held out something. It was a drawing. It was a crude portrait, as if drawn by a child.

 

“He briefly regained his senses yesterday. He was afraid he would forget you soon, so he hurriedly drew this. He said he wanted to give it to you as a gift.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Eun-seol’s gaze was fixed on the drawing, her heart heavy. For a moment, her chest tightened painfully.

 

Thankfully, he was struggling to hold onto a fleeting memory.

 

Her eyes welled up at the thought.

 

“…I’ll take this.”

 

Eun-seol’s throat swelled with heat as she replied.

 

“Of course. It’s yours.”

 

“I’m always grateful, Auntie.”

 

“What are you saying? I’m the one who’s grateful to you, Eun-seol. Before I know it, I find myself waiting for you to come.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Why wouldn’t I be happy to see you? You always buy pretty flowers and help me a lot with my work.”

 

“Next time I come, take a trip somewhere nice. I’ll stay here overnight then.”

 

Once she got married, she wouldn’t be able to give Hee-sook a vacation, even if she wanted to.

 

“What’s going on? I thought your uncle never allowed you to stay out.”

 

“I think he’s finally acknowledging that I’m an adult.”

 

Eun-seol replied with a faint smile. Until now, she hadn’t been able to because she was conscious of Dae-hyuk and So-hee’s reactions.

 

‘Don’t even dream of trying to trick the old man.’

 

She couldn’t act nonchalantly after hearing those words.

 

“That’s great!”

 

“Then I’ll be going.”

 

Eun-seol said with a bright smile.

 

“Aren’t you going to see the Director?”

 

“Let him sleep. He must be tired from playing with me today.”

 

As if Eun-seol’s expression was amusing, Hee-sook laughed heartily.

 

“Our daughter, where are you going?”

 

Bong-cheol came out, opening the door to the bedroom. His eyes still held the lingering effects of sleep.

 

“Dad, why did you come out? I’m just going out front for a bit.”

 

Eun-seol answered, feigning a cheerful voice.

 

To Bong-cheol, Eun-seol was always ‘Ji-young’. ‘Ji-young’ was Eun-seol’s mother and Bong-cheol’s most beloved youngest daughter.

 

So Eun-seol often pretended to be her mother, who was said to be a tomboy.

 

Although she didn’t remember her mother, she could imitate her without difficulty, perhaps because she had heard so many stories about her from Bong-cheol.

 

She was also grateful to Bong-cheol for this. Because the image of her mother, whom she had only seen in pictures, now existed clearly within her as well.

 

“If you keep snacking, you won’t be able to eat your meals.”

 

Eun-seol saw her father overlapping with Bong-cheol in his concern.

 

To Bong-cheol, Eun-seol was his daughter, and to Eun-seol, Bong-cheol was her father.

 

“I’ll buy you Melona instead.”

 

Melona was Bong-cheol’s favorite ice cream.

 

“Melona?”

 

Bong-cheol smiled broadly. Bong-cheol was one of the more gentle patients with dementia. Of course, being gentle didn’t mean it was easy.

 

“Yeah. So, wait just a little bit.”

 

“Alright. Don’t run and fall, come slowly. Watch out for cars. Okay?”

 

“Okay.”

 

Tears welled up in Eun-seol’s eyes. Hee-sook, watching Eun-seol, also felt a prickling sensation in her nose.

 

Eun-seol left the house and headed for the supermarket. She secretly put the Melona in the refrigerator and then changed direction again.

 

She passed the picturesque pine trees and the pavilion that had been Eun-seol’s hideout and headed home.

 

Home.

 

Could that place be called home?

 

Eun-seol’s heart sank heavily, like an anchor sinking into the dark sea.