Husband Role - Episode 18

The main residence of the Hocheon Foundation, built by a famous Japanese architect, resembled a fortress in the heart of the city. The building boasted a sleek, modern design, but its sheer size gave it the feel of a royal castle.

 

Eun-seol’s house in Cheongdam-dong, Dae-hyuk’s place, was also quite large. It stood tall from the semi-basement to the third floor and was elegant enough to be featured in an interior design magazine.

 

However, compared to this estate, the difference in scale was overwhelming.

 

Unlike the charming house with a small yard in Cheongdam-dong, this was a mansion with a vast garden that couldn’t be taken in at a single glance.

 

It also had a main house, a separate annex, and even wooden outbuildings where the servants lived and worked.

 

After returning from their honeymoon, the couple pushed open the arched door and entered the foyer.

 

“We’re home.”

 

“Welcome back.”

 

Kyung-ha, who had been waiting, warmly embraced Eun-seol’s shoulders. Even though it was just a small touch, Eun-seol flinched involuntarily. It was an unfamiliar form of physical contact for her.

 

“Honey, are you feeling unwell?”

 

Kyung-ha misinterpreted her reaction and asked, tilting her head.

 

“Oh, no, I’m fine.”

 

“You also seem to be moving a bit awkwardly.”

 

Eun-seol was inwardly flustered by the concerned question.

 

It was all because of their wedding night. As a result, she had spent the past few days practically crawling on all fours.

 

She was much better now, but she couldn’t possibly confess that the reason for her discomfort was her son.

 

“I’m really okay.”

 

“That’s a relief. Oh, did you visit your parents’ house?”

 

A faint worry flickered in Kyung-ha’s eyes as she asked. It was because of the commotion that had occurred on the wedding day.

 

Kyung-ha had almost fainted on the spot when she saw Eun-seol entering in a ruined dress. She had tried her best to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help but be concerned.

 

After the pyebaek ceremony, she had called Jung-hyuk aside.

 

“What happened?”

 

“There was a bit of an incident.”

 

His answer was curt. Jung-hyuk didn’t seem to want to talk about the details of what had happened. However, she couldn’t just let it go.

 

“Don’t be like that, tell me.”

 

“…It seems there’s some bad blood between the cousins.”

 

Kyung-ha immediately thought of Min-seo.

 

“Why? Because of this marriage?”

 

“Nothing can be a reason, and even if it were, I have no intention of overlooking it.”

 

His voice was filled with suppressed anger.

 

Afterward, Jung-hyuk entrusted Eun-seol to Kyung-ha and excused himself for a moment.

 

When she saw her son’s hands, which were badly scraped, upon his return, she had to calm herself once again. She was confused and wondered what was going on.

 

She soon found out the reason. After the ceremony, So-hee approached her, looking flustered, and said:

 

“I’m so sorry, madam. Min-seo has been under a lot of stress since entering medical school. It seems there was a slight scuffle in the bride’s waiting room…”

 

It meant that Min-seo was responsible for the mess, as she had expected.

 

When she heard that, she couldn’t help but feel relieved that her son was marrying Eun-seol and not Min-seo. She was surprised at herself for thinking that way, but she quickly accepted it. It was a bitter acceptance that a mother couldn’t help but feel.

 

“I’m so sorry, really. Please be understanding. We will make sure that no rumors circulate about this issue. We will take care of it on our end.”

 

It was a briefing that lacked substance. She was puzzled and had many more questions to ask, but she refrained.

 

Judging by her son’s fists, she guessed that something else had happened that she didn’t know about.

 

“Yes. We went to her parents’ house first.”

 

Kyung-ha had asked Eun-seol, but Jung-hyuk interjected with an answer. Eun-seol nodded a beat later.

 

In fact, the couple hadn’t gone to the Cheongdam-dong house separately. They had naturally come here.

 

Kyung-ha quietly watched her son and his wife. Just when Eun-seol, feeling guilty, was about to say, “Actually…”

 

“Good job.”

 

Kyung-ha smiled brightly. Whatever the truth was, she figured there must be a reason.

 

“You must be hungry. Unpack your things and come. Let’s have dinner together with the family.”

 

Then, Kyung-ha held Eun-seol’s hand tightly and asked again, “Are you alright?”

 

Eun-seol felt a lump in her throat at the everyday warmth.

 

“Yes…”

 

Her voice was small as her throat tightened. Kyung-ha then folded her wrinkled eyes into a gentle smile again.

 

 

Eun-seol quietly took in the interior of their new home.

 

She had only been here twice while preparing for the wedding.

 

It was always on a weekday, so Jung-hyuk wasn’t there, and Kyung-ha had greeted her.

 

“Would it be alright if I looked around?”

 

Eun-seol asked politely, suppressing her pounding heart.

 

She had heard that this was the space where Jung-hyuk had lived alone since he was young.

 

Perhaps that was why. He felt like the owner. Conversely, Eun-seol still felt like a guest.

 

“You don’t need permission.”

 

Jung-hyuk said in a deep but gentle voice. Eun-seol nodded once, her face slightly flushed.

 

There were a total of three rooms, including the second floor. There was the second-floor master bedroom with its striking combination of gray and wooden furniture, the study that remained in its original state, and the first-floor lounge with a panoramic view of the garden.

 

With Jung-hyuk’s permission, Eun-seol had decorated all the spaces except for the study as she wished. She was ignorant of interior design, so she also received some help from a space director.

 

She was seeing the results for the first time today.

 

“Wow! The house has changed a lot.”

 

“I guess so.”

 

Eun-seol quietly looked up at Jung-hyuk, who answered nonchalantly.

 

“Aren’t you sad? It feels like all your old memories are being erased.”

 

“Not really.”

 

A few days before the wedding, Eun-seol had met with Kyung-ha separately. She had heard then about the story of how Jung-hyuk had been registered under his adoptive parents. However, she hadn’t heard the details.

 

“It would be better to hear the details from Jung-hyuk.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Don’t look so gloomy. He may not be the child I gave birth to… but I loved him without reservation and raised him with all my heart. Do you understand what I mean? I think you know better than anyone else.”

 

Kyung-ha smiled gently as she asked. Her eyes equated Jung-hyuk and Eun-seol’s upbringing.

 

Eun-seol immediately thought of So-hee. She shook her head inwardly.

 

However, when she thought of Bong-cheol, she thought she understood what Kyung-ha meant.

 

“Do you want to wash up?”

 

Jung-hyuk’s question broke her reverie. Eun-seol looked at Jung-hyuk with a startled expression.

 

“Together?”

 

Jung-hyuk nonchalantly pointed to the master bedroom. And then,

 

“I’ll be on the second floor.”

 

He added.

 

Realizing that she had misunderstood, Eun-seol bowed deeply, her face red.

 

“I’ll go wash up.”

 

Then, she quickly turned around. She thought she heard Jung-hyuk’s low laughter behind her. She hoped it was her imagination.

 

Dinner was held in the main house. A lavish spread, comparable to a banquet, had been prepared. Eun-seol was surprised and said to Kyung-ha:

 

“I’m sorry. I should have helped. I’ll hurry more next time, Mother.”

 

Kyung-ha shook her head, seeing Eun-seol at a loss.

 

“It’s a welcoming ceremony for a new family member, how could I make the guest of honor work? Besides, you’re still tired from your trip.”

 

“Still…”

 

“If you really feel bad, then have your sister-in-law show off her skills next time.”

 

Seol-gi said like a ping pong ball.

 

“Of course.”

 

Eun-seol replied.

 

Kyung-ha looked at Eun-seol and raised the corners of her mouth. Then, as if telling a big secret, she whispered softly:

 

“She may seem like a typical sister-in-law, but she’s actually a good kid.”

 

Eun-seol smiled softly and nodded.

 

It felt like the dining room was even more crowded today, even though only one more person had joined them.

 

The family continued their everyday conversations in a comfortable atmosphere.

 

Her father-in-law, Gwang-min, who had been late from work, naturally joined them. He was holding a large bouquet of flowers in his hand.

 

“Welcome, honey.”

 

Seeing his hand extending the bouquet, Eun-seol’s eyes welled up with tears.

 

Kyung-ha sat next to Eun-seol and held her hand tightly.

 

For some reason, the affection that she had never felt for Min-seo, whom she had watched for so long, easily went to Eun-seol.

 

“Our daughter-in-law is a crybaby.”

 

“What is it, acting like a child.”

 

Jung-hyuk glared sternly at Seol-gi, who was scoffing. Seol-gi pouted, saying that he was already acting like a devoted husband.

 

“Ahem.”

 

It was when Il-sung, unable to watch any longer, stopped them with an authoritative voice.

 

Jung-hyuk placed some well-prepared crab meat on Seol-gi’s plate and said:

 

“Oppa’s not going anywhere.”

 

He had seen through Seol-gi’s sulky heart. Seol-gi soon became tearful.

 

Jung-hyuk said again, “Eat,” and she shook her head, wiping away her tears.

 

Then, Eun-seol handed her a paper bag.

 

“I heard that you’re interested in cooking. It’s nothing special.”

 

Inside the bag were walnut wood cooking utensils and plates. They weren’t expensive, but they were the most famous products from South Asia.

 

“There are so many good things at the department store, why did you buy these?”

 

Seol-gi said curtly, but she didn’t seem displeased.

 

Eun-seol responded with a soft smile instead.

 

Then, she took out the gifts she had prepared for each of the family members one by one.

 

She gave Kyung-ha a scarf, Gwang-min a tie, and Il-sung a fedora.

 

After the amicable meal, Il-sung called Jung-hyuk aside separately.

 

 

The study, which was filled with classical books, had an old, earthy smell.

 

“Sit down.”

 

Il-sung said, offering him a seat.

 

“Yes.”

 

Jung-hyuk replied, sitting diagonally across from him.

 

“I told you before. That I would give you strength.”

 

Il-sung said in a solemn voice.

 

“…”

 

Jung-hyuk had completely forgotten that such a thing was among the prices for the arranged marriage.

 

His grandfather wasn’t usually one to make frivolous remarks, but that was the situation at the time.

 

A marriage that had been postponed on the pretext of work.

 

In the end, a grandfather pushing his grandson’s back.

 

He had dismissed it as a casual remark made out of discomfort.

 

“I’m thinking of appointing you to our foundation as…”

 

Il-sung continued in a heavy voice.

 

“…an outside director.”