Husband Role - Episode 5

Jung-hyuk’s answer was simple and firm, as if intentionally leaving no room for argument.

 

“That’s all there is to it?”

 

Il-sung asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

Again, Seol-gi muttered with fascinated eyes, “Freaking awesome…” Kyung-ha quietly scolded such Seol-gi with a stern look.

 

Il-sung fell silent again, clearly displeased.

 

“You’ve made up your mind?”

 

Gwang-min asked in a concerned tone.

 

“Yes.”

 

Not a hint of hesitation could be heard in his son’s immediate reply.

 

It was Jung-hyuk’s first rebellion, if it could be called that.

 

Kyung-ha had never seen Jung-hyuk so clearly assert his own will. He had always followed the adults’ wishes. He was a son so deep that he made his parents’ hearts ache. That was why she wanted to support him.

 

“I’ll contact Director Mok’s residence.”

 

Kyung-ha also spoke with an unwavering face, like Jung-hyuk. Gwang-min nodded in agreement. The couple was of one mind.

 

“Thank you, Mother.”

 

Jung-hyuk said politely. Although they were not his biological parents, they had always done more than that for Jung-hyuk.

 

“Go, Oppa!”

 

Only the confident Seol-gi, despite her grandfather’s piercing glare, was Kyung-ha’s couple’s biological daughter.

 

Kyung-ha, sitting next to him, also gestured to Jung-hyuk not to worry.

 

Everything seemed to be settled like that.

 

Unaware of what kind of storm this decision would bring, the family continued their meal.

 

 

Bright sunlight poured into the brunch cafe. It was a meeting to coordinate her son Jun-seo’s study group. So-hee quietly observed the situation, listening to the mothers’ chatter.

 

“Why don’t you tell us too, Min-seo’s mom?”

 

“Yeah. Why is the one who sent her daughter to a prestigious medical school holding back?”

 

“Share your secrets. We’ll pretend we don’t know if you do.”

 

“We’ll repay Min-seo’s mom handsomely.”

 

“What’s ‘repay’? We’ll definitely return this favor.”

 

“Of course… Huh?”

 

Among the urging mothers, So-hee chuckled. She took a sip of her coffee instead of answering.

 

So-hee’s husband was a professor of thoracic surgery and chief of staff at Hocheon Hospital. Her daughter was a freshman at S University’s medical school. Her father was the commander of the Army Logistics Command. And soon, she would be forming a marriage alliance with a chaebol family.

 

She had achieved none of this herself, but nevertheless, it was all as good as hers.

 

A life that every woman dreams of. So-hee’s everything, without a single flaw, easily became the object of envy.

 

“Min-seo…”

 

As soon as she slightly parted her lips, everyone paid attention to her. So-hee enjoyed it.

 

“I didn’t make her do much.”

 

The mothers’ faces immediately fell.

 

“As you all know, she was exceptional from a young age.”

 

“Oh, come on, that’s too much. You have it all.”

 

One mother said playfully.

 

“Why are you like this? I’m just as worried as you guys. About our Jun-seo.”

 

So-hee said in a humble tone.

 

“Jun-seo doesn’t do it, but once he does, just watch. Where would the Mok family’s brains go?”

 

It was when someone replied in an obsequious tone. So-hee’s cell phone, which was on the table, vibrated for a long time. After checking the caller, So-hee muttered with a troubled but inwardly proud expression.

 

“What’s my future in-law doing calling?”

 

Min-seo’s planned arranged marriage was a story everyone knew. At the mention that the caller was the heiress of NS Hotel and the daughter-in-law of the Hocheon Foundation, the mothers urged her to answer the phone quickly. So-hee smiled gracefully and swiped the call button.

 

“Yes. Hello?”

 

—Hello, Min-seo’s mother. This is Jung-hyuk’s mother. Is it a good time to talk?

 

“Of course, Jung-hyuk’s mother. How have you been?”

 

So-hee asked affably.

 

—Thanks to you, we’re always doing well. How’s Min-seo’s family?

 

After exchanging a few pleasantries, So-hee’s expression soon hardened.

 

—I know it’s proper to meet and tell you in person, but I’m forced to convey the situation over the phone. I’ll tell you the details at the family gathering in a few days.

 

“…No, what is this all of a sudden?”

 

So-hee barely retorted, looking flustered.

 

—Jung-hyuk’s will is so strong, so there’s nothing we can do. I want to respect my son’s wishes.

 

Kyung-ha added in an unwavering voice, “I ask for your understanding.”

 

So-hee could never understand, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

 

It felt like profanity would burst out of her mouth the moment she opened it.

 

Even after hanging up the phone, she couldn’t calm down. She felt dizzy with the rising anger.

 

Eventually, So-hee grabbed her handbag and stood up. Everyone looked up at her, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere.

 

“I’ll… I’ll contact you again later.”

 

So-hee left the cafe without any further explanation. The sunlight that followed her was as sharp as the tip of a spear.

 

 

Thump, thump. So-hee’s footsteps descending into the basement apartment were fierce.

 

“Have you seen Lee Eun-seol?”

 

Seeing the employer’s expression, which looked like she would break if touched, Mrs. Ma-san sensed that something unusual had happened.

 

“She… I think she went out a while ago, ma’am.”

 

“Where to?”

 

“I’m not sure about that…”

 

So-hee frowned at the unhelpful information.

 

Where could a kid who doesn’t even go to school have gone? Could it be Yoon Jung-hyuk? No. Jung-hyuk should be in Ulsan right now.

 

“Ma’am, here.”

 

Mrs. Ma-san quickly brought her a glass of cold water. So-hee drank it down in one gulp while standing.

 

So, the man this girl is meeting was Jung-hyuk? How dare she?

 

She was just about to call Eun-seol. As if the devil was talking about, Eun-seol, who was returning home, was seen through the parking lot stairs.

 

So-hee approached Eun-seol with a venomous face. As the distance narrowed, Eun-seol’s eyes widened.

 

Slap—!

 

The sound of a slap echoed loudly in the basement hallway. Surprised, Mrs. Ma-san discreetly entered her room. However, she eavesdropped on their conversation through the crack in the open door.

 

“Is the man you’re meeting Jung-hyuk?”

 

Eun-seol looked up at So-hee, holding her left cheek, which had become hot. Again, slap—! The sound rang out. This time, her right cheek turned.

 

Tears welled up in Eun-seol’s eyes at the sudden situation.

 

She had expected that if her relationship with Jung-hyuk became known, the household would be turned upside down. Yeah. She thought she might even get hit.

 

But when she actually faced it, she suddenly felt wronged.

 

You guys were the ones who pushed me.

 

Perhaps because of that, she felt defiant.

 

“Don’t roll your eyes and answer properly.”

 

So-hee threatened, raising her hand into the air again.

 

“Do you think I have any patience right now?”

 

“Yes. He’s my boyfriend.”

 

Eun-seol answered before her hand came down again. Her voice was as firm as her hardened heart.

 

“Did you sleep with him?”

 

So-hee asked with bloodshot eyes.

 

The unexpected question left a big scratch on Eun-seol’s soul. She never thought she would think that way. Unpleasant, bitter, and sad feelings intertwined chaotically within Eun-seol.

 

“I asked if you slept with him.”

 

So-hee pressed again.

 

“Yes.”

 

Eun-seol admitted strongly. She knew So-hee well. The fact that such a question came out of So-hee’s mouth meant that she had already come to a conclusion in her mind. So, it was clear that she wouldn’t believe her even if she said no.

 

It didn’t matter to them whether she was less bad or worse.

 

In this house, Eun-seol was just a rolling stone. How could a stone have a personality? She was just a burden that had to be removed when the time came.

 

“You slut, you’re talking back.”

 

So-hee, with her blood pressure rising, grabbed Eun-seol’s hair.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone so skinny. Eun-seol grabbed So-hee’s hand and tried to stop her, feeling like her scalp was being torn off.

 

“L… let go!”

 

“I fed you, clothed you, and even sent you to school! You ungrateful bitch! You bad girl!”

 

So-hee shook Eun-seol’s grabbed head fiercely. Eun-seol shouted as she staggered back and forth.

 

“Stop… stop it!”

 

“You couldn’t find anyone else to sleep with but Jung-hyuk! My daughter’s man!”

 

So-hee’s anger didn’t stop. Blows rained down like hail. Eun-seol had to endure it all. The sound of the beating filled the basement hallway.

 

Eun-seol curled up. And she bit her lip until it bled, enduring. She didn’t want to show her tears.

 

It was then.

 

“What’s that sound?”

 

It was Min-seo, who had come down through the parking lot stairs. Min-seo wasn’t feeling well today. So she came straight home after finishing class.

 

Just as she parked and got out, she heard a loud noise coming from the basement. She opened the iron door and came down as if drawn by it.

 

“Are you saying… she’s meeting Jung-hyuk?”

 

Min-seo, with a pale complexion, asked again. Surprised, So-hee quickly approached Min-seo. And she checked Min-seo’s reddish complexion.

 

“Daughter, what’s wrong with your face?”

 

So-hee asked, touching Min-seo’s forehead.

 

“It’s burning up.”

 

Eun-seol stared at the face of the ‘mother,’ who was anxiously worried, with dry eyes.

 

“Tell me with your own mouth.”

 

Pushing So-hee aside, Min-seo approached Eun-seol.

 

“Who’s meeting who?”

 

“I’m going to marry him.”

 

Eun-seol said in a calm tone. She didn’t want to say she was sorry, even as a formality. After all, it was the people in this house who had driven her to the edge of the cliff.

 

That’s why Eun-seol chose the best she could do.

 

The bomb that was about to explode exploded, and she took all the blows that came flying. If they hit her again, she would get hit again. It was okay even if it was repeated every day until she entered the wedding hall.

 

There was no turning back.

 

“…Why you.”

 

Min-seo, feeling dizzy, staggered and sat down. So-hee called out in a hysterical voice, “Auntie—!” Mrs. Ma-san, who had rushed out, quickly supported Min-seo and moved her upstairs. So-hee also followed behind, fussing.

 

Eun-seol returned to her room and locked the door tightly. Her legs were shaking. She barely pulled out a chair and sat down, and her shabby appearance was reflected in the vanity mirror on the desk. Eun-seol grabbed the mirror and pulled it towards her.

 

Her face was scratched here and there. She touched it lightly and winced, “Ouch,” frowning.

 

…You’re tough, Lee Eun-seol. Not even crying.

 

It was when she was internally praising herself sadly. Her cell phone, which was on silent mode, flashed. It was a message.

 

[I can’t get through. Are you busy?]

 

It was Jung-hyuk. For a moment, it seemed like she could hear his heavy voice. At that moment, she suddenly felt sad. Wiping the stinging tip of her nose, Eun-seol carefully touched the keyboard.