Husband Role - Episode 8

“I apologize for the late hour.”

So-hee forced a smile at Jung-hyuk’s appearance. It was forced only for her; to others, it was utterly perfect.

“Indeed, it is a bit late. What brings you here?”

In response to So-hee’s question, Jung-hyuk looked at Eun-seol, as if answering with his gaze.

Unaware, Eun-seol kept her head bowed. Her cheek, struck by Min-seo, was burning. Perhaps a handprint remained.

“I have something to discuss with Eun-seol.”

Jung-hyuk said in a weighty voice.

“…Now?”

So-hee asked, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

“Yes, now.”

“What could be so important that it requires this hour?”

At the nuance of being asked the purpose, Jung-hyuk’s gaze shifted from Eun-seol to So-hee. Faced with his utterly cold eyes, So-hee plastered an awkward smile on her face.

“Do I need to report it? Or,”

He asked in a low voice.

“Is permission required?”

Min-seo, who had been silently listening to Jung-hyuk, went upstairs to the second floor with a disgusted look. So-hee glanced at Min-seo and then called Mrs. Ma-san.

“Bring some refreshments.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Mrs. Ma-san replied.

“Actually, I’d prefer to speak with Eun-seol alone.”

Eun-seol flinched inwardly at Jung-hyuk’s words.

“Lee Eun-seol.”

He called her name. Eun-seol cautiously raised her head.

“Show me to your room.”

“Ah…”

Then, So-hee pointed upwards with her eyes. Eun-seol approached with stiff steps and guided Jung-hyuk, saying, “This way.”

Eun-seol was leading him not to the basement, but to the second floor.

It was when she first came to this house. So-hee had shown Eun-seol a space, saying it was ‘her room.’ It was so stylish, so perfect.

But that very day, there had been a dispute with Jun-seo, and So-hee, with a tired face, had said she hadn’t considered her son using the same floor. She then took Eun-seol to the basement room that the former housekeeper had used.

So-hee had said she would quickly find another arrangement, but it had been five years of silence.

The second-floor room was well-maintained, as if it were swept and cleaned daily. This space, which Eun-seol occasionally visited when there were guests at the house, was like a temporary lounge.

Like Eun-seol’s life, it was two rooms where reality and falsehood were thoroughly separated.

“What… brings you here?”

Eun-seol asked, standing with her back against the closed door.

Jung-hyuk didn’t answer. He merely scanned the room with his eyes, a room devoid of any signs of life.

The room, free of even a speck of dust, was more than just clean; it was sterile. The books on the bookshelf were outdated, like ‘Fundamentals of Mathematics,’ and there wasn’t even a single pen to be seen.

The unseasonal chill, the neatly arranged bedding, the blinds completely covering the window, and the flawless furniture immediately brought a model home to mind.

“Teacher.”

Eun-seol called Jung-hyuk once more. Jung-hyuk turned around and closed the distance between himself and Eun-seol.

“Lift your face.”

“…”

“Now.”

At the commanding order, Eun-seol reluctantly raised her head. Jung-hyuk’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Were you hit?”

It was a blunt tone, but to Eun-seol, it was excessively warm. As a result, Eun-seol was overwhelmed with sorrow. She felt like crying like a child. But instead, she firmly set her mouth and shook her head vehemently.

“No, I wasn’t.”

A large hand cupped Eun-seol’s left cheek. At the unexpected touch, all of Eun-seol’s senses tingled and resonated. It was as if skin frozen by a cold wave was melting in the face of sudden warmth.

“You can tell me honestly.”

Nothing will happen.

Jung-hyuk added in a firm voice. Perhaps because of that, Eun-seol also became emboldened.

“I fought with Min-seo.”

“Fought…?”

“It happens often. Actually… we’re not on good terms.”

At Eun-seol’s words, Jung-hyuk nodded faintly. Long ago, Min-seo had been the ringleader in bullying Eun-seol. Since Jung-hyuk had stopped it, he knew well about Eun-seol and Min-seo’s relationship.

“It’s not like I was the only one hit. I hit Min-seo too.”

It wasn’t a lie. She had shoved Mok Min-seo’s shoulder with a thud.

“You seemed fine for someone who fought.”

Jung-hyuk said in a dubious tone. Eun-seol knew on what basis Jung-hyuk was saying that.

Long ago, Eun-seol had practically lived in a gym. It was actually a gym that Jung-hyuk had paid for.

He had pushed Eun-seol’s back without adding any particular explanation. That’s right. He wasn’t a kind teacher.

Instead, the quick-witted Eun-seol had keenly grasped his intention.

She had barely escaped the bullying with Jung-hyuk’s help, but it seemed he meant for her to train her mind and body to protect herself in the future.

In response to that kindness, Eun-seol gritted her teeth and exercised.

It was difficult to balance it with her studies, but even that was meticulously taken care of by Jung-hyuk, allowing her to enter the university she wanted.

“If I used my full strength, Mok Min-seo would get hurt.”

Eun-seol said, clenching her fist tightly. It was an attempt to lighten the mood. But it was no use.

Jung-hyuk’s eyes only sank deeper, persistently examining Eun-seol’s face. His hand gripped Eun-seol’s chin. He turned it this way and that, sighing softly.

“I need to take you away soon.”

It was a nonchalant tone, but Eun-seol’s heart, which had been properly hit, raced wildly.

Eun-seol overlapped her hands with his large hand, as if to stop Jung-hyuk. She could feel the bulging veins as they were. It was a man’s firm hand.

Eun-seol tried hard to calm her wildly beating heart and lowered his hand.

“But really, what brings you here?”

“This.”

Jung-hyuk handed over Eun-seol’s hat.

“You left it behind.”

“Ah… You could have given it to me next time.”

“I didn’t want to.”

At the meaningful words, Eun-seol quietly nodded.

“Don’t give up.”

Jung-hyuk said again. Eun-seol’s eyes widened.

Don’t give up.

Those words had a magical power. From long ago, they had encouraged her and helped her endure.

Eun-seol swallowed the rising tears and nodded her head like a heavy weight. A large hand was placed on the top of Eun-seol’s head with a thud.

Soon, he opened the door. Mrs. Ma-san, who was standing in front of it, was startled and stepped back. When Jung-hyuk’s sharp gaze reached her, Mrs. Ma-san said with a flustered face.

“I brought some refreshments…”

The tray contained two cups of pale-yellow flower tea and walnut pie.

“It’s alright.”

It was when Jung-hyuk declined and passed by Mrs. Ma-san. The opposite door burst open.

“Teacher, let’s talk.”

The person speaking boldly was Min-seo. Jung-hyuk’s gaze lingered not on Min-seo, but on the room visible behind her.

The lamp was on, books were spread out on the desk, writing utensils were strewn about haphazardly, glasses, a photo frame, a scattered bag, and a coat draped over the chair. A humidifier was placed on the right, and next to it, disheveled bedding could be seen. Behind the pillow, a tangled phone charger was rolling around haphazardly.

“Alright.”

Min-seo’s face brightened at Jung-hyuk’s answer.

“Teacher.”

Eun-seol called Jung-hyuk with a worried voice. Jung-hyuk, who turned around, said to Eun-seol.

“You don’t have to come down.”

“Ah… Okay.”

“Medicine. Apply it again.”

Min-seo, who glared at the nodding Eun-seol for a moment, noticed Jung-hyuk going ahead and quickly followed behind.

“Why Lee Eun-seol of all people?”

Min-seo asked with a wronged face. Jung-hyuk silently stared at Min-seo.

“Honestly… I don’t understand. I can’t comprehend it. What’s the reason?”

“Why should I explain that to you?”

“Still, I was your fiancée. This isn’t polite.”

“Who told you to be my fiancée?”

Jung-hyuk retorted with a cold face.

“Do you know how hopeless Lee Eun-seol is? She’s run away from home several times. She’s taken a leave of absence and I don’t know what she’s doing, I haven’t seen her stay at home! She’s really living recklessly.”

He muttered lowly, “Run away from home…”

“Yes! That’s right, run away! She has no money, so we have no idea what she’s been doing out there. Didn’t she approach you in a strange way too, Teacher?”

Like someone who had caught a break, Min-seo rattled off.

“It’s not like I made her run away from home.”

Jung-hyuk retorted in a cold voice.

“Like a marriage.”

At the decisive voice that seemed to put a period on it, Min-seo’s face crumpled.

“Teacher!”

Jung-hyuk remained calm even at Min-seo’s shout. It was Min-seo who flinched at his unwavering appearance.

“Ha…”

Min-seo bit her lip and looked up at Jung-hyuk.

The streetlight installed outside the yard clearly illuminated the man’s sharp features. Coldness dripped from his face, as if it had been carved with a knife.

In that moment, as if all of Earth’s gravity had turned to his side, Min-seo felt an immense sense of intimidation.

Then, So-hee, who had followed out with hurried steps, grabbed Min-seo’s arm and said to Jung-hyuk.

“Jung-hyuk, it’s very late today, so why don’t you go back now?”

The sweetly decorated voice sounded awkward to anyone who heard it.

“Please be understanding of our Min-seo’s words and actions.”

“I don’t know what kind of understanding you’re talking about.”

Jung-hyuk retorted coldly. As if that had become a small spark, So-hee chuckled lowly. And she blocked Min-seo’s path and opened her mouth.

“…No,”

So-hee continued, her eyes trembling.

“Yes, while we’re on the subject, let me say one thing too.”

Jung-hyuk didn’t answer.

“Wouldn’t Min-seo naturally feel wronged? She’s been waiting for you all along, Jung-hyuk. If this was going to happen… you should have said so sooner. That you had no intention of marrying Min-seo.”

“Did you even ask for my opinion in the first place?”

At his rebuke, So-hee raised her voice a little, saying, “Anyway!”

“I didn’t think Chairman Yoon was like this, but we are very disappointed in this situation.”

“Then let me say one thing too.”

As if saying, ‘Go ahead and try,’ So-hee raised her chin. Several seconds passed, and Jung-hyuk’s even voice spread thickly below the yard.

“If you tarnish my person again…”

Jung-hyuk’s eyes, as if swallowing the darkness, swept over the highly agitated faces of the mother and daughter.

“Then I won’t stand still either.”

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