The Cruel Beast’s Desire - Chapter 34

“Teacher.”

Ieum came scurrying over to Hayeon.

“Oh, Ieum…?”

Though surprised—she hadn’t expected the child to come here at all—Hayeon didn’t show it and instead gently stroked Ieum’s hair.

“How did you get here?”

“Daddy said he knew where your house was, so I begged him to bring me.”

“I see.”

Hayeon had been worried when she heard Ieum was just waiting around doing nothing until she arrived, but today, instead of waiting quietly, she had taken action herself.

Seeing the child act on her impulses like this felt refreshingly childlike, and Hayeon was secretly pleased. Today, for once, Ieum hadn’t tried to read the adults’ moods, endure things alone, or tell little white lies. It made Hayeon proud.

Her hand, which had been stroking Ieum’s hair, naturally moved to caress the child’s cheek. As Hayeon smiled at the soft touch, Ieum beamed back.

Feeling a prickly gaze, Hayeon turned her head and saw two men staring at her. Under Yoonjae’s cold stare, the smile vanished from her face.

“Kang Hayeon… Don’t tell me this is where you work…?”

Only after hearing the trembling voice did Hayeon look at Seon-woo.

“Hayeon… No, right? Say it’s not.”

Seon-woo’s face was twisted with shock and betrayal. More than feeling sorry for having deceived him, Hayeon was several times more bothered by the anger in Yoonjae’s gaze.

“Seon-woo… I’ll explain everything later.”

Yoonjae was on her mind too, but this wasn’t the right time or place to talk, especially not in front of Ieum, who was tightly holding her hand.

More than anything, she wanted to escape this uncomfortable situation as quickly as possible.

Yoonjae, who had been silently watching Hayeon with cold eyes the whole time, let out a scoffing laugh.

“So, the reason you had to come here every weekend was because of that kid.”

The look in Yoonjae’s eyes as he smirked was so fierce that Hayeon bit down hard on the inside of her cheek.

Seon-woo, who had been looking back and forth between Hayeon and Yoonjae, suddenly lunged at Yoonjae.

“You bastard! What… what the hell have you done to Hayeon?!”

Grabbing Yoonjae by the collar, Seon-woo shouted. Startled by the adults’ tense atmosphere, Ieum hid behind Hayeon’s back. The small hand gripping Hayeon’s was sweaty.

“Teacher…”

“It’s okay, Ieum.”

Hayeon pulled Ieum into her embrace and looked at the two men glaring fiercely at each other.

“What are you doing in front of a child? You’re scaring Ieum.”

At Hayeon’s words, Seon-woo turned his head away. Seeing Hayeon holding Ieum, he seemed to freeze in shock.

“Ugh… I’m going crazy.”

“Stop making a scene and let go. As you can see, I’m holding back because my daughter is here.”

At Yoonjae’s words, Seon-woo’s hand slowly loosened. Letting his arm drop, Seon-woo’s gaze remained fixed on Hayeon.

“Kang Hayeon… Quit that job right now.”

“Teacher…”

Ieum buried her face in Hayeon’s chest.

“Sigh… Let’s talk later. Right now, the child is too frightened.”

“Kang Hayeon!”

“Seon-woo, please…”

Hayeon squeezed her eyes shut.

Both Seon-woo’s gaze and Yoonjae’s cold stare felt suffocating.

Hayeon let out a deep breath, opened her eyes, and looked at Yoonjae.

“Where’s the car?”

“It’s downstairs.”

As Hayeon moved first, carrying Ieum, Yoonjae immediately approached.

“Ieum, come to Daddy.”

“No…”

Even when Yoonjae reached out his arms, Ieum buried her face in Hayeon’s shoulder and refused.

“I can carry her.”

“Going down the stairs is dangerous.”

Looking at the staircase ahead, Hayeon reluctantly handed Ieum over to Yoonjae.

Ieum’s eyes looked anxiously at Hayeon.

“Teacher is coming too, right?”

Even though Hayeon tried to reassure her, Ieum still seemed uneasy, her eyes wavering nervously.

“Let’s go quickly.”

Hayeon urged Yoonjae.

Ieum’s anxiously shifting eyes only calmed down after Hayeon got into Yoonjae’s car with them.

“Teacher… Is he your boyfriend?”

“Huh?”

Though Ieum was the one who asked, Hayeon glanced at Yoonjae in the driver’s seat. Yoonjae started the car without a word and began driving.

He was so much on her mind that she forgot to answer and instead pursed her lips.

It was the child’s innocent voice that broke the awkward silence first.

“Teacher, Daddy said he’d buy me cold noodles.”

“Is that so?”

“When I said I wanted to go with you… at first he said no.”

Ieum’s expression, as she tattled on her dad, looked much more relaxed than before.

“Really?”

“Yes, but I won.”

From what Hayeon had observed so far, whenever Yoonjae and Ieum faced off over something, Ieum was the one who won every time.

“Did you ask to come out first?”

“No.”

Ieum shook her head vigorously and declared firmly.

“Mrs. Lee said her wrist was aching, like it might rain, so we should eat out today.”

“Then, what about Mrs. Lee’s meal?”

“She said on days like this, she wants chicken feet and soju.”

Even though Ieum was the one speaking, it felt like Mrs. Lee’s voice was coming through.

“She said she’ll lie down without worrying about food and watch dramas. She said eating out until late is helping her.”

Looking at the child’s bright face as she spoke, Hayeon unconsciously let out a soft laugh.

It felt as if all the weight pressing on her heart until just moments ago had completely vanished.

Thanks to Yoonjae’s reservation, they were seated in a private room instead of the main hall.

Through the large window facing them, they could see a river flowing leisurely. People on bicycles passed by continuously along the riverside.

Yoonjae had specially requested that only Ieum’s food be served lukewarm. Hayeon had worried that Ieum might be disappointed, since it was her first time trying this dish, but fortunately, it seemed to suit her taste, and she ate happily.

“Ieum, is it good?”

“This is really delicious. I want to try the cold version too…”

Ieum looked back at Yoonjae sitting beside her, but there was no way he would allow it. When Yoonjae shook his head and pushed her bowl further away, Ieum pouted.

“Mean…”

“You can’t have food that’s too cold.”

Seeing that her dad wouldn’t budge, Ieum stared straight at Hayeon, signaling for help.

“Sorry, I don’t think Teacher can help you this time. You mustn’t eat cold food and get a stomachache like last time.”

“It’s okay. Since I ate it deliciously, I won’t be greedy for more.”

Perhaps because she had already eaten until she was full, Ieum didn’t insist further and quickly gave up.

“Daddy, when did you come here before?”

“A long time ago, when Daddy was a swimmer. I came here on a bicycle, like those people over there.”

“Do swimmers have to be good at cycling too?”

“No, just… There was someone who liked cycling. I learned because I wanted to hang out with that person. The day of my first ride, I came here… I was so nervous trying not to let on that I’d just learned how to bike, I didn’t even know if the food was going into my nose or my mouth.”

The more Yoonjae spoke, the more the smile faded from Hayeon’s face.

“So, did you have fun?”

“Daddy had fun… but I don’t know about that person.”

Yoonjae’s gaze lingered on Hayeon for a long time. Hayeon avoided his eyes and stared only out the window.

It was a day that also existed in Hayeon’s memory.

Seven years ago, on a warm, sunny spring day—their first date after leaving the national training village.

It was a memory that tormented Hayeon every time she came to this restaurant.

“Daddy, teach me how to ride a bike too.”

Unlike the adults with their complicated thoughts, the child was pure and bright. Ieum pointed at the bicycles visible outside the window, her eyes sparkling.

“I want to ride a bike here someday with a friend I want to play with. Just like those people over there.”

Yoonjae made a face as if he found it absurd.

“You want to learn biking from me, but play with a friend? No way. I can’t teach you.”

Yoonjae shook his head firmly. Despite her dad’s reaction, Ieum paid no mind.

“Then, I can just learn from Teacher.”

The atmosphere, which had nearly turned awkward, quickly became warm and cheerful again. Hayeon naturally melted into the mood between the two.

“Okay, Teacher will definitely teach you how to ride a bike.”

Another task had been added with Ieum.

It seemed like every day would be busy trying to fulfill all the promises she had made with Ieum before leaving his house.

After finishing their meal, the three decided to follow Mrs. Lee’s advice to come home late by not going straight back but instead visiting the nearby Fairy Tale Village.

Ieum’s neck was craned all the way back as she looked up at the large Pinocchio statue at the entrance. Worried she might topple over backward, Hayeon quickly went behind Ieum and held her shoulders.

“You’ll fall like that.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a big Pinocchio.”

“Yeah, Teacher’s seeing it for the first time too.”

“He must have told a lot of lies. His nose is super long.”

When Hayeon laughed and turned her head, she saw Yoonjae wearing the gentle smile he often showed when he was being a dad.

Before things could get awkward, Ieum grabbed Hayeon’s hand and moved forward. Naturally, Ieum’s other hand took hold of Yoonjae’s.

In the end, with Ieum in the middle, the three of them walked side by side.

Since it was the weekend, many families with children were out. Mingling among the crowd, the three of them looked like an ordinary family.

They took breaks here and there so Ieum wouldn’t get too tired, exploring various spots. The hot sun had flushed Ieum’s cheeks.

“This won’t do. We should buy Ieum a hat over there.”

When Hayeon pointed to the souvenir shop, Yoonjae nodded.

“Go ahead to the souvenir shop first. I’ll buy some water and join you.”

Watching Yoonjae head to the convenience store, Hayeon took Ieum into the souvenir shop.

Fortunately, there was a hat identical to the Pinocchio statue at the entrance. Hayeon tried it on Ieum’s head.

“It suits you well. Let’s get this one.”

“You too, Teacher.”

As Hayeon was about to head to the checkout, Ieum picked up an adult-sized hat.

“We’re a couple, after all.”

It was something Ieum had often said since their photoshoot at the studio last time.

Ieum stood on tiptoe, trying to put the hat on Hayeon’s head. Hayeon bent down to help.

“It looks really pretty when the daughter and mom wear matching ones.”

Support