WEHP 05

Chapter 05

Knock, knock—

With the sound of a knock, Director Kim entered.

“Please review the proposals that came in while you were away, Executive Director.”

When he opened the file, it was packed with documents.

“You could’ve just accepted the urgent ones.”

“I only accepted the ones that must be approved today. All of them need your signature by the end of the day.”

The corporate acquisition that had been put on hold resurfaced. After nonstop meetings and field investigations, he had spent the entire morning outside and only now made it back to his office—without even having lunch.

After Director Kim left, Doha pressed the key phone and connected to Secretary Yoon.

“Please bring me a cup of coffee.”

The room felt stuffy. Staring at the monitor, Doha unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and rolled up his sleeves.

If he didn’t hurry, he’d be getting off late again. Hyunseo’s condition worried him; he felt like he should go home early today if possible.

Lately, as Chairman Chae had been gradually letting go of the business, Doha had been overwhelmed with work.

It was still too early to prepare for retirement. But after sending Seoha away, it felt as though the shock had made him slowly loosen his grip on everything.

Buried in approval documents, Doha worked mindlessly when his phone vibrated.

It was a call from Hyunseo.

She rarely called these days. The call from a wife who seemed to be drifting further away was strangely comforting—and at the same time, unsettling.

That’s odd. Did something happen?

—What time are you getting off today?

“Probably not too late.”

She hadn’t been asking things like this lately. It was unusual.

—I have something to say. I hope you won’t be too late.

Doha paused for a moment, then replied.

“Okay.”

—I’ll wait.

The call ended with her oddly calm voice. Doha stared at his phone screen for a moment after pulling it away from his ear.

If it weren’t something important, they could talk at home anytime. Calling specifically to ask about his schedule felt strange.

What could it be?

An uneasy feeling crept in. Lately, his anxiety about his wife had been growing, and he couldn’t shake it.

For some reason, the back of his neck felt cold.

Youngsook, leisurely sipping coffee on the sofa, noticed Hyunseo coming down the stairs.

As if she’d been waiting for this, she jumped up and pointed at Hyunseo, raising her voice.

“What time do you think it is? You lie around all day and only come down now?”

Hyunseo didn’t respond or make excuses. She simply headed toward the kitchen.

Now that she’d decided to leave this house, there was nothing to be afraid of. She wouldn’t have to hear that tiresome voice for much longer.

Youngsook wanted to grab Hyunseo by the hair as she passed without even glancing her way. But remembering Juhyuk’s car payment, she held back. Instead, she shouted at Hyunseo’s back.

“Hey! Did you send Juhyuk the money? You were supposed to send it this morning. If you haven’t, send it now.”

“What money?”

Only then did Hyunseo turn around and ask calmly.

“What money do you mean? The money to buy a car for your nephew.”

“My nephew? Did my sister-in-law already have the baby?”

“What?”

Youngsook blinked in surprise, flustered.

“Well… this might be awkward to say, but don’t you need to be born first to ride in a car?”

“Do you want something bad to happen to your nephew? How can you say something like that?”

“Why are you jumping to conclusions?”

She almost added, If he’s that precious, you could’ve loved Seoha a little too. But she stopped. It wasn’t worth it. Just a waste of breath.

“And Mother, I don’t owe my brother-in-law anything. Why should I send money? Did you leave money with me?”

Youngsook looked slightly shaken. The eldest daughter-in-law, usually obedient, was talking back—and even being sarcastic.

“Did I tell you to send your money? It’s the money your father-in-law and my eldest son earned. You can’t even send that?”

Hyunseo curled one corner of her lips into a faint smile. Watching Youngsook brag about money she couldn’t freely spend herself was oddly amusing.

“Then you send it, Mother. If Chairman Chae and your son have so much money, why bother a penniless daughter-in-law?”

After speaking mockingly, Hyunseo turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

That was when—

Something whooshed past her ear.

Crash—

A sharp sound rang out. Shards of fine bone china scattered across the floor.

Startled, Hyunseo turned around. Youngsook was glaring at her, breathing hard. In her hand was only the saucer—the cup had been thrown.

Hyunseo let out a hollow laugh. It was always like this. If she didn’t like something, Youngsook would scream and throw things.

The only reason she didn’t throw things in the living room was because Chairman Chae had warned her he’d take away her cards if she broke any more collectibles.

Sigh… My baby. I’m sorry you had to see this. I’ll show you only beautiful things soon.

“If you don’t have cash, go pay with a card. Right now. If Juhyuk’s car gets canceled, will you take responsibility?”

It was pathetic and absurd. But this wasn’t new. Hyunseo had indulged these unreasonable demands for so long that Youngsook had grown worse.

“Mother, tell your son to handle his own problems. Doha said never to give them money again.”

“…What?”

Hyunseo used Doha as a shield. For some reason, he was always cold toward his mother.

Back when they were newlyweds, Hyunseo had suggested he be a little warmer to her, but Doha disliked even speaking to Youngsook.

Youngsook, intimidated by him, always came to the easier target—Hyunseo—whenever something came up.

“Tsk… that bastard…”

“Seosan-daek! What are you staring at? Clean up the broken cup!”

Having lost her ground, Youngsook snapped at others instead.

Hyunseo gave up on going to the kitchen. Watching the housekeeper clean up the shards, she spoke in a tired voice.

“Auntie, please handle dinner however you like. I’m going out for a bit.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Hey! You’re not even making dinner—where do you think you’re going?”

Before she could cool her anger, Hyunseo’s sudden move only enraged Youngsook further.

“I’ll eat out. Please have dinner without me today.”

“What? You’re leaving? The chairman will be home soon—where do you think you’re going?”

Thanks to Hyunseo’s exceptional cooking, Youngsook had come to enjoy mealtimes she provided. It had become routine.

She seemed especially irritated since Hyunseo had been cooped up in her room for two days, claiming to be ill.

“Mother, in five years of married life, I’ve never skipped making dinner. I’ve barely ever gone out freely at that hour.”

“What—what are you talking about?”

“I even made gujeolpan for you the day after Seoha’s funeral because you said you wanted it. Please, just let me go out once.”

“W-what? What nonsense are you spouting? Are you trying to make me look like the bad one? Did I ever tie you up?”

The normally gentle daughter-in-law acting like this must have been shocking. Youngsook’s face flushed red and blue as she stammered.

“Seosan-daek, what is she even saying?”

Ignoring her, Hyunseo turned away, leaving Youngsook and the housekeeper standing there in shock.

As if desperate to get outside as quickly as possible, she grabbed her wallet and rushed out of the house.

She’d barely eaten yesterday. Thinking she should eat something today, what came to mind was her mother’s kimchi stew.

Her mother was gone, but in her old neighborhood there was a small restaurant run by an aunt whose cooking tasted similar. She decided to go there.

The house was probably in chaos by now. Youngsook might even be lying down clutching her head.

For the old her, this would’ve been unthinkable. Her heart still raced, worrying about what would happen when she returned—but she also felt strangely exhilarated.

She’d always been intimidated by her in-laws. Speaking her mind turned out to be easier than she’d expected.

Why hadn’t she done it sooner?

To people who barely deserved to be called human.

Doha, unsettled by his wife’s call, abandoned his work and left early.

When he arrived home, Hyunseo was nowhere to be found—neither upstairs nor downstairs. Only the housekeeper greeted him.

“You’re home.”

“Hasn’t Hyunseo come down?”

The housekeeper lowered her head, flustered.

“The madam isn’t here. She went out a little while ago.”

Hyunseo had never failed to prepare dinner since their marriage. No matter how much he told her not to, she always insisted on doing it herself. And yet, she was gone.

Something had definitely happened.

“Did something occur?”

The housekeeper glanced toward Youngsook’s room with a troubled look and changed the subject.

“Well… please comfort the lady.”

Comfort?

A bad feeling crept in.

Without even changing his clothes, Doha headed back out into the garden.

He didn’t think she’d gone far. Somehow, it felt like if he waited here, he’d see her soon.

What on earth happened?

Thirty minutes passed as he wandered the lawn. He checked his watch.

It wasn’t particularly late, but his mouth felt dry. Maybe it was because her calm voice—I have something to say—kept replaying in his mind.

As he lifted his phone to call her, the front gate opened.

Hyunseo walked in.

“Where did you go?”

Seeing her made him feel more relieved than he’d expected. But the anxiety leaked into his voice, making it sound harsher than intended.

“You came home earlier than I thought. Are you just getting off work?”

Hyunseo stopped short when she saw Doha standing in the garden.

“No, I’ve been home for a while. I was waiting for you.”

The unexpected answer left Hyunseo momentarily speechless. She’d assumed they’d simply run into each other.

Had there ever been a time in her life when he waited for her? Waiting had always been her role.

He stood there, immaculate—handsome like a model from a photoshoot.

Seeing Doha standing in the garden, waiting for her, felt strangely unreal.

“Why did you leave the house so late and leave it empty?”

“I just wanted to go out.”

“That’s not like you.”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

At Hyunseo’s sharp response, Doha fell silent. He looked like someone trying to avoid a fight.

But the silence made Hyunseo feel sad.

“Let’s go inside. I have something important to say.”