#14.

Han Su-jin went to Lee Han’s office as usual. As she opened the door, Lee Han said something unexpected.

,Su-jin-ssi, you can stop now.”

,Huh? What do you mean…”

Han Su-jin, who asked back with a puzzled expression, looked at Lee Han with wary eyes. She sensed a suspicious atmosphere.

Lee Han gave a sly smile and opened his mouth.

,You’ve suffered a lot because of this. Su-jin-ssi, you’ve fulfilled the contract well enough.”

Han Su-jin was confused by Lee Han’s sudden declaration. Why was Lee Han, who had been tormenting her, suddenly saying this?

,This… is it really over?”

Han Su-jin asked, as if she couldn’t believe it. Lee Han nodded and said,

,I swear, I won’t contact you again. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that what happened between us never leaks out.”

Han Su-jin felt uneasy. She had a lot to say, but she decided to hold back. She just felt relieved that she could escape from this nightmarish situation.

Han Su-jin nodded without saying a word and left the office. She felt Lee Han’s gaze following her from behind, but she decided to ignore it. It was no longer anything to do with him.

Han Su-jin left Lee Han’s office with heavy steps. It was finally over. She was finally able to say goodbye to those tormenting and humiliating days. But a sense of emptiness washed over her before any relief.

The memories of having to give her body to Lee Han against her will during the past few months. The humiliation and shame etched into her bones would not be easily erased. Han Su-jin barely suppressed the anger that was about to explode.

,He played with me all this time, and now he’s letting me go so easily?’

With her teeth clenched, Han Su-jin barely held back from cursing at Lee Han. She didn’t want to show him an ugly side of herself. He was a man she didn’t want to be involved with in any way anymore.

As soon as she stepped out of the door, Han Su-jin let out a breath she had been holding in. With each step she took, the distance between her and Lee Han seemed to grow further and further apart. Even though there would be scars and pain left behind, she felt like she could finally be free.

Her actions in the past, which she had justified in the name of her husband. Could they really be justified? A deep sense of doubt arose within Han Su-jin.

Now she had to end everything. She had to forgive herself for walking down a distorted path, trapped by twisted desires, and move forward towards a new life. She should have been faithful to the one she truly loved.

Han Su-jin swore that. She would never fall for dirty temptations like Lee Han again. Even though her body and mind were covered in scars, she would live the rest of her life honestly with her husband.

Lee Han, left alone in the office, smiled meaningfully as he thought of Han Su-jin, who had left. It would be good to leave her alone for a while now. But he had no intention of ending it like this. If Han Su-jin believed that she could completely escape from him, it would be a big mistake.

The opportunity would come again someday. He intended to prepare meticulously for that time. Anticipating the day when he would devour even Han Su-jin’s soul, Lee Han slowly began to plan for the future.

—

Han Su-jin spent a few peaceful days after leaving Lee Han’s office. The despair and shame she had felt while patrolling during the day, and the memories of succumbing to desire and lusting after Lee Han’s body, slowly faded away. She felt like she could finally focus entirely on her time with her beloved husband.

At dinner, Han Su-jin revealed that she had quit her position as the women’s association president.

,Honey, I quit my job as the women’s association president today. It was too hard, and they said they’re going to elect a new person now.”

A shadow briefly crossed Park Tae-young’s face as he heard those words. But he soon smiled and said,

,You’ve really worked hard. I know how difficult it must have been for you. You can finally rest a bit now.”

Han Su-jin, who had been watching Park Tae-young’s expression, asked carefully.

,Honey, how’s work these days? Is there something difficult going on…”

Park Tae-young replied with a dark expression.

,Well, the company atmosphere isn’t good because the situation isn’t good. I’m very worried.”

However, when he met Han Su-jin’s worried eyes, he quickly added in a bright voice.

,But it’ll get better soon. Don’t worry too much. I’ll work hard.”

The two of them finished dinner like that and headed to the bedroom. Even with Han Su-jin lying next to him, Park Tae-young, exhausted from fatigue, quickly fell asleep.

Looking at her sleeping husband’s face, Han Su-jin stroked his cheek. A mixture of guilt and pity welled up in her heart.

,Honey… I’m so sorry. I should have been more of a support to you…’

At the same time, a desperate wish arose. She desperately hoped that Park Tae-young would hold her tightly again someday, like he used to. She longed for him to fill her with love.

Han Su-jin quietly embraced the sleeping Park Tae-young. Vowing never to disappoint him again, she whispered her heartfelt love into his ear. Believing that time would heal her wounded heart, even though it was not yet healed.

After a few days of peace, Han Su-jin began to be engulfed in anxiety again. Park Tae-young was working overtime more often. She could feel the deep fatigue in her husband’s appearance as he came home late at night, barely washed up, and immediately fell asleep.

,Honey, aren’t you overdoing it these days? I’m worried because you don’t look good…”

To Han Su-jin’s worried question, Park Tae-young shook his head, saying he was okay, as always.

,No, it’s nothing. It’s just a little tough right now. It’ll get better soon.”

But his haggard face looked far from that. The news kept talking about the economic recession and the increase in unemployment. Park Tae-young was probably desperately trying to survive in that situation as well.

,The household finances must have been strained when I quit that job…’

Han Su-jin fell into a bitter mood. Although it was a shameful thing, it was true that the money she received from that job had been a considerable help to their livelihood. Thanks to that, Park Tae-young’s shoulders would have been a little lighter.

Was it the right choice for her to get out of that job in this situation? Han Su-jin’s mind became complicated.

,Isn’t there something I can do?…’

Han Su-jin had to find something to ease her husband’s burden. There must be something she could do besides focusing more on housework and saving living expenses by cutting back on spending.

After several days of 고민, Han Su-jin finally made up her mind. Han Su-jin, who went to Lee Han’s office, carefully opened her mouth.

,Welcome, Su-jin-ssi. What brings you here?”

Lee Han’s voice was overly kind. It was as if he had expected Han Su-jin to come and had been waiting for her. She felt goosebumps at the sarcasm hidden within.

,Um… is it possible for me to do the women’s association president job again?”

Lee Han interrupted before she could finish speaking.

,Su-jin-ssi, didn’t you say you wanted to quit that position? I let you quit as you wished, so I don’t know why you’re doing this.”

Lee Han’s voice was full of questions. His eyes, as if trying to figure out Han Su-jin’s inner thoughts, pierced through her.

Han Su-jin swallowed hard and replied.

,I think it was because I was too tired at the time. But it’s different now.”

,I see. But I already have someone else in mind for that position, so what should I do?”

Han Su-jin’s face hardened at Lee Han’s words. But she couldn’t back down. Han Su-jin mustered her courage and continued.

,Please give me one more chance. I’ll work hard.”

Lee Han seemed to be lost in thought at Han Su-jin’s words. Then he shook his head and said,

,Well… you suddenly quit, and now you’re saying you want to do it again. Our contract is already over. I have no intention of using it again.”

,Our relationship too… I’ll maintain it as before.”

Han Su-jin desperately tried to persuade Lee Han. But Lee Han’s attitude did not change easily.

,Even so… it’s hard to decide right away. Let’s do this. Let’s do ‘that thing’ once tomorrow. I need to see for myself if Han Su-jin-ssi is really prepared.”

Han Su-jin’s eyes wavered at Lee Han’s words. She knew too well what ‘that thing’ was.

,…I understand.”

Han Su-jin’s voice, as she answered softly, was trembling. Lee Han gave her a faint smile as he looked at her.

,Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Han Su-jin-ssi. Please come well-prepared.”

Lee Han’s tone was full of anticipation. Han Su-jin nodded and stood up from her seat.

Han Su-jin’s face, as she left the office and walked away, was filled with mixed emotions. She had fallen back into Lee Han’s clutches. And it was by her own choice.

Han Su-jin thought that she had to endure this situation to protect her family. Her back, as she moved forward towards tomorrow, was like that of a prisoner heading to the execution ground.

Lee Han looked beyond the door where Han Su-jin had disappeared and gave a faint smile. He knew very well that Han Su-jin could never escape from him. No matter how much she struggled, she would eventually return to his grasp.

Starting with tomorrow’s work, Lee Han began to plan to make Han Su-jin completely his own. The time had come to break the toy he had been playing with for so long.

Lee Han’s eyes, gazing out the window where the bright sunlight was pouring down, were chillingly cold. The only thing waiting for Han Su-jin at the end of the path she had chosen was a rough fate.