#39.

Kim Eun-ju quietly gazed at her sleeping son, leaning against the bed. The baby, just past his first birthday, was breathing peacefully with an innocent face. He was a handsome son who looked exactly like her husband, Lee Hyun-woo. This child, the fruit of their love, was so lovable.

After putting the baby to sleep in the bedroom, Kim Eun-ju quietly closed the door and headed to the living room. She leaned back on the sofa and let out a deep sigh. The fatigue accumulated from taking care of the child all day washed over her. She realized that her physical strength wasn’t what it used to be. As she got older, she didn’t have the same energy as when she was younger.

Kim Eun-ju had put a lot of effort into managing her appearance and figure until now. Thanks to her outstanding beauty, she was able to meet the handsome and attractive Lee Hyun-woo. Perhaps that’s why she was more concerned about her aging appearance.

She suddenly looked down at her hands and stomach. Slightly sagging skin, faint fine lines that were starting to show. Even on her face that flashed on the TV screen, she could see traces of aging.

But Lee Hyun-woo still looked as handsome as ever. No, as he got older, he even exuded a mature charm and looked even more dashing.

,If other young women approach Lee Hyun-woo-ssi… will I be able to hold onto him?

A sudden wave of anxiety made her heart feel like it was sinking. Recently, she hadn’t had the time to have sex with her husband because she was raising the child. That also made Kim Eun-ju anxious.

There was a time when they shared a passionate love that made them burn just by looking at each other. She kept longing for that intense passion that existed between them. As time went by, she felt like she was drifting away from her husband, and her heart ached.

,Could our relationship cool down if we continue like this…

Her head became complicated with the thoughts that came to mind. Kim Eun-ju smiled forlornly and looked up at the ceiling. When did these doubts and worries start to sprout? She felt sorry for herself for not being able to feel happiness even with the person she loved by her side.

As she was lost in deep thought, she suddenly heard the sound of the front door opening. Kim Eun-ju made an effort to put on a bright expression and stood up. And she went to the front door to greet her husband.

Is Lee Hyun-woo’s heart still with her? With that question hidden deep inside, Kim Eun-ju greeted her husband with a bright smile. But behind that smile, there was deep anxiety hidden.

–

Kim Eun-ju took in the refreshing breeze as she slowly walked through the apartment complex, pushing the stroller. The child was looking around with curious eyes. The leaves swaying in the wind and the chirping of birds brought a bright smile to the child’s face. Seeing that, Kim Eun-ju’s heart was also filled with happiness.

,Still, I don’t know how much richer my life has become because of this child…

Suddenly, as she looked around, she realized that there weren’t many people pushing strollers like Kim Eun-ju. Most of the people living in this apartment were young couples or singles. Reflecting the trend of delaying marriage and childbirth, young children were rarely seen.

Thinking that, a sense of loneliness washed over her. She felt an invisible distance between herself, who had become a mother, and the young people of her age.

,I was once free and young like them…

While she was lost in sentimentality, Kim Eun-ju raised her head at the sound of someone approaching. Then, she met the eyes of a man walking from the opposite side.

,Hello?

The man who greeted her happily was Lee Han, the apartment’s superintendent.

,Ah, hello. We met last time…

,Did you come out for a walk? Our apartment has good landscaping, so it’s great for taking a walk.

,Yes, the air is good and it’s perfect for bringing the baby out.

,What a cute baby. You’ll be blessed.

Lee Han made eye contact with the baby in the stroller and smiled gently. Then, he playfully stuck out his tongue. The child burst into laughter at that sight.

Kim Eun-ju watched the scene with a smile. She somehow liked this superintendent who was kind to the child.

,What’s your name?

,It’s Kim Eun-ju.

,Ah, Eun-ju-ssi. If you have any inconveniences while taking a walk, please tell me.

,Yes, I understand. Have a good day today too, Superintendent-ssi.

After exchanging greetings, Kim Eun-ju moved her steps, pushing the stroller. Lee Han, who was standing behind her, was staring at her back, but she didn’t know that.

Kim Eun-ju slowly walked and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the apartment complex. The child in the stroller was already fast asleep. At that moment, someone approached and greeted her.

,Hello? It’s nice to meet you for the first time.

Looking at her, she was a young and beautiful woman. A wedding ring was shining on her left ring finger, reflecting the sunlight.

,Ah, hello.

Kim Eun-ju received the greeting with a bright smile.

,I’m Han Su-jin. I’m the head of the women’s association in this apartment.

,Women’s association? We had one in our apartment too. I didn’t know.

Han Su-jin smiled gently and explained to Kim Eun-ju, who answered as if surprised.

,Actually, I wasn’t elected through an election. I was hired by Aryong Group, which built this apartment, to assist the superintendent.

,Ah, I see.

Kim Eun-ju nodded and smiled. Then, Han Su-jin’s gaze turned to the child in the stroller. Her expression flashed with envy and affection, and a somewhat gloomy emotion.

,How old is the baby?

,He just turned one year old.

Han Su-jin was silent for a moment at Kim Eun-ju’s voice, which answered proudly. Then, she carefully brought up the topic.

,My husband and I are planning to have a child too. Raising a child isn’t easy though…

Kim Eun-ju’s eyes sparkled at those words.

,That’s right. There are many difficult times, but it’s also rewarding. I was worried a lot at first…

Kim Eun-ju began to list the episodes she had experienced while raising her child. Han Su-jin listened intently to Kim Eun-ju’s story. She also shared her questions and fears about childcare.

The two quickly fell into baby talk. Because they were of similar age, they could easily open up to each other. Throughout the conversation, bright smiles never left Kim Eun-ju and Han Su-jin’s faces.

On the way home after finishing the walk, Kim Eun-ju’s heart was much lighter. She felt good because it felt like she had made a friend with whom she could share deep stories after a long time.

,Han Su-jin-ssi… I should see her often in the future.

With a pleased smile, Kim Eun-ju stroked the child’s cheek. It felt like today’s meeting would lead to a happy relationship in the future.

But she didn’t know. She didn’t know that this relationship would be the beginning of some tragedy. That a typhoon of fate was approaching them…

–

Lee Han and Park Min-ah were sitting side by side on the sofa in the management office. The office was filled with intense heat, and the two people’s naked bodies were intertwined under the dim light. The moans that had reached their peak soon subsided, but their breathing was still rough.

Park Min-ah burrowed deeper into Lee Han’s arms. As if craving affection, she clung to him with her whole body. Lee Han gently hugged Park Min-ah. He reached out and stroked her hair.

After enjoying the afterglow for a while, Lee Han soon took out a photo from his pocket. And then, without hesitation, he placed it on the table. Park Min-ah was curious about the person in the photo and raised her body.

Park Min-ah’s eyes widened as she stared at the photo. The photo contained a man with a handsome appearance. He looked like a model who had jumped out of a magazine.

,Who is this person?

Park Min-ah looked at Lee Han with a puzzled look.

,Remember him well. Because he’s an important person in the future.

Lee Han said with a sly smile.

,It’s easy to remember him. He’s very handsome.

Park Min-ah retorted with a joking tone. Then, she looked at Lee Han playfully, and Lee Han suddenly asked.

,More than me?

,Hey, you can’t lie.

Park Min-ah shrugged her shoulders and smiled bashfully.

,Tsk tsk. Unfortunately, that man is already married.

Lee Han smiled and spat out those words. Park Min-ah pouted her lips and felt disappointed.

,Ah… that’s really too bad.

,From tomorrow, you’ll meet that man every night instead of me.

Lee Han suddenly brought up those words. It was a playful tone, but his eyes were serious.

,Huh? What do you mean?

Park Min-ah asked back with a bewildered expression.

Lee Han lightly brushed off Park Min-ah’s question with a sly smile.

,It’s nothing. Just exchange a few words if you run into him in the complex on your way home from work at night. That’s all you need to do.

Park Min-ah’s face, which had seemed frightened by Lee Han’s request, brightened. She answered cheerfully.

,Ah, that’s a piece of cake. Don’t worry.

,And make sure you wear the perfume you usually wear when you meet him.

Park Min-ah nodded, but she gave him a puzzled look. She was curious about what his intentions were, but she didn’t dare to ask him.

Lee Han felt Park Min-ah’s gaze and cupped her face with both hands. And then, he whispered softly.

,It’s not a good habit to question what I do. Got it?

Park Min-ah had no choice but to nod at the strange pressure. Lee Han smiled satisfactorily as he looked at her.

Soon, he carefully kissed Park Min-ah. Park Min-ah’s face melted away at the sweet kiss and she was immersed in happiness.

A little later, the cooled office heated up again. Hot breaths and sweet moans scattered in the air.

,Huu… I have to go to work tomorrow…

Park Min-ah, who had reached her peak, complained while panting.

,So, you don’t want to do this?

Lee Han asked playfully. Park Min-ah shook her head and hugged him.

,No… it’s just, I’m too happy.

Park Min-ah whispered in a flushed voice. She clung to Lee Han like a woman in love.

Lee Han hugged Park Min-ah and stared out the window. Stars were flickering in the night sky. There seemed to be some secret hidden in his eyes, which were twinkling like those stars. A dangerous plan hidden in the darkness that Park Min-ah didn’t know about.