#53.

Late in the afternoon, Kim Eun-ju took Jin-woo in his stroller and headed to the management office. It was a walk and a visit to Lee Han-ssi.

As she opened the door, Lee Han-ssi greeted her with a bright smile. He seemed to have been waiting for Kim Eun-ju and the baby.

,Welcome. I missed Jin-woo, too.”

Lee Han-ssi picked up Jin-woo from the stroller. Jin-woo, held in his arms, burst into laughter as if he was enjoying it.

Kim Eun-ju watched Lee Han-ssi taking care of the baby and smiled happily. It felt like a fresh and comfortable feeling, like a long-time lover.

,Thank you so much for playing with Jin-woo.”

Lee Han-ssi looked at Kim Eun-ju and sent her a sweet smile.

,I’m happy to spend time with Eun-ju-ssi and Jin-woo, too.”

Kim Eun-ju’s cheeks flushed slightly at his answer. The two spent a quiet afternoon with the baby. Lee Han-ssi chattered, handing Jin-woo toys, and Kim Eun-ju watched with loving eyes.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting. Kim Eun-ju packed up the baby’s belongings with a look of regret.

,We should go now. Thank you again today, Lee Han-ssi.”

,I’m more grateful.”

Lee Han-ssi approached Kim Eun-ju and gently hugged her waist. Kim Eun-ju leaned on Lee Han-ssi naturally.

The two people’s faces got closer. Kim Eun-ju closed her eyes shyly. Lee Han-ssi placed his lips on hers.

A sweet kiss followed. It might have been awkward to kiss while holding a baby, but somehow even that looked natural.

Lee Han-ssi’s hands stroked Kim Eun-ju’s neck and back. As the physical contact deepened, Kim Eun-ju’s breath quickened.

,Go in carefully, Eun-ju-ssi…”

Lee Han-ssi whispered in Kim Eun-ju’s ear as he ended the kiss. Kim Eun-ju simply replied with a happy smile.

,See you tomorrow… Lee Han-ssi.”

The two put the baby in the stroller and said goodbye affectionately. Leaving behind a secret kiss and a hot whisper.

Even after Kim Eun-ju disappeared with the baby, a smile lingered on Lee Han-ssi’s lips for a while.

–

A few days later, the management office was filled with a cold atmosphere. The two were sitting side by side, having a calm conversation. But Lee Han-ssi’s face had a bitter expression.

,Eun-ju-ssi, our relationship… I don’t think we can keep going like this. It’s wrong.”

Kim Eun-ju was startled by Lee Han-ssi’s words. His serious tone made her feel uneasy.

,Lee Han-ssi, what are you talking about? I…”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice was trembling. She held Lee Han-ssi’s hand tightly. But Lee Han-ssi slowly pulled his hand away.

,What impact will our relationship have on the child? I can never… be Jin-woo’s dad. This is not right.”

Lee Han-ssi’s words stabbed Kim Eun-ju’s heart. Tears welled up in her eyes.

,But…”

,I’m sorry, but I can’t keep going like this. Even for Jin-woo…”

Lee Han-ssi bowed his head and his shoulders drooped heavily. Kim Eun-ju couldn’t speak for a while. She knew Lee Han-ssi was right, but she couldn’t accept it.

,I understand… Lee Han-ssi is right. Even for Jin-woo…”

Kim Eun-ju gritted her teeth and stood up. Her lips trembled as she tried to hold back her tears.

,Don’t be sad, Eun-ju-ssi. This is the way for Jin-woo.”

Lee Han-ssi stroked Kim Eun-ju’s back. It was a comforting touch, but it felt like a farewell to Kim Eun-ju. She left the management office powerlessly, put Jin-woo in the stroller, and walked slowly. The red sunset shone on Kim Eun-ju’s lonely back.

,Is this the right choice? But I think I’ll be too lonely without Lee Han-ssi…’

Kim Eun-ju’s heart was heavy with complicated thoughts. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, a faint smile lingered on Lee Han-ssi’s lips, who was left alone in the management office. He had a sad look in his eyes, but there was a sense of victory in his eyes.

–

The afternoon sun was pouring into the kitchen. Han Su-jin was standing at the sink, wiping the dishes with a frown on her face. At that time, she heard familiar footsteps. The door opened, and Lee Han-ssi entered with slow steps.

,You’re here again. Is there anything else left to do?”

Han Su-jin’s voice had a touch of nervousness. Lee Han-ssi approached her with a sly smile.

,It’s almost over. Let’s have lunch with Eun-ju-ssi.”

Han Su-jin sighed with annoyance and glared at Lee Han-ssi.

,You’ll keep your promise, right?”

,Of course.”

Lee Han-ssi answered nonchalantly and plopped down on the living room sofa. His attitude showed a sense of ease.

Han Su-jin gritted her teeth and strode towards Lee Han-ssi. She stood staring straight at him.

,How was the hotel last time?”

Han Su-jin’s eyes wavered when Lee Han-ssi asked suddenly. But she answered in a cold voice.

,It was satisfactory. Well…”

,Tae-young-ssi really loves Su-jin-ssi.”

Han Su-jin trembled at Lee Han-ssi’s words and glared at him.

,Don’t mention Tae-young-ssi’s name carelessly.”

At that moment, a playful smile flashed across Lee Han-ssi’s face. He moved closer to Han Su-jin and whispered in her ear.

,I’m sorry… I crossed the line.”

Then Lee Han-ssi gently buried his lips on Han Su-jin’s neck. Han Su-jin’s body stiffened.

The next moment, a rough kiss began. Han Su-jin bit Lee Han-ssi’s lips as if resisting, but soon she gave herself to him.

A sensual moan leaked from the kitchen. Lee Han-ssi explored Han Su-jin’s body gently and roughly, as if to erase Park Tae-young’s traces.

,Haa… Hmmm…”

Han Su-jin unknowingly let out a blissful sound. Lee Han-ssi’s presence was growing inside her. Lee Han-ssi’s color was slowly being added to the identity of Park Tae-young’s wife.

Lee Han-ssi grabbed Han Su-jin’s hips while she was sitting on the table. The squelching wet sounds and moans filled the kitchen.

,There’s not much time left to experience this situation.”

Lee Han-ssi’s whisper and the subsequent movements that penetrated deep inside made Han Su-jin shiver. Every time his hard penis stimulated the inside of her body, it felt like Lee Han-ssi’s traces were deeply imprinted on her body.

,Ahhk… Haa…”

Lee Han-ssi didn’t stop even with Han Su-jin’s moans. Rather, he dug deeper and harder into her. The moist and hot skin flushed with desire and convulsed.

A thrill of pleasure ran up her spine. Han Su-jin threw her head back and gasped for breath. Her vision turned white and she reached her climax.

,Ah… Aahh…”

At the moment of climax, Lee Han-ssi poured himself into Han Su-jin’s deepest place. Han Su-jin trembled all over and let out a shrill moan at the sensation of the hot liquid wetting her inner walls.

Han Su-jin’s body, which had accepted Lee Han-ssi, was now filled with his traces. As the seeds of betrayal seeped into her body, it seemed that even her soul was becoming Lee Han-ssi’s, beyond the union of bodies.

Lee Han-ssi slowly pulled out from Han Su-jin’s body, which was slumped on the table. White liquid dripped down her thighs. Traces of lust dripped onto the kitchen floor.

Han Su-jin gasped for breath while being held in Lee Han-ssi’s arms. The languor after a passionate love enveloped her. But betrayal and shame were raising their heads in one corner of her heart.

Her husband Park Tae-young’s image flashed through her mind. Han Su-jin closed her eyes with self-reproach, but she couldn’t push away Lee Han-ssi, who was embracing her.

,Now… it’s almost time to say goodbye.”

Lee Han-ssi’s whisper echoed in Han Su-jin’s ear. It was a hot and calm voice. Along with the heavy breathing, the two were soaked in the afterglow of the union. Lee Han-ssi left deep marks on Han Su-jin’s neck and chest. As if to imprint his traces.

,… Keep your promise…”

Han Su-jin muttered weakly.

—

The warm afternoon sun was shining into Kim Eun-ju’s living room. A carefully prepared lunch was on the table, but Kim Eun-ju’s expression looked somewhat gloomy.

Han Su-jin, who was sitting across from her, looked at her with worried eyes.

,Eun-ju-ssi, you look very tired. Is there anything wrong?”

Kim Eun-ju hesitated for a moment at Han Su-jin’s question. But she slowly opened her mouth as if she had decided to tell her everything.

,Actually… things have gotten a little difficult with Hyun-woo. I think it’s gotten worse lately.”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice was calm, but it contained deep sadness. Han Su-jin held her hand tightly with a pitiful heart.

,I’ve had that before. There were times when I became estranged from Tae-young-ssi.”

Kim Eun-ju’s eyes wavered at Han Su-jin’s confession. She asked back as if she was interested.

,How did you overcome it?”

Han Su-jin seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. Then she carefully continued.

,When my relationship with my husband was getting distant without me knowing, I came to rely on someone else…”

Kim Eun-ju’s eyes wavered at Han Su-jin’s story, as if it was her own story. But her eyes became even more complicated at Han Su-jin’s next words.

,But in the end, I think it’s important to protect the family. Because every time I look at my husband’s face, I think about the promise I made when we were first married. The vow that we promised not to change.”

Kim Eun-ju was lost in thought for a long time. Han Su-jin’s words seemed to resonate with her.

,Well… even for Jin-woo…”

Kim Eun-ju muttered softly. Han Su-jin nodded her head with strength.

,That’s right. I don’t have children yet. If I had a child like Jin-woo, I wouldn’t have wavered even more.”

Kim Eun-ju’s face brightened at the soft comfort. She held Han Su-jin’s hand back with a grateful heart.

The two women spent a warm afternoon sharing their concerns with each other. It was a peaceful meal on the surface, but complicated thoughts were crossing each other’s minds.

–

Late at night, Kim Eun-ju was sitting alone in the living room. The clock was already pointing to midnight, but Lee Hyun-woo had not yet returned.

Kim Eun-ju’s eyes turned to the sound of the front door opening. Lee Hyun-woo entered with heavy steps. His face was full of fatigue.

,You’re late again today…”

Kim Eun-ju spoke in a cold voice. Lee Hyun-woo nodded his head powerlessly.

,I’m sorry. I have too much work…”

After leaving a simple greeting, Lee Hyun-woo headed straight to the bathroom. Kim Eun-ju stared blankly at his back. It was a complicated feeling mixed with disappointment and frustration.

,Why did it turn out like this… I really can’t stand it anymore.’

A sigh escaped from Kim Eun-ju’s heart. It didn’t smell like cologne like before, but every time she looked at Lee Hyun-woo’s clothes, she felt the scent of a strange woman.

She slowly headed to the bedroom. A smile naturally appeared on her face at the sight of Jin-woo sleeping soundly. But soon bitterness washed over her.

,Our son can’t even see his dad’s face properly…’

Kim Eun-ju gently kissed Jin-woo’s forehead. She reached out and stroked the child’s hair.

,Should I keep living like this…’

Kim Eun-ju sighed in deep confusion. She was deeply troubled between her husband and her son. Is it right to just endure and live like this, or is it right to leave and find a new life?

One side of her chest throbbed. Her love for Lee Hyun-woo had long since faded. But she couldn’t leave easily when she thought about her child.

,Would Lee Han-ssi be a good father to our Jin-woo…’

Kim Eun-ju’s heart fluttered at the image of Lee Han-ssi flashing through her mind. But soon guilt washed over her. She was ashamed of herself for thinking of another man when she hadn’t even decided to break up with her husband yet.

The dawn twilight was falling outside the window. Darkness was also thickly laid in Kim Eun-ju’s heart.

Anxiety about the future, a sense of duty to protect the family, and feelings for Lee Han-ssi. Complicated thoughts were intertwined and tormented her.

Kim Eun-ju quietly closed her eyes. She wished everything was a dream, and sighed deeply as she thought so.

In the quiet house where Lee Hyun-woo and Jin-woo were asleep, only Kim Eun-ju was awake and troubled. The rough crossroads of choices in front of her seemed as deep and profound as the darkness of dawn.