#43.

Kim Eun-ju was lying alone in the bedroom, plunged into darkness late at night. Her heart was filled with suspicion towards her husband, Lee Hyun-woo. It was because when he came home from work today, there was an unfamiliar perfume scent on his clothes. She got up from the bed, sat up, and approached the closet. She took out his clothes and brought them to her nose, but now there was no scent at all.

,Is he having an affair…?,

The seed of doubt grew and tightened her heart. The Han Su-jin couple always seemed happy, so why were only she and her husband experiencing such difficulties? Kim Eun-ju returned to the bed and lay down again. Her head was filled with all sorts of thoughts, but she couldn’t find any answers. She let out a deep sigh and closed her tired eyes.

,What on earth should I do…,

Lost in despair and confusion, Kim Eun-ju couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning through the night. A complex mix of suspicion, anxiety, and love for her husband tormented her. But she couldn’t confide this worry to anyone. Kim Eun-ju’s inner self, torn between the desire to protect her family and a sense of betrayal, was sinking deeper and deeper into a swamp.

–

Kim Eun-ju invited Han Su-jin to her house for the first time. After putting the child to sleep in the bedroom, the two sat in the living room, drinking tea and chatting. They hadn’t known each other for very long, but a sense of comfort between friends could be felt in their demeanor.

,Su-jin-ssi, how have you been lately?,

Kim Eun-ju said kindly as she brought out the tea. Han Su-jin replied with a warm smile.

,Yes, I’ve been well. How about you, Eun-ju-ssi? I was worried because you looked unwell lately.,

In fact, Kim Eun-ju’s heart was heavy with suspicion about her husband, Lee Hyun-woo, but she tried to put on a bright expression in front of Han Su-jin.

,Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit busy with work,,

She answered, smiling nonchalantly. Soon, she changed the subject and asked about Han Su-jin’s couple.

,Su-jin-ssi, you and your husband seem to have a really good relationship. I’m envious.,

However, a shadow that Kim Eun-ju missed passed over Han Su-jin’s expression. Her relationship with Lee Han was also a secret that could not be revealed to Kim Eun-ju. Instead, Han Su-jin offered words of comfort.

,Thank you. You and your husband look great too, Eun-ju-ssi. I’m especially envious of the child.,

Kim Eun-ju took Han Su-jin’s hand with gratitude. Although they couldn’t share all their worries with each other, it was comforting just knowing that she had a reliable friend by her side.

The afternoon sunlight poured into the living room, and the two women enjoyed their long-awaited meeting, drinking tea. Kim Eun-ju decided that she should meet Han Su-jin more often. She thought that perhaps Han Su-jin might be the key to healing her wounds.

They began to build a friendship, each keeping their own secrets. Even after Han Su-jin left, Kim Eun-ju’s heart seemed lighter. Gazing at the setting sun outside the window, she slowly regained hope. It was as if she had gained the strength to overcome difficult times.

But neither of them could have known. The jealousy and deep wounds lurking behind their friendship. The two women were sitting in the living room where the shadows were gradually darkening. Unaware of the tears hidden in their laughter.

–

On a sunny spring day, Kim Eun-ju headed to the park in the apartment complex, pushing a stroller. The leaves swayed as if dancing in the gentle breeze, and sunlight poured down in spots on the grass. Kim Eun-ju’s baby was sleeping peacefully in the stroller. Seeing that sight, a smile naturally appeared on Kim Eun-ju’s face, but a bitter feeling quickly passed over it.

When Kim Eun-ju arrived at a park bench, she found Han Su-jin already sitting there waiting. Han Su-jin approached with a bright smile when she saw Kim Eun-ju and the baby.

,Eun-ju-ssi, the baby is so cute. I want to have a baby soon too.,

Han Su-jin said with envious eyes.

Hearing those words, Kim Eun-ju felt gratitude and, at the same time, a sense of jealousy towards Han Su-jin rising up. Comparing herself to Han Su-jin’s seemingly happy married life, she felt that her own situation was pathetic.

,Thank you, Su-jin-ssi. But do you have any news yet, Su-jin-ssi?,

Kim Eun-ju asked, waiting for Han Su-jin’s answer. Han Su-jin seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then replied in a bright voice.

,Not yet. I’m trying, but it doesn’t seem as easy as I thought.,

Hearing those words, one side of Kim Eun-ju’s heart grew cold. When they were trying to have a child, she and Lee Hyun-woo did their best for each other. But after giving birth to the child, she felt that her relationship with her husband had somehow become estranged.

Kim Eun-ju soothed her fussy baby and continued talking with Han Su-jin, but a bitter feeling settled in one side of her heart. Comparing her husband to Han Su-jin’s husband, her resentment towards Lee Hyun-woo deepened. Why doesn’t our couple look as happy as them?

On the way home after the walk, Kim Eun-ju’s steps were heavy as she pushed the stroller. Instead of being comforted by her meeting with Han Su-jin, it was only making her situation feel more miserable.

,Han Su-jin has a happy married life, so what am I doing?,

Along with suspicion towards her husband, jealousy towards Han Su-jin began to take root in Kim Eun-ju’s heart. That jealousy was already gnawing away at Kim Eun-ju’s inner self, wearing a mask of friendship.

Pushing the stroller into the house, Kim Eun-ju let out a deep sigh. After putting the baby to sleep, she sat in the living room and looked out the window. The sunlight was still shining brightly, but Kim Eun-ju’s heart was growing darker and darker. The jealousy hidden behind her friendship with Han Su-jin was casting a cold shadow.

–

The door of the apartment management office opened, and Park Min-ah carefully entered. Lee Han, who had been waiting for her, was sitting on the sofa with a meaningful smile.

,Min-ah-ssi, how was your meeting with Lee Hyun-woo today?,

Park Min-ah hesitated for a moment at Lee Han’s question. She tilted her head slightly and answered in a slow voice.

,Well, he’s always just kind, and nothing special happens. More like there’s a line drawn?,

A subtle smile appeared on Lee Han’s lips when he heard those words. He took a step towards Park Min-ah and whispered in a low voice.

,That’s even better.,

There was a calculating light in Lee Han’s eyes. If Kim Eun-ju’s suspicion ends up as just suspicion in the end, the despair she feels at the end will be even greater.

Park Min-ah looked puzzled at Lee Han’s words, but she nodded without realizing Lee Han’s true intentions. Park Min-ah slyly sat next to Lee Han and leaned into his arms.

,Min-ah-ssi, you’re doing a good job.,

Park Min-ah looked at Lee Han with expectant eyes.

,Yes… Thank you.,

Lee Han smiled with satisfaction. He slowly embraced Park Min-ah and whispered.

,Then I should give you a reward, right?.,

Lee Han gently kissed Park Min-ah, and Park Min-ah hugged Lee Han’s neck. Their lips met hotly, and their breaths gradually quickened. Lee Han’s hands greedily explored Park Min-ah’s body, and Park Min-ah embraced Lee Han’s back and entrusted her whole body to him.

Pieces of clothing were removed one by one. The sound of skin colliding and the moans of the two people echoed in the management office. Lee Han passionately embraced Park Min-ah, and Park Min-ah kissed Lee Han’s neck and accepted him. The sweat-soaked bodies of the two people were pressed together, racing towards climax.

It seemed like they were sharing love, but only desire was exchanged between them. To Park Min-ah, Lee Han was an absolute being who controlled her, and to Lee Han, Park Min-ah was a tool to achieve his plan. There was no sincere heart. They were just indulging in pleasure, exploring each other’s bodies.

After the climax, the two looked at each other with languid eyes. A smile of triumph was on Lee Han’s lips, and a sense of emptiness passed through Park Min-ah’s eyes.

–

Late at night, Kim Eun-ju was sitting alone in the bedroom, looking out at the darkness outside the window. In the quiet silence, her heart was filled with confusion and doubt. Today, there was an unfamiliar perfume scent on Lee Hyun-woo’s clothes again.

,What am I doing wrong…,

Kim Eun-ju’s soliloquy echoed in the room. Suspicion was gradually turning into conviction, but she couldn’t confide this fact to anyone.

Kim Eun-ju got up from the bed and approached the window. Leaning her forehead against the cold glass, she tried to soothe her complicated feelings. But the knot in her heart was not easily untied.

,I can’t tell Su-jin-ssi. Su-jin-ssi and her husband look so happy…,

Her close friend Han Su-jin and her husband looked so happy. Compared to her own situation, she would only feel more pathetic and miserable. The thought of suspecting her husband’s affair in front of them was a confession she couldn’t bring herself to make.

In the end, Kim Eun-ju sighed and stared into the deep darkness.

,I have no choice but to keep it in my heart…,

Her murmur soon disappeared into the silence. Like the moon shining alone in the night sky, Kim Eun-ju also had to face this problem alone. Love and betrayal towards her husband, and even jealousy towards her friend. With contradictory emotions intertwined, her heart was sinking deeper and deeper into a swamp.

–

In the living room of Han Su-jin’s house, Han Su-jin and Kim Eun-ju were sitting face to face, drinking coffee. Han Su-jin noticed the worry on Kim Eun-ju’s face. On the surface, she was wearing an expression as if she was worried about her friend, but her inner thoughts were different.

,Eun-ju-ssi, are you really okay these days? Please tell me if there’s anything I can help you with.,

Han Su-jin’s words sounded like warm words of comfort on the surface, but hidden behind them was an intention to provoke Kim Eun-ju’s jealousy. As instructed by Lee Han, she was subtly manipulating Kim Eun-ju’s psychology.

Kim Eun-ju, unaware of Han Su-jin’s true intentions, felt grateful for her friend’s concern. She hesitated for a moment, then accepted the coffee cup. She answered, forcing a smile.

,I’m really okay, Su-jin-ssi. I’m just a bit busy these days.,

,But be sure to tell me when you’re having a hard time. We’re friends, after all. You can rely on me.,

Kim Eun-ju felt sincerely grateful for Han Su-jin’s words. She was happy that Han Su-jin was worried about her. But at the same time, she hesitated to confide her suspicions about her husband’s affair.

But suddenly, the image of herself envying and being jealous of Han Su-jin’s married life came to mind. Kim Eun-ju was overwhelmed with self-loathing.

,I’m such a bad person. I can’t sincerely be happy for my friend’s happiness, and instead, I’m jealous…,

Kim Eun-ju felt despair at her ugly appearance. With her head bowed, she wrestled with the turmoil within. Han Su-jin was watching Kim Eun-ju’s appearance, hiding a pitiful smile.

After emptying her coffee cup, Kim Eun-ju soon got up from her seat. She said goodbye to Han Su-jin, but the heavy burden in one corner of her heart remained the same. Pushing the stroller and returning, Kim Eun-ju sighed.

,Why is my situation so miserable…,

Along with self-reproach, Kim Eun-ju began to be pessimistic about her situation. She felt like she was getting farther and farther away from the threshold of happiness. Unaware of the malice hidden behind Han Su-jin’s mask, Kim Eun-ju was falling into a deep swamp.

–

Late afternoon, the park in the apartment complex at sunset. Kim Eun-ju was walking along a quiet path, pushing a stroller. The worries that had been weighing heavily on her mind all day were slowing her down.

,What if I’m doing something wrong…,

Kim Eun-ju’s sigh, which came out of her mouth, scattered in the air. At that time, someone was approaching her.

,Eun-ju-ssi, hello.,

Kim Eun-ju raised her head at the welcoming voice. It was Lee Han, the apartment manager.

,Ah, Lee Han-ssi. Hello. Are you on patrol?,

Kim Eun-ju asked back with a smile. Lee Han replied with a friendly smile.

,Yes, that’s right. I’m checking the safety of the complex during the summer.,

Then he carefully examined Kim Eun-ju’s face.

,But Eun-ju-ssi, you look very tired. Do you have any worries?,

Hesitation flashed in Kim Eun-ju’s mind for a moment. But soon she answered, hesitating.

,It’s just… I’m a bit busy these days.,

A worried expression appeared on Lee Han’s face. He comforted Kim Eun-ju in a sincere voice.

,Is that so? Please tell me anything. I want to help if there’s anything I can do. Building trust among the people here is also my job.,

A slight smile spread across Kim Eun-ju’s face at those words.

,Thank you, Lee Han-ssi. I’m really okay.,

Kim Eun-ju finishing the conversation. But then, a familiar scent brushed past her nose. The perfume scent coming from Lee Han. It was strangely similar to the scent she had smelled on Lee Hyun-woo’s clothes a few days ago.

,This perfume from Lee Han-ssi… It’s the same as the perfume from Lee Hyun-woo’s clothes. Should I ask Lee Han-ssi…,

Suspicion raised its head, but Kim Eun-ju soon shook off the thought. It was just a coincidence, what connection could Lee Han and Lee Hyun-woo have?

The two exchanged brief greetings and parted ways. Kim Eun-ju continued her walk again. The park in the afternoon was quiet, and the child was sleeping comfortably in the stroller. But darkness was descending in Kim Eun-ju’s heart. The meeting with Lee Han made that darkness even deeper. An unknown sense of unease began to gradually engulf her.