#46.

Kim Eun-ju was strolling through the apartment complex with her baby in a stroller when she ran into Lee Han in front of the management office.

,Oh, Eun-ju-ssi. It’s very hot, isn’t it? The baby looks tired too.”

,It’s really too hot. But I feel better after walking a bit.”

,Our management office has great air conditioning, how about coming in and resting for a bit? I’ll get you a cool drink.”

Lee Han kindly suggested.

,Thank you, but I feel bad for burdening you…”

,Ah… about that favor you asked last time. Perhaps, at the management office for a bit…?”

,Ah, really?”

In an instant, tension flickered across Kim Eun-ju’s face, and she nodded, following Lee Han into the management office.

The well-air-conditioned room felt like a haven to Kim Eun-ju and her baby, who were exhausted from the heat. Lee Han made them cool coffee and gave the baby some snacks. Kim Eun-ju made a place for the baby to rest comfortably for a while, then sat facing Lee Han.

,So, about that favor I asked last time. Did you happen to see Hyun-woo-ssi…?”

Kim Eun-ju asked cautiously. Lee Han hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

,Um… actually, I saw Hyun-woo-ssi last night. Near the back gate of the apartment.”

,Ah, really?”

,Yes. But Hyun-woo-ssi wasn’t alone. He was with a woman.”

In that instant, Kim Eun-ju’s heart seemed to drop. Her husband was out late at night with another woman.

,A, a woman…? Do you know who it was…?”

,Her name was Park Min-ah-ssi, I think… She was standing quite close to Hyun-woo-ssi, talking about something intently. It seemed like Min-ah-ssi was desperately asking Hyun-woo-ssi for something.”

,Asking…? You didn’t happen to hear what it was?”

,No, I don’t know exactly. I just saw them passing by from a distance. But I saw Hyun-woo-ssi looking flustered, but nodding his head.”

Kim Eun-ju’s pupils trembled. Her husband was promising to grant something to another woman.

,What kind of relationship did they seem to have? With that Park Min-ah-ssi…”

,Well, it’s hard to say… but they seemed to know each other. Hyun-woo-ssi seemed quite concerned about her. It seems like she has some circumstances.”

Kim Eun-ju was confused by Lee Han’s words. She was surprised and disappointed that Hyun-woo was showing interest in that woman. But she was also somewhat relieved by Lee Han’s next words.

,Eun-ju-ssi, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Hyun-woo-ssi is such an upright and good person. He might just be trying to help her because he feels sorry for her situation. Don’t worry too much.”

Lee Han reassured Kim Eun-ju in a tone that seemed to defend Hyun-woo. But even so, doubt and anxiety did not disappear from one corner of Kim Eun-ju’s heart.

,I don’t know either… Should I watch a little longer?”

,I’ll keep a closer eye on Hyun-woo-ssi too. If I find out anything, I’ll let Eun-ju-ssi know right away, so don’t worry too much.”

Kim Eun-ju took a sip of her coffee and fell into thought. There was no direct evidence, but there were circumstances that made her suspect her husband. But it seemed like she needed something decisive to make a judgment.

,’I should watch a little longer for now.’

Thinking that, Kim Eun-ju pulled the stroller and returned home. What was as hot as the heat was the suspicion and anxiety that filled her heart.

–

Late at night, Kim Eun-ju was sitting alone in the living room, staring intently at Lee Hyun-woo’s cell phone.

,’Why is he so late these days… What on earth is going on?’

She muttered to herself, looking at the phone screen with eyes full of suspicion, but she didn’t see anything special.

The bathroom door opened and Lee Hyun-woo appeared. He changed into his pajamas, dried his hair with a towel, and approached Kim Eun-ju.

,How was Jin-woo today?”

Lee Hyun-woo asked with a smile. Kim Eun-ju quickly put down her cell phone and answered as if nothing was wrong.

,Jin-woo ate well, slept well, and pooped well today. He’s still cute.”

,He’s our child, so he’ll grow up healthy, right?”

Lee Hyun-woo said with a pleased expression. Kim Eun-ju nodded and smiled, but guilt settled in one corner of her heart. She hated herself for suspecting her husband, but she couldn’t stop the behavior.

,Why are you so late today?”

She asked cautiously, and Lee Hyun-woo answered with a tired face.

,Ah, I had a lot of work. These days, instructions keep coming down from above, so I’m often working late.”

He made a tired expression, then smiled brightly and walked towards the baby. He kissed the baby’s forehead and went into the room. Kim Eun-ju was left alone in the living room and let out a deep sigh. She was suspicious of her husband’s actions, but she also wanted to believe him. But in the end, her heart leaned towards suspicion.

,’Is he really late because of work…’

Kim Eun-ju sat in the dark and fell into deep thought.

—

The morning sunlight streamed into the living room. Kim Eun-ju was sitting on the sofa, holding her sleeping baby in her arms. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked out the window at the yellow apricot-colored sunlight.

,’Am I being too sensitive…’

Kim Eun-ju muttered as if whispering.

,’At this rate, our family might really fall apart. I’m sorry, Jin-woo…”

Her fingers gently stroked Jin-woo’s cheek. The baby’s soft skin, with a subtle scent of formula, was soft and tender. Kim Eun-ju felt suffocated by self-reproach.

,’Is Mommy doing something wrong?’

She asked the baby.

,’I’m sorry to you, I’m really sorry…”

But Jin-woo was sleeping peacefully without waking up. Seeing that, Kim Eun-ju’s tears streamed down her cheeks.

She hugged the baby tightly and sobbed. She was ashamed of her actions of suspecting her husband, asking for a background check, and secretly trying to look at his cell phone.

,’Am I wrong…’

Regret and self-reproach washed over her.

How long had she been crying like that, Kim Eun-ju, who had been shaking her shoulders, lay down on the sofa with Jin-woo in her arms. Bathed in the morning sunlight, she, exhausted from crying, fell asleep before she knew it. The two of them lay quietly on the sofa for a while, breathing in their sleep.

—

Lee Hyun-woo returned home with heavy steps. He took off his suit jacket and threw it on the sofa, then helplessly buried himself on it. Seeing him close his eyes with a tired face, Kim Eun-ju cautiously approached.

,Why are you so late today? Did you have a lot of work again?”

She asked, and Lee Hyun-woo let out a deep sigh.

,Yeah, I have a lot of work these days. I know you’re having a hard time, but I’m having a hard time too.”

Kim Eun-ju’s brow furrowed.

,Still, I don’t understand. Aren’t you coming home too late too often?”

Lee Hyun-woo answered in a tired voice.

,Eun-ju-ya, I’m not lying to you. I’m just busy with work and…”

,Am I raising Jin-woo like this all alone? I can’t do everything alone.”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice trembled. Lee Hyun-woo looked at her with tired eyes and nodded.

,Okay. I’ll try harder.”

But the suspicion in Kim Eun-ju’s heart did not go away. Was her husband really busy, or was there another reason? The conversation soon broke off, and only silence lingered.

Lee Hyun-woo got up with difficulty and headed to the baby’s room. He looked at the sleeping Jin-woo and gave a bitter smile. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how hard his wife was having with childcare. But he was also exhausted from the pressure and stress at work. Holding his son’s small hand, Lee Hyun-woo let out a deep sigh.

Kim Eun-ju, left alone in the living room, slumped on the sofa. She wanted to understand her husband’s actions, but the suspicion in one corner of her heart did not go away easily. She just stared blankly at the air, and tears welled up in her eyes before she knew it.

,’Will our family be okay like this…’ Kim Eun-ju, lost in complicated thoughts, just sat there for a while and let out a deep sigh. Late at night, Kim Eun-ju’s small sobs leaked out in the silence.

–

Apartment, bedroom. Low moans and intense breathing filled the room. Lee Han and Han Su-jin were consumed by desire, exploring each other’s bodies. Reaching their climax, the two collapsed weakly on the bed.

Breathing heavily, Lee Han said.

,Su-jin-ssi, contact Eun-ju-ssi and go meet her.”

Han Su-jin, held in Lee Han’s arms, asked with a puzzled expression.

,Why suddenly? Right now?”

,I think it would be good to meet Eun-ju-ssi now.”

Lee Han’s voice was low and calm. Han Su-jin frowned.

,Okay. You really mean it that this is the last time once this is over, right?”

Lee Han hugged her tightly and whispered.

,I promise you for sure.”

Lee Han gently hugged Han Su-jin and tried to kiss her, and Han Su-jin accepted Lee Han’s kiss without hesitation. After the deep kiss, she broke away from Lee Han’s arms and got up with difficulty. A smile spread across Lee Han’s face as he watched Han Su-jin’s back as she headed to the bathroom. Seeing his traces flowing down her white thighs, Lee Han was filled with satisfaction.

The sound of the shower water leaked from the bathroom. Lee Han sat on the bed and fell into thought. His plan was proceeding without a hitch. The seed of suspicion towards Kim Eun-ju had begun to sprout. He was watering the seed through Han Su-jin, and soon the fruit of suspicion would ripen.

The bathroom door opened and Han Su-jin came out. Wiping off the water, she asked.

,What should I say to Eun-ju-ssi?”

,Just say you want to meet her. Eun-ju-ssi must be having a hard time too, so it would be good to comfort her.”

Lee Han said with a sly smile.

Han Su-jin bit her lip. One corner of her heart ached. But she had decided to follow Lee Han’s plan, so she couldn’t back down. Forcing a smile, she began to put on her clothes.

–

Kim Eun-ju and Han Su-jin, who had met after a long time, were sitting facing each other in the living room, drinking coffee and chatting.

,Su-jin-ssi, how have you been lately? How’s the childbirth plan going?”

Kim Eun-ju asked affectionately. Han Su-jin smiled shyly and answered.

,Tae-young-ssi and I are trying now.”

,Really? That’s great. Tae-young-ssi is really kind and sweet. I’m jealous.”

Kim Eun-ju said. A happy smile appeared on Han Su-jin’s face.

,Tae-young-ssi really cherishes me a lot. He always listens to me and is always there for me when I’m having a hard time…”

However, bitterness was hidden behind Han Su-jin’s smile. She felt like Lee Han’s touch and kiss were still on her skin, and she still felt a foreign sensation in her body where his traces remained. When Kim Eun-ju looked at her with envious eyes, one corner of Han Su-jin’s heart was pricked. On the outside, it seemed like she had a kind husband and a happy married life, but on the inside, guilt and shame were settled.

Kim Eun-ju was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

,I see… I’m jealous. My husband is so busy these days that he’s never home…”

Han Su-jin hid her slightly darkened expression and comforted her.

,My husband also works late often, so I’m often home alone too. Hyun-woo-ssi seems to think about Eun-ju-ssi a lot too… Maybe it’s because you’re stressed from childcare that you feel that way?”

,Yeah, maybe. I’m trying to understand too. Still, you two look really happy. I used to be similar.”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice sank weakly. Han Su-jin felt sorry for her and held Kim Eun-ju’s hand tightly.

 ,Eun-ju-ssi, it’ll be okay if you trust each other and try to understand each other. It’s obvious that you both love each other…”

Kim Eun-ju nodded and smiled bitterly. She tried to gain comfort from Han Su-jin’s words, but on the contrary, she felt that her jealousy and anxiety were deepening as she looked at her happy friend.

After drinking coffee, Han Su-jin left, and Kim Eun-ju sat alone on the sofa and let out a deep sigh.

 ,’Su-jin-ssi looks happy, so why am I like this…’

A sense of sadness welled up for no reason. Suspicion and loneliness towards her husband, and even jealousy towards Han Su-jin. Kim Eun-ju, overwhelmed by complicated emotions, stared blankly out the window for a while. She only had a confused heart about whether she could endure this difficult time well.