#58.

On a sunny weekend afternoon, the apartment complex park was filled with the laughter of families. Kim Eun-ju and Lee Hyun-woo, a married couple, were among them. They strolled slowly along the walking path, pushing a stroller.

“Yeobo, the weather is really nice today.”

Lee Hyun-woo said.

“It is. Jin-woo also seems to like it.”

Kim Eun-ju replied, enjoying the time together after a long while. Kim Eun-ju wished this moment could last forever. But then, a familiar voice was heard.

“Hello, Hyun-woo-ssi, Eun-ju-ssi.”

Kim Eun-ju’s face instantly stiffened. It was Lee Han. She tried hard to regain her composure. Her heart started beating rapidly, and cold sweat formed on her palms.

“Hello, Lee Han-ssi.”

Lee Hyun-woo greeted him cheerfully and naturally approached the stroller, reaching out to Jin-woo. Surprisingly, as soon as Jin-woo saw Lee Han, he stretched out his arms to be held. Kim Eun-ju was taken aback by her son’s reaction, but she tried not to show it. Guilt and anxiety swirled in her heart.

Lee Han carefully picked up Jin-woo. A happy smile spread across the child’s face. Kim Eun-ju’s heart felt like it was tearing as she watched this scene. She was tormented by the thought that her wrong choice was affecting her son.

“Jin-woo seems to like Lee Han-ssi.”

Lee Hyun-woo said with a surprised expression.

“Kids are usually very fond of me.”

Lee Han said, his gaze turning to Kim Eun-ju. Kim Eun-ju faltered for a moment when she met Lee Han’s eyes. In his eyes, she could still read the desire he had for her. But she immediately averted her gaze and gave an awkward smile. Lee Hyun-woo, completely unaware of the situation, smiled as he watched Lee Han playing with his son.

“Jin-woo, let’s go to Daddy now.”

Lee Han said, putting the child back in the stroller.

“Then, I’ll be going now. Have a good time.”

As Lee Han disappeared, Kim Eun-ju let out a sigh of relief. But at the same time, greater guilt and anxiety overwhelmed her. She thought her relationship with Lee Han was over, but the fact that he was still present in her life was frightening.

“Eun-ju-ya, you don’t look well. Let’s go home.”

Lee Hyun-woo said with a worried look.

“Yeah, I’m not feeling well. Let’s go home.”

Kim Eun-ju replied quickly. She wanted to escape this situation.

Kim Eun-ju went straight to the bedroom as soon as she got home. She told Lee Hyun-woo that she was going to rest and lay down on the bed. But she couldn’t fall asleep. Instead, endless despair washed over her.

‘How can I get out of this situation…’

Kim Eun-ju kept repeating in her mind. The relationship with Lee Han, the betrayal of her husband, the guilt towards her son Jin-woo… All these emotions were suffocating her. In contrast to the clear sky visible through the window, her heart was growing darker and darker.

Kim Eun-ju closed her eyes. But even with her eyes closed, Lee Han’s face, Jin-woo’s smiling face, and Lee Hyun-woo’s warm gaze kept appearing. She knew she had to resolve this situation somehow. But without finding a way, she could only lie in bed and spend a painful time.

Outside, she could hear Lee Hyun-woo playing with Jin-woo. The sound of happy laughter made Kim Eun-ju’s heart ache even more. She wasn’t sure if she could protect this family, if she could escape from Lee Han’s grasp. But one thing was certain. She couldn’t continue living like this.

Kim Eun-ju slowly got out of bed. Looking at herself in the mirror, she made a decision. It was time to fix everything. She took a deep breath and steeled her heart. She didn’t know what outcome awaited her, but she couldn’t run away anymore. Now, she had to take responsibility for her choices.

–

Early in the morning, after Lee Hyun-woo left for work, she made up her mind. She had to end this situation. With a heavy heart, Kim Eun-ju pushed the stroller towards the apartment management office.

As she opened the door to the management office, Lee Han greeted them with a smile.

“Hello, Eun-ju-ssi. How is Jin-woo?”

Lee Han naturally started playing with Jin-woo. Kim Eun-ju watched him, feeling as uncomfortable as if she were sitting on thorns. Soon, Jin-woo got tired of playing and fell asleep, and Lee Han sat next to Kim Eun-ju.

Kim Eun-ju closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them as if she had made up her mind.

“Can’t we just end this?”

There was desperation in her voice. Lee Han smiled and replied.

“Eun-ju-ssi, what you did to your husband is a sin. Therefore, you must be punished.”

Kim Eun-ju stared at Lee Han with terrified eyes.

“What are you talking about…”

Lee Han’s eyes turned cold.

“Decide how you will be punished. Will you tell the truth and end everything, or… will you continue like this?”

Despair and confusion swirled in Kim Eun-ju’s heart.

‘What should I do… This is all my fault…’

Tears streamed down her face. Lee Han watched Kim Eun-ju’s reaction and continued.

“I’ve given you enough time. Now it’s time to decide.”

Kim Eun-ju covered her face with trembling hands. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. The happy times with Lee Hyun-woo, Jin-woo’s smiling face, and the guilt and fear caused by her affair with Lee Han.

“I… I…”

Kim Eun-ju’s lips trembled. She took a deep breath and looked up at Lee Han.

“I’ll tell everything.”

There was determination in Kim Eun-ju’s voice.

“I can’t live like this anymore. I’ll confess everything to Lee Hyun-woo and ask for his forgiveness.”

Lee Han’s expression twisted for a moment, then returned to a blank stare.

“That’s your decision, then.”

Kim Eun-ju nodded.

“Yes. I have to take responsibility for my mistakes. I can’t run away anymore.”

Lee Han was silent for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“Alright. But remember, Eun-ju-ssi. You must bear the consequences of this decision entirely.”

Kim Eun-ju picked up Jin-woo with trembling hands.

“I know. But this is the right thing to do.”

She pushed the stroller out of the management office. She could feel Lee Han’s gaze following her from behind, but Kim Eun-ju didn’t look back anymore.

She knew the road ahead would be rough. But she felt like she was finally free. Along with the sense of liberation, as if she had put down a heavy burden, fear of the coming storm filled her heart. Kim Eun-ju’s steps towards home were heavy, but she had to take responsibility for her choice.

–

It was a night of continuous worry for several days. Kim Eun-ju decided to break up with Lee Han and confess the truth, but reality was not so easy. Courage and fear were constantly clashing in her heart.

Even while preparing dinner, Kim Eun-ju’s hands trembled. ‘I have to tell him today…’ She kept encouraging herself. But when she heard Lee Hyun-woo coming home from work, her heart started beating even faster.

“I’m home.”

Lee Hyun-woo’s voice was heard.

“Welcome home.”

Kim Eun-ju replied, trying to sound as normal as possible.

The two sat at the table. Lee Hyun-woo talked about his day as usual, but Kim Eun-ju couldn’t hear his words well. Her mind was only focused on the thought of confessing.

“Yeobo, I have something to tell you…”

Kim Eun-ju opened her mouth, then closed it again.

“Huh? What is it?”

Lee Hyun-woo raised his head and looked at her.

“No… just…”

Kim Eun-ju was speechless again. Lee Hyun-woo’s warm gaze made her heart even heavier.

This situation was repeated several times during the meal. Kim Eun-ju kept trying to open her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it each time. Lee Hyun-woo, noticing her uneasy appearance, asked.

“Eun-ju-ya, is something wrong? You seem to be having a hard time lately.”

Kim Eun-ju was startled for a moment and raised her head. Lee Hyun-woo’s eyes were full of worry and love. Kim Eun-ju’s heart broke even more at that gaze.

“No, I’m just tired…”

She forced a smile.

“Is that so? Don’t overdo it and rest. I’ll do the dishes.”

Kim Eun-ju felt even more guilty at Lee Hyun-woo’s warm words. She kept repeating in her mind.

‘I really have to tell him now… But why is it so hard…’

The night grew late. Kim Eun-ju couldn’t fall asleep and was just staring at the ceiling. Next to her, she could hear Lee Hyun-woo’s peaceful breathing. Tears streamed down Kim Eun-ju’s face as she listened to that sound.

‘Tomorrow… I have to tell him tomorrow.’

She vowed once again. But the anxiety in her heart was growing more and more. Every moment she couldn’t tell the truth was plunging her into a deeper swamp of despair.

–

It was a peaceful day with the warm afternoon sunlight shining into the living room. Kim Eun-ju was returning from grocery shopping with Jin-woo when she found an envelope placed in front of the door.

“What’s this?”

She picked up the envelope without thinking.

Kim Eun-ju entered the living room, put down the shopping basket, and opened the envelope. At that moment, the color drained from her face.

Inside the envelope were photos of her and Lee Han having an affair. Their appearance in the photos was so clear and undeniable. But what was even more shocking was that the photos also contained Jin-woo, sleeping quietly in a corner.

“Ah…”

A small scream escaped from Kim Eun-ju’s mouth.

Her hands began to tremble. The photos fell to the floor, but she didn’t even have the strength to pick them up. Kim Eun-ju just collapsed on the spot.

“If Hyun-woo sees this…”

Her voice trembled, and tears streamed down her face.

Kim Eun-ju’s mind was in chaos. Who took these photos? Who sent them? And the biggest fear, what would happen if Lee Hyun-woo saw them?

Her whole body trembled. The reality that she could no longer run away pressed down on her. The confession she had been putting off was forcibly approaching.

“What should I do… What should I do…” Kim Eun-ju kept muttering.

She could see the image of her collapsing family before her eyes. Lee Hyun-woo’s angry face and sad eyes, and her own appearance of having lost everything.

Kim Eun-ju picked up the photos with trembling hands.

“Now… it’s really over…”

Her voice was full of despair.

The sunlight was still warm, but Kim Eun-ju’s heart was freezing cold. She was now at a crossroads. Would she confess the truth and lose everything, or would she continue to live in lies?

In the silent living room where the sound of the clock was unusually loud, Kim Eun-ju realized that the time had come to decide her fate.

–

On a hot afternoon, Kim Eun-ju barely managed to put Jin-woo to sleep with trembling hands. Her face was pale, and deep shadows were cast under her eyes. With heavy steps, she headed to the apartment management office.

As she opened the door, Lee Han was waiting for her. He still had that unpleasant smile on his face.

“Welcome, Eun-ju-ssi.”

Lee Han’s voice was calm. Kim Eun-ju took out the mail from her pocket and threw it at Lee Han. Her hands were trembling.

“What is this! Why are you doing this!”

Kim Eun-ju’s voice was full of anger and fear. Lee Han slowly picked up the mail. There was no change in his expression.

“It’s for you to receive the punishment you chose, Eun-ju-ssi.”

There was coldness in his words. Kim Eun-ju collapsed on the spot. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Please… don’t do this. Don’t ruin our family.”

Her voice trembled. Lee Han slowly approached her.

“I’ll come to see you tomorrow. Think carefully until then. I’ll respect your choice.”

Kim Eun-ju looked up at Lee Han. She couldn’t see any emotion in his eyes.

“What… what should I do?”

Her voice was small. Lee Han didn’t answer. He just pointed to the door and said.

“Go back now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kim Eun-ju slowly got up. Her steps were unsteady. As she left the management office and headed home, deep fear and despair took root in her heart.

Arriving home, Kim Eun-ju sat on the living room sofa and couldn’t move for a while. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. Lee Hyun-woo’s warm smile, Jin-woo’s innocent laughter, and Lee Han’s cold gaze.

“Can I… can I keep living like this?”

She muttered. As time passed, the sun began to set. Kim Eun-ju slowly got up and stood in front of the mirror. Her face in the mirror looked tired, but there was some resolution in her eyes.

“Yes… I have to live like this.”

She whispered softly. Kim Eun-ju let out a deep sigh. She finally gave up on facing the truth and decided to live in lies. Because she thought that was the only way to protect her family.

“I’m sorry, Hyun-woo-ya… Jin-woo-ya…”

Tears streamed down her face again. Outside, the evening sunset was beautifully colored. But darkness was deeply cast in Kim Eun-ju’s heart. She was now about to begin a new life, living with lies and secrets.