#88.

The autumn sunset was dyeing the kindergarten classroom windows. Kang Jiwon was organizing the children’s drawings, sighing. Her eyes were blurry, and her fingertips were trembling slightly.

“Teacher, are you okay?”

Kang Jiwon was startled by a child’s voice. She forced a smile and nodded, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

The scene she had witnessed that morning kept swirling in Kang Jiwon’s mind. Park Minah’s suggestive expression, Lee Han’s coercive demeanor, and the unexpected excitement she had felt. Those memories churned her heart.

“Teacher seems weird today,” she heard the children whispering.

Kang Jiwon shook her head, trying to pull herself together. But the images of Park Minah and Lee Han still flickered before her eyes. In a corner of her heart, anger, jealousy, and guilt swirled together.

“Okay, it’s time to go home now,” Kang Jiwon said, trying to hide her trembling voice.

The children cheered, slung their bags over their shoulders, and lined up. Kang Jiwon took a deep breath and led the children to the entrance.

“Teacher, why are you so quiet today?” a child asked.

Kang Jiwon forced a smile and replied, “Teacher is just a little tired. Sorry.”

Parents were already waiting in the kindergarten yard. Kang Jiwon handed over the children to their parents one by one, exchanging brief greetings. Her eyes were blurry, and her usual kindness seemed to have disappeared.

“Teacher, are you alright?” a parent asked worriedly.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a slight headache…” Kang Jiwon mumbled in reply.

Only after putting the last child on the academy bus did Kang Jiwon let out a deep sigh. She slowly returned to the kindergarten and gathered her bag. Her reflection in the mirror felt unfamiliar.

Complex emotions still swirled in Kang Jiwon’s heart. Worry for Park Minah, anger at Lee Han, and guilt over her own unexpected reaction were strangling her.

‘How can I save Minah-ssi…’

On the way home, Kang Jiwon unconsciously glanced towards the management office. Seeing the darkened windows, her heart sank once again. The scene she had witnessed that morning flashed through her mind again.

‘Why did I feel that way back then…’

Kang Jiwon’s hand unconsciously clenched and unclenched. Her eyes wavered, and she bit her lip, shaking her head. Taking a deep breath, she took out her cell phone and searched for Park Minah’s number.

‘If I keep going like this, even I’ll become strange.’

Her finger hovered over the call button. Kang Jiwon looked up at the sky for a moment, then finally put her phone back in her pocket.

‘No, I have to help Minah-ssi. My feelings don’t matter.’

She quickened her pace and left the apartment complex. Unlike usual, she turned onto a different road instead of heading home. She paused for a moment in front of a 24-hour convenience store.

Kang Jiwon hesitated, then went into the convenience store. Standing in front of the liquor corner, her hand reached for a soju bottle, then stopped. Instead, she picked up a water bottle and headed to the checkout counter.

‘What should I do now…’

—

In the dark night, Kang Jiwon’s living room was filled with silence. Crouched on the sofa, Kang Jiwon was staring intently at her cell phone. Her finger hovered over Park Minah’s number, but she couldn’t easily press it.

‘Should I contact her… or shouldn’t I…’

At that moment, her cell phone vibrated and rang. Kang Jiwon’s heart sank at the name that appeared on the screen.

‘Park Minah’

“Hello?” Kang Jiwon’s voice trembled.

“Jiwon-ssi! I’m sorry for contacting you so late,” Park Minah’s voice rang out brightly.

“No, it’s okay,” Kang Jiwon tried to maintain her composure.

“You know, I made up with Lee Han-ssi this morning!” Park Minah’s voice was full of excitement.

Kang Jiwon felt something sinking in her chest. Her hand unconsciously gripped her shirt tightly.

“Ah… really? That’s a relief,” Kang Jiwon said, forcing a smile.

Park Minah continued to chatter on. About how kind Lee Han had been, what he had said to her. But Kang Jiwon only heard it as a dull noise.

‘That man is dangerous. He’s just playing with you.’ Kang Jiwon heard a voice shouting in her heart, but her lips were tightly sealed.

“So, what I was saying was…” Park Minah’s voice became clear again.

“Yeah, okay,” Kang Jiwon replied mechanically.

“Oh, it’s too late. I’m sorry, Jiwon-ssi. I only talked about myself,” Park Minah said apologetically.

Kang Jiwon tried to pull herself together. “No, it’s okay.”

A smile appeared on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Thank you for today. I’ll contact you again!” The call ended with Park Minah’s bright voice.

Kang Jiwon threw her cell phone next to the sofa. Tears began to flow from her eyes. Without even thinking of wiping away the tears running down her cheeks, she simply stared into space.

‘Lee Han…’

As she recalled his name, hatred surged even more strongly in Kang Jiwon’s heart. Her hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.

—

The cool air of the autumn evening brushed against Kang Jiwon’s cheeks. Her steps wavered between hesitation and determination. Finally, she took a deep breath and headed to the management office.

Opening the door, a familiar scent greeted her. Kang Jiwon’s gaze turned to the sofa. She saw Lee Han sitting there, and a woman leaning on his shoulder.

Kang Jiwon’s expression instantly hardened. Her hand unconsciously gripped the doorknob tightly.

The woman sat up. She seemed to be waking up from sleep, blinking her eyes. Kang Jiwon’s sharp gaze was fixed on the woman as she slowly stood up.

But at that moment, Kang Jiwon’s eyes widened. Seeing the woman’s bulging belly, a look of bewilderment crossed her face.

She was pregnant.

The woman gave Lee Han a gentle smile. “Then, I’ll be going now.”

The woman, who was heading towards the door, ran into Kang Jiwon. “Hello.”

“Ah… yes, hello,” Kang Jiwon’s voice trembled.

With the sound of the door closing, Kang Jiwon’s mind returned to its place. She slowly turned her head and looked at Lee Han.

Lee Han was leaning comfortably on the sofa, smiling. His eyes seemed to pierce through Kang Jiwon.

Kang Jiwon’s face turned red in an instant. Embarrassment, anger, and unknown emotions were tangled in her heart.

She slowly, but resolutely, headed towards the opposite side of Lee Han. Sitting on the sofa, Kang Jiwon placed her trembling hands on her knees.

A heavy silence fell between Lee Han and Kang Jiwon. Only the sound of the ticking clock broke the silence.

Kang Jiwon’s fingers moved nervously on her knees. Her eyes wavered, searching for the timing to speak.

“Jiwon-ssi?” Lee Han’s voice broke the silence first.

“Yes… yes?” Kang Jiwon replied without realizing it. Immediately, a look of regret crossed her face.

Lee Han slowly opened his mouth. “We already talked, is there still something left to discuss?”

Kang Jiwon bit her lip. Her eyes hardened. “Please break up with Minah-ssi.”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. “Why should I do that? Minah-ssi likes me, so I keep her by my side.”

“Keep her by your side, how can you say it like that!” Kang Jiwon’s voice rose. “She’s with you because she likes you, not like treating a person like an object…” Her words trailed off.

Lee Han continued, still smiling. “Minah-ssi is very pretty. Pure and kind… um, a wonderful woman. That’s why I want to have her. Why? What am I doing wrong?”

Kang Jiwon’s hand unconsciously clenched into a fist. “People are not objects. They are beings who exchange emotions, not possessions. You’re treating Minah-ssi like an object.”

Lee Han’s eyes sharpened. “Aren’t you the one who wants to have Minah-ssi?”

At those words, Kang Jiwon’s face hardened. Her mouth opened and closed. She seemed to be at a loss for words.

Lee Han smiled and leaned towards Kang Jiwon. Kang Jiwon leaned back slightly at his gaze.

“Okay,” Lee Han said.

Kang Jiwon’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I’ll let go of Park Minah-ssi. But instead…” Lee Han’s voice lowered.

“Instead?” Kang Jiwon asked in a tense voice.

“You have to pay the price.”

Kang Jiwon’s face turned red in an instant. She jumped up. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Her voice trembled, but it was full of anger. Sparks seemed to fly from Kang Jiwon’s eyes.

Anger blazed like a flame in Kang Jiwon’s eyes. Her whole body was trembling.

Lee Han calmly accepted her gaze and slowly opened his mouth. “I’m not saying you have to pay the price indefinitely. How about just one month? If you pay the price, I’ll give up Minah-ssi.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Kang Jiwon retorted. She turned sharply and walked towards the door.

“Jiwon-ssi?” Lee Han’s voice stopped her.

Kang Jiwon’s steps paused for a moment.

“If you leave like this, Minah-ssi will be my possession forever. Is that what you want?”

At those words, Kang Jiwon slowly turned around. Her eyes turned sharply towards Lee Han.

Lee Han continued. “If you pay the price, Minah-ssi might be able to live happily with you. But if you refuse here… well, you’ll never be able to meet Minah-ssi again.”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips as he finished speaking.

Kang Jiwon’s fist trembled. Park Minah’s tearful face flashed before her eyes. Anger and despair engulfed her, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“Think about it over the weekend,” Lee Han said. He slowly got up from the sofa and headed to his desk.

Kang Jiwon glared at Lee Han’s back for a moment. Complex emotions flickered in her eyes. Finally, she slammed the door shut and left the office.

At the sound of the door closing, a victorious smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. An unknown depth was hidden in his eyes.

—

On a weekend morning when the autumn sunlight brightly illuminated the living room, Kim Eunju was seeing Lee Hyunwoo off at the front door. Holding Jinwoo in her arms, she smiled at her husband.

“Have a safe trip. Say hello to your parents for me.”

Lee Hyunwoo nodded and gently pinched Jinwoo’s cheek. “Okay, Daddy will be back. Be good with Mommy.”

As the front door closed, Kim Eunju headed to the living room with light steps. Her eyes were filled with anticipation. Giving Jinwoo a toy, she began to tidy up the house.

‘It feels like I’ve gone back to our dating days…’

A smile spread across Kim Eunju’s lips. Along with the sound of the vacuum cleaner, her heart began to flutter.

Just as the house cleaning was almost finished, the doorbell rang.

“The delivery is here!” Jinwoo shouted happily.

Kim Eunju smiled at her child’s reaction and hurried to the front door. She saw Lee Han’s figure as she opened the door. A happy light flickered in her eyes.

But at that moment, another figure appeared behind Lee Han. Kim Eunju’s expression hardened for a moment.

It was Han Sujin. She playfully smiled and poked her head out.

“Hello, Eunju-ssi. I heard you were alone today, so I came to help you.”

Kim Eunju was momentarily flustered, but she forced a smile. However, complex emotions flickered in her eyes.

‘Why especially today…’

Looking at Han Sujin’s playful expression, Kim Eunju sighed inwardly. Han Sujin’s appearance was particularly annoying today.

“Come on in,” Kim Eunju said, forcing a smile.

With the sound of the front door closing, Kim Eunju’s expectant morning began to flow in an unexpected direction.