Episode 3
Christine rushed home and quickly locked the door. She felt a little safer when she heard the click of the lock.
Leaning against the door, she tried to calm her pounding heart. Then she carefully looked outside through the balcony window.
“Oh no…”
Seimon was still standing there, looking up at her house, just like before.
“Why is he doing this?”
He was never this persistent before.
Her mind was a mess.
Soon, she heard a car engine. She peeked outside again and saw that Seimon and his expensive car were finally gone.
“Phew…”
Christine sighed and sank down to the floor, exhausted. She had a bad feeling—Seimon wasn’t going to give up that easily.
She placed her hand on her belly.
“Let’s stop, baby…”
Maybe the baby recognized his father’s voice?
When Seimon had spoken earlier, the baby inside her belly had started kicking a lot. It felt like the baby was reacting strongly.
She couldn’t sleep at all that night.
The next morning, Christine thought to herself while eating a buttered dinner roll:
“I should move.”
Seimon’s harsh words about her small, shabby home kept coming back to her. Maybe it was time for a bigger place, especially since she would be raising a baby soon.
She wanted to find an apartment near her workplace at the magical quarantine center, so she decided to ask her coworkers.
She first asked her friendly colleague Ria:
“Ria, do you know any apartments nearby with at least two rooms? And in a safe area?”
Ria looked apologetic.
“Hmm… I’m not really familiar with real estate, sorry…”
Christine was a bit disappointed but nodded.
“Oh! Wait! Riet knows a lot about places around here!”
Ria suddenly remembered and snapped her fingers.
Christine was surprised. Riet was another coworker—always overly kind to her, which made her a bit uncomfortable.
When Christine told Riet what she was looking for, he quickly started talking about different places nearby.
“Hendrea Street is close to our work, but it’s noisy because of all the shops—not great for a baby.”
“I see.”
Christine and Ria nodded. Riet seemed excited that they were listening.
He then suggested they check out some places after work and have dinner together too.
“Ria, are you coming?” Christine asked quickly.
“Sorry, I already have plans,” Ria replied.
Christine was a bit let down. Riet, on the other hand, looked even more excited.
So after work, Christine ended up looking at apartments alone with Riet.
“That last apartment had too many loans attached. Risky,” Riet whispered.
Christine nodded in agreement. She didn’t like being alone with him, but Seimon’s criticism still lingered in her mind—she wanted to move quickly.
“This is exhausting,” she thought.
Walking all over and seeing so many places was making her belly tighten with discomfort.
When she said she wanted to go home, Riet insisted:
“Come on, we haven’t even had dinner yet!”
Christine just wanted to go rest.
But then she remembered how Riet had helped her all day. It didn’t feel polite to just leave, so she agreed to have dinner—just dinner.
When he asked what she liked to eat, Christine said she liked everything except freshwater fish.
Riet suggested a place that served grilled chicken. They went into a nearby pub, where upbeat music played.
“Is grilled chicken famous here?” she wondered.
She had expected a normal restaurant, so a pub felt a little strange.
Riet ordered grilled chicken, a beer for himself, and juice for Christine.
While they waited, Christine told him about one apartment she liked.
“What do you think?” she asked.
Riet winked and said:
“Great choice! It’s close to my place too.”
“Your house?” Christine thought, confused.
Seeing her surprised expression, Riet waved his hands.
“Don’t worry! Being neighbors is a good thing. If you need help, I’ll be nearby.”
He grinned and said he could help with shopping and show her around.
Christine was starting to feel uncomfortable again. He was crossing the line.
She nodded politely while eating and drinking juice, but her mind was set on going home soon.
“One more beer, please!” Riet called out.
He had already drunk three beers and was now ordering a fourth. Christine frowned.
He smiled too brightly, making her uneasy.
“Riet, that’s enough,” she said.
“I’m fine, Christine. Actually, I have something to tell you…”
Christine froze when she saw the desire in his eyes.
“I…”
Oh no. She knew what he was about to say.
“I should go…” she tried to stop him.
But she was too late.
“I fell for you the first day you started working. You’re so beautiful,” he said.
His voice didn’t sound sweet at all. It was creepy.
Christine held her forehead, feeling a headache.
“Riet, you’re drunk.”
But he grabbed her hand, begging her to date him.
Christine quickly pulled her hand away and said firmly:
“No. I’m a pregnant woman.”
Riet just laughed and shrugged.
“So what? Just give me one night. I’ll make you feel good.”
His low voice gave her chills.
Christine pushed him away with a cold tone.
“Forget this ever happened. I’m leaving.”
“Playing hard to get, huh?”
Riet suddenly pulled her back and grabbed her waist.
“Riet!” Christine wanted to scream but didn’t want to cause a scene, so she clenched her teeth.
“Calm down. There are plenty of good women out there.”
“No, no one’s as pretty, pure, and sexy as you. Let’s go. Just one night.”
“Stop! That’s so rude! I told you no!”
“You want it, I know you do,” he sneered and tried to kiss her.
She struggled, but he was too strong.
Just then—
Thud!
Someone hit Riet hard on the head.
“Ahh!” he cried out.
Christine turned her head—
“Pathetic.”
Seimon stood there, glaring coldly at both of them.
He had rushed over after hearing where Christine was. Seeing her with another man made his blood boil.
He didn’t even know why he felt so angry and nervous. But the moment he saw Riet trying to touch her, he lost control.
“Was the baby really not mine? Did this man do this to her?”
His stomach turned.
When his eyes met Christine’s wide, shocked ones, Seimon smirked bitterly.
“Unbelievable. What are you even doing here?”
He glared at Riet again, then looked back at Christine. His chest hurt with a mix of anger, worry, and possessiveness.
“Did I ever feel this much for Christine before?”
He didn’t know. But right now, one thing was clear—he couldn’t let her go.
“So this is what you ran away for?” he growled, leaning in toward her.
“To hang out with trash like this?”
His eyes were cold and intense, making Christine feel confused.
Before she could speak, he said firmly:
“Pack your things. I’m not letting you raise my child in a place full of low-lives like him.”
