WAF 38

Chapter 38

Eunha was naturally surprised, as she knew Dohoon was scheduled to return to Korea only two days later.

“Why are you standing there like that? Do you have something to say?”
“…No.”

Eunha had just started heading into the kitchen when Seonju scolded her for pausing to listen. Eunha quickly composed her expression and continued walking.

Is Dohoon really coming to Korea today?

She wanted to ask Seonju, but worried it might backfire, so she didn’t. Contacting Dohoon directly was also still difficult. The only person she could reasonably ask was Youngcheol… but even then, not knowing the situation made sending a message risky.

Shaking her complicated thoughts off, Eunha entered the kitchen. At that moment, someone suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Ah!”
“Shh.”

Startled, Eunha turned to see Hari. Hari gestured for her to follow and led the way. Eunha hesitated because Seonju was sitting in the living room, but cautiously followed Hari.

They arrived at the study at the end of the first-floor hallway.

“Is it okay for me to just come in here?” Eunha asked, remembering the incident at the annex and feeling cautious around this house.

“This is my father’s study, so it’s fine. He isn’t an easily angered person,” Hari replied.

Indeed, Iljun was usually calm and quiet, hardly the type to show off his romantic exploits.

“But that’s not the important part, hyungnim,” Hari continued, leaning in close and lowering her voice as if she had crucial news.

“Mother intentionally called you here to coincide with that woman’s visit.”
“Excuse me?”
“The herbal medicine was just an excuse. Mother called you here deliberately to show you that woman.”
“What…?”

Eunha blinked, unable to immediately grasp Hari’s meaning.

“It’s frustrating. If you mess up, she’ll immediately take your place. She’s threatening you: make you divorce and marry that woman instead.”
“Wha—?”
“She’s an elite who studied in France, and her family is incredibly influential. They’ve produced multiple ministers and are a long line of educators. My grandfather liked her very much.”
“Ah…”
“Even my grandfather might side with her instead of you, agreeing to the divorce.”

Eunha was stunned.

She had long tolerated Seonju’s conversations with Seoyeong, though they clearly crossed boundaries. She had simply brushed it off, thinking it was just Seonju showing dissatisfaction. But now, divorce was on the table.

“No way…”
“‘No way’ can be deadly, hyungnim. Otherwise, why else would your mother call you exactly when that woman came? She timed it perfectly.”

Eunha thought back. It had seemed like a coincidence that the schedules overlapped, but if Seonju called at that precise time deliberately, Hari’s interpretation made sense.

“And that woman was still trying to appeal to your mother, praising you. I’m telling you this because it’s frustrating.”
“….”
“Even if your love for your husband is special, this place has too many variables. You need to steel your heart.”

Hari shook her head with sympathy, then carefully opened the study door and left. Eunha was left standing in place, unable to follow.

Even after returning home, Eunha couldn’t do anything for a while. Hari’s words made sense, adding to her already complicated emotions.

Seonju hadn’t even glanced at her as she left the family home. While she couldn’t be sure of Seonju’s true intentions, it was clear there was a silent threat aimed at her.

Being targeted by Seonju was one thing, but the mention of divorce was a different matter entirely. Eunha couldn’t do anything that might put Dohoon in an awkward position.

This won’t be easy. They’ll use any pretext to create trouble.

Dohoon had warned her that his family was formidable, and now she understood the truth. To maintain this marriage, did she have to live submissively under Seonju’s thumb?

Already feeling resentful toward Dohoon, dealing with Seonju made her feel completely blocked and frustrated.

Before leaving her family home, Eunha had cautiously asked Hari about Dohoon’s schedule, hoping Hari might know if Seonju did. Hari, curious but forthcoming, said:

“I don’t know the details, but I heard he’s returning early today and visiting the family home.”

At that moment, Eunha felt her energy drain. Dohoon, who had never contacted her once, had still shown no consideration for her, even at the very end. She hadn’t asked for much—just a shared schedule. Was that too much to expect?

She tried to tell herself not to feel hurt, but it was difficult. It had been the worst birthday imaginable.

Entering the pub, Mina saw Eunha and called out.

“Eunha! Over here!”
“Oh, Mina.”

Eunha nodded and approached her. Coming to the middle school reunion had been a purely impulsive decision. Dohoon would be late anyway, visiting his family home. Eating alone felt too depressing, so when Mina contacted her again, she impulsively agreed to come.

“Ye Eunha! Long time no see. I heard you got married—looking even prettier now!”
“Thank you.”

Perhaps because they were childhood friends, Eunha felt a refreshing change of mood by coming out. Most friends showed no more interest than congratulating her on the marriage. That was a relief.

Except for one girl who had always been her rival in middle school: Heekyung.

“I heard you married someone amazing? And your husband is as famous and handsome as a celebrity, is that true?”
“Uh… well…”

Not wanting the group’s attention, Eunha tried to evade the question. But Heekyung was as persistent as ever.

“Then let’s see him. Call him over.”
“What?”
“Usually married people boast about their husbands to friends. None of us have seen him in person, so let’s see him today.”

Eunha looked uncomfortable, and Mina stepped in.

“Hey, Park Heekyung. Why make her uncomfortable? She barely agreed to come out today for our reunion.”
“I didn’t say anything mean. I just want to see her husband because he’s supposed to be great.”

Even some friends seemed swayed by Heekyung’s assertiveness.

“Yeah, I’m curious, but… if it makes Eunha uncomfortable, maybe not…”
“If he’s not too busy, maybe he could stop by?”

Mina seemed unable to intervene alone.

“He’s very busy. He probably can’t come.”
“If he’s busy, fine. At least try asking.”

Under pressure, Eunha reluctantly nodded. Not calling her husband seemed absurd, even to herself.

If it’s inconvenient, he can refuse.

Thinking this, she felt it was a simple approach. She was also curious whether Dohoon had really arrived in Korea and perhaps already met Seoyeong. Using the friends as an excuse, it wasn’t a bad idea to call him. Drinking a little had given her courage as well.

Eunha stepped outside, excusing herself to the friends, and made the call. She didn’t want to call in front of them, as it would reveal the awkwardness between her and Dohoon. Seeing no international call prompt confirmed that Dohoon was indeed back in Korea.

Once she confirmed it, a pang of disappointment hit her.

Soon, she heard rustling on the other end, and then Dohoon’s voice.

“Yeah.”

Hearing his calm voice as if nothing had happened, Eunha felt her emotions swell but took a deep breath to hide them.

“I’m at a reunion right now.”

“Huh?”
“I came because of a middle school reunion. But my friends want to see you. If you have time… could you come?”
……

Dohoon was silent, probably surprised. Eunha found it absurd too. After a long business trip, he had just arrived in Korea, never contacting her for over a week, and now she suddenly calls asking him to come to a reunion. She felt it shameless, given their contractual marriage.

Still, she couldn’t take back her words.

“You must be busy, right? I understand. That’s why you probably couldn’t let me know in advance that you were arriving today.”