The Fragile Facade
Kim Eunju watched her son sleeping, his small body curled against the mattress. The baby, having just passed his first birthday, breathed peacefully with a soft, youthful face. He was a handsome boy who looked exactly like his father, Lee Hyunwoo. She felt an overwhelming surge of love for this child, the fruit of their union.
After tucking him in, Eunju quietly closed the bedroom door and headed to the living room. She leaned back against the sofa and let out a deep sigh. The exhaustion from a full day of childcare washed over her. She realized her stamina wasn't what it used to be; as she aged, she no longer possessed the boundless energy of her youth.
Eunju had always put a great deal of effort into maintaining her appearance and figure. It was thanks to her striking beauty that she had been able to meet someone as handsome and charming as Lee Hyunwoo. Perhaps that was why she was becoming increasingly sensitive to the signs of aging.
She glanced down at her hands and stomach. The skin was slightly loose, and faint fine lines were beginning to appear. Even the reflection of her own face as she passed by the TV screen showed the gradual traces of time.
But Lee Hyunwoo remained as handsome as ever. In fact, as he aged, he seemed even more dashing, exuding a dignified charm.
'If other, younger women approach Hyunwoo... would I be able to hold onto him?'
A sudden wave of anxiety made her heart sink. Lately, she had been so busy raising their child that she hadn't had the time or energy for intimacy with her husband. That, too, made her uneasy.
There was a time when they had shared a love so intense that just locking eyes was enough to set them on fire. She found herself constantly longing for that fierce passion they once shared. It pained her heart to feel as though she were drifting further away from her husband as time went on.
'Are we going to grow cold like this...'
Her mind grew complex with these thoughts. Eunju smiled wistfully and looked up at the ceiling. When had these doubts and worries begun to sprout? It was frustrating to be unable to feel happy even with the person she loved right beside her.
Just as she was lost in deep thought, she heard the sound of the front door opening. Eunju forced a bright expression onto her face and stood up. She walked to the entryway to greet her husband.
Did Lee Hyunwoo’s heart still belong to her? Hiding that question deep within, Eunju welcomed her husband with a radiant smile. But behind that smile, a profound anxiety remained hidden.
Eunju pushed the stroller, enjoying the refreshing breeze as she walked slowly through the apartment complex. The baby looked around with curious eyes. The rustling leaves in the wind and the chirping of birds brought a bright smile to the child's lips. Seeing that, Eunju’s heart filled with happiness.
'Still, I can't even begin to describe how much richer my life has become because of this child...'
Suddenly, she realized there weren't many people pushing strollers like her. Most of the residents in this apartment were young couples or singles. Reflecting the current trend of delaying marriage and childbirth, young children were rarely seen.
A sense of inexplicable loneliness washed over her at that thought. She felt an invisible distance between herself, a mother, and the young people of her age.
'I was once free and young just like them...'
She was lost in sentiment for a moment when the presence of someone approaching made her look up. She locked eyes with a man walking from the opposite direction.
"Hello?"
The man who greeted her warmly was none other than Lee Han, the apartment manager.
"Oh, hello. We met before..."
"Out for a walk? Our apartment complex has great landscaping, so it’s really nice for strolling."
"Yes, the air is good, and it’s perfect for bringing the baby out."
"What a cute baby. You must be blessed."
Lee Han made eye contact with the baby in the stroller and smiled softly. Then, he playfully stuck out his tongue. The baby burst into laughter at the sight.
Eunju watched the scene with a smile. She found herself liking this manager who was so kind to her child.
"What is your name?"
"It's Kim Eunju."
"Ah, Eunju-ssi. If you ever have any inconveniences while taking a walk, please let me know."
"Yes, I will. Have a great day, Manager-nim."
After exchanging greetings, Eunju pushed the stroller and moved on. She had no way of knowing that Lee Han, standing behind her, was staring intently at her back.
Eunju walked slowly, savoring the peaceful atmosphere of the complex. The baby in the stroller had already fallen fast asleep. At that moment, someone approached and greeted her.
"Hello? It's nice to meet you."
She looked up to see a young, beautiful woman. A wedding ring sparkled on her left ring finger in the sunlight.
"Oh, hello."
Eunju returned the greeting with a bright smile.
"I'm Han Sujin. I'm the head of the apartment's women's association."
"The head of the women's association? We had one in our apartment? I didn't know."
To Eunju’s surprised response, Han Sujin smiled softly and explained.
"Actually, I wasn't elected. I was hired by the Aryong Group, which built this apartment, to assist the manager."
"Oh, I see."
Eunju nodded and smiled. Just then, Sujin’s gaze shifted to the baby in the stroller. A mix of envy, affection, and a somewhat shadowed emotion flickered across her expression.
"How old is the baby?"
"He just turned one."
Sujin was silent for a moment at Eunju’s proud reply. Then, she spoke carefully.
"My husband and I are planning to have a baby, too. Raising a child doesn't seem easy..."
Eunju’s eyes lit up at those words.
"That’s true. There are many difficult times, but it’s just as rewarding. I had a lot of worries at first, too..."
Eunju began to list the episodes she had experienced while raising her child. Sujin listened intently to Eunju’s stories. She even opened up about her own questions and fears regarding parenting.
The two soon became absorbed in a parenting talk. Being of a similar age, they found it easy to open their hearts to each other. Throughout their conversation, Eunju and Sujin couldn't stop laughing.
On her way home after the walk, Eunju’s heart felt much lighter. She felt good, as if she had finally found a friend with whom she could share deep conversations.
'Han Sujin-ssi... I should see her often.'
With a satisfied smile, Eunju stroked the baby’s cheek. It felt as though today’s meeting would lead to a happy connection in the future.
But she did not know. What kind of tragedy this connection would become the beginning of. That a typhoon of fate was approaching them...
Lee Han and Park Mina were leaning against each other on the sofa in the management office. The office was filled with intense heat, and their naked bodies were tangled under the dim light. The moans that had reached their peak soon subsided, but their breathing remained ragged.
Park Mina burrowed deeper into Lee Han’s arms. She clung to him with her whole body, as if craving affection. Lee Han hugged her tenderly. He reached out and stroked her hair.
After enjoying the afterglow for a moment, Lee Han took a photograph out of his pocket. He placed it on the table without hesitation. Mina sat up, curious about the person in the photo.
Mina’s eyes widened as she stared at the picture. It showed a man with a stunning appearance. He looked like a model who had just stepped out of a magazine.
"Who is this?"
Mina looked at Lee Han with a puzzled expression.
"Remember him well. He’s an important person from now on."
Lee Han said with a sly smile.
"It’s easy to remember. He’s very handsome."
Mina replied in a joking tone. Then, she looked at Lee Han playfully, and he suddenly asked.
"More than me?"
"Hey, it’s not good to lie."
Mina shrugged her shoulders and giggled.
"Tsk tsk. Unfortunately, that man is already married."
Lee Han said with a grin. Mina pouted, looking disappointed.
"Ah... that’s a real shame."
"Starting tomorrow, you’re going to meet that man every night instead of me."
Lee Han said it out of the blue. His tone was playful, but his eyes were serious.
"What? What do you mean?"
Mina asked back with a bewildered look.
Lee Han brushed off her question with a sly smile.
"It’s nothing. Just, when you’re coming home at night, if you run into him in the complex, just exchange a few words. That’s all."
Mina’s face, which had looked frightened by Lee Han’s request, brightened. She answered cheerfully.
"Oh, if that’s all, it’s a piece of cake. Don’t worry."
"And make sure to wear the perfume you usually use when you meet him."
As Lee Han added that, Mina nodded but looked puzzled. She wondered what he was up to, but she didn't dare ask him.
Feeling her gaze, Lee Han cupped her face in both hands. Then he whispered low.
"It’s a bad habit to question what I do. Understand?"
Under the strange pressure, Mina had no choice but to nod. Lee Han smiled with satisfaction as he watched her.
Soon, he kissed her carefully. Mina’s face melted into the sweet kiss, and she was filled with a sense of happiness.
A moment later, the cooled office heated up again. Hot breaths and sweet moans scattered into the air.
"Hng... I have to go to work tomorrow..."
Mina, having reached the peak, panted and complained.
"So, you don't want to do this?"
Lee Han asked playfully. Mina shook her head and hugged him.
"No... it’s just, I’m so happy."
Mina whispered in a breathless voice. She clung to Lee Han like a woman deeply in love.
Lee Han stared out the window while holding Mina. Stars were twinkling in the night sky. There seemed to be some secret hidden in his eyes, which sparkled like those stars. A dangerous plan hidden in the darkness, one that Mina did not know.