The Price of Silence
Kim Eunju and Han Sujin sat side by side on a bench, their conversation flowing with an air of forced warmth. What began as a lighthearted exchange about childbirth and parenting soon drifted toward the topic of their husbands. In the midst of it, Han Sujin caught a subtle shadow crossing Kim Eunju’s expression.
"Eunju, is something wrong? You’ve looked a bit worn out lately..."
At Han Sujin’s words, Kim Eunju hesitated for a moment. But as if she had finally decided to unburden herself, she opened her mouth.
"Sujin... how are things with Taeyoung lately? Are there any problems between you two?"
Han Sujin was momentarily taken aback by the sudden, out-of-place question. However, she quickly offered a bright smile.
"No, we’re doing just fine. My husband is always considerate and tries his best to take care of me."
Kim Eunju let out a sigh of relief at Han Sujin’s answer.
"I’m envious. Honestly, I don’t have any major issues with Hyunwoo either, but lately, I keep having these strange thoughts..."
Kim Eunju trailed off, letting out a heavy sigh. Han Sujin could vaguely sense the anxiety and suspicion filling her heart.
"Eunju, misunderstandings and conflicts are bound to happen in any marriage. But I think the effort to resolve them and open communication are more important. Why don't you try having an honest talk with Hyunwoo?"
Kim Eunju nodded, seemingly bolstered by Han Sujin’s advice. Yet, deep in her heart, the anxiety that Lee Hyunwoo might actually be having an affair continued to bloom.
Han Sujin returned home with heavy footsteps. As she opened the front door, only a stifling silence greeted her. Sighing, she kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the sofa. Her mind was entirely consumed by the conversation she’d had with Kim Eunju. That hollow, performative dialogue only made her own situation feel even more miserable.
'You promised. You said if I helped you this one last time, it would be the end...'
But Han Sujin knew better than anyone how empty that promise was. Just then, a sharp ringtone cut through the quiet. Han Sujin gritted her teeth and headed to the door. When she opened it, she saw Lee Han standing there with a sly, knowing smile.
"Why are you here again?"
She asked in a cold voice, but Lee Han ignored her, brushing past her and striding into the living room. Suppressing the rage boiling inside her, Han Sujin followed him.
Lee Han plopped down on the sofa and patted the seat next to him, calling for her. Han Sujin wanted to resist with every fiber of her being, but she eventually sat down beside him in resignation.
"Why are you here? Is something wrong?"
When Lee Han asked with feigned innocence, Han Sujin gritted her teeth and replied.
"Nothing is wrong. Just get to the point."
Instead of answering, Lee Han wrapped his arm around Han Sujin’s shoulders and pulled her close. Pretending to be affectionate, he gently stroked her back.
Lee Han whispered into her ear while keeping his arm around her.
"Are you getting along well with Eunju? I was just wondering how she’s doing lately..."
Han Sujin hesitated at Lee Han’s question. But knowing he would find out regardless of whether she hid it, she finally spoke.
"I think there’s some trouble in her relationship with her husband. She was asking me about marital issues."
At those words, Lee Han seemed to ponder something for a moment. Seeing him lost in deep thought with a furrowed brow, Han Sujin slowly slipped out of his embrace and stood up.
Han Sujin headed to the kitchen. As she opened the cupboard to take out a cup, the familiar warmth approached from behind. Lee Han wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered into her ear.
"Sujin... keep staying close to Eunju like that. It’s important to gain her trust."
At Lee Han’s instruction, Han Sujin’s hand faltered. A sharp pain pierced a corner of her heart. The guilt toward Kim Eunju, and the shame of knowing she was using her...
But soon, Han Sujin shook her head.
'I have no choice... all of this is to protect Taeyoung...'
Repeating this to herself, Han Sujin replied in a voice of resignation.
"...I understand."
Struggling to suppress her bitter heart, Han Sujin surrendered her body to Lee Han’s chest. His body temperature was scorching, but Han Sujin’s heart was filled with a chilling frost. Closing her eyes, she swallowed the bleak reality she faced like a heavy sigh.
Lee Han’s hand carefully burrowed beneath the hem of her clothes. Han Sujin flinched, showing her discomfort, but soon accepted his touch with a sense of defeat. Lee Han’s hand, growing bolder, began to slowly caress her breasts.
Han Sujin kept her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. Forcing down the hot shame and guilt rising within her, she let her body be guided by Lee Han’s touch. She comforted herself in the depths of her despair, telling herself this was the price she had to pay to protect her husband.
Pressed tightly against each other, they began to strip away their clothes in silence. Hot kisses followed over the exposed skin. As they removed her shirt, skirt, and finally her underwear one by one, Han Sujin’s naked body was laid bare to Lee Han’s gaze.
Unlike usual, the underwear Han Sujin wore today was a pale pink. A strange smile played on Lee Han’s lips at the sight. However, he made no comment, instead devouring her body with eyes burning with desire.
With ragged breaths, they began to explore each other’s skin. A scorching heat rose between their soft bodies.
They continued their breathless kissing, exploring one another. Having spent countless hours together, they knew exactly where the other was most sensitive. As Lee Han’s lips descended to Han Sujin’s breasts, she couldn't help but let out a moan.
Even if her mind tried to reject it, Han Sujin’s body was reacting. The flushed skin, the rapidly accelerating heartbeat... her body was already prepared to accept the act. Sensing her reaction with keen precision, Lee Han exploited her weaknesses with even greater expertise.
Amidst the clothes scattered on the floor, the two were tangled in a heated embrace. Lee Han held Han Sujin’s waist and thrust deep into her. Han Sujin moaned loudly at the oncoming pleasure, but that moan was buried and lost in Lee Han’s rough kisses.
"Haa... hnn..."
As the climax approached, Han Sujin’s inner walls tightened deeply around Lee Han. Matching his accelerating movements, she, too, moved her hips violently.
"Ugh... Sujin..."
Finally, at the moment of climax, Lee Han pulled Han Sujin close and thrust deeply, and Han Sujin accepted him with a shudder. At the sensation of hot liquid filling her, Han Sujin’s eyes reddened. Swept away by the wave of pleasure, she buried her face in Lee Han’s chest, powerless.
Even after the act, they remained wrapped in each other’s arms for a while, catching their breath. Their skin, slick with cold sweat, peeled apart with a sticky sound. Lingering in the afterglow, the two were lost in their own thoughts within the heavy silence.
Guilt, shame, and deep despair... shadows gathered in Han Sujin’s eyes, yet her body had already naturally nestled into Lee Han’s embrace.
Lee Hyunwoo was on his way home after finishing his day’s work. Walking along the apartment complex’s promenade as darkness settled in, he ruminated on the events of the day.
Just then, a familiar voice rang in his ears.
"Hello, Hyunwoo!"
Turning his head, he saw Park Mina wearing a bright smile. She had a cute and lovely impression, but a strange, seductive atmosphere wafted from her. Lee Hyunwoo often ran into her on his way home from work.
"Mina. Hello."
"Yes, it seems our off-work times are similar. We run into each other so often."
The two stopped for a moment to exchange greetings. As Park Mina stepped closer to Lee Hyunwoo, the subtle scent of perfume tickled the tip of his nose. The sweet and refreshing fragrance naturally permeated Lee Hyunwoo’s collar, but he remained oblivious to it. Lee Hyunwoo’s gaze fell on the bag in Park Mina’s hand.
"Did you go grocery shopping at the convenience store? What did you buy?"
"Oh, this? A few bottles of beer and some snacks. It’s my hobby to have a drink to wrap up the day after work."
Park Mina lifted the bag slightly and smiled shyly. At the sight, Lee Hyunwoo asked playfully.
"Do you enjoy drinking like that every day? It doesn't seem very good for your health..."
"Hey, I’m still young, so what does it matter? It’s fine to drink a little to relieve stress, right?"
At her sly answer, Lee Hyunwoo chuckled.
In truth, there were many women who expressed interest in Lee Hyunwoo. With his handsome looks and diligent personality, he was popular with women. But because Lee Hyunwoo’s heart belonged solely to his wife, Eunju, he always felt burdened by the women who approached him.
To such a Lee Hyunwoo, Park Mina’s attitude felt very refreshing. Rather than launching an offensive of affection like other women, she maintained a comfortable distance as a neighbor, which he actually found agreeable.
"Well, I’ll be heading in first."
"Yes, get home safely. And don't drink too much."
Finishing their brief conversation, Park Mina headed toward the apartment entrance with a light step. Lee Hyunwoo watched her back and shook his head.
'She has such a cheerful personality. It’s nice to have a neighbor in the apartment to exchange greetings with like this...'
The comfortable neighborly affection Park Mina showed was a small comfort to him, exhausted as he was. Lee Hyunwoo quickened his pace. After all, his beloved wife and son would be waiting for him today.