The Seeds of Suspicion
Kim Eunju was taking her baby for a stroll in a stroller through the apartment complex when she ran into Lee Han in front of the Management Office.
"Oh, hello, Eunju. It’s terribly hot today, isn't it? The baby looks exhausted, too."
"It really is scorching. But I felt a bit better after walking for a while."
"The air conditioning in our Management Office is working perfectly. Why don't you come inside and rest for a bit? I’ll get you a cold drink."
Lee Han offered with a kind smile.
"I’d love to, but I don't want to be a burden..."
"Ah... about that matter you asked me about last time. Would you mind stepping into the office for a moment...?"
"Oh, really?"
A flicker of tension crossed Kim Eunju’s face. She nodded and followed Lee Han into the Management Office.
The air-conditioned interior felt like a sanctuary for the heat-weary mother and child. Lee Han brewed a cold coffee for her and handed a snack to the baby. After Kim Eunju settled the child down to rest, she sat down across from Lee Han.
"So, about that favor I asked... has Hyunwoo perhaps...?"
Kim Eunju asked cautiously. Lee Han hesitated for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.
"Well... actually, I saw Hyunwoo last night. Near the back gate of the apartment complex."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes. But Hyunwoo wasn't alone. He was with a woman."
Kim Eunju’s heart felt like it had plummeted to her stomach. Her husband had been with another woman late at night.
"A-a woman...? Do you know who it was...?"
"She went by the name Park Mina... They were standing quite close, talking very intently. It looked as if Mina was desperately pleading with Hyunwoo for something."
"Pleading...? You didn't hear what it was about?"
"No, I’m afraid not. I was just passing by at a distance. But I did see Hyunwoo look flustered, yet he nodded his head."
Kim Eunju’s eyes wavered. Her husband was promising to grant a request for another woman.
"What did they seem like? Between him and that Park Mina..."
"Well, it’s hard to say... but they definitely seemed to know each other. Hyunwoo seemed quite concerned for her. I suppose there must be some circumstances involved."
Hearing Lee Han’s words, Kim Eunju felt confused. The fact that Hyunwoo was showing interest in that woman was both surprising and hurtful. However, she felt a slight sense of relief at Lee Han’s follow-up.
"Eunju, in my opinion, it doesn't seem like anything serious. Hyunwoo is such an upright and good man, after all. He might just be trying to help because he pities her situation. Don't worry too much."
Lee Han reassured her with a tone that seemed to defend Hyunwoo. Yet, even so, the suspicion and anxiety in a corner of Kim Eunju’s heart did not disappear.
"I’m not sure either... should I keep watching them?"
"I’ll keep a closer eye on Hyunwoo as well. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know immediately, so please, don't worry too much."
Kim Eunju took a sip of her coffee, lost in thought. There was no direct evidence, only circumstances that made her doubt her husband. But she felt she needed something definitive before she could make a judgment.
'For now, I have to keep watching.'
Thinking this, Kim Eunju pushed the stroller and headed home. The suspicion and anxiety filling her heart were as scorching as the summer heat.
Late at night, Kim Eunju sat alone in the living room, staring intensely at Lee Hyunwoo’s phone.
'Why is he so late these days... What on earth is going on?'
She muttered to herself, scanning the phone screen with eyes full of suspicion, but nothing out of the ordinary appeared.
The bathroom door opened and Lee Hyunwoo appeared. He had changed into his pajamas and was drying his hair with a towel as he approached Kim Eunju.
"How was Jinwoo today?"
Lee Hyunwoo asked with a smile. Kim Eunju quickly put the phone down and answered, pretending to be calm.
"Jinwoo ate well, slept well, and did his business just fine today. He’s still as cute as ever."
"He’s our child, so of course he’ll grow up healthy, right?"
Lee Hyunwoo said with a satisfied expression. Kim Eunju nodded and forced a smile, but guilt sat in a corner of her heart. She hated herself for doubting her husband, but she couldn't stop the behavior.
"Why are you so late today?"
When she asked cautiously, Lee Hyunwoo answered with a weary face.
"Ah, there was a lot of work. The higher-ups keep giving us orders, so there’s been a lot of overtime."
He wore a tired expression, then brightened up and walked toward the baby. He kissed the child’s forehead and went into the room. Kim Eunju remained alone in the living room and let out a deep sigh. Doubts about her husband’s actions intersected with her desire to trust him. But in the end, her heart leaned toward suspicion.
'Is he really late because of work...'
Kim Eunju sat in the darkness, lost in deep contemplation.
Morning sunlight seeped into the living room. Kim Eunju was sitting on the sofa, holding her sleeping child in her arms. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked out the window, where the apricot-colored light was shining.
"Am I being too sensitive..."
Kim Eunju muttered as if whispering.
"If this continues, our family might really fall apart. I’m sorry to Jinwoo..."
Her fingers gently stroked Jinwoo’s cheek. The baby’s skin, faintly smelling of formula, was soft. Kim Eunju felt suffocated by self-reproach.
"Is Mommy doing something wrong?"
She asked the child.
"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry..."
But Jinwoo was sleeping peacefully without waking up. Seeing that, Kim Eunju’s tears streamed down her cheeks.
She hugged the child tightly and sobbed. She felt ashamed of her actions: doubting her husband, asking for a background check, and trying to secretly look at his phone.
'Have I gone wrong...'
Regret and self-reproach surged in.
How long had she been crying like that? Kim Eunju, her shoulders heaving, laid her body on the sofa while holding Jinwoo. Exhausted from crying, she soon fell asleep in the morning sun. The two of them slept quietly on the sofa for a while, breathing in unison.
Lee Hyunwoo returned home with heavy footsteps. He threw his suit jacket onto the sofa and collapsed onto it, powerless. Seeing him close his eyes with a weary face, Kim Eunju approached him cautiously.
"Why are you so late today? Was there a lot of work again?"
When she asked, Lee Hyunwoo let out a deep sigh.
"Yeah, there’s just a lot of work lately. I know it’s hard on you, but I’m struggling too."
Kim Eunju’s brow furrowed.
"Still, I don't understand. Aren't you coming home too late too often?"
Lee Hyunwoo answered in a tired voice.
"Eunju, I’m not lying to you. It’s just that work is busy, and..."
"Am I raising Jinwoo all by myself like this? I can't do everything on my own, you know."
Kim Eunju’s voice trembled. Lee Hyunwoo looked at her with tired eyes and nodded.
"I understand. I’ll try harder."
But the suspicion in Kim Eunju’s heart did not fade. Was her husband really busy, or was there another reason? The conversation cut off, and only silence remained.
Lee Hyunwoo stood up with difficulty and headed to the baby’s room. Watching the sleeping Jinwoo, he gave a bitter smile. It wasn't that he didn't know how hard his wife was working on childcare. But he, too, was exhausted from the pressure and stress at the company. Holding his son’s small hand, Lee Hyunwoo let out a deep sigh.
Left alone in the living room, Kim Eunju slumped on the sofa. She wanted to understand her husband’s actions, but the suspicion in a corner of her heart would not easily go away. Her eyes, staring blankly into the void, soon welled up with tears.
'Will our family be okay like this...' Lost in complex thoughts, Kim Eunju sat there for a while, letting out only deep sighs. Late at night, in the stillness, a small sob escaped from Kim Eunju.
The apartment, bedroom. Low moans and intense breathing filled the room. Lee Han and Han Sujin were engulfed in desire, exploring each other’s bodies. Reaching the peak, the two collapsed onto the bed, powerless.
Panting heavily, Lee Han said.
"Sujin, contact Eunju and go see her."
Held in Lee Han’s arms, Han Sujin asked with a puzzled expression.
"Why all of a sudden? Right now?"
"I think it would be good if you went to see Eunju right now."
Lee Han’s voice was low and calm. Han Sujin furrowed her brow.
"I understand. This really is the last time, right, if I finish this task?"
Lee Han hugged her tightly and whispered.
"I promise you."
As Lee Han hugged Han Sujin gently and attempted a kiss, Han Sujin accepted his lips without hesitation. After a deep kiss, she pulled away from Lee Han’s arms and stood up with difficulty. A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips as he watched Han Sujin’s back as she headed to the bathroom. Seeing his own marks flowing down her white thighs, Lee Han was filled with satisfaction.
The sound of the shower water leaked from the bathroom. Lee Han sat on the bed, lost in thought. His plan was proceeding without a hitch. The seed of suspicion toward Kim Eunju had begun to sprout. He was watering that seed through Han Sujin, and soon, the fruit of suspicion would ripen.
The bathroom door opened and Han Sujin came out. While wiping off the moisture, she asked.
"What should I say to Eunju?"
"Just say you wanted to see her. Eunju must be having a hard time, so it would be good to comfort her."
Lee Han said with a sly laugh.
Han Sujin bit her lip. A corner of her heart ached. But since she had decided to follow Lee Han’s plan, she couldn't back down. She forced a smile and began to get dressed.
Meeting for the first time in a while, Kim Eunju and Han Sujin sat facing each other in the living room, drinking coffee and chatting.
"Sujin, how have you been lately? What are your plans for having a baby?"
Kim Eunju asked affectionately. Han Sujin answered with a shy smile.
"Taeyoung and I are trying right now."
"Really? That’s great. Taeyoung is truly thoughtful and kind. I’m envious."
Kim Eunju said. A happy smile appeared on Han Sujin’s face.
"Taeyoung really cherishes me a lot. He always listens to what I have to say, and whenever I’m struggling, he’s there by my side..."
However, hidden behind Han Sujin’s smile was bitterness. She felt as if Lee Han’s touch and kisses were still lingering on her skin, and she still felt a sense of foreignness from his traces remaining inside her body. As Kim Eunju looked at her with an envious gaze, a corner of Han Sujin’s heart felt pricked. On the outside, she appeared to be living a happy married life with a kind husband, but inside, guilt and shame were taking root.
Kim Eunju was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
"I see... I’m envious. My husband is so busy lately that he’s hardly ever home..."
Han Sujin hid her slightly darkened expression and comforted her.
"My husband has frequent overtime, so I’m often home alone, too. Hyunwoo seems to think of you a lot, Eunju... Maybe it’s just that you’re feeling this way because of the stress of childcare?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. I’m trying to understand, too. Still, you two look really happy. I used to be like that, too."
Kim Eunju’s voice sank powerlessly. Han Sujin held Kim Eunju’s hand tightly out of pity.
"Eunju, if you try to trust and understand each other, it will work out. It’s obvious that you both love each other..."
Kim Eunju nodded and gave a bitter smile. She tried to find comfort in Han Sujin’s words, but seeing her happy friend only seemed to deepen her jealousy and anxiety.
After drinking coffee, Han Sujin left, and Kim Eunju sat alone on the sofa, letting out a deep sigh.
'Sujin looks happy, so why am I like this...'
Sorrow surged for no reason. Suspicion of her husband, loneliness, and even jealousy toward Han Sujin. Engulfed in complex emotions, Kim Eunju stared blankly out the window for a while. She was filled only with a confused heart, wondering if she would be able to endure these difficult times well.