The Price of Deception
Lee Han hurried into the Management Office. As soon as he locked the door, he sat before the monitors and began typing rapidly. The screen flickered to life, displaying the interior of Jeong Seoyeon’s apartment.
Jeong Seoyeon and a man entered the dim living room. She threw her body heavily onto the sofa, her skirt riding up to reveal her smooth legs. Swaying as if intoxicated, she was subtly, yet effectively, seducing the man.
The man loosened his tie and fanned himself with his hand. His gaze swept over Seoyeon’s body, his expression a volatile cocktail of desire and hesitation.
"Seoyeon, are you okay?" the man asked, approaching her with caution.
Seoyeon looked up at him through heavy, half-lidded eyes.
"Oppa, thank you," she said, her voice languid and sweet. "I think I drank too much while bragging about you to my friends today."
The man offered a bright, doting smile.
"Don't worry about it. You're just exhausted from all our wedding preparations."
Seoyeon reached out and pulled him toward her. The man embraced her as if he had been waiting for this moment all night. Their lips met, and soon, garments began to scatter across the sofa.
Lee Han watched the screen and let out a scoff. So that man is the fiancé she’s about to marry. A look of contempt flickered in his eyes.
The image on the camera was vastly different from the one he had witnessed the other night. It was hypocritical, yet, in a twisted way, impressive.
She really is a remarkable woman. Lee Han clicked his tongue. He couldn't help but admire her acting skills. Her face was filled with genuine-looking affection, yet Lee Han saw right through to the coldness hidden beneath.
He stared intently at the screen, watching their clothes pile up on the floor. That was when a white envelope on the table caught his eye. He zoomed in with the camera; it was a wedding invitation.
"Kim Taewoo, Jeong Seoyeon’s wedding..." Lee Han muttered, reading the names on the card.
His gaze shifted to the floor. Among the scattered clothes lay the man’s wallet. Something was visible through the slightly open gap. Lee Han zoomed in as far as the camera would allow.
A portion of a business card reading 'Kim Taewoo, Medical Specialist' came into view. The logo of a prestigious university hospital was clearly visible at the top.
"A surgical specialist at a university hospital... not bad at all," a cold smile spread across Lee Han's lips.
While Jeong Seoyeon and Kim Taewoo passionately explored each other, Lee Han calmly etched every piece of information into his memory.
The warm midday sun bathed the apartment complex. Lee Han strolled along the walking path, slowly organizing his thoughts about Jeong Seoyeon’s boyfriend.
A specialist at Seoul National University Hospital... a decent family background, and while his looks are average, compared to Jeong Seoyeon...
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through Kim Taewoo’s social media once more. In the photos, Kim Taewoo was looking at the camera with a bright smile. Jeong Seoyeon was always by his side. They looked like the perfect couple.
Judging by his social media, he’s the archetype of a successful man. But he doesn't know the most important thing.
Lee Han chuckled. Kim Taewoo had absolutely no clue about Jeong Seoyeon’s double life.
Seoyeon is hiding it perfectly. Not a single trace on social media... If I hadn't run into her by chance, I wouldn't have known either.
As he neared the main entrance of the apartment, a familiar voice drifted toward him. Lee Han naturally slowed his pace and scanned his surroundings.
Jeong Seoyeon and Kim Taewoo were standing in front of a taxi. Seoyeon was playing the role of the perfect lover, seeing him off. Every look in her eyes, every gesture, was that of a woman deeply in love.
"Take care, Oppa," Seoyeon’s voice was dripping with affection.
"Yeah, don't worry too much. I'll be back soon," Kim Taewoo replied.
Lee Han bowed his head in greeting as he passed them. "Hello."
Kim Taewoo glanced at Lee Han briefly before turning his attention back to Seoyeon. The two shared a hug, and Kim Taewoo climbed into the taxi.
Seoyeon waved until the taxi was out of sight. Her expression was full of longing and love. However, Lee Han did not miss the coldness hidden behind that mask.
Once the taxi disappeared, Seoyeon turned and headed back toward the apartment. Lee Han watched her retreating figure for a moment.
She really is incredible... Lee Han couldn't hide his admiration.
He walked slowly, lost in thought. To get his hands on Jeong Seoyeon, he needed more information. Her weaknesses, her desires, and her true self.
It won't be easy... but that’s exactly what makes it fun.
A faint smile played on Lee Han's lips. He was still deep in thought when his phone suddenly rang. Checking the screen, he saw it was Han Sujin.
"Where are you?" Sujin’s voice was clipped.
Lee Han frowned. "Why?"
"I’m craving jokbal (pig's trotters). Go buy some for me," Sujin’s request was out of the blue.
Lee Han was taken aback by her brazen demand.
He scowled. "Don't push it. Why on earth are you asking for jokbal all of a sudden..."
Sujin’s voice grew even bolder. "Are you feeling confident? Do you think you can refuse me?"
Lee Han was speechless. He understood the hidden meaning behind her words, but it wasn't easy to counter.
"It’s not even my child, so why should I do this? Ask your husband," Lee Han deployed his last line of defense.
Sujin laughed lightly. "That’s true. But are you really that confident? Do you think it’s okay to refuse? Maybe I should go get a check-up..."
Lee Han’s face stiffened as he bit his lip. He didn't like this situation at all. But her words carried a veiled threat.
"...Fine. Where should I bring it?" Lee Han’s voice was tinged with defeat.
Sujin’s triumphant voice came through the phone. "To my place. Come quickly, I’ll be waiting."
After hanging up, Lee Han let out a deep sigh. He felt as if he had fallen into a trap of his own making.
He looked up at the sky. This isn't what I wanted...
He shook his head. While heading to Sujin’s house with the jokbal, Lee Han sighed repeatedly.
Is this really the right way...
He arrived at Sujin’s door. Inside the elevator, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
He let out a dry laugh. Until recently, he had thought he had Han Sujin completely under his thumb. But now, he was nothing more than a delivery boy for a pregnant woman’s cravings.
"Ah, damn it..." Lee Han muttered under his breath.
He hesitated in front of her door. He stared at the bag of jokbal, debating whether to press the doorbell.
Is this really what I’m doing?
Eventually, he pressed the button. The door opened, and Sujin appeared.
"You're here? Come in quickly. The jokbal is getting cold."
Sujin led him inside as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
Lee Han followed her with an incredulous expression. He felt as if he had been caught in his own scheme. He sighed and placed the food on the table. Sujin had already prepared the plates.
"Sit down. Let's eat together."
Lee Han smirked and followed her lead.
Yeah, well. This isn't so bad, I suppose...
He hated admitting that he, the one who intended to manipulate her, was being swayed by her pace, but he couldn't deny it.
Inside Kim Eunju’s living room, Lee Han was sitting on the floor, playing with Jinwoo. Jinwoo let out happy "Ah-ah" sounds, laughing.
"Our Jinwoo is doing so well," Lee Han said, and Jinwoo laughed even louder.
Lee Han placed toy blocks in front of the child. Jinwoo grabbed them with clumsy hands and brought them to his mouth.
A smile spread across Kim Eunju’s lips as she prepared dinner in the kitchen. But a moment later, she shook her head.
Get a grip, Kim Eunju. You are currently being punished.
But she couldn't stop the image of Lee Han playing with Jinwoo from overlapping with her husband, Lee Hyunwoo.
"Dinner is ready," Eunju called out.
The three of them sat at the table and ate. Eunju fed Jinwoo his baby food.
"Daddy is away on a business trip, so Uncle came to play with you instead," she said.
Jinwoo didn't answer, just made "Mmm-mmm" sounds while eating.
After dinner, Eunju cleaned up, and Lee Han took Jinwoo to the bathroom.
"Alright, Jinwoo. Let's take a bath."
Eunju washed the dishes, listening to the sound of water and Jinwoo’s joyful noises coming from the bathroom. A strange ache bloomed in the corner of her heart.
A while later, Lee Han came out carrying a freshly bathed Jinwoo.
"Alright, let's get you dressed," Eunju said.
The two of them dressed Jinwoo together. The child was still babbling happily.
"Our Jinwoo is all clean now," Lee Han said, and Jinwoo giggled.
Back in the living room, Lee Han played with Jinwoo using a stuffed animal. Eunju watched them, smiling.
As time passed, Jinwoo’s eyelids began to grow heavy.
"Yeah, is our baby sleepy?" Eunju picked him up.
She rocked him slowly, humming a lullaby. Before long, Jinwoo fell into a deep sleep.
Eunju quietly closed the bedroom door and stepped out to find Lee Han sitting on the sofa. She sat down beside him without a word, and a strange tension settled between them.
"The bathwater should still be warm, right?" Lee Han said in a low voice.
Eunju hesitated for a moment before nodding. The two headed toward the bathroom.
As the bathroom door closed, Eunju let out a deep sigh, but she had crossed a line from which there was no return long ago.
Lee Han’s hand touched her shoulder. Eunju closed her eyes. Caught between guilt and pleasure, she surrendered herself to his embrace.
The warm water of the tub enveloped them. In Eunju’s mind, the faces of Lee Hyunwoo and Lee Han flickered back and forth. Unable to escape the whirlpool of complex emotions, she sank deeper into the swamp of self-reproach.
"Eunju-ssi..." Lee Han whispered her name.
Instead of answering, Eunju sought his lips. A heated kiss followed. Her hands caressed his back.
The sound of splashing water and their ragged breathing filled the bathroom.
This is the punishment I deserve... for the sake of my family...
At first, it was awkward and uncomfortable, but gradually, Eunju’s body began to respond to Lee Han’s touch. Her breathing grew shallow.
Lee Han’s hand moved slowly along her back. Everywhere his touch lingered, her skin burned. She closed her eyes and let her body be guided by him.
The sound of water and their heavy breathing echoed in the bathroom. Eunju tried to conjure her husband’s face while her eyes were shut, but she found herself focusing more and more on the sensations of the present.
Lee Han’s touch explored her body. Eunju let out a small moan. The guilt began to fade, and pleasure started to dominate her.
"You feel good, Eunju-ssi," Lee Han whispered in her ear.
Eunju looked into his eyes. Reading the desire in his gaze, she slowly lowered her head and pressed her lips to his neck. Lee Han let out a low groan at her soft kiss.
The ripples in the tub swayed gently with their movements. When Lee Han pressed his lips to her earlobe, she felt a jolt of electricity. Every time his hot breath touched her ear, her body trembled.
Lee Han’s lips slowly trailed down her neckline. His soft, damp kisses made her gasp uncontrollably. Everywhere his lips touched, her skin seemed to ignite.
Lee Han’s hand slid smoothly down her back. His touch was both gentle and intense, causing Eunju to arch her back like a bow. When his hand wrapped around her waist, she inhaled deeply.
Eunju’s breathing grew increasingly ragged. Every time Lee Han’s hands explored her, she let out small moans. His touch was sometimes soft, sometimes fierce.
Only the sound of water and Eunju’s heavy breathing filled the room. She kept her eyes closed, focusing entirely on every sensation Lee Han provided. His touch, his lips, his body heat... everything stimulated her senses, and she was falling deeper into a whirlpool of desire.
When Lee Han gripped her waist firmly and pulled her onto his lap, his hard member pressed against her lower abdomen. Eunju instinctively grabbed his shoulders, and their eyes met.
The water in the tub splashed violently. Eunju slowly lowered her body to accept him. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, burying her face in his shoulder, breathing in his scent.
Their movements began. Eunju moved her hips up and down in rhythm with Lee Han. An intense pleasure radiated from their point of connection. The water in the tub surged even more violently.
Eunju trembled with intense pleasure, wrapping her arms and legs around Lee Han. He gripped her hips tightly and thrust deeper. As time passed, their movements grew faster. Eunju whispered Lee Han’s name. He buried his lips in her neck, sucking hard on her skin. Their gasps and moans filled the bathroom.
Time passed, and their passion reached its peak. Eunju felt a shiver run through her entire body as she whispered his name, clinging to him even tighter.
To cool their heated bodies, they held each other in the now-tepid water, catching their breath. As reality slowly returned, guilt flooded back into Eunju’s heart.
This is all for the sake of our family... she comforted herself.
Eunju closed her eyes and pictured a happy family. Her husband and son laughing, a peaceful dinner scene...
By accepting this punishment, our family will be even happier...
Even as she held onto Lee Han, she was dreaming of a happy future with her family.