False Everyday
Seoyeon awoke amid pain that felt like her entire body was shattering. Beside her, Director Park lay deep in sleep. She recalled her actions from the night before. She hadn't even drunk that much, yet she couldn't fathom why she'd behaved that way—not even herself. She desperately tried to deny it. It was the alcohol. The instinct for pleasure, dammed up behind the levee of reason, had completely collapsed through the tiny breach of intoxication.
Forcing the memories of last night from her mind, Seoyeon quietly washed her body, leaving the sleeping Director Park behind. She erased his traces and dressed as if nothing had happened. Then, like a thief, she slipped out of his officetel and headed home.
She arrived home at 11:30 a.m. As she opened the front door, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen. Her husband was preparing lunch.
"Honey! You're back?"
Cheolsu spotted her and rushed over with a beaming smile, welcoming her warmly. He scratched his head awkwardly, his face full of genuine remorse.
"Um... I was too sensitive the night before last. I'm sorry. You were just tired, and I was too narrow-minded."
Seeing her husband's pure apology, oblivious to what she'd done, Seoyeon felt a crushing wave of guilt that stole her breath. She finally burst into the tears she'd been holding back and threw herself into his arms.
"No... I... I'm the one who's sorry, honey... Really, I'm so sorry..."
They embraced for a long while, reconciling. Then they ate lunch together.
"Hey, wanna go for a drive later?" Cheolsu suggested.
Seoyeon's body ached from the all-night debauchery, and she was exhausted beyond measure, but she couldn't bear to refuse her husband again with another excuse about being tired. Forcing a smile, she nodded.
As Cheolsu drove them somewhere, Seoyeon, overwhelmed by fatigue, quickly fell asleep. She woke when the car stopped. They'd arrived somewhere. Absentmindedly, she checked her phone. Her heart plummeted at the single text message on the screen.
In that instant, terrified that Cheolsu might have seen the message while she slept in the passenger seat, Seoyeon anxiously scanned his expression. Fortunately, there was no change—he hadn't seen it.
"We're here, honey. Let's get out."
Following Cheolsu out of the car, she walked along until a familiar feeling crept in. A wide river stretched out, flanked by a well-paved walkway. This was the exact riverbank where she'd walked with Director Park the night before. Since they'd parked in a public lot and taken a different path, she hadn't realized until they reached the walkway.
"Honey, what's wrong? You look pale."
A massive guilt gnawed at her insides, leaving Seoyeon fidgeting anxiously.
"No, it's nothing..."
"Someone from work told me this place has great scenery but isn't well-known, so it's not crowded. Perfect for a date just the two of us."
Seoyeon barely registered Cheolsu's words. 'Someone from work.' It had to be Director Park. Yesterday, she'd walked this path arm-in-arm with him; today, she walked it with her husband. To assuage her guilt even a little, she took Cheolsu's hand and placed it on her waist, pressing close to him.
"Whoa? What's this, honey?"
Startled by his wife's sudden affection but smiling happily, Cheolsu had no idea of her turmoil. He chattered excitedly about the scenery.
"Look at those ducks over there. So many! Great weather too—good call coming out. Right?"
"..."
"Honey?"
"Huh? Oh... yeah, it is..."
His words didn't reach her ears. Ducks and clear skies vanished from her vision. Only the humiliating memory of walking this very path, arm-in-arm with Director Park two nights ago, burned vividly. The same spot, the same path. But the man beside her was different—and that drove her mad.
"Remember that restaurant we went to for our anniversary? This feels better. That place was just expensive and noisy. What do you think?"
Cheolsu kept babbling. Even without her responses, he assumed she was just in a bad mood or tired. He kissed her forehead lightly and looked ahead.
"We should bring your parents next time. Your mom would love this. Reed fields and all..."
Seoyeon couldn't respond. With every pure word from her husband, her guilt snowballed. She looked up at his face—smiling innocently at her, blissfully unaware. She'd betrayed this good man. And she would continue to betray him. She hugged his waist even tighter, as if it were the only thing keeping her from collapsing right there.
Back home, the couple had a simple dinner, bathed, and went to bed. Exhausted, Seoyeon felt sleep claim her the moment she lay down. She wanted to forget everything. But then Cheolsu's hot body pressed against her back. His hand gently encircled her waist, moving toward her breasts. He was initiating intimacy.
Her body stiffened. She was utterly drained. But she couldn't reject her husband two nights in a row. Fortunately, the red marks Director Park had left three days ago had mostly faded. In the dim bedroom light, he wouldn't notice.
Seoyeon slowly turned, responding to Cheolsu. Relieved and joyful that she accepted him, he focused entirely on their long-overdue lovemaking. He truly loved and cherished her. His kisses were tender, his touches careful. He caressed every inch of her body like a sacred relic.
"I love you, Seoyeon..."
His voice brimmed with sincere affection. Slowly but surely, he entered her. Mindful not to hurt her, he moved his hips as gently as possible. The unity with his wife after so long filled him with utter happiness.
"Ahh... honey... feels good..."
Seoyeon responded just enough, moaning and murmuring false pleasure from her lips. But in truth, she felt no pleasure from this sex. Before, the love for her partner would have brought fulfillment and some enjoyment. But in this first intimacy with her husband after Director Park, her body was numb, as if afflicted by frigidity. It was all an act for Cheolsu.
How much time passed? Cheolsu panted, about to pull out before climaxing. They weren't ready for kids yet—it was their routine. In that moment, a horrific memory flashed through Seoyeon's mind: Director Park pouring his hot seed inside her. She shuddered involuntarily. Her husband was pulling out to spare her, yet she'd already taken another man's filthy seed into her body.
Vicious guilt overwhelmed her. And beyond it, a far more real, icy terror rose. What if... just what if... What if she got pregnant from Director Park's seed that day? The mere thought made her blood run cold. Instinctively, she knew she needed an alibi. One way to cover this nightmare.
She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he tried to withdraw.
"It's okay, honey... inside... you can come inside."
Stunned by his wife's sudden permission—she'd always insisted on pulling out—Cheolsu froze. He took it as her finally opening her heart completely to him. Overwhelmed, he called her name and poured everything into her depths.
Seoyeon knew he'd climaxed from his expression and tensed body. But her pussy felt nothing—not even the sensation of his hot semen flooding in. Just a tepid liquid flowing, devoid of any thrill.
Afterward, Cheolsu hugged her tightly, basking in happiness.
"I love you, honey. So much."
"Me too... I lo..."
Seoyeon smiled, trying to say "I love you too." But Director Park's voice echoed: 'From today, don't say you love your husband.' Her words caught in her throat.
"Huh? Honey?"
Cheolsu looked puzzled. Seoyeon gently stroked his face, forcing a smile.
"It was good... haha."
Grinning happily at her words, Cheolsu held her close and quickly fell asleep. Listening to his steady breathing, Seoyeon swirled in complex emotions. Once he was fully asleep, she quietly slipped from his arms, turned her back to him, and tried to sleep.