The Desperate Wager
Ordinary days stretch on, a rare return to normalcy. Yet Seoyeon's life feels like carrying a time bomb that could explode at any moment. Her relationship with Cheolsu clings to a fragile, false peace, while the perverse acts she performs before him every night gnaw at her soul. But what drives her truly mad is Park's silence. If only he would threaten her or demand something—she could at least respond. Instead, his presence looms, holding everything she has in his grasp without a word, a massive psychological pressure all its own. This hellish wait amplifies her rage until hatred finally hardens into resolve. She can't just take this lying down.
A few weeks pass, and one afternoon, Seoyeon finally steels herself. With trembling hands, she dials Park. The line rings a few times before his sly voice answers.
Seoyeon doesn't rise to his mockery. Her voice sinks cold with fury.
"Let's meet. In person. I have something to say."
Park falls silent for a moment at her unexpected boldness, then chuckles like it's the funniest thing.
The call cuts off abruptly. Seoyeon stands frozen, phone in hand. The weekend. She has just two days left. A day to end everything—or for everything to truly end.
That evening, the front door lock beeps as Cheolsu returns from work. His face is etched with exhaustion, but he forces a smile upon seeing Seoyeon on the sofa. That awkward grin chills a corner of her heart. This all started for this man. The humiliation began to protect him. Yet now, he's become a perverse spectator reveling in it.
"You're home?"
Seoyeon rises, feigning casualness. She has to tell Cheolsu about the meeting with Park. It's not just her problem anymore—let's go together and settle it. Those are the words she must say. She wets her dry lips and starts haltingly.
"Honey, about this weekend..."
"Oh right! Seoyeon, I've got a sudden business trip this weekend."
Her words freeze in her throat. Cheolsu wraps an arm around her shoulders with an apologetic look.
"Team assignment—can't back out. I'm really sorry. I was hoping we'd spend the weekend together."
All the words rising in her throat vanish in an instant. Once blocked, her voice won't come easily. She nods weakly. As the words she'd struggled to voice die unspoken, a sly relief creeps in. Yeah… better to go alone.
This is between her and Park anyway. She doesn't want to drag her husband back into that filth. Besides, she can't even imagine what conversations might unfold there now. This time, she'll truly end it all. Sever this nauseating bond with her own hands and return to normal life. Seoyeon hardens her quiet resolve.
Saturday morning, she packs for Cheolsu's trip and sees him off with practiced nonchalance. The door clicks shut, silence blankets the apartment, and she finally exhales the breath she's held. Trembling, she dials Park.
"I'm ready. Where?"
His sly voice flows through immediately, as if he'd been waiting.
"No. A café. I don't want to go back there."
He's right. The words from his mouth aren't for public ears. Seoyeon bites her lip. No choices left.
"…Fine. I'll go."
Clutching cold resolve, she heads to the officetel—like stepping into hell.
11 a.m. The door lock beeps open at her touch. Park lounges deep in the living room sofa, waving her in like a wife entering their bedroom. Revulsion twists her face at his smugness. Standing in the entryway, she speaks in an icy voice.
"This relationship ends now. Cheolsu knows. We can't go on like before."
Park's eyes widen briefly at her declaration, then he snorts a laugh.
"And? You okay with those photos blasting across the internet now?"
Seoyeon bites her lower lip. Her heart pounds wildly, but she can't back down. Summoning a lifetime's courage, she shouts.
"Do it! The second you spread them, I'll report everything you've done to me to the police! Get ready to ruin your life too! So let's end it here. If you stop now, I won't make trouble."
Park feigns shock with exaggerated surprise, then flashes his sly grin.
"Right, sure. I'd get punished if I spread them. But you? You're not just anyone. You're Ciel. Imagine those videos with your face and body going viral—the fallout would be unimaginable. You couldn't show your face in Korea or abroad for life. Really okay with that?"
He smirks, stabbing with barbed words.
"I'd get maybe three years, tops. But you? Your life's ruined forever."
"Think that's all? Forcing me with blackmail, sexual exploitation—all of it, I'll report every bit!"
At her furious cry, Park scoffs at "forcing? Exploitation?" He pulls out his phone and plays a video. The screen zooms on Seoyeon's face lost in ecstasy.
Her own voice blares from the speaker, draining the color from her face. Park pauses at the most explicit moment and shoves the screen in her face.
"Don't see it? That the face of someone forced? You know you loved it. Spread your legs under me, moaning like a slut—forgot already? And that's not all. You've got photos you sent yourself, mouth stuffed full of my cum."
"So what? You want to keep this hell going? I'd die first! I won't tangle with trash like you again!"
At her scream, Park claps as if on cue.
"Good. How about a fun little bet?"
"What?!"
Seoyeon stares, incredulous. A bet, at this life-or-death moment?
"You win, I delete every video, photo, audio file. No copies. Want my phone? Forensic it, smash it, whatever. I'll even let your husband tear apart my office computer."
His outrageous offer leaves her speechless.
"But you lose… you serve me as serbangnim forever. Live as my amche."
"You're insane! What childish crap is this?!"
Seoyeon yells. Park leans back, as if expecting it.
"Then go. Open that door now, and I'll upload everything to every site. Report me, do whatever."
His eyes hold no mirth now. Seoyeon grits her teeth, body shaking. Defeat crawls from her lips.
"…What… is the bet."
A satisfied smile curls Park's mouth. He speaks slowly, like reciting a long-rehearsed line.
"I've watched tons of porn and erotica—fits my tastes. Always wondered if it's real. Today, I want to test it with you."
He rises and approaches slowly.
"Today, until sunset, no matter what I do… you just don't feel it. Get aroused? Fine. But climax even once, I win. Hold out till the end, you win."
Seoyeon glares in horror but stays silent. Park grips her chin gently, whispering close.
"What? Do it or not? If you hate me and my touch so much… you won't cum from excitement, right?"
He's right. Her last, only chance. Seoyeon squeezes her eyes shut.
"……Fine. But just today. If I win… keep your promise."
Park grins like a victor.
"Of course. Don't worry."