Ex-Wife's Trap and Counterstrike
Cha Do-yeon had planned to head straight home or back to the office from An Ha-yul's place, but the missed calls and texts that were practically death threats veered him off course. In a rush, he took a taxi to the spot—a high-end Chinese restaurant near his ex-mother-in-law's house. Strangely enough, it was the very place where An Ha-yul had stamped the divorce papers and where they'd bid their final farewell. He'd thought he'd never cross paths with that face again if they just signed and parted ways, but there it was, greeting him.
"What the hell do you want? I figured we'd never see each other again."
"……."
An Ha-yul sat at their reserved table, just like old times. Whether she'd bolted out the door the second she got his text or was already nearby, she sat there with her arms crossed, waiting. Even after hearing his voice and him taking a seat across from her, her eyelids stayed shut like she was meditating on a rock. Then,
"You… where the fuck are you coming from?"
…Straight to the heavy stuff, huh.
Her tone scraped like nails on a chalkboard, and he yanked off his tie in one go. Her plump lips twitched briefly, weighing on his shoulders like a thousand pounds. Just a slight glare from those half-opened eyes made his legs shake—pure viper stare. The second his ex-wife opened her mouth, the air around them thickened, making everything uncomfortable. Breathing in and out felt like inhaling poison gas, his windpipe burning.
"Uh, where from? Well, I was heading to work this morning—"
"Don't feed me that long-tongued bullshit. I know everything."
"……? Know what?"
An Ha-yul dropped her head forward. Her long hair cascaded down with gravity, and as she mumbled something under her breath, she flung it back in one sharp motion.
"Ha!"
A thick sigh, like she was suppressing something deep inside. She pulled a rubber band from her handbag, tied her straight hair into a ponytail, and then,
"What the fuck is going on between you and my mom, you piece of shit?"
"Cough cough?!"
He couldn't stifle the cough that bubbled up like vomit. She nailed the core in one shot; he nearly gaped like a cartoon character in shock. Gulp…! He'd doubted the murderous vibe from her texts, but her straightforward eyes held pure certainty. Apparently, back then… she'd sniffed it out when she burst into the house. Still, he hardened his facial muscles as much as possible, forcing calm. He reviewed it coolly.
No matter what… how the hell did she zero in on me?
The messy scene was suspicious, sure. Enough to suspect his mother-in-law's affair. But An Ha-yul definitely hadn't seen his face. At worst, the clues were the trashed dining table and the apron dropped on the floor. Nothing there to pinpoint him. He'd stashed his suit in the closet, and this could be her signature aggressive bluff or leading questions, so he held firm.
"Y-you drag me here outta nowhere, so why bring up your mom?"
"Gonna play dumb to the end?"
"It's not playing dumb—this sudden text bomb on a busy guy—"
"That day, there were these super sketchy shoes anyone would notice."
"……!"
Shit. He clenched his jaw to lock down his expression as lukewarm sweat trickled down his cheek. She'd zeroed in on the missed detail, tightening the noose.
"Bigger than Dad's size, shiny tan loafers that screamed outsider."
"……."
"Weirdly, they looked just like those loafers I always saw you in. Yeah, matches what you're wearing now."
He glanced down at the table as if checking, but she peered through it at his shoes, making him snap his legs together.
"Th-there's only one shoe factory in the world? You gonna keep spewing crap?!"
Still not enough. The blade had dug into his shoulder, but no fatal blow yet. She hadn't matched size and brand; this was just intimidation to wring a confession.
"Fine, figured you'd get petty, so I prepped this too."
"Wh-what now…."
Now she pulled out her own phone. The case, cutely decorated unlike her usual style, she tapped a few times and shoved it at him.
"Photo just taken. What do you think?"
"…………………Huh?"
The man in the photo: him. Perfect match to his current suit and shoes—today's him. And judging by the background,
"No CCTV at the front door originally. But some filthy bug broke in, so I called a guy to install temp cams."
"……."
"My planted secretary caught your morning exit, taxi and all on the dashcam. Got any excuses left?"
Perfect follow-up the moment she clocked the issue. Her signature ruthlessness—vicious fangs that never let prey slip. ……Should've mentioned that sooner. He was a monkey in Buddha's palm. She knew it all, had ironclad proof, and just wanted to watch his reaction as she slowly laid her cards. Like a cat toying with a mouse.
"Well? More excuses…?"
Crack! But that face wasn't cute like a cat's. She gripped so hard the screen cracked like lightning-struck, her expression unchanging. That was a tiger drooling for human hunt, not some housecat.
"Y'know, first look at the table, I couldn't believe it."
"……."
"Then I opened the master bedroom door—rustling from the closet. Nearly puked, 100% sure, but no guts to check inside. So I left… that's when I saw your shoes in the entryway. Lost my shit completely."
"Look…."
"After the divorce, wondered what bullshit you'd pull, and here you are, you crazy fuck…!"
His ex-wife's verdict. No matter how he spun it, this was the endgame.
In short………… I'm fucked.
Perfect checkmate.
"Uh, food's here."
Horrible timing—the waiter wheeled in a cart. She'd ordered ahead, serving dishes while eyeing them nervously. Gulp gulp gulp! An Ha-yul snatched the ice water glass and chugged it. Like a tyrant toasting before an execution, she slammed it back one-shot and wiped her mouth.
Deep breath, then she bellowed.
"Get the fuck away from my mom now!"
"Look… calm down a bit—"
"You think I can?! Shut up—if you don't back off, I'll go straight to your dad and sue your ass in civil court!"
An Ha-yul, refusing even conversation now. Well, natural reaction. Some outsider—no, her ex-husband—messing with her mom. He got her rage boiling over, but…
……Wait, do I really have to obey?
Listening quietly, a new angle emerged. Getting caught would screw over his mother-in-law and him, sure, but still—
"Phew…… No thanks?"
Slap! The second he invoked veto, instant payback with a slap. The tiger's strike hurt way more than expected; the waiter pulling the cart flinched. Rubbing his cheek—99% sure it'd swell—he played it up a bit.
"Ow ow… even so, you just swing?"
"Be grateful my hand's empty…!"
"Ha… fine, you got your shot in. Can I say one thing now?"
Grind! Slap didn't vent it all; her molars clenched.
"You should be stripping and begging on your knees, and you wanna talk? With that gaping mouth, you gonna keep bullshitting!?"
"Nah, not really an excuse."
The restaurant staff, even a customer mid-noodle—whole place watching. Time to get serious, lay his cards.
"Truth is, I'm serious about your mom."
"Se…rious?!"
Heavy advance. Caught already, so he pushed. Flip the flow, grab his share and benefits. Demanding he ditch So I-seol? No way in hell. Shameless it was.
"You…!"
Crunch! His brazen calm made her tremble; she shot up, ass not touching seat.
"Think I don't know you? You'd have women stacked truck-high, and you dare shove my mom in that filthy pigsty…?!"
In An Ha-yul's memory, Cha Do-yeon was a wastrel playboy. He didn't deny the womanizing linked past Do-yeon to him.
"Yeah. Still living that way."
"You fucking trash—"
"But hey, was your dad some saintly family man?"
"!!!"
Mention of father-in-law, face shifted instantly. Pale as if she knew the dark truth; he smirked, curling his lip.
Situation tense, mind blanked, but reviewing it, he had solid ammo. Info on people around his mother-in-law. Thorough analysis of her hobbies, interests, situation, and associates before approaching—side benefits. One slap cleared his head nicely.
"……."
Heh. His weakness exposed? Stab hers back. If she came to kill, dive into the dirty gutter fight, airing skeletons.
"Where to start—right, how many mistresses in the room salons? You know."
"……Kuh!"
"Lemme see… secretary harassment, cycled through a few; forcing female staff to serve drinks and stand for kisses? Scandals buried with cash."
"Th-that's got nothing to do with now…."
"Really? Totally unrelated? Nearly raping girls young enough for grandkids, media gag, abortions—plenty. And unofficial half-sibs he'd never confirm paternity for?"
Her cocky face deflated. He savored it, lip ripping in winner's grin.
"What, keep blabbing in this crowded restaurant? Wanna go all the way?"
"……."
He stood too, mimicking her. Leaned to her ear—something just for them.
Does she wonder if his fatal flaws reached Mom's ears through me? Or not?
—You!
Dirty as it seems, curious how far Mom and I talked alone, right?
"……."
An Ha-yul's face twitched uncontrollably. Info scraped from reporters' pockets and PIs—no stone unturned. Smart daughter like her? Dying to know if Mom heard. Those sins out? Family could shatter.
Thud! Mentioning it drained her blind rage like a punctured tire.
"……."
Curious about Mom's thoughts or scared he'd blab on Dad, she sat meekly. Before mutual mudslinging, his tigress ex seemed willing for 'adult talk'.