Ephphatha Chapter 4
by Ariana“What?”
Thinking she had misheard, Seul-ah tilted her head in confusion. Chi-gyeom mimicked her movement, then laughed to himself as if he found it amusing.
“It must be surprising, but that’s how things turned out. Let’s walk down the aisle before the year ends.”
“……”
“Since you can’t take your eyes off the photo, I’m glad to see he’s your type.”
Still in shock, Seul-ah couldn’t hold back her frustration and turned her body toward him. At her unexpectedly aggressive stance, Chi-gyeom raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
“Please explain properly. Husband? What are you talking about?”
“Does this sound like bullshit?”
“……”
“Woof woof.”
He’s a strange person. Seul-ah hugged the jar tightly and glared at him.
“I don’t understand a single word you’re saying. Why would I marry this man? All of a sudden…”
“I’ll explain. Don’t get mad.”
“……”
“Alright, to put it simply.”
Chi-gyeom flicked his index finger and tapped Seo Han-seong’s photo.
“First off, he’s an only son, and his parents dote on him endlessly.”
“……”
“Do you know they’re preparing to develop a Techno Valley in Gocheon City?”
“How would I know that?”
“Your uncle has been putting in a lot of effort to win that project. You should know.”
Seul-ah flinched and tightened her grip on the photo.
“You know your uncle became the head of the company, right?”
“……”
She had seen the news that her grandfather, the chairman of Yugang Group, had passed away last year from pancreatic cancer, and that her uncle had taken over the position. But it had nothing to do with her.
Even though her mother had told her about her maternal family, she had never actually met them. The only thing she knew of them came from the media. Compared to Aunt Chae-young, they were strangers. She couldn’t grasp why her uncle was suddenly being brought into the conversation.
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“Chairman Han Tae-soo is very interested in the Gocheon City development project.”
“So?”
“Naturally, he maintains a good relationship with the mayor.”
“……”
“Now, wouldn’t it be beneficial to establish as many connections as possible? It’s a classic strategy—nothing beats legal ties. Classic methods never go out of style.”
“……”
“So, Chairman Han wants to make the mayor’s beloved only son his son-in-law. But, ah, the guy is a real headache.”
With a smack, he struck Seo Han-seong’s photo again.
“Maybe he was raised on Cinderella stories, but he keeps rambling on about destiny and refuses every arranged meeting set up by his parents.”
“……”
“But that actually works in our favor. It’s rare to find a guy at his age who’s still so idealistic.”
“What…”
“He doesn’t care about family background or status. He’s only looking for a spark. That means there’s a chance.”
Chi-gyeom’s gaze slowly swept over her. His dark eyes traced from her face down to her body. Feeling uneasy, Seul-ah instinctively tugged at the hem of her sweatshirt.
“Even if he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, he’d be interested. Don’t you think, Kang Jin-ah?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“That was a quick answer. Did he get to you already?”
“…You asked, so I answered.”
Seul-ah looked between Seo Han-seong’s photo, Chi-gyeom beside her, and Kang Jin, who was driving. The question burning inside her wouldn’t go away.
“Why on earth do I have to marry this person?”
“What, you don’t like guys from powerful families with good jobs?”
“It’s not about like or dislike…”
“So, you only care about looks? That’s why you kept clinging to me?”
If she reacted to that, the conversation would just go in circles again. She needed to stay focused. She met his gaze with a more resolute expression.
“So, you’re saying my mother’s grand plan for me to survive is to marry this man?”
“Boom, correct.”
“Why?”
“Han Ji-seon’s inheritance is just a single house. Do you plan to live off that forever?”
“……”
“I heard you only earn pocket money by scribbling nonsense.”
She didn’t bother asking how he knew about her financial situation. Nor did she correct him by saying she was a translator, not a writer of nonsense. That wasn’t the point right now.
“What if you suddenly collapse from exhaustion? Medical bills pile up fast. And getting sick alone is even more miserable.”
“……”
“So, reason number one: if you have a rich husband, you’ll have peace of mind.”
“Is there a second reason?”
“If you become Seo Han-seong’s wife, Chairman Han Tae-soo will recognize you as his niece. That’s beneficial for him too.”
“……”
“Living alone must be lonely. Wouldn’t it be nice to return to your family?”
Chi-gyeom habitually reached into his pocket, intending to pull out his cigarette pack, but then he glanced at Seul-ah. The way she had teared up after he smoked near her last time had been quite the sight. After a brief moment of thought, he withdrew his empty hand. There was no need to light a cigarette when she was already looking distressed.
“I… I don’t want to be his niece. I’ve never even met him… He and his family abandoned my mother and me…”
She hadn’t even seen Han Tae-soo in person, only heard his name. Yet, Seul-ah felt deeply unsettled. Her shoulders drooped, her lips pouted, and sorrow filled her eyes. Chi-gyeom leaned his head back against the seat.
– “Seul-ah… She wasn’t always like this, when she was younger, she always wondered about her family. She used to ask what her father was like, who her mother’s parents were… It’s natural to long for one’s blood relatives.”
– “Fuck, what am I supposed to do with that?”
The moment irritation surged up, he stomped his foot, and Seul-ah flinched, pressing herself closer to the window.
“I’m sorry, but your opinion here isn’t all that important.”
“…….”
“This is just a situation where you go, ‘Oh, I see,‘ and move on. In many ways.”
Seul-ah slowly blinked, then quickly composed herself and took a short, deep breath.
“But… why did my mom ask you to do that?”
“…….”
“And do you have, um, any proof?”
“Proof?”
“How am I supposed to believe everything you’re saying? You suddenly show up and start spouting strange things. And why do I have to do what you say…?”
“Oh, you are sharp, aren’t you?”
“…….”
“You’ll find the proof when you get home.”
“What?”
When Chi-gyeom jerked his chin toward the window, Seul-ah instinctively turned to look and let out a small gasp upon recognizing the familiar apartment complex. The soft sound that escaped her lips, an “Ah,” came out almost like a moan.
As Kang Jin-ah parked in front of Building 1 and got out of the driver’s seat to personally open the door for her, Seul-ah, clutching the open-topped jar tightly, anxiously glanced between the two men.
“What? You thought I’d kidnap you or something? Surprised that I’m actually dropping you off at home?”
“…Yes.”
“Eh, I’m busy, miss. Get out. Get out.”
At his dismissive hand gesture urging her to leave quickly, Seul-ah hesitantly stepped out of the car. Her legs, weakened from tension, wobbled as she staggered slightly. Clicking his tongue at the sight, Kwak Chi-gyeom lit a cigarette, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“See you again. Good night.”
Thunk.
With that incongruously cheerful parting remark in broad daylight, the car door closed. Seul-ah looked back and forth between Kang Jin-ah, who was returning to the driver’s seat, and the dark window, letting out a small, confused cough.
Before long, the car drove away. She watched the rear end disappear into the distance, only to suddenly realize that she hadn’t gotten her phone back.
Just then, an arm casually extended out of the car window.
“…….”
There was no mistaking the black, rectangular device Kwak Chi-gyeom was waving. She had been planning to call the police the moment she got home. Glaring at him with resentment, she sharply turned her head away.
She hadn’t gotten her phone back, but the fact that he had left without assigning anyone to tail her meant that he must have had some kind of assurance.
Didn’t he say he was getting paid?
Her mother had made a deal with him—paying him to marry her off to a wealthy man, ensuring she gained recognition from her maternal relatives. That explained why he kept calling her a “client” from the very first time they met.
She didn’t know what was what anymore, but for now, verifying that she was indeed home came first.
Letting out a long sigh, Seul-ah started walking. Without thinking, she glanced up at her apartment building. The blazing sun hung over the rooftop, making her eyes sting. Holding the jar even tighter, she stared at the floor where her unit was located.
Now, she was truly alone.
Her mother had left her behind.
When she had said, “You can leave me later,” what she had really meant was, “Don’t die, stay by my side.” But in the end, her mother had left.
What was she supposed to do now?
Could she really sustain herself with translation work that barely amounted to pocket money, just as Kwak Chi-gyeom had said?
Most of her childhood had been spent between home and the hospital. Things had seemed a little more normal from middle school onward, but then, at eighteen, a major collapse had forced her to drop out, leaving her with only a middle school diploma.
She had learned English from her mother and had been doing academic translation work ever since, thanks to an introduction from Aunt Chae-young. But with a body that tired easily after just a little movement, she could never sit at her desk for long, making her output low.
Still, it would be best to take on more work. If worst came to worst, she could sell the apartment and move into a smaller place… But even then, her financial situation wouldn’t be stable enough to guarantee a secure future.
Especially alone.
All alone…
“Living alone must be lonely. Wouldn’t it be better to return to your family?”
Was that why that absurd suggestion kept echoing in her head?
A family. A home. Family. Family.
As if it were a habit, she checked the mailbox, stepped into the elevator, reached the 10th floor, and entered the passcode her mother had created using their birthdates. The whole time, she kept muttering the same words.
Then, just as she was about to pull the door handle, a sudden thought made her pause.
He had said there would be proof.