CS Chapter 11

The melody of a violin softly resonated in the five-star hotel lounge. The night view of Seoul, visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, was unrealistically beautiful.

 

However, unlike the luxurious space, a woman dressed in rather simple attire was quietly waiting for someone. Her whole body was rigidly tense with nervousness, and her face clearly showed signs of anxiety.

 

Just as the server was accurately refilling her glass for the third time, the heavy sound of shoe heels was heard from afar.

 

Cha Minjun, finally he had arrived.

 

“Hi?”

 

The man, who naturally took a seat opposite the woman, smiled at her like a painting. The man before her was so endlessly elegant that the beautiful night view of the Han River suddenly seemed insignificant.

 

A sharply defined nose, a sculpted jawline, fair skin, cool yet beautiful eyes. Seowoo, having glanced at the man’s face, swallowed unconsciously. She was perplexed as to how a person could be so good-looking.

 

“Shall we talk about the things we couldn’t before?”

 

“Yes…”

 

Seowoo nodded as if she had been waiting for it.

 

A few days ago, she received a sudden marriage proposal from Chairman Cha Jinwoong, the man’s grandfather. From Seowoo’s perspective, it was naturally perplexing, so she had indirectly expressed her intention to refuse, but she only received the response to reconsider.

 

Since she had nowhere to go after being discharged from the hospital, Seowoo had been staying at a hotel with the help of Chairman Cha, and as she couldn’t keep delaying her answer, she was also mentally preparing herself.

 

“What’s your relationship with Cheonsin Bosal?”

 

“…Who is that?”

 

The woman widened her eyes as if she genuinely didn’t know.

 

In fact, Minjun had already grasped the fact that there was no connection between Cheonsin Bosal and Ji Seowoo. He had been digging into Ji Seowoo’s past in various ways, but apart from her suspicious initial appearance, he couldn’t find anything particularly special about her.

 

Whether Cheonsin Bosal’s foresight was truly outstanding or it was just a lucky coincidence was something that quite intrigued Minjun.

 

“And what was the reason you jumped in front of the car like that?”

 

“That is…”

 

After pondering for a moment, the woman carefully moved her lips.

 

“…I was running away.”

 

“Running away?”

 

“My mom… fell into a pseudo-religion. My younger brother is a bit ill, and they said that if I married the cult leader, my brother would get better… The reason I was wearing those strange white clothes is also because of that. Because of the wedding…”

 

The woman’s face became forlorn, as if she were Shim Cheong, sold off for three hundred sacks of rice. However, even after hearing the woman’s heart-wrenching story, Minjun showed no signs of pity.

 

“Do you have any place to go?”

 

“…I don’t have any.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

The man, who gave a languid smile, continued to speak nonchalantly.

 

“There’s only one reason why my grandfather chose you as my bride.”

 

“What is it…?”

 

This was what Seowoo had wanted to ask Chairman Cha for a long time. She was curious about his intentions of not only taking in a woman who jumped in front of a car looking bizarre, and then having her stay in a luxurious hospital and hotel, but also wanting her to marry his grandson.

 

Furthermore, Daehan Group was a major conglomerate known to everyone in the country. Just looking around, there were mobile phones, home appliances, and cars produced by Daehan Group everywhere.

 

“A scapegoat.”

 

“A scapegoat…?”

 

“My lifespan is short. In other words, you’re taking my lifespan instead.”

 

“Then, is that why your grandfather asked for my birthdate? Is it related to something like… saju?”

 

 

“You’re quick-witted. Our old man is also helpless in front of a shaman’s words, just like your family is with their pseudo-religion.”

 

“…”

 

“Choose. Either marry me or go back to your family, who are worse than insects.”

 

Her complexion turned pale as if she was hurt by the words about her family being worse than insects. Cha Minjun seemed to have a cruel nature, unlike his beautiful face.

 

“However, this marriage is only valid while my grandfather is alive.”

 

“Then…”

 

“I’ll divorce you when my grandfather passes away. I’ll give you plenty of whatever you want, be it alimony or anything else. So, all you need to do is to hold onto your lifespan until then.”

 

“…”

 

“Are you hesitant?”

 

The man’s face, as he looked at Seowoo, was filled with arrogance. It was an attitude as if he was saying, “Even someone like you is hesitating about this offer?”

 

Although she felt slightly offended by the man’s contempt, Seowoo pulled herself together, thinking rationally.

 

The man had tried to intimidate her with talk about being a scapegoat and having a short life, but she had already given up on her life since she jumped out of the window to escape her mother.

 

Perhaps it was because of that. Her resignation was swift.

 

From the moment her mother handed her over to the cult leader, Seowoo had nowhere else to go. Her family had already abandoned her, so she was no different than an orphan. In other words, Ji Seowoo didn’t have many options.

 

“…Is it enough if I just get married?”

 

“I like how quickly you decide.”

 

As the woman made up her mind immediately, a different light flickered in the man’s eyes this time. Seowoo, meeting the gaze of his eyes that seemed excited and filled with deep curiosity, opened her mouth.

 

“But… I have one request.”

 

“Say it.”

 

“Please allow me to take the GED test first.”

 

What a simple request.

 

The man readily nodded.

 

***

 

Although it was a midsummer night, Hyunsook was trembling all over. She couldn’t tell whether it was because of the chilly air conditioning in the auditorium or because of Elder Daniel, who was looking down at her.

 

“Sister.”

 

“Yes, yes, Elder. Please speak.”

 

“I am very disappointed in you because of this incident.”

 

“I-I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Hic, hic, please forgive me.”

 

Hyunsook, who had prostrated herself with her forehead nearly touching the floor, repeatedly said that she was in the wrong. Since Seowoo, who was designated as the heavenly bride, had escaped due to her carelessness, she deserved to die.

 

“I made a mistake, I made a mistake. I-I had no idea Seowoo would escape through the bathroom window.”

 

“Well. I think all of this happened because of your lack of faith in me…”

 

“No, absolutely not. H-How can I make you believe me?”

 

Hyunsook was at a loss. The only thought she had was to relieve the Elder’s anger as soon as possible.

 

“Then show me your faith, Sister.”

 

Right then, the chandelier that was brightly illuminating the auditorium went out for a moment. Hyunsook, with frightened eyes, looked up at the Elder.

 

“Now, take off your clothes under the cross.”

 

“Pardon? T-Take off my clothes?”

 

“…”

 

“I-I will take them off. I’ll take them off.”

 

Like a person whose reason was paralyzed, Hyunsook rushed to the large cross hanging on the wall. Then, she began to take off her clothes in an instant.

 

When Hyunsook was in her undergarments, the Elder nodded and handed her a willow switch.

 

“Under this holy cross, Sister Hyunsook will be punished as much as the sin she committed.”

 

“Yes, yes…!”

 

Whoosh-!

 

The sound of the switch cutting through the air was loud. Hyunsook began to punish herself by hitting her body here and there without stopping.

 

“Ugh, ugh!”

 

“Are you in pain, Sister?”

 

“No. No. I’m not in pain at all. I must atone for my sins.”

 

“Sister, you must endure this. Only then will you be saved.”

 

“I-I’m sorry… I’m really sorry.”

 

Again, whoosh, whoosh-!

 

She was hitting her body so hard that reddish bruises had already begun to appear on her skin, but Hyunsook didn’t stop hurting herself. Rather, she put even more force in her hand, punishing herself. It was as if she was desperately trying to prove in front of the Elder that her faith was still strong.

 

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-!

 

Hyunsook’s actions continued for several minutes. The Elder enjoyed this gruesome and bizarre scene as if he were looking at a work of art with a captivated gaze.

 

‘How beautiful would it have been if it was our Seowoo in front of me.’

 

The Elder, who briefly imagined the naked body of the young woman inflicting wounds on herself, felt his lower abdomen growing heavy.

 

Indeed, he thought it would be a waste to give up on Ji Seowoo like this.

 

“Sister, that’s enough.”

 

Daniel, having smiled kindly, approached Hyunsook and embraced her. Then, he whispered with a cunning voice.

 

“We must save our poor Junseo, mustn’t we?”

 

“Yes, yes… hic… If I can only save my son, I, I will… do anything.”

 

“Then, you must bring Seowoo back, Sister. Bring Seowoo back and put her in front of me.”