CS Chapter 13

Less than 10 minutes after boldly entering Cha Minjun’s office, Shin Haeri had no choice but to retreat. The man soothed her with a soft voice, saying he had a meeting, but it was practically an expulsion order.

 

‘That damn bastard. How could you do this to me?’

 

A woman who had never clung to a man in her life found herself with regretful words lingering on her lips. Of course, she knew very well that she would never actually say those words in front of Cha Minjun.

 

As soon as she got off the elevator, the vast expanse of the company lobby that unfolded before her instantly caught her eye.

 

Shin Haeri stared at the scene for a long moment, as if displeased, and then began to walk. The loud clicking sound of her shoes echoed as if representing her distraught mind.

 

“Ha.”

 

A small sigh finally escaped her lips.

 

Cha Minjun was a well-known figure among the women in this world.

 

He seemed to have very high standards when it came to women, but at the same time, he was promiscuous. He would never lower himself by frequenting places like hostess bars, but he would not form a serious relationship with any woman either.

 

The only person who had managed to keep such an arrogant man by her side as a partner for three years was Shin Haeri, and she was alone. This was an undeniable fact.

 

Didn’t Cha Minjun say something like that once? That it was the first time he had been with the same woman for three years.

 

Was she under a great delusion because of such worthless words? Perhaps she was under the delusion that she was somewhat special to him.

 

“Maybe it’ll be different once I undress her.”

 

‘Maybe it’ll be different once I undress her? Ridiculous.’

 

The moment she recalled Cha Minjun’s resentful voice, a crack formed on the woman’s otherwise flamboyant face.

 

It was strange. Just because her sex partner had a woman he would marry, her mind was twisted strangely.

 

During the three years of her relationship with Cha Minjun, Shin Haeri had never once considered herself to be in love with him.

 

But why did she feel so stifled, frustrated, and angry, as if her insides were blocked? Was it because now that he was actually getting married, she was beginning to regret losing him?

 

After pondering, she made a phone call.

 

“Director, it’s me.”

 

Although she couldn’t clearly understand her emotions, she still felt the need to find out more. She wanted to know just who the young woman was who would be holding that damn bastard Cha Minjun’s hand and walking down the aisle.

 

“That woman who’s marrying Cha Minjun, can you find out who she is?”

 

Even after commissioning the background check, her hardened expression did not soften.

 

It seemed that her mind, like today, would be all over the place for a while.

 

***

Hyunsook’s state as she headed home was a mess.

 

Her entire body, including her arms and legs, was covered in bright red welts from a switch, and she was even bleeding from her nose.

 

Like Seowoo, she had been locked in a small room and fasted for several days, making her extremely weak.

 

Far from recovering, she had even harmed herself as punishment for not properly watching over her daughter. It was a miracle she hadn’t fainted.

 

“Are you suffering, sister?”

 

“No, no. I am not suffering at all. I must atone for my sins.”

 

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

 

“I-I’m sorry… I’m really sorry.”

 

Remembering the conversation she had with the elder, Hyunsook’s body trembled.

 

Although she had brought the beating upon herself, it was clearly a power-based assault stemming from an unequal hierarchical relationship.

 

Unfortunately, Hyunsook was not even properly aware that she had suffered a terrible thing.

 

Instead, she was only grateful to Elder Daniel. Foolishly, she had committed a great sin by failing to control her daughter, but the benevolent man had personally forgiven her sins.

 

So, this little beating was nothing to Hyunsook. If she could be saved, if she could make her Junseo better, she was prepared to do anything.

 

As Hyunsook limped down the street, several passersby cautiously approached and asked.

 

“Excuse me, are you okay? Can I help you?”

 

“…I’m fine. Go away.”

 

“You look badly hurt. Shouldn’t you go to a hospital?”

 

“Ah, I said I’m fine! Don’t bother me and get lost!”

 

Hyunsook’s outburst caused the passersby who had offered their kindness to quickly scatter, their faces pale.

 

“See? I told you she was crazy.”

 

“Did she escape from a hospital?”

 

“Shouldn’t we report her to the police? Her whole body is covered in bruises.”

 

“Don’t worry about it and let’s go. There’s no good in getting involved with a crazy woman.”

 

Ignoring the voices she heard around her, she hurried her pace. She was very worried about Junseo, who would have been alone at home for days.

 

She had asked a few close church members to visit her home once a day and make sure her son had his medicine and food, but even so, Hyunsook couldn’t relax.

 

“Junseo… Mom is home.”

 

No sooner had she arrived home than Hyunsook frantically took out her keys. But even the joints of her fingers were swollen, making it difficult to even hold the key.

 

It took her more than three or four attempts to insert the key into the lock and finally open the rusty iron gate and enter her home.

 

“Oh my god, Junseo!”

 

Soon after, a piercing scream burst from her lips. It was because Junseo had collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

 

“J-Junseo! Please, wake up, please?”

 

The area around where Junseo had fallen was filled with ramen crumbs. Like Hyunsook, he also seemed to have missed meals entirely, to the point where he was skin and bones.

 

“What on earth happened? Junseo, didn’t the church people come?”

 

“Mom…”

 

Junseo barely opened his eyes at the sound of a person and continued in a faint voice.

 

“Mom… I need my sedative… I’m itchy. So itchy…”

 

“O-okay. Just wait a moment.”

 

She immediately got the syringe, inserted the needle into her son’s forearm, and administered the psoriasis medication. This was supposed to be Seowoo’s responsibility if everything were normal.

 

Even after taking the medication, Junseo continued to writhe and have seizures uncontrollably.

 

Thanks to the elder’s prayers, he had been able to live somewhat like a human being for the past few days, but perhaps due to a lack of faith, his unexplained symptoms quickly manifested and drove him insane.

 

“Mom, what about my sister? Did she become the elder’s bride of heaven…? Then can I be cured now, right?”

 

Junseo looked at his mother with a hoarse voice. His eyes were filled with desperation, waiting only for salvation.

 

Watching her son’s pitiful appearance before her, Hyunsook finally burst into tears she had been holding back.

 

“H-hic... Junseo… it’s that your sister ran away… the wedding… didn’t happen. I’m sorry. It’s all this mother’s fault… I couldn’t stop your sister from running away…”

 

“S-sister r-ran away?”

 

Junseo’s face turned pale as he heard the story from his mother.

 

“Mom, then what’s going to happen to me? Is… is the elder very angry? Then is he not going to heal me anymore?”

 

“J-just calm down. Junseo. Okay?”

 

But far from calming down, Junseo instead became greatly enraged and began to thrash about. As if his heart was boiling with anger, his pale complexion quickly turned fiery red, as if it would burst.

 

“M-mom… then what am I going to do…? Huh? Am… am I going to die now? Is there no hope for me anymore? That’s why I told you to just euthanize me, what’s the point of living like this, aaaaah!”