CS Chapter 18

Unlike how she had confidently shouted at Junseo, Hyunsook was frantic because she couldn’t find Ji Seowoo anywhere.

 

She even went to the convenience store where her daughter had worked, but the store manager told her that he was also worried because he had lost contact with Seowoo.

 

Since she had always been a pleasant and hardworking part-timer, he was more worried than angry at her sudden disappearance.

 

“Seowoo’s mother. Has something happened to Seowoo?”

 

“She suddenly stopped contacting us…”

 

“Oh my, what’s going on? Have you filed a missing person report?”

 

“Not yet…”

 

Hyunsook trailed off at the question of whether she had filed a missing person report.

 

In reality, she didn’t think that reporting to the police would change anything. If Seowoo happened to say anything strange about the Sky Church, it would only make things more complicated.

 

She had finally been punished for losing Seowoo, who was supposed to become a Sky Bride, and she couldn’t possibly cause trouble for the elder again.

 

“Anyway, you’re saying that you don’t know where our Seowoo went, right? Well then, do you perhaps… have any remaining wages that you need to pay to my daughter?”

 

“Ah, yes. I actually called Seowoo a few times about that… Can I transfer it to your account, ma’am?”

 

“Would you?”

 

“I’ll transfer it within 30 minutes. I hope you find her quickly.”

 

“Yes… If Seowoo happens to contact you, please be sure to let me know as well.”

 

After leaving the convenience store, Hyunsook checked Seowoo’s part-time pay that had been deposited into her account and immediately headed to the supermarket.

 

The small amount of money her daughter had earned was quite useful. Because she had been unable to go to work lately due to taking care of Junseo, she had not been able to pay her rent, let alone her management fees.

After buying beef for soup and some radish slices to feed her son, Hyunsook hurried home.

 

“Junseo, Mom’s home.”

 

“Mom, Mom…!”

 

When she got home, Junseo called out for his mother energetically, which was unusual. Hyunsook’s eyes welled up because she had only seen her son lying weakly on his blanket or having seizures.

 

“Junseo, are you feeling a bit better today? Is your body not itchy?”

 

“Mom, that’s not important right now. You know noona’s resident registration number, right?”

 

“Why do you need noona’s resident registration number?”

 

“If we know the resident registration number, we can find out where noona is taking her GED exam.”

 

“Is that… really true?”

 

Hyunsook’s eyes widened at Junseo’s words. The date of the equivalency exam was approaching, and she had been anxiously pacing, not knowing where Seowoo would be taking the test.

 

“Yeah. Mom, quickly tell me noona’s resident registration number.”

 

She easily recited her daughter’s resident registration number. Since she had only two children, it was not strange that she had memorized Seowoo and Junseo’s resident registration numbers.

 

Soon after, Junseo held up his phone screen in front of Hyunsook. As he had said, Seowoo’s exam number and the location of the testing site were exposed in detail.

 

“Shingaram Middle School? Why is she taking the exam here? It’s quite a distance from home…”

 

Hyunsook tilted her head, having confirmed the location of the school where the exam was being held. Although she didn’t know where Seowoo was, she had vaguely expected her to take the GED exam near their home, but this was completely off.

 

Could it be that she had deliberately chosen a far-off testing site, fearing that her mother would come looking for her? Hyunsook was furious at Seowoo’s behavior, which seemed to be truly turning her back on both her mother and her brother.

 

“Where on earth is she and what is she doing? Ugh.”

 

Watching Hyunsook, who was pounding her chest in frustration, Junseo’s eyes twinkled.

 

“Mom. Then we can find noona now, right?”

 

“Of course. Junseo, you don’t worry about anything. Your mom will definitely grab your noona in front of the exam site.”

 

Hyunsook nodded diligently, holding her son’s thin wrist affectionately.

 

***

 

“It’s really hard to catch a glimpse of your face these days. It seems wedding preparations are keeping you very busy?”

 

The hotel that Shin Haeri had called Cha Minjun to was famous as a place where chaebols enjoyed ho-캉s (a hotel vacation). Calling it a room was an understatement; it was like a small theme park. There was a bar with all kinds of liquor, a huge swimming pool that could easily fit a dozen adults, a movie theater, and even a small pachinko corner.

 

However, Minjun, upon entering the VIP room, simply looked around the room with a bored expression.

 

“By the way, how do I look today? It’s the dress you used to like.”

 

Shin Haeri, wearing a bright red hourglass dress that emphasized her chest and hips to an almost uncomfortable degree, sent Minjun a blatant look.

 

“What is it that you wanted to tell me?”

 

“I wanted to have as much sex with you as possible before your wedding. That’s why I called you.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

In an instant, the man’s face twisted unpleasantly. He had been called out by Shin Haeri under the guise of having something important to say, but the only thing she was saying was extremely vulgar, and he was clearly expressing his displeasure.

 

Shin Haeri, immediately noticing the man’s displeasure, spoke in an uncharacteristically flustered tone.

 

“Of course, I have something to say. I met your bride-to-be. By chance.”

 

“You mean Ji Seowoo?”

 

“Yes. It may sound ridiculous, but I did some digging into her.”

 

“Be accurate. If you did some digging, then it wasn’t by chance.”

 

“It was a coincidence. That girl came to the department store? I just happened to be there as well.”

 

“And?”

 

“We even exchanged greetings since we’d gotten close. I introduced myself as your partner.”

 

Cha Minjun, who had been listening silently to Shin Haeri’s words, smirked. It was a clear mockery.

 

“Shin Haeri. Stop it there.”

 

“…….”

 

“Don’t keep crossing the line again.”

 

Noticing the man’s sudden change in expression, she involuntarily held her breath.

 

‘This man… he’s completely over me.’

 

It wasn’t as if they were ever in a relationship with feelings involved, so it wasn’t a change of heart.

 

It was merely the end of a three-year physical relationship, but Shin Haeri felt like she was about to cry, and she had to bite her lip.

 

The incredibly arrogant man before her hated clingy women more than anything else in the world. Knowing this fact so well, Shin Haeri still wanted to grab onto the hem of his pants.

 

Three years. Although she herself wasn’t aware of it, those three years seemed to have had a significant impact on Shin Haeri.

 

It was a very humiliating thing to do, but the only thing on her mind was that she didn’t want to lose Cha Minjun like this.

 

“Have you perhaps developed feelings for that woman?”

 

As if it wasn’t worth responding, Minjun irritably rubbed his face and picked up the car keys that were on the table.

 

As Minjun was about to leave the room, Shin Haeri rushed over and grabbed his firm waist.

 

“I asked you, do you have feelings for that woman? Our relationship is three years long. Can’t you give me that much of an answer after three years?”

 

She pleaded with so much emotion that it seemed to have worked to some extent, as Minjun finally opened his mouth.

 

“She just looks like a stray cat.”

 

“A stray cat…?”

 

“Since I picked her up, I have to take good care of her to the best of my ability. Is that enough answer for you?”

 

It wasn’t the most satisfactory answer, but it wasn’t the worst, either.

 

“Minjun, let’s continue our relationship even after marriage. You’re not going to have sex with your wife anyway, right?”

 

Cha Minjun looked down at the woman, one eyebrow furrowed.

 

“There’s no such thing as having sex with a stray cat. Isn’t that right?”

 

“Who knows. You know I’m a pervert, Shin Haeri.”

 

“……!”

 

Even though she had a completely disgusted face, Minjun smiled, trying his best to appear kind, and unceremoniously removed the two slender arms wrapped around his waist.

 

As if not wanting to end things on a bad note with a woman he had shared a bed with for three years, even his voice saying goodbye was incredibly gentle.

 

“I would like it if we stopped seeing each other as of today.”

 

He waved his hand and completely left the room. Soon after, the hotel door slammed shut with a loud thud.

 

Left alone, Haeri’s face flushed red with humiliation.