WW | Chapter 43

“Th-that’s absurd… What are you talking about?”

“Did you forget? Breaking apart someone else’s family like it was the romance of the century?”

“Yul, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Why are you pretending not to know? You knew this topic would come up when you decided to meet me.”

Yul closed the Bible and stared at Pastor Choi, who was feigning ignorance. Once, she had trusted him, encouraged by her grandmother’s words. She believed it admirable for someone so young to devote himself to ministry and helping others instead of focusing on his own family.

That’s why her grandmother had rented out a small commercial property—purchased with her life savings—to him at a fraction of its value, practically giving it away. Out of gratitude, Pastor Choi and his family often visited Yul’s home, creating the image of a close-knit family. Yul’s father, who regarded Pastor Choi like an older brother, even built his church at cost when the congregation grew and required a new building.

“I didn’t realize back then that the man frequenting our house was you, Pastor. I’d seen your face a few times, but I was too naïve…”

While Yul’s father sweated and toiled to build the church, the corrupt pastor visited their home, seducing her mother. He brought her dolls like bribes, handing them to her before disappearing into the bedroom with her mother. Despite her mother’s warnings never to enter the room, secrets never stay hidden. One day, when Yul accidentally saw what she wasn’t supposed to, she realized something was terribly wrong. She understood that her mother was doing something very bad.

That was the first time she truly saw Pastor Choi for what he was. Though she saw him a few more times after that, her young mind refused to accept the truth. The memory of her mother’s distorted, threatening face as she warned Yul never to speak a word scared her into burying the memory of Pastor Choi deep in her subconscious. When her father suspected her mother’s affair and asked who the man was, Yul couldn’t bring herself to say it was Pastor Choi.

The truth only hit her on the day of her father’s funeral, when she saw Pastor Choi singing hymns. So it was him, the one who took my mother, ruined my father, and destroyed my family.

“My father met with you several times, Pastor. I didn’t know he had gathered so much evidence.”

Yul took a thick envelope from her lap and placed it in front of Pastor Choi. He hesitated, his dry lips trembling as he picked it up. When he opened it and looked inside, his hands shook violently before he quickly stuffed everything back.

Inside were pieces of evidence Yul’s father had collected: photos of Pastor Choi and Yul’s mother leaving a motel, sneaking kisses in a church corner, and even lying naked in bed together, startled and attempting to cover their faces. There was also a signed confession, a handwritten note of apology, and an audio recording.

“My dad had you sign an agreement and even recorded your voice.”

Before his death, her father had begged Yul to burn the evidence, ensuring her grandmother would never find out. Kyeong Ja, devastated by her daughter-in-law’s affair and already in poor health, had collapsed when the truth came out. If she knew Pastor Choi was involved, it might kill her.

While Yul hadn’t told her grandmother, she also hadn’t destroyed the evidence. The photos of Pastor Choi and her mother, their letters, his handwritten promises to stay away from her mother, and the recordings all remained.

“Do you know where I kept them?”

“…”

“I gave them to Jung-woo.”

“You… you did what?”

For the first time, Pastor Choi’s face turned ghostly pale. He had no problem wrecking someone else’s family but couldn’t bear the idea of his own falling apart. He was terrified that his precious son would uncover his sordid past.

“I hoped he’d open it, but he didn’t. I wanted your family to fall apart too.”

Back then, her grief and anger were unbearable. Though she knew it was wrong to involve the kind-hearted Jung-woo, she couldn’t resist. She had hoped that when Jung-woo grew older, he’d find the evidence, exposing Pastor Choi’s sins and destroying his family in turn.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got the suitcase back now.”

“Why are you bringing this up now?”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Pastor Choi glared at her through his gold-rimmed glasses. There was not a trace of remorse in his expression, which, to Yul, was a relief. If he had apologized, she might not have been able to say what came next.

“Pay off our debt.”

“What?”

“I can’t live like this anymore. Pay off the debt we owe.”

“Yul, this is—”

“You already owe my grandmother and father. Think of it as interest on that debt and pay it off. You can do it.”

“Your grandmother and father’s contributions were donations, offerings. And even if I wanted to, I can’t just produce millions overnight.”

“Really?”

Yul stood up, clutching the envelope. Pastor Choi looked visibly alarmed.

“See that woman sitting alone at the café across the street?”

Yul pointed, and Pastor Choi turned to look. A woman with her hair tied back in a ponytail and wearing a military-style coat was jotting something in a notebook.

“She’s a journalist. If you don’t pay, I’ll give her everything as soon as I leave here. I’ll report everything to the media, file complaints with the police, send the evidence to your church, and even let Jung-woo know.”

“Yul, let’s talk this through.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. Pay the debt here and now. Don’t try to weasel out of this.”

Yul gripped her Bible tightly. She had come here ready to risk everything, but her legs were trembling so much she feared she might collapse. The woman wasn’t actually a journalist, and she dreaded the possibility that Pastor Choi might call her bluff, walk out laughing, and leave her to fail.

Each second facing him felt like an eternity. Just as her nerves were about to snap, Pastor Choi exhaled deeply and relented. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

“Find out exactly how much debt Seo Munhyuk owes to Yonghoon Construction.”

“…!”

Finally, Pastor Choi moved. He listened to the amount, much higher than Yul had expected, and ordered it to be paid in full. After confirming everything, he called the construction company again—the thugs who had been harassing Yul and Kyeong Ja. Unsure if she was dreaming, Yul watched in disbelief as Pastor Choi handed her the phone.

“Check for yourself.”

She hesitated but put the phone to her ear.

“Yes?”

“Well, congratulations. Your debt’s cleared. Too bad we won’t be seeing each other anymore.”

It was the thug with the snake tattoo. His words confirmed that the debt was gone, but Yul needed to address one more thing.

“It’s over, right? You won’t touch him either.”

“Who? Oh, Kang Yoonjo?”

Her blood ran cold at the mention of Yoonjo’s name. Of course, they had already investigated him. The strength she had summoned to face Pastor Choi evaporated as she realized her actions might drag Yoonjo into danger.

“You’re dating quite the guy, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not about to risk my neck.”

His tone surprised her—it wasn’t angry or mocking but strangely neutral. He even joked that she should call him if she ever needed help finding a job.

She hung up and turned to Pastor Choi. “I want written proof.”

After ensuring everything was finalized, she thanked him with a bow.

“Yul.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s never see each other again.”

“Understood.”

“You’ll handle your education and living expenses from now on?”

“Yes, I will.”

“And don’t see Jung-woo anymore. It’s better if we have no common acquaintances.”

“I’ll try. But keeping Jung-woo away is your responsibility.”

With a brief nod, Yul turned and left. As she stepped outside, a tear fell, though she didn’t know why.