A Thrilling Divorce (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13

The door soon opened, and So Myung took a deep breath before stepping inside the front entrance.

Madam Jung’s house opened onto a large lawn as soon as you entered the front door, with blueberry bushes, apricot trees, and persimmon trees visible within.

Seeing the beautiful garden, So Myung took another deep breath and stood lost in thought for a moment.

‘I really used to love this garden.’

As So Myung reached the front of the house along the garden path, Madam Jung opened the door and came out.

Her expression looked oddly uncomfortable. So Myung greeted her and said,

“Mother, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our weekend appointment. I wasn’t feeling well, so I couldn’t even call.”

“But why show up out of the blue like this without even letting me know?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

Hearing this, Madam Jung scrutinized So Myung from head to toe.

Today, unlike usual, So Myung was dressed neatly. Madam Jung looked at her coldly and said,

“Well, since you’re already here, come in.”

“Yes.”

After So Myung entered and sat on the living room sofa, Madam Jung sat opposite her and called toward the kitchen.

“Please bring some fruit and tea.”

From inside came the Housemaid’s voice.

“Yes, madam.”

Madam Jung watched So Myung, waiting to hear what she would say.

“Mother…”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“I…”

So Myung fell silent for a long while, unable to speak, until Madam Jung, clearly impatient, urged her on.

“Oh dear, why are you making things so frustrating for me?”

“He told me to get a divorce.”

“What?”

Madam Jung’s face flushed red as she leaned sharply toward So Myung.

“Are you saying that’s actually true?”

“Mother, did you already know?”

When So Myung asked, Madam Jung looked at her with a troubled expression and replied,

“No, he called, but I thought you two had just argued, so I didn’t take it too seriously. What on earth is going on? Seriously?”

“He has another woman.”

“What?”

Madam Jung was stunned by this sudden revelation and momentarily lost her words.

“Mother…”

“Yes?”

Just as So Myung’s expression grew deeply serious, the Housemaid brought out fruit and tea.

“So Myung-ah, have some tea, okay? Calm down a bit.”

“Mother, thank you for everything until now. I came to tell you because I felt it was right to inform you before getting divorced.”

“What are you talking about, child? A man might make a mistake once in his life. If you just turn a blind eye this one time, Ji Sung will be grateful to you for the rest of his days. You know better than anyone how much he loves you—how he used to throw tantrums saying he couldn’t live without you.”

Madam Jung simply couldn’t believe her own son had been unfaithful.

Although she hadn’t been entirely satisfied with So Myung as a daughter-in-law, she didn’t want her son to carry the label of a divorced man who cheated.

She also knew well that despite So Myung’s humble background, she was honest and upright.

Now that So Myung seemed unwilling to forgive Ji Sung, Madam Jung suddenly felt regretful about losing her.

“Mother, it was really hard for me just to come here today. The ten years I spent with him weren’t short at all. That’s why this is so painful and agonizing for me. But cheating isn’t just a mistake. I don’t have the courage to pretend I never saw it. I’m going to proceed with the divorce from Ji Sung.”

After speaking clearly and firmly, So Myung abruptly stood up, leaving Madam Jung flustered and wide-eyed as she looked up at her.

“Hey, So Myung-ah! What on earth is this nonsense you’re spouting? What exactly did you do to make Ji Sung cheat on you, huh?”

Hearing Madam Jung’s words, So Myung’s breath caught in her throat.

“Goodbye.”

With a stiff expression, So Myung bowed slightly to Madam Jung and walked out.

In truth, So Myung hadn’t expected anything from Madam Jung.

But after telling her about the divorce, it felt right to end things with Ji Sung. As she walked away, it felt as though she were living a dream.

She had to fully absorb with her entire body this terrifying change that had invaded her otherwise peaceful life.

‘I’ll become stronger.’

She repeated this vow to herself countless times.

She got into her car, started the engine, and began accelerating down the road. She’d always loved driving.

Driving always helped ease the tightness in her chest a little. As she drove for a while, a call came in from Ji Sung.

Seeing Ji Sung’s number on the caller ID, So Myung’s expression hardened. She let out a small sigh and answered on speakerphone.

“Yes.”

[You… went to see Mom, right?]

“Yeah.”

Ji Sung sensed something strange in her tone—the voice on the other end felt unusually cold compared to her usual self.

[Did you really tell her I cheated on you?]

“If you cheated, I’ll say you cheated—should I call it falling in love instead?

[What?]

“You cheated. Get it straight.”

[So you really think telling our mom will make me come crawling back to you?]

Ji Sung sneered mockingly at So Myung, but a laugh came through the receiver.

“Heh heh, haha.”

[Are you crazy?]

“I’m just trying to be as crazy as you.”

[Are you serious?]

“I’m divorcing you. I won’t live with a guy like you.”

[What?]

“Why so surprised? You wanted a divorce, so I’ll give you one.”

[So… really?]

“Bring the papers.”

[Did… did you get yourself another man?]

“Do you actually think so lowly of me? Do you really believe the only reason I’d leave after ten years with you is because I found someone else? I’m hanging up.”

Ji Sung felt thoroughly bested by So Myung, and his mood soured instantly.

Then, the image of Do Ha Cha, the CEO, repeatedly siding with her flashed before his eyes.

‘Something feels off.’

He sank into deep thought with a hardened expression.

After ending the call with Ji Sung, So Myung drove off toward somewhere.

The place she drove straight to was none other than the home of the person she loved most in the world—her mother.

She had resolved not to cry, but as soon as she arrived at her mother’s front gate, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

So Myung kept wiping her tears, trying desperately to erase all traces of crying. Just then, the front gate opened, and her Mother stepped out.

Seeing her daughter standing at the gate, tears running down her cheeks, her Mother’s eyes flickered anxiously.

“So Myung-ah? Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Did something happen? Tell me, okay? Mom can’t help if you don’t talk.”

Her Mother looked at So Myung’s face, clearly distressed and unsure what to do.

“Mo… Mom.”

“Yes, let’s go inside first.”

So Myung entered the house with her Mother. Though small—only two rooms—the house gleamed spotlessly clean, clearly polished meticulously by her tidy Mother.

After leading So Myung into the main bedroom and seating her, her Mother quickly ran to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, her expression filled with worry.

“So Myung-ah, drink some water.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Her throat parched, So Myung gulped down the entire glass in one go.

“So Myung-ah… tell Mom what happened.”

“Mom, I’m sorry. Huhuhu…”

“Oh dear, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Her Mother pulled So Myung tightly into her arms.

“Huhuhu, Mom… I’m getting a divorce.”

“What? Why?”

“Ji Sung cheated on me.”

“…It’s okay. It’s alright. It’s not your fault. That rotten man. So Myung-ah, you’re such a precious person. Cry as much as you need. Cry in Mom’s arms. Where else would you cry? Oh, my poor baby. Your face is so pale—you must’ve been suffering so much inside. You kept it all in again, thinking of me, didn’t you? I told you not to do that.”

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, sweetheart, what are you sorry for? I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t even know you were going through all this.”

The two women held each other tightly and cried for a long while. So Myung thought to herself,

‘Her embrace is so comforting… Mom’s arms are such a peaceful refuge… I feel awful for hurting her like this. I know exactly how much she’s done for me.’

She felt deeply sorry toward her Mother—but her Mother was strong.

Despite the shock, she remained composed and kept comforting her daughter without pause.

After holding So Myung for a long time, she laid her down and tucked the blanket over her.

“Rest here for a bit.”

“Mom, where are you going?”

“I need to cook for my girl.”

“I’m fine.”

“Fine, nothing. Lie down.”

Her Mother grabbed her purse and hurried out of the house. Once outside the gate, she stood still for a while, steadying her breath.

Thinking about how much her daughter must have suffered tore at her heart—it felt as if it might split open.

Her chest ached so deeply she kept rubbing it with her hand, and as her breath came in ragged gasps, she sobbed silently so So Myung wouldn’t hear.

She cried that way for a long time, muffling her sobs, afraid her daughter would feel even worse if she saw her crying.

Suddenly, her Mother snapped out of it and ran toward the market. Her daughter looked so frail and drained—she needed to feed her something right away to ease her own anxiety.

She bought a fresh chicken, some ginseng, and herbal medicine, then hurried back home. She stewed the chicken thoroughly, pulled the meat off the bones, and sprinkled chopped green onions on top.

This was the very dish she’d always made for So Myung whenever she fell ill or caught a cold since childhood.

When So Myung received the carefully prepared meal from her Mother, another wave of warmth surged in her chest—but afraid of upsetting her Mother, she held it back and forced a bright smile as she exclaimed,

“Wow, this looks so delicious! How did you know, Mom? I was just craving your ginseng chicken soup!”

“Eat up quickly. It’s hot, so blow on it and chew well.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Her Mother gazed at her with eyes full of love, eager for her to eat.

That boundless, loving gaze was what gave her strength to rise again.

So Myung began eating ravenously.

“So Myung-ah, don’t eat so fast. Chew well.”

“I know—it’s just so tasty!”

“Still…”

So Myung looked at her Mother and gave a small, affectionate smile. Her Mother stroked her cheek as if she were a precious little child.

“All I want is for you to be happy. No matter what choice you make, Mom will always be on your side.”

“Mom, thank you… I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Her Mother looked at So Myung with warm, tender eyes. As she ate, So Myung made a silent vow to herself.

‘Yes, for Mom’s sake too, I’ll get back up again. I can do it. Just wait a little longer, Mom.’

After finishing work, Do Ha returned home, thinking about So Myung. He was so curious about how she’d spent her day. He stood still in front of his building, staring blankly at her apartment.

He glanced at his phone. It felt strange to see it completely silent—no messages from her at all.

Just as he was about to enter his own apartment, the elevator dinged to a stop. Instinctively turning toward the sound, Do Ha’s eyes widened in shock.

The person stepping out of the elevator was none other than Ji Sung. Ji Sung, equally startled, took a step back upon seeing Do Ha.

“What are you doing here?”

Ji Sung’s face darkened with displeasure as he studied Do Ha, then narrowed his eyes and snapped,

“What’s your relationship with my wife? Are you coming and going from our home now? I’m still her husband, you know.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t get it? Why are you standing right in front of our door?”

“Because this is my home.”

“What?”

Ji Sung, utterly stunned, double-checked the apartment number, then scanned Do Ha up and down.

“Wait—you mean you, Director, live right across from our place…?”

“I moved in not long ago.”

Do Ha looked at Ji Sung with obvious displeasure.

“My apologies—I misunderstood.”

“You’d better stop assuming others would do exactly what you’ve done.”

“What?”

“That’s all.”

With an annoyed expression, Do Ha punched in his door code, slammed the door shut, and went inside.

Left alone, Ji Sung stared dumbfounded at the door Do Ha had disappeared through.

He turned around and punched in the entrance code to his own apartment.

Beep beep beep beep.

No matter how many times he pressed it, the door wouldn’t open.

Realizing So Myung had changed the password, Ji Sung grumbled irritably.

He rang the doorbell and pounded loudly on the door, but there was no response from inside.

“Where could she have gone?”

Anxiously, he pulled out his phone and called her.

“Where are you wandering off to at this hour of the night?”