A Thrilling Divorce (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4

So Myung shouted out loud.

“Let’s talk tomorrow. Sorry. My eyes are so heavy I can’t keep them open.”

“Just talk to me… hoo hoo hik.”

Even though So Myung was sobbing loudly, Ji Sung paid her no attention.

He trudged into the bedroom and tossed his jacket, dress shirt, and necktie onto the floor as if shedding skin, then staggered out of his pants and immediately flopped onto the bed.

He hadn’t even lain there for a few minutes before he began snoring loudly.

It was no surprise—he’d been severely sleep-deprived lately, and his stamina and energy were already drained from his passionate time with Ra Hee.

He was utterly wrecked, to the point where conscience or reason seemed nowhere to be found.

Hearing Ji Sung’s snores from the bedroom, So Myung’s expression turned utterly despondent.

It already seemed like she no longer mattered to him.

Her self-respect had crumbled completely. With swollen eyes from crying so much, So Myung walked into the bedroom.

As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed the pile of clothes Ji Sung had discarded on the floor.

Just as she reached to pick them up, his phone slipped out of the jacket and thudded onto the floor.

She absentmindedly picked it up—then suddenly grew curious. Holding the phone, she pressed the side button.

The screen lit up instantly. So Myung tensed up and swallowed hard.

Slowly, she approached Ji Sung, took his thumb, and pressed it against the phone.

The lock opened easily, and she began checking his messages.

One newly received text immediately caught her eye.

It was saved under “Dong Min Lee,” but the content was deeply strange.

[“Oppa, today was fun again. Aren’t you exhausted because of me lately? But what can I do? I miss you every single day…”]

Reading the message, So Myung’s eyes flew wide open, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. She couldn’t even breathe properly.

She shook Ji Sung violently, who was so deep in sleep he couldn’t even open his eyes.

“Wake up!”

When Ji Sung still didn’t come to, she grabbed both his shoulders and shook him hard. Ji Sung slowly opened his drowsy eyes, scowling at her irritably.

“Just let me sleep.”

“Who’s Dong Min Lee, calling you ‘Oppa’?”

“What?”

Startled by So Myung’s words, Ji Sung quickly read her expression and shot upright in bed.

“What are you talking about? Did you sneak a look at my phone?”

“Yes. You’ve been acting so weird lately. You know better than anyone your behavior’s been off. You’ve never been like this before. That’s why I checked. Does it even matter? Are you cheating on me?”

So Myung’s voice trembled badly as she stared at Ji Sung.

Ji Sung lowered his head deeply and said nothing.

“Ji Sung… no… right? Give me some kind of excuse.”

So Myung pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m sorry.”

“What? Ji Sung, how could you do this to me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re joking, right?”

“I don’t even see you as a woman anymore.”

“What?”

“Let’s talk tomorrow. If you can’t stand the sight of me, should I just leave?”

“Ji Sung? You told me you loved me! How can you change like this?”

“I… really like her.”

“…”

“Let’s get divorced.”

Ji Sung actually thought it was for the best that So Myung had found out. Still, her devastated eyes were hard to bear.

The woman he once loved madly was now crying right before him—but nothing registered in his mind anymore.

He felt he’d do anything, use any means necessary, just to be with Ra Hee. So Myung glared at him with burning hatred.

“I’ll never agree to a divorce.”

“What?”

“I… won’t give you a divorce.”

“You think I’d give you a divorce just because you want it? After you cheated on me? Is this really who you are?”

Shocked by So Myung’s unexpected reaction, Ji Sung raised his voice.

“Who are you doing this for?”

“Seriously… you…”

“You bastard.”

So Myung went into the bedroom and locked the door. Ji Sung stared after her, utterly bewildered, and collapsed onto the sofa. The future felt messy.

He just hoped So Myung would quickly disappear from his life. Lying on the bed, So Myung shuddered at the despair and pain unfolding before her.

If only this were a dream. She couldn’t believe what was happening. She’d never doubted him even once…

How could he betray her like this? Could ten years together really collapse in an instant? She was utterly shattered by the shock.

The love she’d believed in all this time—she’d thought he was its perfect embodiment.

Yesterday, she’d been a happy wife. Overnight, she’d become a pitiful woman abandoned by her husband.

She wanted to forget this cruel reality. She tried to sleep, but it was impossible.

After tossing and turning for hours, she got up and stepped outside. In the living room, Ji Sung was sound asleep on the sofa. So Myung looked at him with sorrowful eyes.

She couldn’t look at him the same way she used to yesterday. She could never forgive him for destroying her precious home. Fire flickered in her eyes.

She walked out the front door, took the elevator down, and headed toward the park trail near the apartment. The hellish events of yesterday kept swirling in her mind.

She walked faster—then started running. She cried so hard she wondered if she’d ever shed this many tears in her life.

Running while crying made her chest tight and her breathing shallow. She found it harder and harder to breathe. Unconsciously, she stopped in place, but couldn’t steady her breath.

Tears kept streaming down, soaking her face. So Myung began to feel dizzy and overwhelmed.

Unaware of her actions, she sank to the ground, gasping for air. Then, a concerned voice reached her ears.

“Are you okay?”

She could only sense a man’s figure—her vision was blurred.

******

Do Ha was on his usual morning jog. Though he’d only moved in recently, the park satisfied him perfectly—he was a fitness enthusiast.

Exercise relieved his stress and let him start the day feeling refreshed. He’d been running cheerfully through the crisp morning air when he spotted a woman in the distance, standing and gasping for breath.

He assumed she’d pushed herself too hard—but then she sank to the ground. Something seemed wrong.

Do Ha sprinted over to her. The moment he saw the woman collapsed on the ground, panting desperately, his jaw dropped in shock. It was her—the woman he’d met at the farm yesterday.

‘Such persistent fate…’

But she didn’t even recognize him, her eyes hazy, breathing unsteadily.

Do Ha quickly crouched in front of her, grabbed both her arms firmly, and lifted her up.

He hoisted her onto his back and ran like a madman. Fortunately, a large hospital stood right next to the apartment complex. He figured this would be faster than waiting for an ambulance.

Only after delivering her to the emergency room could he finally relax. His entire body was drenched in sweat, and he was still breathing heavily.

The doctor diagnosed her with hyperventilation syndrome, and a nurse handed her a paper bag. With trembling hands, she barely managed to take it and began breathing slowly.

After repeating this several times, So Myung’s breathing gradually stabilized. Once her breathing calmed, she seemed to relax and lay down to rest. When the nurse inserted an IV, she drifted off to sleep.

Looking at her sleeping face, Do Ha felt uneasy. The doctor’s words earlier kept nagging at him.

“When someone experiences excessive stress, it can trigger hyperventilation syndrome or panic disorder—she seems to be suffering from that. You don’t need to worry too much, but it’s important she avoids further stress.”

The image of her struggling to breathe, clearly in pain, kept flashing before his eyes. He’d gone through hard times himself—he understood that kind of suffering.

After watching her sleep for a while, he got up, paid the bill, and stood there lost in thought.

‘What was her name again? Team leader in the design department?’

Do Ha called Secretary Lee and asked about the team leaders in the design department, eventually obtaining Ji Sung’s phone number.

Secretary Lee found it strange that the CEO was making calls so early in the morning.

‘Shouldn’t he be finishing his jog and getting ready for work by now…?’

Do Ha dialed Ji Sung. After a few rings, Ji Sung answered.

[“Hello?”]

“Your wife is currently in the hospital.”

[“What?”]

“She collapsed from breathing difficulties during her morning walk.”

[“Huh?”]

“She’s lying in the ER—you should come.”

[“Ah, yes. Thank you for calling.”]

After hanging up, Do Ha immediately left the hospital. Secretary Lee was waiting for him outside, standing by the car. Do Ha opened the door and slid straight into the back seat.

Secretary Lee asked politely, “Sir, what brought you to the hospital?”

“Let’s just say I did a good deed.”

“Ah?”

“Why so surprised, Secretary Lee? Am I not allowed to do something good?”

“Oh… no, of course not. It’s just—Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Your schedule is starting a bit later today, but you haven’t even gotten ready yet…”

“Oh? So how much time do I have?”

“I’ve had a car waiting at your place—five minutes…”

“Five minutes?”

“Sir, if you take one or two hours to get ready today, it’ll be a disaster. The schedule’s already locked—you absolutely cannot cancel.”

Secretary Lee carefully watched Do Ha’s reaction and explained as clearly as possible.

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot.”

“Should I come up and help with anything?”

“No. I’m fine.”

Do Ha flatly refused Secretary Lee’s offer. Soon, they arrived at Do Ha’s apartment underground parking lot, and he leapt out of the car, sprinting toward the elevator.

Once inside his apartment, he stripped off his clothes and jumped straight into the shower.

After showering, he dashed into the dressing room, grabbed the nearest dress shirt and suit, slipped on socks, and held a tie in his hand.

He didn’t even properly put on his shoes before rushing into the elevator, panting heavily.

“Phew… phew.”

Do Ha always needed about an hour to prep before work and cared deeply about his fashion and appearance—he considered it part of his job.

Yet here he was, hair still wet, tie unknotted, shoes crumpled at the heels—something he’d never experienced in his life.

He always prepared calmly and punctuality was non-negotiable. Secretary Lee, visibly anxious, was pacing outside the elevator.

Just as Secretary Lee glanced at his watch, Do Ha stepped out of the elevator. Seeing him, Secretary Lee couldn’t help but smile.

“Sir, you’re truly amazing. Seriously.”

The moment they got into the car, Do Ha’s sedan shot out of the underground parking lot at tremendous speed.

In the car, Do Ha tied his tie and sank into thought.

‘Well, I’ve seen everything now.’

As Do Ha was exiting the apartment parking lot, he spotted So Myung. His eyes widened automatically, his gaze locking onto her.

Noticing his sudden odd behavior, Secretary Lee cautiously asked, “Sir? Is something wrong? Did you forget something?”

“Oh… no.”

“I see.”

Still fixated on So Myung, he barely managed a reply to Secretary Lee—and fell into deep thought.

‘Ah, so she lives in our building.’