“So-eun brought porridge for mom. I said something because it tasted odd, and she’s treating me like the bad guy. She’s being overly sensitive today.”
But I never said that.
As So-eun tried to object, Hee-jin beat her to it.
“Try it yourself. Am I abnormal?”
Handing the porridge to Hee-wook, he tasted it and his face immediately scrunched up.
“…Why does it taste like this?”
“See! I told you it’s weird!”
Hee-jin’s voice grew triumphant with Hee-wook’s agreement.
So-eun, with a hardened expression, said to Hee-wook, “I followed the recipe you sent.”
“Then it shouldn’t taste like this. Did you add something wrong?”
“Then make it yourself and see.”
Feeling betrayed as even Hee-wook sided with Hee-jin, So-eun decided she couldn’t stay in the room any longer. She bid farewell to Mal-hee.
“I’ll leave since Hee-wook is here, Mom. I’ll come again.”
As she opened the door, Hee-jin’s voice of disbelief echoed, “Oh my, oh my.”
Her steps quickened with emotion. Only when she reached the hospital exit did she hear Hee-wook’s voice.
“So-eun.”
Hee-wook caught up to her, holding her back.
“How can you leave like this?”
“Should I stay there?”
Turning around, So-eun’s hurt feelings surfaced.
“What should I do? Everyone’s nitpicking at me for something I made following your recipe. If it tastes so odd, why don’t you make it? Ask your sister to make it. See if it tastes the same or different, better or worse.”
“…”
“I took care to use organic ingredients. Mom ate the whole bowl for lunch. She said it was okay.”
“How much pressure did you put on mom for her to eat it reluctantly?”
“… What?”
Hee-wook’s blunt response left So-eun even more dumbfounded. Sensing he may have spoken too harshly, Hee-wook quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Anyway, it’s not about taste. It’s health food. I’ll tell her it’s health food.”
“…….”
“Your sister hasn’t been here in a while. She might not know about Mom’s diet.”
“Then tell that to your sister. Not here.”
Hee-wook’s attempts at placation were met with resistance from a now deeply hurt So-eun, who had a lot to say.
“Right. She hasn’t visited in a while. Since Mom’s surgery, I’ve been the one checking on her at the hospital regularly, even when it was tough. How often did your sister visit after Mom was admitted? How much have you cared for her?”
“…….”
“I’ve been the one most concerned about Mom, yet how can your sister say such things after a long absence? How can you?”
Despite needing care herself, So-eun had been caring for the ailing Mal-hee, but she had never heard a word of gratitude.
Turning to leave, Hee-wook grabbed her hand.
“So-eun.”
“Let go.”
“Calm down. I’ll talk to her. Let’s go back in.”
“No. Call your sister now. Tell her to treat me with respect.”
“Sigh. Han So-eun. Enough already.”
When So-eun made a demand, Hee-wook’s expression suddenly changed.
“Don’t you think you’re crossing a line lately?”
“What?”
“You need to be treated like royalty to be satisfied?”
Hee-wook’s icy coldness pressed down the hospital’s hot air.
So-eun felt her mind freeze.
What should I do here?
She shook off Hee-wook’s grip and moved her stiff legs.
“I’m leaving.”
Tears threatened to fall as she walked away stiffly. Hee-wook did not follow her.
Instead, she heard his footsteps fading. But So-eun didn’t look back.
Her steps halted suddenly. Across from her, someone had been watching them and turned away.
Why is that person here?
Recognizing Director Kim Tae-jun, So-eun’s eyes widened.
Tae-jun, unfazed by their eye contact, sharply looked at her and left first.
Embarrassed, So-eun touched her forehead.
How long was he there? What did he hear?
Now alone, the shame made her want to hide.
Just days ago, she boasted about her boyfriend in front of him, claiming she felt loved and happy. Now all that pretense had been exposed.
He must find it ridiculous. Pitiable.
Her steps towards home felt unbearably heavy, unburdened by anyone.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
