My Husband's Lover - Chapter 27

“Ah.”

Feeling a tightness in her throat, Hae Yeon rubbed the area around her neck. Perhaps it was due to the increased workload recently, which required her to stare at the computer for extended periods, but she could feel the tight knots in her shoulders and neck. However, the cause of this pain wasn’t solely due to the visible workload.

The friction with the new team leader of Sales Team 2, Sin Kyu Sik, was temporarily resolved through the mediation of team leader Sul Yoo Joon, but there were rumors that Team Leader Sin, who felt humiliated by having to bow down to Yoo Joon whom he disliked, was grinding his teeth in anger.

− Are you avoiding X because you’re scared? You’re avoiding him because he’s dirty. Anyway, be careful, Min Hae Yeon. Okay?

It was a consolation from So Jeong, who was unaware of the real situation. However, Hae Yeon, who knew the true problem, sat halfway up the stairs and pondered deeply.

“This can’t continue.”

She made a cold assessment of the current situation. There were no significant issues at the moment, and Team Leader Sin’s attitude was considered a common abuse of power that employees often faced. However, as such disputes increased, people’s perceptions would change.

Regardless of Team Leader Sin’s intentions, if other departments like the Management Support Team and Sales Team 2 suffered indirect damage, they would direct their arrows of criticism at her, who was much easier to target than Team Leader Sin.

‘Even if I’m clearly the victim.’

At that point, people would start to think there was a problem with her. Trivial matters would become evidence, and public opinion could shift in that manner. It was human nature to seek a scapegoat for the situation they found themselves in.

Only now did Hae Yeon realize the intentions of Su Rin and Chairman Yoon.

‘They plan to continuously create uncomfortable situations using Team Leader Sin and frame me as a frequently erring newcomer through Team Leader Kim Hyun Woo.’

And when all these things piled up and reached a climax−.

“−They intend to blow it up.”

Of course, the actions of Su Rin and Chairman Yoon wouldn’t end there. Their goal was to separate her from Do Ha’s side, not just to get her fired from work. Hae Yeon gave a bitter smile.

Regardless, the need to prevent the interference from Team Leader Sin and Team Leader Kim remained unchanged. Move forward or step back. Hae Yeon chose the path forward.

However, how could she escape this hindrance without being caught by Joo Ah and Do Ha? From the beginning, her situation was disadvantageous, but it was something she had anticipated since the day she had a private meeting with Chairman Yoon, so Hae Yeon clenched her fists tightly.

“Ah, the time.”

Sitting on the stairs and checking her wristwatch, Hae Yeon hurried. Returning to an empty house, Hae Yeon was able to leave comfortably thanks to Do Ha, who had left for work even on a Saturday.

“I’ll be late for the hospital appointment.”

On a precious holiday for office workers, Hae Yeon’s schedule was to go to the hospital. It was an appointment made about a month before starting work.

The purpose of today’s visit was to complete the remaining tests from last time. In fact, she had secretly hoped that receiving Yoon Ho’s information might help her regain her memories, but not only did she fail to recall anything, she couldn’t even remember the reason why she had forgotten.

In the end, today’s hospital visit had become a necessary task.

Click.

Hae Yeon, who chose the imported car Do Ha had bought for her in the past instead of the compact car she used for commuting, started the engine.

“……”

These days, whenever Hae Yeon got in the car and started the engine, she felt a renewed sense of emotion.

Unlike her past self in the early stages of the information, her current self didn’t feel any aversion to driving. Of course, even if she had overcome it, wouldn’t anyone who knew her past behavior find it strange?

Even after newly learning about her past trauma, nothing changed, and rather than thinking Yoon Ho’s information was false, she only felt the realization that she had truly overcome the trauma.

However, it wasn’t as if it had no impact at all. She had driven to the accident site, hoping to possibly regain her memories, but she had to quickly pass by, feeling a sense of rejection.

“Let’s just leave quickly.”

Clearing her thoughts, Hae Yeon drove to the appointed hospital.

“Min Hae Yeon.”

“Yes.”

Waiting in the waiting area, Hae Yeon followed the nurse to the examination room. As soon as she entered, she flinched at the imposing presence of the huge MRI machine but steeled herself.

“The test results showed no abnormalities in your brain.”

Those were the words of the doctor after completing the examination, which took about 20 minutes. Although the doctor consoled her, suggesting it was due to psychological reasons, unfortunately, no significant findings were obtained. However, recalling Yoon Ho’s information, Hae Yeon asked the doctor about something that had puzzled her.

“Is it possible to lose memory even after overcoming trauma, several months later?”

At the serious question, the doctor requested a more detailed explanation. Hae Yeon calmly provided the full account.

“Hmm−. In any case, completely curing PTSD is not easy. Even if it appears fully overcome, it can recur due to trivial matters; that’s the nature of post-traumatic stress disorder. So, it’s not impossible for the case you mentioned to occur.”

Even though it was an expert’s opinion and likely to be correct, Hae Yeon somehow felt doubtful.

“In cases of psychogenic amnesia like yours, memories can suddenly return one day. You need to let go of your impatient feelings and undergo treatment slowly.”

Additionally, the doctor recommended medication and hypnotherapy. The prescription was immediately given, and since hypnotherapy would take considerable time, the next appointment was scheduled before leaving the hospital.

Outside, the fresh sunlight of early summer was radiating. People wearing short-sleeved shirts could be seen here and there, but for some reason, Hae Yeon felt a chill. The blazing sunlight seemed meaningless.

Perhaps it was because her heart felt empty. Although she hadn’t had high expectations, she had still held onto hope, so the examination results were disappointing.

‘It will return someday.’

Wasn’t that what the doctor said too? That recovery could occur suddenly in daily life. Hae Yeon gathered her energy and took a vigorous step forward.

* * *

In the early evening, when it was still bright due to the summer season, Hae Yeon sat at a corner of a restaurant.

“Min Hae Yeon!”

Turning her head, Hae Yeon saw Joo Ah waving her hand from the entrance. At Joo Ah’s lively voice, which was unaffected by the time of day, a smile bloomed on Hae Yeon’s face. However, as Joo Ah approached, she narrowed her eyes and scolded.

“Do you enjoy constantly postponing our appointments?”

“That’s why we’re meeting now.”

Even yesterday, Joo Ah had asked to meet, but due to a hospital appointment, Hae Yeon had to reluctantly refuse again. Since Joo Ah had every right to be angry, Hae Yeon gave a sheepish smile.

“Of course, it should be like this. Otherwise, you’ll have to endure my wrath for a few days, you know?”

Following Joo Ah’s words about showing what real power abuse was, Hae Yeon couldn’t laugh freely. The mention of “power abuse” suddenly reminded her of Team Leader Sin, and she gave an awkward smile.

“Hey, look at you. Is there something going on?”

The sharp-eyed Joo Ah immediately asked. Hae Yeon quickly changed her expression.

“Nothing, Director. Here, cheers.”

As Hae Yeon raised her beer glass with a bright smile, Joo Ah enthusiastically lifted her glass. The clear sound of the glasses clinking together was lively.

“Ahh− I feel alive.”

Joo Ah expressed her delight after gulping down the beer.

“As expected, beer is the best in summer. Because of this director position, I sometimes have to drink hard liquor, you know? Every time, I miss beer so much. Especially this sweet beer I’m drinking with you and Do Hee is the best. Right?”

“Yeah. I missed it too.”

Despite answering like that, Hae Yeon felt somewhat anxious on one hand. Since hearing the hospital results today, Hae Yeon had an inexplicable feeling of being chased by someone and couldn’t shake off the sense of urgency.

Hae Yeon parted her lips, hiding her impatience. Joo Ah kept drinking beer and chatting about this and that.

“Joo Ah, do you happen to know a team leader named Sin Kyu Sik?”

When Hae Yeon carefully mentioned the name of the Sales Team 2 leader, Joo Ah’s eyes widened in surprise before immediately frowning.

“Why, did that bastard give you a hard time this time?”

“Huh?”

Hae Yeon was taken aback. She had guessed that Sin Kyu Sik would be the type of person Joo Ah absolutely disliked, but Joo Ah’s reaction was more extreme than expected, causing Hae Yeon to blink her large eyes. Only then did Joo Ah seem to come to her senses after seeing Hae Yeon’s expression, and she covered her mouth with an “Oh!”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be disclosing employee information like this. Just hearing that team leader’s name makes my blood boil……”

As Joo Ah spoke while tapping her own mouth, Hae Yeon realized this was an opportunity.

“What kind of person is Team Leader Sin for you to react this way?”

“Sigh−.”

When Hae Yeon asked as if it were a passing remark, Joo Ah let out a deep sigh and immediately poured out her story.

“He lacks skills, has a bad reputation within the company. I want to fire him right away, but despite being a useless person, he’s good at office politics with his superiors, so I can’t do this or that. Even if I want to kick him out immediately, if I mishandle a dismissal these days, it could backfire on me, you know? Transferring him to Sales Team 2 was all I could do.”

Hae Yeon’s mouth slightly opened at the unexpectedly poor evaluation.

“But, Hae Yeon. Why did you bring up Team Leader Sin’s name?”

Joo Ah, who seemed suffocated just thinking about it, gulped down her beer in one shot and asked. Hae Yeon, who still lacked justification to deal with Team Leader Sin, decided to let it slide for now.

“No, it’s just that I’ve been hearing his name a lot from here and there.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Joo Ah feigned ignorance. She must have heard about the recent friction with Team Leader Sin from Yoo Joon, but even so, Hae Yeon brazenly responded. Joo Ah, who had been observing Hae Yeon for a moment, shrugged her shoulders.

“If you say so, then I guess that’s how it is.”

Hae Yeon inwardly felt relieved at Joo Ah’s response, which seemed to go along with her intention for now, but her subsequent words left Hae Yeon stunned.

“Can we get some more beer here, please?”

Even though there was still alcohol left on the table, Joo Ah ordered more beer before even finishing it. She didn’t forget to smile mischievously at Hae Yeon.

“Joo Ah, aren’t you full?”

“No. Min Hae Yeon, you won’t be able to go home peacefully today for rejecting my invitations up until now.”

Joo Ah made a cute threat. Hae Yeon had an ominous feeling that she wouldn’t be able to return unscathed today.