My Sweet Enemy (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9

Tae In left home early in the morning. The moment she saw the divorce application, she simply couldn’t stay in the house any longer.

She disguised herself completely with clothes and a baseball cap bought at the market and headed out to the market. A puppy sleeping in a box next to the dried seafood stall wagged its tail.

Although she and Jeong Don had been taking turns caring for the puppy, it wasn’t enough. The puppy needed a home—

A warm, cozy home where it could forget the owner who’d abandoned it.

So Tae In and Jeong Don decided to find someone to adopt the puppy.

“Should we post something online? Maybe even create an account?”

Tae In stopped walking at Jeong Don’s words. Wandering aimlessly through the market wasn’t the answer.

“Do you have a phone?”

“No, do you, noona?”

“I don’t either.”

They both sighed simultaneously.

“But how come an adult like you doesn’t even have a phone?”

“Tell me about it.”

“What? That’s really dumb.”

Dumb? Tae In was flabbergasted.

“If you knew who I really am, you’d be shocked.”

“Who are you?”

“I don’t know myself. I can’t remember.”

“Do you have amnesia, noona?”

“Yeah.”

“Then will you forget my name soon too?”

“It’s not short-term amnesia—it’s full-blown amnesia, dummy.”

“You’re the dummy! But what’s your name, noona?”

“Seo Tae…”

Oops. After going through all the trouble to disguise herself, she couldn’t just blurt out her real name.

“Seo Tae Shik.”

For a brief moment, Tae In wondered if this was really the best she could do.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of name is that? That’s totally ridiculous!”

“…Your name’s pretty funny too.”

Yeah, go ahead and laugh all you want. Once I regain my memory, you won’t even get to talk to me again.

Anyway, it’s not like this kid telling anyone will matter—it’ll be forgotten soon enough.

“Grandma! Grandma! This noona’s name is Tae Shik—Tae Shik!”

Jeong Don spread the news throughout the market just three seconds after hearing it.

“…What kind of name is that?”

The founder of Ye Seul Chicken burst out laughing. Her hearty laugh, so different from her usual first impression, drew a crowd.

“What’s so funny? What is it?”

The ajusshi who’d sold Tae In the floral-patterned outfit and cap earlier asked curiously.

“This noona’s name is Tae Shik!”

“Pfft, that’s not a nickname, is it?”

“Nope!”

Wait—why are you so excited answering for me?

“Then what about you, Grandma? What’s your full name? Better be funnier than mine.”

Tae In narrowed her eyes and asked.

“Me? I’m Ye Seul—Min Ye Seul.”

“You’re lying.”

“What do you mean I’m lying? That’s why it’s called Ye Seul Chicken.”

“…And you, ajusshi?”

“I’m Bin. Kwon Bin.”

“Heh… Even a single-syllable name?”

A single-syllable name—Bin—was unbeatable. Just then, Tae In spotted the dried seafood ajusshi approaching with a paper coffee cup and asked his name.

“That’s my younger brother. Yul—Kwon Yul.”

Ugh… Another single syllable?

If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve come up with a fake name ahead of time. What even is “Tae Shik”?

“Tae Shik-ah, stop pouting and try this.”

Jeong Don’s grandmother handed Tae In a freshly grilled chicken skewer, slathered with sauce.

“What’s gotten into you? Ye Seul-ssi, you never do this. You always charge us properly without fail.”

Bin’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Tae Shik has an amazing palate—absolutely incredible sense of taste or whatever you call it.”

The vendors looked at Tae In with sparkly eyes. Feeling the pressure, Tae In took a bite of the skewer.

“You added curry powder, didn’t you? It’s even tastier than yesterday. Maybe a little spicier next time would be good.”

“See? Absolutely incredible, right?”

“Pfft, I could’ve guessed that much too.”

Seeing Ye Seul pleased by Tae In’s answer, Bin grumbled under his breath.

But Ye Seul just smiled contentedly, watching Tae In and Jeong Don bicker back and forth.

Ever since Jeong Don had been dragged here against his will by his older sister, he’d worn a gloomy expression every day—but now, seeing him so lively made Ye Seul genuinely happy.

“Then try this too. It’s a new product, but it’s just not selling.”

The owner of Ho Dong Bakery, next to Ye Seul Chicken, brought over a bread stuffed generously with salad.

By the time Tae In had finished tasting all the new products one by one, her stomach was as big as Namsan.

Though she hadn’t managed to find the puppy a new owner, Tae In felt proud of how warmly she’d connected with everyone.

But that feeling didn’t last long.

She arrived in front of her house at the expected time, only to find the lights already brightly on and two cars clearly visible.

They belonged to Nok Hyeon and Lee Kyung.

“Why… why are they already here?”

It wasn’t supposed to be imprisonment. She’d disguised herself because revealing she was alive would cause trouble.

So logically, she had nothing to hide—but strangely, her feet wouldn’t move forward.

Would he be angry? Or disappointed?

She felt like she’d had this same timid feeling before.

What had she done back then? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember.

Back then, she’d just wanted to run away.

Nok Hyeon, noticing Tae In, approached her.

The moment he confirmed it was really her, Nok Hyeon pulled her tightly into his arms.

Stunned by the sudden embrace, Tae In blankly stared into space, forgetting even to blink.

“…Are you mad?”

“No.”

Nok Hyeon answered immediately to Tae In’s question.

Even though he said “no,” his voice was noticeably lower and heavier than usual.

He was clearly upset.

“I told you you could leave whenever you wanted—the door’s always open.”

Tae In muttered insecurely.

Nok Hyeon didn’t reply. Growing anxious, Tae In spoke again.

“I was careful—I disguised myself perfectly.”

Slowly pulling away, Nok Hyeon looked her up and down.

“You’re right. Perfect disguise.”

This time, Tae In scanned Nok Hyeon from head to toe.

“You didn’t come back empty-handed, did you? You said you were coming back from a business trip—no souvenirs? Not even chocolates?”

At Tae In’s serious question, Nok Hyeon let out a dry chuckle.

“You disappeared on me.”

Tae In was slightly flustered. Though his tone was flat, she felt oddly touched.

Her family had thought she was dead and were living well—but why, of all people, was it Nok Hyeon who seemed to have genuinely worried?

“…Were you worried about me?”

Desperately, Tae In grabbed the edge of Nok Hyeon’s clothes and asked.

“Yeah.”

His reply carried no particular emotion. Tae In lowered her head, then raised it again to meet his eyes.

His unusually pale irises trembled slightly.

“But then… why did you want a divorce?”

Nok Hyeon remained still, his eyes fixed on Tae In’s trembling ones.

Seo Tae In had found out.

At that realization, Nok Hyeon’s mind momentarily went blank.

She was bound to find out eventually. In fact, he should’ve told her sooner—it might even help restore her memory. But he’d put it off until last.

Why had he done that?

“Was it my fault? The video Lee Kyung showed me made me look really harsh and awful… Was that why?”

Tae In was certain she wouldn’t have initiated divorce herself. Even if she had brought it up, it must have been because Nok Hyeon wanted it—so she’d reluctantly agreed.

“Why do you assume I was the one who wanted divorce?”

“Well, because Kang Nok Hyeon is my perfect ideal type!”

The words slipped out before she even had time to think.

Lee Kyung, who’d been listening from a distance, let out a soft chuckle.

Tae In suddenly realized what she’d just said and blushed.

Her cheeks, ears, and even her neck flushed hotly.

Of all times to make what was practically a confession, it had to be in this ridiculous outfit.

Tae In ran away from both Nok Hyeon and Lee Kyung, sprinting across the garden at full speed.

But she hadn’t gone far before Nok Hyeon caught her by the collar.

Once Tae In stopped struggling, Nok Hyeon picked up her fallen cap and gently placed it back on her head.

Her face must have been even redder now. Tae In had no choice but to keep her head bowed deeply.

“It wasn’t because you were harsh or awful.”

At Nok Hyeon’s quiet words, Tae In slowly lifted her head.

“It was my problem.”

“…Did you have another woman?”

“No, it’s not that.”

His firm reply made Tae In bite her lip tightly.

Truthfully, whose fault it was didn’t matter. What mattered was that the intention to divorce had been real.

“And I never actually planned to divorce you.”

Strangely, Tae In felt relieved at his words.

After hesitating for a moment, Tae In rummaged through her pocket and pulled something out.

“They say giving someone two chicken drumsticks is love—real love.”

With those final words, Tae In dashed into the house.

Left behind, Nok Hyeon opened the paper bag in his hand.

So carefully wrapped and carried, a slightly soggy chicken drumstick peeked out.

Nok Hyeon couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer.

“You just thought she was adorable, didn’t you?”

Lee Kyung, who’d quietly approached, whispered knowingly.

“I’ll take that. You don’t eat things like this.”

As Lee Kyung reached for the bag, Nok Hyeon lifted it slightly out of reach.

He didn’t even hold it that high, but being so much taller, Lee Kyung had no choice but to give up.

“After all my hard work, can’t you even give me one chicken drumstick?”

Nok Hyeon pulled out his wallet from his inner pocket and tossed her a credit card.

Lee Kyung caught it easily and blinked in surprise.

“You’d rather give me this than a soggy chicken drumstick? Do you even know what I’m going to have for dinner? Wait—what’s so special about that drumstick anyway?”

“It’s love—real love.”

At Nok Hyeon’s words, Lee Kyung shook her head with a sigh.

***

The next day, Tae In gave up on going outside.

Lee Kyung was watching her like a hawk.

With no choice, Tae In stayed cooped up at home watching dramas. She felt uneasy about breaking her promise to Jeong Don to find a home for the puppy, but she couldn’t risk worrying Lee Kyung and Nok Hyeon.

“Our Hae Su—do whatever you want!”

After quietly observing Tae In for a while, Lee Kyung remarked softly.

“Seo Tae In, once you regain your memory, you’ll be looking for a mouse hole to crawl into.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll be ashamed of who you are right now.”

“…”

So the gap between her past and present self must be enormous. But for Tae In, that wasn’t surprising at all.

She was already on her third full rewatch of the drama, and nothing from it had triggered any memories.

Her mind was filled entirely with Nok Hyeon’s words from yesterday.

What kind of critical issue could possibly lead to talk of divorce?

[“What? Are you saying my son is impotent?”] [“Yes, Madam. Your son is impotent! The sole reason for divorce lies entirely with your son.”]

…Impotent?

“Lee Kyung-ssi, what do you think about that?”

At Tae In’s question, Lee Kyung, who’d been seated at the table, turned her head.

“What? Impotent?”

“…Could that really be grounds for divorce?”

“Absolutely. If it were me, I’d sue.”

She’d thought about it all night. What could possibly be Nok Hyeon’s problem?

Looks, ability, family background—he lacked nothing.

His personality wasn’t particularly flawed either. In fact, his seemingly aloof yet caring nature was quite nice.

Except for the fact he couldn’t wrap bandages properly.

So what about Nok Hyeon could possibly have led to such a drastic decision as divorce?

[“And what’s worse, Madam’s son doesn’t even consider going to the hospital to get it fixed—he blames me instead!”]

The drama’s supporting character kept passionately ranting.

Tae In, who’d been lounging comfortably on the sofa, suddenly sat upright.

‘I could just check for myself, couldn’t I?’