The Bad Husband - Chapter 27

Woo Jin arrived at the company with a jumbled mess in his head.

It nagged at him the entire time that he left Tae Eun alone at the hotel. He had sent her a message, but it was uncertain if she would understand. Not only did they not go on a honeymoon, but he left her alone the morning after their wedding night. However, he couldn’t ignore Seo Woo after she said she took pills.

These conflicting feelings truly left him disoriented and at a loss.

He was in a position where he had to take responsibility for Seo Woo in place of the deceased Seo Jin. But he couldn’t hurt Tae Eun, who decided to marry him with the belief that he would only care for her. Moreover, didn’t he confidently tell Tae Eun that he would protect her?

The woman he had to take responsibility for and the woman he wanted to protect. Woo Jin couldn’t let go of either one. Seo Woo was the bare minimum of decency he had to uphold as a human being.

But right now, Tae Eun weighed more on his mind than Seo Woo. It was proof that his sincerity was slowly flowing into her. No, perhaps it was from the very first moment he saw Min Tae Eun. From the moment he met those ever so familiar eyes. From the moment he faced her precarious existence.

This dawn was truly unexpected.

But there was no law saying something like today wouldn’t happen again.

If it did happen again, what should he do?

−Give me some time. Time to sort out my feelings.

The best scenario was for Seo Woo to quickly sort out her feelings for him. Then he could reveal Seo Woo’s existence to Tae Eun. Of course, he didn’t know how much Tae Eun would accept, but at least it was better than deceiving her.

Damn it.

A low curse slipped from his mouth.

Others found it so easy to meet and break up, so why was it so hard for him? No, before Park Seo Woo, everything was simple for him too. But Park Seo Woo was different. Seo Woo was none other than Seo Jin’s younger sister.

It was a mistake. The biggest mistake of his life.

The pain of losing the same person bound them together in shared sorrow, and he mistook that emotion for love. It took exactly 2 years to realize and escape from that emotion.

But despite the short 2-year relationship, the reason the breakup was difficult was because Seo Woo’s feelings started long ago. From the moment she first saw him 15 years ago. That’s why Seo Woo couldn’t easily let him go.

At first, he didn’t understand Seo Woo. But after meeting Tae Eun, he knew. Perhaps his heart that was never rational from the moment he first met her until now was no different from Seo Woo’s heart that looked at him.

He couldn’t yet accurately identify this emotion, but Woo Jin thought that maybe now he could understand Seo Woo who couldn’t let him go.

But understanding and reality were clearly different worlds. He understood Seo Woo, but he couldn’t always accept her clinginess.

He was now a married man with a wife he had to protect.

If he had to choose between Seo Woo and Tae Eun,

“I’m sorry, Park Seo Woo.”

Undoubtedly, it was Min Tae Eun.

* * *

Tae Eun left the hotel early in the morning and went to the newlywed home in Hannam-dong. There was no reason to stay at the hotel any longer without Woo Jin there.

As soon as she arrived home, Mrs. Hong, who was going to take care of the housework, greeted her with a warm octopus rice porridge ready. Mrs. Hong had worked at the Jang family’s main house since Woo Jin was young, and when he started staying in the annex, she was in charge of the annex, showing how much he trusted her. Judging that he couldn’t let just anyone into the newlywed home, he suggested Mrs. Hong and Tae Eun readily nodded at her benevolent appearance.

And Mrs. Hong exceeded expectations. Having completely taken care of the housekeeping in the large annex of the Jang estate, the work at the Hannam-dong newlywed home was really nothing for Mrs. Hong, and she was excellent at everything.

“You haven’t even had breakfast yet. At least have some of this. It will be easy on your stomach.”

“Thank you.”

Tae Eun nodded her head as she looked at the steaming octopus porridge. She hadn’t eaten much since yesterday, but she didn’t have breakfast because she wasn’t hungry. However, the savory smell of the octopus porridge suddenly made her hungry.

Mrs. Hong was not only good at her job but also had a knack for cooking. The porridge was so smooth and savory that she easily ate a whole bowl. It had been a long time since she had such a wholehearted and warm meal after being separated from her grandmother.

“It’s so delicious.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste. I tend to make it a bit bland.”

“Yes. I also eat blandly. So it’s just right, Mrs. Hong.”

At the compliment, Mrs. Hong smiled brightly. After finishing her meal, Tae Eun reorganized the dressing room again to clear her mind. The dazzling dressing room that she never had before seemed endless to organize. Thanks to that, the effect was truly excellent. She could sort everything out mindlessly.

How much time had passed?

Woo Jin called.

[Did you have lunch?]

His voice coming from the other end of the phone was always so nice to hear.

“Mrs. Hong made me octopus porridge, so I had a late breakfast.”

[Really? Our Mrs. Hong’s food is a bit bland, did it suit your taste?]

“Yes. It was so delicious. I also tend to eat blandly.”

[That’s a relief.]

“……”

[I’m sorry about this morning. I should have been by your side when you woke up.]

“No, it’s okay. I know you’re really busy with work these days. I’m not a narrow-minded woman to dwell on such things, so don’t worry.”

When the morning topic came up, Tae Eun quickly evaded the subject. She didn’t want to discuss that matter in depth. Because even if he told the truth, it would still be heartbreaking, and even if he made excuses, it would obviously hurt.

So she chose to avoid the topic.

[Then that’s a relief.]

“……”

[See you tonight. I’ll try to get off work as soon as possible.]

“Okay.”

Woo Jin hung up without further discussion. It was a great relief. After letting out a small sigh, Tae Eun started organizing again. Right now, she desperately needed something to focus on.

After several hours of organizing that was just wrapping up, the phone rang again.

This time, an unsaved number appeared. After hesitating whether to answer or not, she picked up the call.

“Hello.”

[It’s me.]

“Who…..”

[Oh my, look at this girl. You still haven’t saved my number? You really lack the basics!]

A somewhat irritable yet stern voice.

[Come to the main house! Right now!]

It was Young Hee, the second witch of the Jang family.

* * *

“Madam, we’ve arrived.”

At the voice of the chauffeur sent from the main house of the Jang family, Tae Eun’s dark gaze slowly moved to look at the imposing house standing in front of the car.

The well-maintained garden and the grandiose scale of the Jang Group’s main house was a place so intimidating to her that just looking at it made her shrink. But seeing the chauffeur waiting with the door open for her to get out, she couldn’t avoid going in.

Jang, the butler, approached and guided her as she got out of the car.

“The chairwoman is waiting for you. Your aunts have already arrived as well.”

Just hearing those titles made her heart heavy with burden.

Following behind Jang, the butler, to the drawing room, Tae Eun could see that all the women of this family, including Chairwoman Jung, had gathered there. Until now, she had been with Woo Jin, so this was the first time facing the Jang women without him.

“I’m here. Grandmother, and aunts.”

As Tae Eun sat down, nervously removing the scarf around her neck, the green tea she enjoyed was brought out.

“My goodness, you’re the one and only granddaughter-in-law of the Jang family, how can you be so dense? The wedding went well and you spent a night at the hotel, you should have rushed over before we even called for you!”

“That’s right. You lack the basics, the basics!”

Young Hee and Young Sook glared at her. Their gazes made Tae Eun feel like thorns were piercing her whole body. She felt like she would never get used to the needle-like gazes of the women in this house.

“Be quiet. It can happen, why are you raising your voices over such a thing?”

Only when Chairwoman Jung, the eldest, spoke up did the aunts close their mouths with pouts.

“Dear, are you tired? The wedding yesterday must have been quite long.”

“No. Grandmother. I rested very well yesterday, so I’m perfectly fine.”

As Tae Eun answered with a smile, Young Sook pushed a thin file across the table.

“Then that’s good. The reason we called you like this is to convey some very important information about our family. It should have been done before the wedding, but we didn’t have the time because the wedding was rushed.”

“What is it, why are you in such a hurry to call the child over. You could have taken your time. Tsk tsk. So stubborn.”

Chairwoman Jung clicked her tongue as if reprimanding, but Young Sook continued without caring.

“Now that you’re married, how would it look if someone asked who it is and you don’t even know the family’s contact information? The contact information of our family members is written there, so save it, and the anniversary dates of the deceased are also written, so remember them. And our family, unlike others, doesn’t particularly hold ancestral rites. We just commemorate the anniversaries.”

“Yes. I understand. I will remember it.”

“And there’s an important fact about Woo Jin that you need to know.”

“About Woo Jin?”

“Yes. It’s a secret to outsiders, so only a few people know. About family members, and Woo Jin’s closest aides. But now that you’re married and the lady of the house, you need to know at least that much to handle emergency situations.”

Surprised by the mention of emergency situations, Tae Eun opened the file and turned the pages. Then, completely unexpected information about Woo Jin flooded in.

“Woo Jin is RH−AB blood type. It’s a rare blood type that doesn’t even exist in 0.1% of the population in Korea. We keep it strictly confidential as it can be used negatively to the outside, so keep that in mind and watch your words.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“And because of his blood type, Woo Jin may be at greater risk than others in emergency situations. Keep that in mind as well.”

“Yes.”

The unexpected, immense information left her in confusion.

What if a person with such a rare blood type needed emergency surgery? What if there wasn’t enough blood supply secured?

Just thinking about it was a desperate situation. And it was very important information that couldn’t be overlooked for someone she would spend her life with.

Tae Eun treasured it as if it were a national secret. Chairwoman Jung looked at her with a pleased expression. Just watching her was lovely.

Tae Eun couldn’t possibly be unaware of that gaze directed at her. It was the only reason she could endure the piercing gazes of her three aunts.

“Yes. How’s the newlywed home? Do you like it?”

“Yes. Grandmother. I love it. It’s a villa but it has a garden, so it’s no less than a house. Once it’s a bit more organized, I’ll have you over.”

“Haha. There’s no need for that. You two just live well together, there’s no need for such formalities. Just come by once in a while to keep this old woman company.”

“Oh my, Mother! What are you saying? Of course she has to do what she ought to do. And what do you mean once in a while? Tae Eun, dear, you have nothing else to do, so you should come and greet your mother-in-law at least twice a week!”

“What she ought to do? So did you fly home whenever your in-laws called despite having things to do at home? Don’t be so ill-tempered. You have two daughters too.”

At Chairwoman Jung’s sharp retort, Young Sook huffed and puffed. She must have been quite upset despite her anger.

Young Sook, whose every emotion showed on her face, was truly an easy person to read. Thanks to that, Tae Eun wasn’t actually that scared of Young Sook. Rather, because she could clearly see through her, she knew how to deal with her. The same went for Young Hee. Although not as much as Young Sook, at least Tae Eun could tell she was a person whose inside matched her outside.

But Young Ja was different. From the first moment Tae Eun faced Young Ja, she remained silent, sipping her tea and observing the flowing situation without any agitation. Her expression didn’t change, so Tae Eun couldn’t read her.

Even now, that was the case. She was just drinking tea, but her presence was outstanding in this drawing room. It was like facing a small time bomb, not knowing when it would explode.

And that ominous feeling was precisely correct.

Because Young Ja slowly opened her mouth while putting down the teacup she was holding with a clattering sound.

“Let me ask one thing. Of course, I know it’s too early to ask you two who just had your wedding yesterday, but I can’t help but ask out of concern.”

“……”

“You two, when are you planning to have a child?”

It felt like her heart dropped.