The Bad Husband - Chapter 44

The pain that humans feel is long-lasting while happiness is fleeting.

Perhaps that’s why. Min Tae Eun realized that time was passing by like lightning these days. Several months had passed since then. Fortunately, Park Seo Woo had been very quiet during that time. Thanks to that, Tae Eun was able to focus entirely on her relationship with Woo Jin.

Now that her doubts about him had disappeared, the two grew closer to each other. She was so happy. Almost too happy to be true. Then suddenly, fear would brush by that this happiness might come to an end.

Today was one of those days.

She received news that Chairman Jung was in the hospital. Shocked, she rushed to the hospital VIP room with Woo Jin, where the atmosphere was gloomy.

“It’s a myocardial infarction.”

“A myocardial infarction? But there was nothing wrong during last year’s health checkup, right?”

Seo Young Sook asked angrily at the attending physician’s words. Chairman Jung waved her hand to stop her daughter.

“I’m over eighty, approaching ninety. My body changes from day to day, so what’s the use in blaming Dr. Kang?”

“But Mother, that’s not right, is it? Don’t you know how scary myocardial infarction is? It’s the number one cause of sudden death!”

“Oh, be quiet. Are you trying to warn me that I might die suddenly? Why are you buzzing so much? Go do your work!”

“No, Mother, how can you say that? I’m just worried! And with you so sick, how can I focus on work? Elder sister Young Ja is also coming up from Jeju Island. She contacted me saying she’ll be a bit late because she’s on a short business trip for the Jeju hotel.”

“Tell her not to come. My head will hurt if everyone comes and makes a fuss.”

Chairman Jung shook her head as if annoyed, but Young Hee and Young Sook still wouldn’t close their mouths. They were in the midst of interrogating Dr. Kang, the Chairman’s attending physician, about this and that. Thanks to this, Woo Jin and Tae Eun could understand how the situation was unfolding without saying a word.

“See, if you just manage well, there’s no problem with living. It’s my body that’s sick, so why is everyone making such a fuss? Oh, my head hurts. I need to rest, so everyone out!”

Finally, Chairman Jung’s order came down. And Dr. Kang nodded as if agreeing with those words.

“Yes, Chairman. It would be good for you to rest a bit. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

As Dr. Kang left, Chairman Jung waved her hand as if telling everyone else to follow suit. Even Woo Jin and Tae Eun were about to leave after saying goodbye when Chairman Jung’s voice flew in.

“Tae Eun, stay for a bit. I have something to say.”

“Oh my, Mother! You tell your daughters to leave but only keep Tae Eun! Our mother always favors Tae Eun!”

As the second aunt grumbled, the third aunt glared at Tae Eun as if in agreement. But no one here could go against Chairman Jung’s words now.

“I’ll wait outside.”

At Woo Jin’s words, Tae Eun nodded and turned back her departing steps to come to Chairman Jung’s side. When everyone had left, a quiet stillness surrounded the two.

Chairman Jung, who seemed stern yet generous, was always a difficult grandmother-in-law to Tae Eun. Therefore, being alone with her in this unfavorable situation made her shrink with unnecessary tension.

But then,

“Tae Eun…”

Chairman Jung’s voice calling her was unusually gentle.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

In response to the quiet answer, a wrinkled hand bearing traces of time warmly grasped her fair hand.

“I didn’t ask you to stay to scold you, so there’s no need to be afraid.”

“Yes.”

As she nodded and answered, suddenly the tip of her nose stung. Although a strict and incredibly difficult grandmother-in-law, she had been, knowingly or unknowingly, a reliable shield for her in this fierce household. But now that this Chairman Jung was said to have myocardial infarction, Tae Eun’s heart, which had tried to remain calm all along, was now shaken.

“You mustn’t… be sick, Grandmother.”

At the words she managed to utter with difficulty, Chairman Jung chuckled while patting the back of her hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m still fine.”

“Still, you should strictly follow the diet therapy as Dr. Kang said and exercise more consistently.”

“Why, are you also worried I might suddenly die?”

“That was just your daughter being overly worried, so please don’t take it to heart. Dr. Kang said that even with myocardial infarction, you can live without much trouble if you manage well.”

“Oh my, our Tae Eun, how can you live being so naive?”

“Pardon?”

“Worry about yourself and Woo Jin. Not about me.”

At Chairman Jung’s sudden words, Tae Eun’s eyes widened. But on the contrary, Chairman Jung’s eyes sank with utmost seriousness. She could instinctively tell that some serious talk was about to flow out. And that premonition was right on target.

“If I falter, do you think they will leave you two alone?”

As Chairman Jung made this bombshell statement with a calm expression, Tae Eun’s eyes began to quietly shake.

“But the aunts also said that Woo Jin is the heir of Jang Won…”

“That’s not what I mean. Actually, I’m not worried about Woo Jin. Do you think Woo Jin could have secured that position just because he’s my bloodline without any ability? No, absolutely not. Woo Jin sat in that seat with his own strength. So no matter how much his aunts rage, he will surely keep his place.”

“…”

“What I’m worried about is you.”

Her heart sank. She immediately understood what Chairman Jung was saying.

The aunts still viewed her unfavorably. Even Min Kyung Hoon, who had entered politics with Woo Jin’s help, saw her as a thorn in his side, fearing she might damage Jang Won’s image. Until now, Chairman Jung had thoroughly protected Tae Eun from the aunts who were aiming for her neck. Because with one word from Chairman Jung, everyone had to shut their mouths regardless of the reason.

“Of course, Woo Jin can protect you to some extent, but given his position in the hierarchy, he can’t just push aside his older aunts as he pleases. And in the worst case scenario, you could become Woo Jin’s weakness.”

Her hand trembled as she heard those words.

A dangerous world she had unintentionally stepped into.

A world where she had never once felt a sense of belonging. The only reason she could hold on in this world was because Woo Jin, and Chairman Jung were holding onto her. But from now on?

Chairman Jung was right. If Chairman Jung lost her health and power, could Woo Jin alone handle the three aunts?

She thought it was a game without odds. He might be able to protect Tae Eun, but in the process, she would bleed and be wounded. In the end, she would be torn to pieces.

She didn’t want to be involved in a fight with no winners. But unfortunately, she was standing right in the middle of that war. At times like this, it would be nice if her own family could be a solid support for her, but she couldn’t expect that from Min Kyung Hoon, who was trying to benefit from Jang Won in any way possible. It would be fortunate enough if he didn’t become a flaw.

Now, what should she do?

Many thoughts flashed through her mind. But then Chairman Jung’s voice clearly pierced her ear.

“Tae Eun, have a child.”

When she raised her head, she met Chairman Jung’s serious eyes.

“Of course, I know you still want to enjoy your newlywed life. But you need to have a child and solidify your position while I’m still holding on. No matter how much you and Woo Jin can’t live without each other, spouses can become strangers if they separate. But blood ties are different. No matter how much they try, they can’t sever the bonds of heaven.”

Only then could she understand why Chairman Jung had always kept her mouth shut tightly when the aunts pressured her about having a child, while cutting everything else off like a knife. Chairman Jung wanted Tae Eun to have a child and strengthen her own position by herself.

“You persuade Woo Jin. No matter how much of a grandmother I am, having and raising a child is your responsibility, so he’ll listen to you more than me.”

“…”

“Tae Eun, I’m not telling you to give birth to Jang Won’s heir. For you, and for Woo Jin, give birth to… an existence that will bind you two together with the strongest force.”

It wasn’t wrong.

A child is a blessing just by existing. If she just gives birth to Woo Jin’s child, even the most fierce aunts won’t be able to easily show their claws for a while.

“Whether it’s a son or a daughter doesn’t matter. Just have a child. Then, as long as this grandmother is alive, I’ll do anything you ask for.”

However, Tae Eun couldn’t confidently answer that she would, despite Chairman Jung’s sincere advice. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have a child, but that she couldn’t.

In the end, tears burst out.

“Huh… huh…”

“Tsk tsk. Why are you crying? My goodness… how can you live being so tearful?”

Clicking her tongue, Chairman Jung raised her hand with the IV drip and gently stroked Tae Eun’s back. Chairman Jung is the one who’s sick, but Tae Eun is the one being comforted.

But there was one person watching this scene with a cold expression.

It was Young Ja, who had arrived late from her Jeju Island business trip.

Young Ja, who had overheard the conversation between the two while opening the door, couldn’t cross that threshold and gripped the door handle tightly. She couldn’t understand Chairman Jung worrying about Woo Jin and Tae Eun even at a moment like this.

Young Ja had never missed the top spot since she was young. Despite being the most outstanding among the four siblings, all of Chairman Jung’s affection was for her brother, Woo Jin’s father. But because he was her older brother, and the heir to Jang Won who received all the expectations, Young Ja had stepped back.

And now that her brother had died, all of Chairman Jung’s love was for Woo Jin. She could understand up to this point. How pitiful must the grandson who lost his parents in an instant and became an orphan be? Plus, with his outstanding abilities, it’s impossible not to feel affection for him.

But Tae Eun?

She just couldn’t understand why Chairman Jung was protecting Tae Eun so much. Young Ja was receiving all of Chairman Jung’s favor that she had never felt before.

Chairman Jung’s heart that she could never understand.

That’s why she was even more angry and frustrated.

How dare you, someone like you.

Her heart, which she had tried hard to calm, begins to derail again. In the end, Young Ja couldn’t enter the hospital room and left the place coldly.

* * *

On the way back after visiting Chairman Jung at the hospital.

In the car, Tae Eun was lost in thought. Her chest felt like it would burst from frustration.

Chairman Jung was right. Moreover, she realized that the child issue was no longer a problem that could be covered up by just covering it. So now, she felt she had to put into action what she had decided a few months ago while listening to Hye Jin’s story.

How would Woo Jin react?

She was afraid.

She couldn’t know whether he really didn’t want to have a child, or if he had made up his mind because she was infertile, but regardless of the reason, it wasn’t an easy issue.

“Aren’t you… curious about what Grandmother said to me?”

Tae Eun barely managed to utter those words with her unmoving lips. Then Woo Jin, who was driving, took advantage of the moment when the car stopped at a signal to turn his gaze towards her.

“Not really. I don’t think she would have said anything unpleasant. After all, Grandmother cherishes you a lot.”

“That’s right. I feel it abruptly many times.”

“Yeah. She doesn’t express it much, but I can tell. How much she treasures you. Why, what did Grandmother say?”

Chairman Jung had said something very important. She had told Tae Eun how to survive in this fierce Jang Won family. Of course, she didn’t know if it was possible for her. But she didn’t want to give up without even trying.

Maybe heaven would help and a miracle might happen.

She didn’t ask for much.

Just one miracle.

“Honey… shall we have a child?”

That would be enough.