The Wife Who Ran Away (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16

“Just keep doing exactly as you are now. The same way you’ve been deceiving me all this time.”

A cold voice pierced her chest.

She hadn’t told him that crucial truth until now, so of course he felt betrayed. Anything she said now would just sound like an excuse. Yeon Joo simply lowered her gaze, defeated.

“And tomorrow, come to the hospital with me.”

Jin Wook spoke in a calmer tone than before.

“We’ll go to a bigger hospital and have you examined again by a more qualified doctor. From what I’ve found out, it’s not that you can’t get pregnant at all—it’s just difficult. As long as it’s not complete infertility, there must be some way.”

He’d apparently already looked into other hospitals. If she were in his place, she’d be too shocked to think straight… Yet here he was, remaining rational and composed even in this situation—it was almost impressive.

But Yeon Joo had already visited countless obstetricians, desperate enough to grasp at straws. Her face darkened as she replied,

“It’ll be the same at any other hospital. I’ve… already been to many places.”

“But I wasn’t with you back then.”

Jin Wook stated firmly.

“Come with me this time. I need to hear and ask the doctor myself.”

What difference would it make if they went together?

And hearing it directly would only deepen his disappointment…

She wanted to say that, but his expression was too resolute for her to argue further.

Jin Wook stared into Yeon Joo’s trembling eyes, then spoke with unwavering resolve.

“In this world, even the tiniest flaw gets blown up into a capital offense and used to cast you out.”

“…”

“Get a grip and toughen up. Don’t give anyone a weakness they can exploit.”

People around Jin Wook were always desperately digging for even the smallest fault. Yeon Joo’s vulnerability could easily become his as well. His words were right—she really did need to stay alert.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

His sharp gaze met hers, his eyes filled with urgency.

What fear lurked behind those eyes?

Was he afraid that because of her, he wouldn’t get what he wanted? Surely, it couldn’t be fear of losing her.

She couldn’t fully grasp his intentions, but she nodded anyway.

“…I understand.”

Now, all choices rested in his hands. Only he could decide whether to end or continue this relationship—one that could collapse at any moment without surprise.

Yeon Joo would do exactly as Jin Wook wished. At least until Mi Hyun woke up.

After watching Yeon Joo for a moment, Jin Wook stood up and said,

“Driver Kim will pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”

“…”

“See you at the hospital then.”

Having said his piece, Jin Wook walked toward the front door. Yeon Joo could only silently watch as he left the house again.

***

Yeon Joo and Jin Wook sat in the back seat of the moving car.

The interior was so quiet it felt heavy.

Yeon Joo glanced sideways at Jin Wook. Dressed in a navy suit, he stared straight ahead without a word.

They were on their way home from the hospital. The clinic they’d visited was a renowned obstetrics department led by a famous professor, and Yeon Joo had undergone every test the hospital requested.

Yet the results hadn’t changed significantly.

“Whether it’s natural conception or artificial insemination, implantation must happen first. In Ms. Kang Yeon Joo’s case, however, fibroids have spread across most of her uterine lining… making implantation extremely difficult.”

Jin Wook initially protested as if unable to accept the professor’s words, but eventually left the consultation room with a dark expression.

By the time the sky had dimmed and the car neared their home,

Jin Wook, who hadn’t spoken a word the entire ride, finally broke the silence.

“I’ll look into other hospitals. If there’s none in Korea, we’ll go abroad.”

“…”

“I can’t trust that professor’s opinion. Forget what he said.”

Just earlier that day, he’d insisted the man was Korea’s top, most trustworthy specialist.

Understanding his refusal to accept the verdict, Yeon Joo simply nodded slowly.

Jin Wook glanced at her profile once, then spoke again.

“It’s not a life-threatening illness, so don’t take it so seriously.”

“…”

“I mean, there’s no need to look like your whole world’s collapsed.”

At that, Yeon Joo briefly looked at Jin Wook’s face.

He didn’t seem to realize—

he himself wore exactly that same devastated expression.

Ever since leaving the consultation room, Jin Wook’s face had been shadowed. Though he showed no outward signs of disappointment or despair, Yeon Joo could feel it. Even without saying a word, his entire presence radiated bleakness.

Maybe he even regretted choosing her in the first place.

“This wasn’t the woman I was supposed to marry. I should’ve backed out when Ae Ran objected.”

The thought that he might be thinking this made Yeon Joo’s heart clench.

When the car stopped right in front of their house, Jin Wook turned toward Yeon Joo and spoke firmly, emphasizing each word.

“Remember this: don’t tell anyone about this. I’ll handle silencing the hospital staff myself.”

“…”

“I’ll find a way. Until then, just act as you normally do.”

“But there must be something I can—”

“No. You’re not to do anything.”

Jin Wook cut her off, fixing her with a determined gaze.

“Just… stay exactly as you are right now.”

“…”

“Don’t overthink anything—just hold your place.”

His deep voice echoed through the car.

“That’s all I ask of you.”

Yeon Joo’s eyes flickered faintly.

She’d assumed Jin Wook would immediately demand a divorce once he learned the truth. After all, keeping her by his side brought him no benefit.

Finding another woman to marry and have a child with would be far quicker than searching for ways to help Yeon Joo conceive. He was always rational and calculating—he’d surely recognize the most logical choice.

Yet now, Jin Wook wanted to hide the truth from everyone and keep her by his side. It was an unwise, irrational decision—utterly unlike him.

But she lacked the honesty to tell him his approach was wrong. She was far too weak and insecure for that.

Though she couldn’t fully understand Jin Wook’s motives, following him was her only option. As long as he held her hand, she wouldn’t be the one to let go first.

Because holding that hand meant holding not just her future, but Mi Hyun’s as well.

“I understand. I’ll do exactly as you say.”

Yeon Joo spoke calmly.

“I won’t tell anyone, and I’ll act as I always do.”

All she had to do was live normally—quietly, like a doll, keeping others comfortably pleased. It wasn’t unbearably difficult; after all, she’d lived exactly like this since childhood in Dae Han’s household.

Jin Wook regarded her for a moment, then turned his gaze forward and said,

“Go inside first.”

“What about you?”

“I still have work at the office.”

“When…”

“It’ll be late.”

He meant she shouldn’t wait up for him.

“Then I’ll go in…”

At that moment, Yeon Joo saw Jin Wook’s phone ring—and caught sight of the name displayed on the screen.

—Ju Min Hee—

Jin Wook answered immediately.

“Hello.”

[Director, this is Secretary Ju. Are you available to talk right now?]

“Go ahead.”

[While you were out, Governor Lee Jung Tae called regarding the theme park project. He said he has something to discuss…]

Jin Wook’s expression turned serious instantly as he continued speaking with Min Hee. The moment work entered his mind, Yeon Joo seemed to vanish from his awareness.

Watching him on the call, Yeon Joo slowly opened the car door.

After stepping out, she closed the door and watched the car drive away. Through the window, he remained completely absorbed in the conversation.

His figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from view—his eyes never once meeting hers.

Her hand, which had almost reached out when their eyes might meet, awkwardly hovered in the air before falling back down.

***

“Rrrrrr———, Rrrrrrr————.”

Yeon Joo opened her eyes to the ringing sound beside her bed.

Half-awake, she picked up her phone and checked the screen.

—Mother—

Seeing the name, Yeon Joo immediately sat upright. She cleared her throat softly and answered,

“Yes, Mother.”

She tried to sound composed, but the sleepiness in her voice was unmistakable. Ae Ran’s voice came through.

[Were you sleeping?]

“Ah… yes.”

[What time do you think it is, that you’re still sleeping?]

Yeon Joo glanced at the wall clock opposite her. It was 7:50 a.m.—later than usual, but not so late as to deserve being called lazy.

[Then you haven’t had breakfast yet, I suppose. You need to eat regularly so you can take your herbal medicine on schedule.]

“…Yes.”

[Actually, I had a dream last night—a huge carp appeared. As you know, dreaming of a carp is a pregnancy dream.]

Her voice carried a hint of hopeful expectation.

[I just called… in case there was any news.]