WWBU - 84

His voice was monotone, but there was an icy edge to it that didn’t escape Guk’s sharp perception. As he absently twirled the ring on his fourth finger, he spoke again.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“…”

“Did you know about the baby?”

“Why do you care?”

Hyun-soo’s response seemed to confirm his suspicions. Guk smirked and wet his lips with his tongue before continuing.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…”

“It’s our child, isn’t it?”

For some reason, Hyun-soo found herself laughing. She felt an inexplicable ticklishness in her stomach, and soon a small smile spread across her face. Guk watched her silently, his expression unreadable.

The silence returned, heavy and suffocating, filling the room like a thick fog. Their breathing seemed amplified in the stillness.

Hyun-soo closed and opened her eyes repeatedly, staring at the dull ceiling. She gazed at the shadows of light filtering through the window, pushing against the endless cycle of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Was everything Han had said yesterday true?

Should she ask Guk about it?

If it was true, then who exactly was Guk?

What kind of person was hiding behind that calm exterior?

And what about their child? What should she do?

Should she give birth? Should she raise the baby with love?

Was even thinking about these things a sin?

Was someone as flawed as her truly qualified to be a mother?

“Why are you crying?”

It was Guk’s voice that pulled Hyun-soo out of her spiral of thoughts. At his words, she realized she was crying again.

She hastily wiped her tears and took a deep breath.

“There’s something I need from you.”

Though she couldn’t answer all the questions swirling in her head, one thing became clear enough.

Guk nodded eagerly, ready to assist in any way. He acted as if he were waiting for her to put him to use.

“I want something cold to drink. Fresh fruit juice.”

“Wait here. I’ll go get it.”

“There’s a café in the basement of this building. They say their drinks are good. Could you buy it there?”

After a brief pause, Guk studied her before nodding. He stood up, gave her one last look, and left the room.

“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”

With those parting words, he stepped out to fulfill her request.

As soon as he was gone, Hyun-soo got up from the bed. Her body felt heavy and sore, but she had no choice. Staying here meant facing Yoon Guk, a man she couldn’t bear to see right now, and raising her unborn child in that monstrous household. Above all else, she wanted to prevent that. The solution was obvious: she had to escape his grasp, no matter what it took—even if it meant running until she collapsed.

Blood dripped from where she hastily removed the IV, but she didn’t have time to worry about it.

Grabbing only her shirt and wallet, Hyun-soo slipped out of the hospital room. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to take the emergency staircase instead of the elevator, fearing she might run into Guk.

Clenching her teeth, she descended the stairs, sweat pouring down her forehead like rain. When she finally reached the first floor, she pushed open the emergency exit door and scanned the hospital lobby. The café was in the basement, so Guk wouldn’t be on this floor, but she remained cautious.

Once she confirmed he wasn’t around, she pushed through the crowd and ran toward a taxi waiting outside.

“Welcome. Where to?”

“Uh… um… just…”

“Where would you like to go?”

Her hands trembled as she clutched her wallet—the lifeline she had left. No matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t think of a destination.

“For now, please take me to the bus terminal.”

“To the bus terminal? Got it. Let’s go.”

The driver, whose warm personality shone through his demeanor, started the car cheerfully. Hyun-soo sat stiffly, too tense to look out the window, staring straight ahead.

She felt certain she couldn’t stay close to Guk or Han. But she was already married to Guk and carrying his child. Moreover, Guk had made it clear he wouldn’t let her go…

So she ran. Overwhelmed by everything, she chose flight—a desperate act of avoidance, though she knew it wasn’t a solution. She simply couldn’t stay with him.

“Aren’t you wearing hospital clothes?”

“Huh?”

“Is it okay for you to be out this far?”

“…”

“Hahaha. Did I ask something awkward? Sorry. I’m an old man who sits in this car all day; I guess I crave conversation. Please understand.”

“…”

She feared the driver might turn the car around and take her back to the hospital or report her to someone, but fortunately, he didn’t ask any more questions. He did glance at her a couple of times in the rearview mirror, though.

When they arrived at the terminal, Hyun-soo paid with cash. Using a card would leave a trail that could reveal her location.

“Welcome. Where can I help you go?”

“Um… which is the next fastest departure?”

“What?”

“The soonest departure. Give me a ticket for that.”

The clerk eyed her curiously but handed over a ticket without further comment. The final destination printed on it read “Idduk.”

“Idduk.”

Hyun-soo murmured the name under her breath and hurried off. With only about nine minutes until departure, she first stopped by the restroom to change out of her hospital gown into regular clothes. Then she boarded the bus bound for Idduk.

The bus wasn’t crowded—just a few elderly passengers and one student. Sitting by the window, Hyun-soo finally exhaled deeply.

By now, Guk must have returned to the hospital room and realized she was gone. Seeing her wallet and clothes missing, he’d likely assume she had fled intentionally.

Hyun-soo couldn’t fully grasp what she was doing, yet she couldn’t stop herself. She had neither the will nor the thought to turn back. So she simply bit her lip and stayed silent.

Soon, the bus doors closed, and the vehicle began reversing. It was setting off. Leaning her forehead against the window, Hyun-soo stared blankly at the changing scenery outside.

“Idduk.”

As the sign receded into the distance, Hyun-soo sank deeper into her seat. Life was unpredictable, and hers was about to become entirely uncertain.

The bus arrived at its destination as the sun dipped below the horizon. After most of the passengers disembarked, the last remaining passenger rose from their secluded seat—it was Hyun-soo.

Stepping off the bus, a cool breeze tousled her hair. She brushed it back carelessly and glanced around.

Indeed, Idduk was a quaint, charming town, much like its name suggested. Though calling it a city might be overstating it—it was more rural than urban, sitting somewhere between the two.

The terminal itself was a single-story, dilapidated building. Inside, there were two unmanned ticket machines, though one bore a handwritten “Out of Order” note.

The cramped waiting area housed worn-out beige chairs and a tiny convenience store. Hyun-soo bought a bottle of water there, feeling slightly nauseous after the long ride.

Sitting on an empty chair, she took a moment to catch her breath. With so few people coming and going, she could have stayed there indefinitely if she wanted.

“Where should I go now…?”

But the respite was short-lived. Practical concerns weighed heavily on Hyun-soo’s shoulders. Night had fallen, and she still had nowhere to sleep.

Opening her wallet, she counted exactly 110,700 won in cash. There were several cards, but they felt useless now, so she bit her lip in frustration.

She had impulsively fled to this unfamiliar place, but stepping off the bus marked the beginning of new challenges. Not knowing what tomorrow might bring, she hesitated to spend her limited cash recklessly.

After taking another sip of water, Hyun-soo finally stood up. Her priority was finding shelter for the night.

Leaving the noisy waiting area, she spotted several low-rise buildings near the terminal. A motel district.

Walking through the area, Hyun-soo compared prices at various motels and settled on the cheapest option. It was an old building with flickering bathroom lights, loose windows, and only one functioning bulb out of three—but it was the best choice she could make.

“Cough, cough.”

Deciding against using the blanket, she lay down directly on the sheet. Almost immediately, she started coughing. Though not quite sick, her body felt chilled and uncomfortable.

________________________________________

“Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Here’s your change. It’s rare to see a young woman staying alone here.”

The innkeeper’s probing tone made Hyun-soo smile politely, deflecting the question.

“You don’t want to talk about it? That’s fine. I’m not the type to pry rudely.”

“…”

Hyun-soo accepted the change and stuffed it into her wallet. Though she had nowhere particular to go, she felt the urge to leave quickly.

“She’s obviously here because she has no money. Why else would she come to such a remote motel?”

Just then, someone plopped down next to the innkeeper and leaned into the narrow counter. It was a strikingly made-up woman with sharp features.

“Am I right, miss?”

“Huh?”

“You’re here because you’re broke, aren’t you? That’s why you ended up in the middle of nowhere like this. Right?”