58. Harsh Words

Thump.

Turning on the lights in the dark house and stepping inside, Soohyun let out a short sigh.

As always, the house was the same. Taking in the familiar scenery, he slowly walked further inside.

Recently, Haein’s time spent at the hospital had become too frequent and even longer. To be more precise, she practically lived at the hospital, making the word “stay” seem inadequate.

Whenever he came into the unlit house, a feeling of disappointment welled up within him.

The dinner table, which used to be set even if he didn’t eat, was nowhere to be seen, and it was rare to see the face that used to greet him when he came home from work. That’s how desperately Haein was clinging to her younger sibling’s situation.

Now, Soohyun was the one waiting for Haein to return home.

How many nights had he kept her locked in this house, making her wait for him?

Thinking back to those times, he realized that he didn’t have even a tenth of the patience that Yoon Haein had possessed back then. Even though he understood and knew all this in his head, he couldn’t shake off the feelings of disappointment that arose several times a day.

However, what truly bothered him wasn’t such trivial disappointments.

He was worried.

Waking up early to go to work, he would sometimes turn back to look, and Haein’s sleeping face looked incredibly gaunt.

Haein might be throwing herself into her younger sibling’s care with all her might because they were so precious to her, but conversely, Soohyun was most worried about Haein’s well-being.

Since Taehoon had stepped in and actively supported his daughter-in-law, Chairman Park hadn’t shown any significant movements yet. But as Chairman Park became quiet, her younger sibling was in turmoil.

According to Chief Choi, even the treatment that had shown efficacy was no longer working, leading to frequent emergency calls. Moreover, Haein was visiting the obstetrics and gynecology department more often than usual.

‘The nurse said that there haven’t been any pregnancy-related prescriptions yet, but she has been saying that she doesn’t feel well quite often lately.’

Recalling Chief Choi’s words, Soohyun roughly loosened his tie and fell into thought.

He already knew that Haein cherished her family more than her own life, but even so, seeing her move without considering anything else made him anxious.

‘No matter how sick her sibling is, she needs to take care of herself first.’

Even amidst his busy schedule, Soohyun would have his secretary check on Haein’s condition several times a day.

‘There are caregivers working in three shifts and medical staff providing 24-hour care, so what’s the reason for her to go and stay by their side?’

He worried that she might collapse from exhaustion or be hiding some pain.

From the moment he realized that Yoon Haein was someone who wouldn’t show if she was in pain and wouldn’t cry out loud, everything about her started to bother Soohyun.

She made him worry about even the smallest things.

Even though he had drivers on standby in shifts 24 hours a day so he could rush to the hospital at any time in case of an emergency, he didn’t like that she stubbornly stayed at the hospital.

Perhaps, this concern also stemmed from a childish feeling.

It might sound ridiculous to say this, but it was true that he felt something akin to jealousy when he saw Haein clinging to her family.

Every time he entered the empty house, he wondered if he wasn’t included in the boundary she defined as family.

That’s why he would get angry whenever he heard she was at the hospital.

Despite providing all the support, was the reason she was there because he wasn’t in her thoughts? Had she started to think that she didn’t need to worry about him because he was treating her well?

On the nights he waited for Haein in the empty house, absurd conjectures and hypotheses tormented him.

Even though he knew they weren’t true.

He even wondered if she was giving him back exactly what he had done to her, engaging in some childish revenge now.

‘No, no. When she comes in today, I need to give her a firm scolding.’

Watching the clock hands ticking towards midnight, Soohyun made a firm decision.

***

The front door opened much later, after 1 AM.

Creak.

The sensor light flickered on, and he heard the sound of shoes being taken off in the entryway. Soohyun sat quietly, waiting for her to come into the living room.

“...Sunbae, are you still awake?”

Haein, who had appeared in the living room, looked at Soohyun sitting on the sofa and asked in a surprised voice. Hearing her voice, Soohyun slowly turned his head, his brow furrowing.

Haein’s tired face was so pale it was hard to look at.

“You’re the one who’s coming home at this hour.”

His low voice indicated that he was very angry.

At his sharp reaction, Haein also sensed that something was wrong and looked at Soohyun.

“My younger sibling is very sick these days.”

Why wouldn’t I know? I know, but I’m so worried about you.

Unable to take back the words he had spoken or suddenly reveal his true feelings, Soohyun just frowned deeply.

Actually, he wasn’t angry, but his worry was so overwhelming that kind words wouldn’t come out. He didn’t like the way she was neglecting her own well-being.

Haein glanced at Soohyun with a weary face, then stood there without approaching him, her gaze lowered with a disheartened expression.

“It seems like I’ll have to keep going like this for a while... Could you please understand?”

“Do you really have to go to the hospital every day like that? There are plenty of other people to take care of them besides you.”

I’m most worried about you getting hurt.

The words Soohyun wanted to say were different, but the words he spoke without explanation only conveyed a cold feeling to the listener. And at those words, the look in Haein’s eyes changed slightly.

“...Don’t speak so easily. I’m enduring each day with the thought that it could really be the last.”

Haein’s attitude in response was subtly different. It was as if she had her guard up, and she wasn’t the usual her who would gently smile and brush off whatever Soohyun said.

And that, rather, further fueled Soohyun’s feelings of resentment.

“Your sibling has always been sick. What’s so different about these days?”

It’s just that you seem to be overdoing it lately.

The words, unable to convey his true feelings kindly, were full of curtness. And at those words, Haein couldn’t hold back her tears and let them fall.

“...My sibling is really very sick. If they leave without me seeing them go like that...”

Tears flowed down her cheeks, past her tightly bitten lip, and gathered beneath her chin.

Haein stopped speaking for a moment, holding her breath as if trying to control her rising emotions. And then she continued, exhaling a deeply wet breath.

“If that happens, I will truly live every day with regret.”

“They’re not dead yet.”

I hope you don’t despair. It’s painful.

However, Haein had no way of knowing the feelings he didn’t express. She trembled, looking at Soohyun with resentful eyes.

“Even if you don’t understand family love, Sunbae, you’re really...”

Having actually heard the news that Haein’s sibling was seriously ill, Soohyun’s mind was filled with one thought.

The most important condition tying them together was Haein’s sibling. What would happen if that disappeared?

“Or are you actually hoping it ends quickly?”

Soohyun finally blurted out even the anxiety he had been keeping inside. It was a question of whether she actually wanted it to end quickly and leave this place.

Funnily enough, even in this arguing situation, Soohyun might have wanted to hear Haein say that she wouldn’t leave him.

However, Haein, who had been standing upright listening to Soohyun’s words, grew even colder.

“Do you know what? When someone is really struggling, you shouldn’t touch them, no matter how much you hate them. Everyone has a part of them that you really shouldn’t touch. Don’t speak carelessly.”

Haein’s unusually cold and abrupt change in attitude made Soohyun feel deeply hurt.

It felt as if she was firmly defending her family’s affairs, and it made him want to dig deeper. The subtle anger that rose within him made him blurt out whatever came to mind.

“Did I say something wrong? You’re hoping for it inside too, aren’t you? You’re the one who wants to leave here more than anyone.”

“H-how can you say such a thing to me in this situation right now? Are you saying I want my sibling to die quickly?”

Haein felt a chill run down her spine.

In her conversation with Soohyun, Haein recalled the Soohyun of the past who had come to her and said he would help her cut ties with her family.

That’s right. The wounds in this person’s heart were so deep that she couldn’t understand or contain them from the beginning.

She had presumptuously stepped forward to embrace him. Haein bitterly regretted her past actions.

She should never have tried to enter the heart of the person named Jung Soohyun from the start. Whatever he possessed, she shouldn’t have tried to know.

She wished she had remained ignorant and had only looked at the money, as Soohyun had said, blinded by it. If so, his words now wouldn’t have pierced her heart so deeply.

“That’s the truth, isn’t it.”

Haein looked at Soohyun, who was pushing her into a corner, with resentful eyes.

This tiresome place. And you, who never change.

Yes, as you say, if my sibling disappears, there will be nothing connecting us. If I keep the fact that I’m carrying your child a secret until the end.

Haein, who had considered telling Soohyun everything and seeking a solution, was immensely relieved that she hadn’t. Judging from Soohyun’s reaction now, if he found out about her pregnancy, he would definitely stop her from going to the hospital immediately.

“That’s right. As you say, if something happens to my sibling, it’s simply over for us.”

A hollow feeling sank deep within her, connecting the things that had been lying dormant into words and pulling them out. And she closed her heart even more tightly.

As soon as Haein finished speaking, Soohyun replied as if he had heard the answer he had been waiting for, confirming what she had said.

“That’s right. This is your true feeling.”

Jung Soohyun, who was sneering in front of her, seemed to have not changed at all from then until now. Haein was no longer even angry.

She had done her best. She had no regrets about what she had done so far.

The moisture disappeared from Haein’s eyes as she looked at Soohyun. Even the pity she had felt for him seemed to evaporate. No more sadness, regret, hatred, or anger arose on her face.

“That’s right. So, pray as you wish, Sunbae. You’ve wanted it more desperately than anyone else.”

“What?”

“For me to leave you.”

Having finished speaking, Haein looked at Soohyun for a moment with a serene face before turning her back on him. And without looking back, she disappeared into the darkened bedroom.

Bang.

Even after the sound of the door closing loudly, Soohyun stood blankly in the living room for a long time, staring at the place where Haein had disappeared. Her unusually angry appearance felt like that of a stranger.