When Min Jae stumbled upon entering the room, Eun Young was the one who caught him. His heavy body leaned against Eun Young's small frame, causing her to nearly lose her balance. Min Jae's head rested on her shoulder. As he inched closer, Eun Young felt his hot breath tickle her bare skin.
"M-Min Jae?" Eun Young stuttered. Her husband did not reply so she assumed that he had already fallen asleep.
Min Jae carried with himself the strong odor of alcohol. When Eun Young noticed, she felt a tight squeeze in her heart.
He even had the time to drink while it was his wife's birthday? Then... I must not really matter to him at all.
Eun Young supported her husband by the waist and led him to rest on the sofa. There was no way she could carry him upstairs so she arranged for him a comfy makeshift bed. Eun Young quickly headed to the stock room to gather some pillows and a blanket. She also went to get a bowl of water and a towel before finally attending to her husband.
The man on the sofa appeared to be as innocent as an angel. And under the dim light emitted by the lamppost nearby, his handsome features definitely stood out well. His brownish-black hair was a bit dishevelled. His face was quite reddish at the moment, but it carried a gentle and warm expression. His tall nose was perfect and his full lips were slightly parted as he breathed.
If only a master artist could draw him right now, no doubt that creation of his would cost millions! He was practically Adonis himself!
Eun Young began by carefully taking off Min Jae's shoes and socks. She then proceeded to clean his face and neck drenched with sweat. The water was a bit cold. But it was a good thing since it would be helpful to ease the sudden increase in temperature his body might've felt because of the alcohol.
She helped him remove his thick coat and change his clothes. Eun Young was opening the first few bottons of his shirt when a hand suddenly held hers, stopping her completely.
"Stop..." Min Jae hoarsely whispered.
Eun Young was surprised as she blinked in response. She glanced at him and carefully tried to assess his expression.
"W-what?" Eun Young was stupefied. Quickly regaining her senses, she immediately asked him all at once. "Oh, was the water too cold? Are you hungry? Would you like me to heat up some food? Hold on we--"
"Stop." Min Jae said again. This time his voice rang clearer. Min Jae was peering at her when he harshly removed her hands from his chest.
Because her husband had rejected her touch, Eun Young shied away. Even in a state like this he still didn't want her. They were alright for the past 6 years. Although they rarely saw each other because both were busy with work, they still tried to make their marriage work. Sure it was arranged but everything was fine. Why was it suddenly different now?
Eun Young nervously cleaned up the area. She did her task quietly as she avoided glancing at Min Jae.
"Eun Young." Min Jae called.
Eun Young took a deep breath. She was definitely overthinking so she forcefully dismissed the thoughts. She put up a warm smile and addressed her husband. "Yes, dear?"
"Just... just leave."
Eun Young stopped dead in her tracks. What did he mean?
"You already know don't you? That I'm not a faithful man?" Min Jae suddenly asked.
Eun Young looked at him. His face was emotionless as he stared at her. His brown eyes held no promises either. They were dull and lifeless. Clearly he didn't care at all.
Eun Young held back her tears. Because no matter how much she tried, no matter how much she denied it and no matter how much she tried to cover it up, it was true. She knew.
Their workplaces aren't that far from each other. Sometimes, she would see him with another woman clinging to his arms. But she always chose to dismiss it. After all, he made no claims of divorcing her. She belived that it was a sign that Min Jae doesn't want to let her go.
Since Hye Soo was born, she never saw him with another woman ever again. Eun Young was filled with hope and so she chose to forget her husband's wrongs. She loved him so much. But now it was clear that he held no love for her, even after all these years.
"Eun Young, please leave." Min Jae said, breaking the cold silence between them. "I... I'm not a good man." He confessed.
Indeed, Eun Young stood up to leave. Her knees felt weak but she hid it very well. Her heart was completely shattered to pieces but she managed to put up a brave facade.
When she turned her back to Min Jae, her tears finally broke loose. She returned to her room with her heart weeping in pain through out the night.