Myung's mother is lying; her son never eats at home. The man went straight to his room when he came home from work, changed clothes, and then struggled with his cellphone for hours. Haneul did things in vain; she just ate alone and then vomited back her food. Everyone forgot that she was pregnant, including Haneul herself.
"Are you okay?" Haneul staggered a bit when Myung was at the bathroom door to see how he was. The girl smiled and nodded.
"My sister said it's common for pregnant women. Is it true?"
Haneul nodded. "I'm fine," she answered slowly.
She had to make a lot of noise because if she didn't, her mother-in-law would scream and call her mute, like this afternoon.
"You just rest," said Myung, pulling the blanket over the bed, hoping that Haneul would be helped by it. "What have you been doing all day?" He asked again.
"I was just helping out with some maid work."
"What's that?" Myung frowned in surprise.
"Cooking and cleaning the room, washing blankets and sheets."
It sounded strange because there were more than enough servants in this house, each with their own responsibilities. The power of this frail woman next to him is not needed, of course.
"Why did you do it?" Myung deliberately asked, "Could this girl be being examined by her mother, right?"
"I'm tired of doing nothing all day."
Haneul went to their bed. Luckily, it was super big. She can keep Myung as far away from her as possible when they sleep. Although it was not the first time they had slept together, this time it felt awkward and different. There is no fun time between the two.
"Sorry for returning to the office so quickly and being unable to accompany you home. You must feel uncomfortable. "
"I'm fine," said Haneul quickly. She turned her back on Myung and turned off the light on her nightstand.
**
Myung just got out of the bathroom and didn't find his wife in bed. Yes, he has to get used to the wife's nickname, no matter how strong he feels, and is reluctant to accept that Haneul is still his wife. He immediately rushed to the dining room, and sure enough, Myung found Haneul there with his mother and several servants who were preparing the dining table for breakfast.
"Did my father come here?" Myung asked his mother if when his father came home, his mother would bother taking care of the kitchen and dining room.
"No, he's not in the mood to meet anyone here."
Myung glanced at Haneul, afraid if his wife felt offended by his mother's words just now. The girl seemed to ignore him.
"Then what's the mess this morning?" Myung continued. "Eomma told Haneul to get up early and do this."
"Yes, we are training her to be a good housewife."
"No, she doesn't have to. Really, do you know the type of relationship we have? No need to bother educating her to be a good wife for me. I really don't want to see her do this."
"You're going to divorce her after giving birth?"
"Eomma!"
Myung almost rebuked his mother because Haneul was there in that place when they were talking so openly. The girl was silent while looking at him, and Myung didn't understand the look in Haneul's eyes. He is so good at being mysterious and hiding behind his quiet face.
"Well well... I guess because you didn't even take her on honeymoon for a day or two at the hotel before bringing her to this den of thieves. I quite understand what kind of relationship you two are in. "
"That has nothing to do with it," Myung said firmly. All my assets are blocked and being purified. "I just don't have the budget for that. I'm a regular staff now. "
"Well, of course, you're just a regular employee at your father's company now, thanks to someone." Myung's mother glanced at her silent daughter-in-law with a gloomy face.
"Eomma, stop."
Myung's guess is that his mother is currently declaring a full-scale war with Haneul. The girl was made tired, awry, teased, cornered, and uncomfortable by her mother-in-law. Haneul must be feeling her life is hell lately, and Myung is not sensitive because his wife is not an open person.
"Haneul, let's go to the room." Myung circled the dining table and gently pulled the girl's hand to follow her into the room.
**
"Forgive what I said earlier, my mother said, I really—"
"It's okay," Haneul explained quietly. She wasn't as gloomy as she was in the dining room. This time, her face looks more relaxed and bright.
"Haneul, I really don't know what the motivation is, but I will do something so my Mom doesn't act like that to you. In front of her, I try not to appear too partial. I'm afraid she's getting mad at you. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. "
Myung looked at her for a long time. At least the woman gave birth to a boy like this into the world, Haneul muttered in her heart. She was fascinated by Myung's attitude, which she had recently found out. The man is silent. She doesn't demand or ask as much as Haneul expected, but she can be this kind and gentle. He even defended Haneul in front of his mother.
"I'm okay," explained Haneul for the second time. "Don't worry too much; I'm fine."
Myung nodded slowly, even though his heart was still not calm. He even hesitated to go to work for fear of Haneul being tricked again by his mother. But Myung could also see that the woman in front of him stood strong and seemed to be able to fortify herself. Not easily influenced, very straight and rational. She seems to understand that being treated badly by her in-laws is something she usually gets. She understands that her presence will not be welcomed. Haneul understands her position and has prepared his heart for it. She is not as weak as Myung imagined.
A moment later, Myung rushed to the bathroom while Haneul made their bed. She started stripping the sheets she had worn last night and was about to replace them with new ones. But her mind wandered for a moment. What did that mean?
Is Myung just an ordinary staff member in his father's office? But isn't he a young director? Was his position demoted because of someone? Is that someone else? Haneul wondered.
**