Chapter 140
“If you know Si-heon, you should know this well, he never tolerates challenges to his authority.”
Ga-eun drew a subtle breath.
“Your disrespect in addressing me properly – Si-heon will see that as disrespect toward himself.”
Yeo-jin bit her lip.
Ga-eun’s words rang true.
Si-heon fiercely claimed ownership of what belonged to him, identifying it as extensions of himself.
He had utterly destroyed a rising congressman’s career simply for insulting his chief secretary’s orphanage background.
If that was his reaction for a secretary, then for his wife…
Whether his feelings for Ga-eun were genuine or not, he would destroy anyone who challenged what he considered his.
That’s how he had maintained his throne.
“Clear the way.”
“…..”
“Unless you’re ready to properly apologize to my aunt.”
“Are married couples truly married?”
Though she hadn’t raised her voice or shown extreme emotion, Ga-eun’s calm, direct gaze held the same commanding presence as Kwon Si-heon’s. The way she could pressure someone with just a steady look and measured words was uncanny.
Jung Yeo-jin clenched her fists.
She hadn’t expected Gye Ga-eun to come on so strong.
Surely, she thought, upon discovering her aunt, Ga-eun would have crumbled completely.
She’d expected her to fall to her knees in silence the moment her secret was exposed.
“Think you’ll be the only one who suffers? Your family, who tried to hide your common birth, will be destroyed too.”
The onlookers, including Jung Yeo-jin, watched Ga-eun with expressions of disbelief.
What graced her lips was unmistakably a smile.
Genuine. Heartfelt.
“That would be most welcome,” she replied.
“W-what did you say?”
“Step aside.”
With her arm protectively around her aunt’s shoulders, Ga-eun began to move forward slowly.
The crowd, held in a trance-like silence, parted like water, watching numbly as Ga-eun walked past, consoling Eun Seon-mi.
Thankfully, when they left the hall, an employee was ready to escort them to their room.
“I-I’ll show you the way.”
“Thank you.”
Ga-eun continued to soothe her trembling aunt, gently rubbing her back.
“Auntie, let’s take the elevator, okay?”
“I-I-I’m s-scared.”
“We’ll go up and take a bath. You love bubbles, don’t you?”
“B-b-bubbles? A-are you c-coming t-too, Ga-eun?”
“Yes.”
Ga-eun held her aunt’s hand firmly.
“From now on, we’ll go everywhere together.”
“G-good. I-I’ll r-ride it.”
Upon reaching the room, Ga-eun asked the staff to bring fresh underwear and clothes for both of them, then entered the bathroom with Eun Seon-mi.
“Auntie, let’s shower while the tub fills. I’ll help wash you.”
“O-okay. I-I wash w-well. Even when m-my nose gets b-blocked, I-I endure it w-well.”
“…Did they make you hold your breath when they washed you at the hospital?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Eun Seon-mi nodded.
Ga-eun fought back the tears that threatened to spill, forcing a bright smile instead.
“Auntie, if your nose gets blocked, you can tell me. If something’s hard, you can say it’s hard, and if something hurts, you can say it hurts. That’s okay.”
“R-really? B-but they s-said they wouldn’t g-give me f-food if I-I spoke…”
Only after taking several deep breaths could Ga-eun respond without crying.
“That will never happen again. Never. I promise. From now on, you and I will live together, always.”
“R-really? P-promise!”
“Yes. Promise.”
After linking pinkies with Eun Seon-mi, Ga-eun helped remove her urine-soaked clothes and washed her body.
‘Why are you so thin…’
While washing her aunt’s back, where shoulder blades protruded sharply, Ga-eun let her tears fall silently, mixing with the shower water.
“Auntie, I’ve made lots of bubbles.”
“B-bubbles!”
When Ga-eun filled the large bathtub with water and created foam, Eun Seon-mi squealed with delight.
Her face was bright and innocent, as if she’d completely forgotten the incident in the party hall moments ago.
‘Maybe that’s for the best. Maybe it’s better if she forgets everything… if she doesn’t remember what happened today…’
Looking at her aunt, Ga-eun felt on the verge of breaking down.
While watching Eun Seon-mi play happily with the bubbles, Ga-eun removed her own wet clothes, showered, and washed her tear-stained face.
After the bath.
Ga-eun laid her drowsy aunt in bed and lay beside her, gently patting her stomach over the blanket.
Just like her mother used to do.
“Auntie, forget about today. Okay?”
“Mmhmm…”
“The sleep fairy will take away all the sad things. When you wake up… the sadness will be gone. Remember? Mom used to say that often.”
Instead of a response, soft, peaceful breathing filled the room.
Ga-eun quietly turned off the bedside lamp and closed the bedroom door, heading to the sub-room.
The moment she closed the door…
“Hnngh…”
The tears she’d been holding back finally broke free.
Her delicate shoulders shook.
Ga-eun released all the sorrow that had been building inside her.
Bzzt- Bzzt-
Her phone began vibrating frantically in her handbag.
As if searching for her.
[Si-heon]
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