Chapter 2 Part 2

Her body and mind were both exhausted, yet sleep eluded her. Minjoo kept tossing and turning under the covers in the darkness. Ever since Gihyun had driven her home, her head felt foggy, filled with conflicting thoughts.

When considering the terms alone, there was nothing to lose. Her rent was overdue, and her landlord wanted her out. But now, she was being offered another place to stay, close to her mother. Quitting her job would give her the time to visit. If anyone else had offered this, she would have been grateful, but Gihyun’s involvement made everything ambiguous.

Was it really necessary to go to such lengths to ensure a healthy child?

“No private conversations with other men.”

What does it have to do with a contract to have a child? Is he worried that a private conversation might lead to a private relationship? Afraid that I might get pregnant with someone else’s child? Is that why he wants to block it from the start?

If not, could it be…

Minjoo tried to consider other possibilities.

At that moment, she recalled something Gihyun had said a long time ago.

“Think of it as if I’m dead.”

Minjoo clutched her hair.

“Have you ever been happy since meeting me?”

The memories were hazy, but the words lingered, scratching at her mind. Her chest tightened with frustration, and tears began to flow. She tried to wipe them away, but they wouldn’t stop.

Park Gihyun, who only sought her out when he needed something.

The man who was always harsh to her.

People don’t change.

Minjoo struggled to regain her composure. She tried to shake off her thoughts and stood up abruptly. She pulled out the few clothes she had from a worn-out box and neatly folded them. She went out to the shared bathroom to grab her toothbrush and towel.

She resolved not to think about anything else. She just needed to do as she was told.

If Gihyun intended to use her, then she would use him too.

If it meant saving her mother.

Tears continued to fall onto the pile of packed belongings.

Even after she finished packing, the tears didn’t stop.

***

The next day, Minjoo spent two hectic days. Even though she had very little, separating her belongings from her mother’s was a daunting task. On top of that, trying to keep up with her job exhausted her further. The only solace was that Gihyun didn’t appear, giving her some time to prepare.

“I’m sorry, yes. My mother is ill, and I haven’t had the energy to look after her properly… I know you’re busy. My paycheck is delayed, yes… Okay, I’ll work until you find someone else. Today is my usual day off, so… Yes, I understand.”

Minjoo sighed as she ended the call with the manager of the barbecue restaurant. She had hoped to quit in person, but she could never seem to catch him at the restaurant, so she had to do it over the phone. Gihyun had demanded that she have everything sorted out by today.

After setting down her phone, Minjoo checked her packed bags again. She had rushed back from her shift at the lunchbox store, but it still felt like things weren’t completely in order. With Gihyun expected to arrive, her mind was in a whirl. Amidst the chaos, her phone rang. She answered immediately.

“Hyekyung.”

– I missed your call earlier because I was busy. Is something wrong?

“Well… can you talk now?”

– I’m working right now. If it’s not urgent, can we talk later?

“Oh, it’s nothing urgent. I’m moving houses.”

– Looks like you found the money! Well done. I know Cha Minjoo isn’t one to host housewarming parties, but invite me over sometime.

“Yeah, Hyekyung, you too. Fighting.”

Minjoo had wanted to explain the situation to Hyekyung, the only one who knew about Gihyun, but she missed the chance. It seemed Hyekyung was at her busiest. Minjoo had to end the call feeling lonely.

“Nam Hyekyung?”

Minjoo was startled and turned around quickly. The door had been opened without her noticing. Gihyun had overheard the conversation. He was dressed in a suit again, but today it was different—a deep black suit, almost fitting for a funeral. It contrasted sharply, highlighting his sharp features and pale skin.

“The Nam Hyekyung I know?”

“…Yeah. I packed, but I don’t have enough boxes. I’ll find some and finish packing.”

Minjoo changed the subject. Thankfully, Gihyun didn’t press further. He started scanning the scattered belongings on the floor—clothes, packed bedding, dishes, and other miscellaneous items neatly sorted and stacked.

“Only take what’s necessary.”

Gihyun picked up a large suitcase that seemed to be Minjoo’s and headed downstairs. Realizing she couldn’t take everything, Minjoo grabbed the bag containing her mother’s clothes.

Carrying a bag bigger than herself, Minjoo carefully descended the cement stairs one step at a time. Gihyun, who had been loading Minjoo’s belongings into his car’s trunk, frowned deeply upon spotting her. He extended his hand to Minjoo.

“I said to only bring what you needed.”

“It’s for my mom. Just in case.”

Hearing Minjoo’s explanation, Gihyun took the bag and shoved it into the trunk. He immediately moved to the driver’s seat, and Minjoo joined him on what seemed like either a trip or a move.

The S Hospital was about a 40-minute subway ride from Minjoo’s house. It took around 15 minutes by car, but today, thanks to Ki-hyun’s steady driving, they arrived even faster. Just as the S Hospital came into view, Gihyun drove a bit further and turned into the underground parking of a high-rise building near the hospital.

“Get out.”

Minjoo hesitated, unsure if she should really get out. The building they had entered was a luxury apartment complex. Still bewildered, she followed Gihyun. Even as they entered the residents-only elevator and ascended, she couldn’t believe what was happening.

The two of them got off on the 14th floor, and Gihyun opened the closest door. Already overwhelmed by the exterior of the building, Minjoo felt even more confused upon seeing the inside.

There was a hallway inside the apartment. Rooms lined both sides of the hallway, leading to a spacious living room at the end. The living room had floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the main street and the entire neighborhood. The open view even extended to distant mountains. The floor was made of pristine marble. However, there were no signs of occupancy, only large appliances.

Gihyun placed the car keys on a side table and took the lead. He motioned with his eyes for Minjoo to follow, and she obediently trailed behind him. Gihyun opened each door, showing her around.

“This is the bedroom.”

The spacious room housed a large bed with cream-colored bedding. Adjacent to the bedroom was a separate dressing room and bathroom. The bathroom alone seemed larger than the one-room apartment Minjoo had been living in. The large windows let in plenty of natural light. Gihyun exited the room and gestured for Minjoo to follow.

“That’s another bedroom.”

It was identical to the main bedroom, except for the bedding color, with the same large bed, dressing room, and bathroom. It was called a secondary bedroom, but it felt just like the main one. Even when her father was alive, they had never lived in a house larger than 100 square meters. This place seemed three times larger than the home she lived in with her family, making Minjoo feel already overwhelmed.

Not wanting to upset Gihyun as he showed her around, she tried to calm herself and asked,

“So, where should I stay?”

“Use whichever room you like.”

“Anywhere?”

“There’s no need to differentiate.”

Minjoo looked up at him with surprised eyes. Gihyun leaned casually against the wall.

“Do we really need separate sleeping arrangements?”

“……”

“We used to live together before, didn’t we?”

“It wasn’t this spacious….”

“I didn’t want to get a place this big either, but this was the only option I found on short notice.”

Minjoo was no longer in a state to listen. She was confused, wondering if Gihyun intended to live together permanently. Gihyun seemed oblivious to her distress and continued talking.

“A helper will come every morning to take care of the housework.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Just get used to it. You won’t be able to do housework once you’re pregnant anyway.”

“I feel burdened by all this…”

“Think of it as deducting from the final payment.”

Minjoo stopped talking altogether, cowed by his curt response. The house, despite its spacious and cozy atmosphere, felt cold due to Gihyun’s detached tone.

“By the way, did you take care of work? Are you quitting?”

“I’ve told them. I’ll leave once they find a replacement.”

Gihyun didn’t seem pleased with her answer, his forehead furrowed as he muttered under his breath.

“Wouldn’t it be better to decorate the house quickly?”

“…Me?”

“I’ve already placed the big items as I like, but you can handle the details according to your taste.”

“That should be up to the homeowner’s taste…”

“Do as you wish. I don’t care about those things.”

“I’m not planning to stay here for long…”

Minjoo fell silent, noticing the sudden change in Gihyun’s expression. He had already caught on to her unnecessary comment.

“Then decorate it in a way that’s good for prenatal care.”

Gihyun responded as if it didn’t matter to him. Minjoo felt a brief sense of relief, but it was short-lived. He seemed to get annoyed again, tapping his arm with his folded fingers.

“You seem eager to get this over with.”

Gihyun’s sarcastic tone cut through the air as he briefly chewed on his words.

“Do you think it’ll happen in one go? Do you plan to get pregnant immediately, give birth, and take the final payment within ten months?”

“I didn’t say that.”

At Minjoo’s retort, Gihyun let out a faint laugh. His lower lip twitched as if in disbelief. The cold sneer on his face flared up intensely. Gihyun’s expression turned hostile as he walked toward Minjoo with steady steps. Minjoo instinctively took a step back, but Gihyun continued to close the distance, pushing her further.

“It’s not that day, right?”

Gihyun whispered softly.

“Let’s try. It’s been a while.”

His voice sank, pressing down on Minjoo like a heavy weight.

“I don’t expect it to happen all at once, but we should warm up.”

Before she realized it, her back hit the wall. Gihyun took another step closer, narrowing the gap between them. He pressed his lower body against hers. Despite the barrier of their clothes, it was unmistakably clear. The animalistic reaction, fully aroused.

As Gihyun leaned his upper body toward her, Minjoo’s head tilted back, and his warm breath touched her neck. Just as their bodies were about to fully meet, Minjoo spoke up.

“I’ve been on medication.”

“……”

“Just in case… can we wait until the medication wears off?”

The sudden lie was far from convincing. Her words came out with a noticeable tremor. Gihyun calmly stared at Minjoo, then asked,

“What medication?”

“Skin medication… I had hives once.”

Minjoo forced her eyes open wide, trying not to get caught in her lie. Gihyun examined her carefully, scrutinizing every twitch of her facial muscles and the trembling of her fingers. He opened his mouth again.

“Which pharmacy?”

“…Don’t you trust what I say?”

“I just want to know what kind of medication it is. Whether it’s harmful to the pregnancy or not.”

His persistent questioning made her heart feel like it was dropping.

Although there were no skin medications, records of prescribed tranquilizers and antidepressants would exist. She didn’t want to reveal that either. Minjoo squeezed her eyes shut.

“…We can do it in two weeks.”

Minjoo’s demeanor shifted slightly, prompting Gihyun to laugh in disbelief.

“It would be better if your lie was more convincing.”

Gihyun slowly withdrew his body from Minjoo. She remained stiff, standing like a statue. Observing her, Gihyun’s voice softened a bit.

“Take a rest.”

“……”

“Anyway, I need to stay at my parents’ house tonight.”

The mention of his parents’ house made Minjoo look puzzled. As far as she knew, Gihyun’s mother had passed away, and she had never heard anything about his father.

Without saying more, Gihyun turned around. He walked with a heavy step to the side table, picking up the car keys he had placed there earlier. Minjoo exhaled a long breath, her tension finally easing. Gihyun glanced back at her.

“Today is Wednesday, right?”

Minjoo looked back at him. Gihyun confirmed again.

“2 weeks later, starting Wednesday, right?”

He firmly set the schedule and opened the front door.

“I hope you won’t make any excuses then.”

As soon as Gihyun left, Min-joo’s strength left her body, and she collapsed on the spot. Her trembling hands couldn’t handle her limp body. Something heavy rose in her throat, and her vision blurred. She couldn’t focus on anything.

She thought she could kill her emotions if she could just get the money. However, anxiety kept bubbling up inside her. Her mind turned red, and memories of hospital doors flashed by. She remembered sitting with her legs spread open.

She wanted to escape reality, but then her mother’s swollen hand, attached to an oxygen mask, flashed before her eyes.

Desperately, Min-joo searched for her wallet and rushed out of the apartment. She frantically looked around, searching for something. Like a half-crazed person, she wandered the streets until she saw a pharmacy. She hurriedly ran towards it. The pharmacist greeted her kindly as she entered, breathing heavily.

“…I need birth control pills, please.”

The pharmacist seemed to recommend a product and explain how to take it. None of it registered with Min-joo. She paid for the pills with trembling hands, carefully hiding them in her pocket to avoid anyone seeing.

On the way back, she kept resolving to herself:

She would endure until Gihyun gave up on his own.

She must never have Park Gihyun’s child. Never.