Chapter 6.2

A week after their “lunchbox date,” Jeong-hyeok was finally able to leave work on time.

He was even busier than the previous week, but since this wasn’t something that would end in just a week or two, he knew he had to pace himself.

In any case, leaving work on time was worth it. Eun-sol, who had run out barefoot to greet him, was now trailing closely behind as they entered the house. It seemed she was trying to help take his suit jacket, though she wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

Knowing this, he deliberately quickened his pace. He found it adorable how Eun-sol followed him around like a puppy.

“I have something to tell you, Jeong-hyeok.”

After finally taking his suit jacket from him, Eun-sol cleared her throat and began to speak.

“What is it?”

“I’m planning to attend a pottery workshop on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. With Yu-rim.”

Her flushed cheeks were lovely—so much so that he wanted to grant her any request.

“There won’t be any men, so you don’t have to worry. It’s a class for female students only.”

However, the fact that there were no men was unfortunate. It meant he had no valid excuse to stop her from going.

“No.”

“Why not? Do you have a reason?”

Of course, he had a reason. He was concerned that her personal activities might trigger the return of her lost memories.

The last time she ran away, she had recalled the day they met at the department store. If she kept meeting different people and going to various places, there was no telling what memories might resurface.

“Do I need a reason? I said I don’t like it.”

He liked things just the way they were now. He didn’t want to introduce any variables that could disrupt the current situation.

“That’s such a selfish thing to say.”

Eun-sol let out a dissatisfied sigh and snapped back at him.

Disappointed, she let her arms fall limp, causing the large suit jacket she was holding to drag along the floor.

The sight was so endearing that he almost softened.

“Regardless, it’s a no.”

He turned his back and loosened his tie. Even so, he observed Eun-sol’s expression through the full-length mirror.

In the past, saying “No” would have been the end of it. There was no need to worry about how Eun-sol might feel afterward.

“But I have a gift for you.”

However, he now realized the need for compromise. He knew well that being excessively one-sided would only ruin the pleasant atmosphere.

“…A gift?”

Eun-sol lifted her head with a still-displeased expression.

“But I’d rather just attend the pottery workshop than get a gift.”

“Take a look at the gift first.”

Jeong-hyeok opened the bedroom door. It was a gift he had prepared some time ago.

“What kind of gift could it possibly—ah…!”

Through the crack in the door he opened, a fluffy white ball rolled into the room. The fluffy creature barked as it made eye contact with Eun-sol.

“Mong-mong!”

The tiny dog barked, though its barks sounded more like “mong-mong” than “woof.”

“Oh!”

Eun-sol’s mouth fell open in surprise.

The fluffy white puppy ran toward her with such energy that its floppy ears bounced with every step.

Whimper-

The puppy leaped into Eun-sol’s arms and rubbed its cheek against her face. It was as if it had found its long-lost owner.

This puppy had been trained from birth to recognize Eun-sol as its owner through her clothing and scent.

“Ah, that tickles, haha.”

Eun-sol couldn’t contain her laughter as the puppy showered her with kisses.

“Choose. The puppy or the pottery class?”

Jeong-hyeok unbuttoned his dress shirt leisurely as he asked.

But Eun-sol, completely absorbed in the puppy, responded with unrelated remarks.

“I’m going to name it Mong-mong. Oh my, its fur is so soft. Ah, vaccinations! We need to get those done, don’t we? Tomorrow, I’ll take Mong-mong to the pet shop. These days, they make such pretty clothes for dogs, too.”

* * *

A month passed.

In the backyard of the mansion, tulips bloomed in full splendor, living up to the name of the Tulip Mansion. As the tulips began to wither, summer flowers took their place.

The tiny, fluffy puppy had grown into a slightly plumper fluff ball. Although it still barked “Mong-mong,” its voice had grown noticeably louder.

Jeong-hyeok remained as busy as ever. However, whether it was dawn or late at night, he made sure to come home every day. Even so, having such a busy husband was a source of frustration.

“When that happens, communicate more. Not just with your body, but with your heart. Don’t hide your frustrations—express them.”

Although she agreed with Nurse Yu-rim’s advice as a close friend, Eun-sol felt it was too precious to fill the brief moments they shared with complaints.

Moreover, whenever she resolved to have a serious conversation about anything, the situation always escalated to an irreversible point.

All she could do was succumb to the pleasure brought on by her sensual husband’s advances, leaving her exhausted.

Despite acting like an unrestrained tyrant, her husband was tender.

After their intense intimacy, he would carefully wash her body or hold her in his arms, patting her gently. The complaints she had intended to voice would dissipate in the warmth of his solid frame and broad embrace, which now felt so comforting.

She felt that perhaps things were fine as they were. She didn’t want to ignite a spark of discord that might shatter this peace. At least, in those moments, that’s how she felt.

Anyway, she had been excited since the morning.

“I’m finally meeting Hye-mi.”

Hye-mi, whom she had coincidentally run into at Taepyeong Department Store, was the only acquaintance she had known from before her memory loss, making her especially precious.

Hye-mi, who lacked financial stability, was always so busy juggling multiple part-time jobs that even 24 hours in a day weren’t enough for her. Meeting her was never easy.

Just as Eun-sol was about to step out of the front door, a call came in from Hye-mi’s number.

– Ah, Unnie, what should I do? I can’t meet you today.

“Oh, you’ve got another part-time shift, huh? It’s okay, we can meet next time.”

– It’s not that. I don’t think I’ll be able to meet you for at least a year.

“What do you mean by that?”

Hye-mi explained that she had been unexpectedly accepted for an additional hiring process at a company she had applied to long ago.

– It feels like I hit the jackpot! I can’t believe something this lucky happened to me. I’m still in shock. It’s an overseas assignment, so I think I’ll need to prepare quickly to leave.

“Congratulations, really!”

Although she was disappointed that their meeting was canceled, it was an incredibly important and joyous event for Hye-mi’s life.

– Oh, and… actually, there’s something I couldn’t say when we bumped into each other at the department store last time. It’s been on my mind ever since. If I’m going overseas, it’ll be even harder to see you….

Hye-mi’s voice grew cautious.

– I wasn’t sure if I should bring it up since you seem to be doing well these days, but it’s been weighing on me. It’s not really a big deal, but….

“What is it?”

Eun-sol became even more curious as Hye-mi hesitated.

– Actually, Unnie, you had a boyfriend before you got married.

“…I had a boyfriend? Someone other than Jeong-hyeok?”

Eun-sol felt as if she had been walking on a flat road and suddenly stepped into a hole.

– Yes. You didn’t date him for long, but… anyway, you had a boyfriend. I was really surprised when you suddenly said you were getting married.

“…Are you saying I jumped from one relationship to another?”

– I don’t know the details either. Oh, I’m sorry. I have to go now. A customer just walked into the store.

Eun-sol’s mind suddenly became chaotic.