40-58

Chapter 58: Chapter 19: Mom’s Lover (1) 

After Sehyun left, Sunhwa carefully knocked on Minji’s door. 

Knock, knock, knock. 

A soft knock was heard, and from inside, Minji’s slightly hoarse voice replied. 

“Yes…” 

“Minji, can I come in?” 

Normally, their conversations would have been livelier, but not today. The mother and daughter both understood each other’s situations too well, and in this moment, both were worried for the other. 

Minji composed her voice and said, 

“Yes, it’s okay.” 

Hearing that, Sunhwa entered the room. On the desk were the test papers Sehyun had brought, notebook scribbles, and problem books full of study marks. Seeing this, Sunhwa’s heart ached. 

An awkward silence lingered in the room until Sunhwa spoke first. 

“...Can we talk for a bit?” 

“Yes.” 

Sunhwa sat on the backless chair where Sehyun had just been, took Minji’s hand, and spoke gently. 

“You know what’s going on with Mom and Dad, right?” 

“...Yes, I know.” 

Minji wasn’t a fool. She’d never really had memories of her father since she was young. He wasn’t there for sports days, talent shows, field trips, or even the kindergarten performance where dads were supposed to come. Only Mom always just Mom was there. 

Thinking it was because Dad was busy wasn’t enough. When Dad did come home for dinner, someone always called. He’d grumble about being bothered while resting. Minji thought nothing of it. 

But in her third year of middle school, Minji overheard her father on the phone in an alley while she was on her way to the convenience store. 

  I don’t know, I don’t want to go either. The kid? What about the kid… How would I feel paternal love when I never raised her? You know, she happened after just one time, so we got married. It’s all bullshit, even for me. 

Maybe Dad realized she’d overheard. Maybe that’s why, at his insistence, Minji was sent overseas. The reason was simple: she wasn’t doing well in school, so they needed to find another way for her to get into college. 

She wondered when he’d ever really cared about her. Still, it was better that way better to escape the complicated feelings about Dad. She didn’t have to worry about whether to tell Mom. She was busy learning English abroad, and Mom and Dad could just talk on the phone. 

She didn’t need to think about their relationship or problems. Minji had enough on her own plate. 

But yesterday, when she went to see Dad, hoping for something, she saw him kissing a woman her own age. 

She couldn’t really blame herself, but she did wonder if it was her fault for not calling ahead. Still, seeing that scene was truly shocking. 

After returning home, she thought Mom had called Dad, and she heard them fighting and yelling. 

Her mind was somewhat settled after talking with her teacher. 

Still, Minji wanted her mom to be happy. 

Dad had gone off to find his own happiness or rather, he’d never really been there. 

So at the very least, she truly wanted Mom to be happy. 

“...Mom.” 

“Yes?” 

“I know everything. I mean, I already knew.” 

Minji’s voice began to tremble. 

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… Actually, I knew everything… Dad, Dad was cheating, I knew a long time ago…” 

Tears streamed down Minji’s face, beyond her control. She sobbed as she spoke to her mother. 

“I was scared… I was scared to tell you, so I hid it… I ran away… I’m sorry…” 

“No, no… Minji. Look at me. It’s okay, Mom’s okay.” 

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” 

“Mom knew everything, okay…? I’m sorry, I’m sorry for making things hard for you…” 

Sunhwa held back her tears and hugged Minji. 

“Mom… Mom!” 

Minji cried in her mother’s arms for much longer than she had in front of Sehyun. After letting out all the emotions she’d kept inside, she finally spoke with swollen eyes. 

“Sniff… Thank you, Mom…” 

“Are you done crying, my girl?” 

“Yes…” 

Sunhwa wiped Minji’s face and said, 

“I’m okay. I knew all along… If I’d known, I would have made a decision sooner, so you wouldn’t have to suffer.” 

“Mm… It’s okay…” 

After a moment of clinging to her mother, Minji spoke carefully. 

“Mom, you know… I want you to be happy.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Dad went off to find his own happiness… so don’t let yourself be tied down because of me. Don’t feel stuck because I was an accident…” 

“What?!” 

Hearing that, Sunhwa felt her blood run cold. Who would say such a thing  

Suddenly, her husband’s face flashed through her mind. 

“Did Dad say that to you?” 

“Well, um…” 

“…Minji.” 

Sunhwa spoke firmly. 

“Having you was my choice. Marrying your dad was my choice, so this is my problem to solve. Don’t worry. None of what happens from now on is your fault.” 

“Mom…?” 

“And, Mom…” 

Sunhwa paused, then stroked Minji’s hair with the warmest smile she could muster. 

“Thanks to you, I’m already happy.” 

For several days, there was no contact from Sunhwa. When I asked Sua, she just smiled gently and said, 

  I think it’s time to wait a little. 

Maybe it was because we now spoke informally and she always called me “honey” when we were alone, but I couldn’t get away with teasing Sua anymore. Still, nothing much had changed. 

Thanks to Sunhwa’s absence, my lower half which had gotten a break was being warmed up by another woman. 

“Haa… haa…” 

“Walk properly, Jiye.” 

“Yes…” 

Up ahead, Jiye, wearing nothing but a coat and dripping white, sticky fluid between her legs, was suffering as Sunhwa’s substitute. She seemed happy enough, so I didn’t mind. 

We strolled only through deserted alleys, sometimes taking her roughly when the mood struck. As these walks continued, Jiye seemed to change, too. 

Her anxiety faded, and she even seemed more relaxed. 

After a late-night walk, we returned to a convenience store and shared a bottle of water. 

“So, do you think it’s okay?” 

“What… what is?” 

Jiye was startled by my question. I fiddled with her leash and said, 

“Me. Do you think I’m okay as a boyfriend?” 

“Boyfriend…? But you have other women. I thought this was just a bit of fun…” 

Jiye hesitated. I smiled and replied, 

“There are already two why not three? The others are fine with it.” 

“Still…” 

Jiye clenched her fists. 

“I don’t think it’s time for romance yet. I want to focus on raising my daughter. I’m grateful you help me relieve stress like this, but…” 

“Hm.” 

Maybe it’s because I’m only a temporary master. It didn’t feel like a true master-servant relationship yet more like just play. Unlike with Sua or Sunhwa, she didn’t feel fully devoted. 

Well, after a few more encounters, Jiye would probably be conquered, too, so I wasn’t worried. I replied in a relaxed voice, 

“If I get more women, don’t complain about not getting your turn.” 

“You… you’re already chasing women at your age?” 

At that, I tugged her leash a bit harder. Jiye blushed and said, 

“Hnn…! Haa… I’m sorry…” 

She probably didn’t mean it. It was her way of protecting herself from getting hurt a defense mechanism that didn’t work on me anymore. Still, I felt a strange sense of discomfort. 

“But… I do like being with you like this.” 

Jiye glanced at me and spoke softly. 

“No one’s ever held me as a woman, or done these perverted things with me.” 

“What about your kid’s dad?” 

“Her dad? Pfft… I don’t even remember. Well, I do… He said he hated that I was such a hopeless pervert, and disappeared without even knowing I was pregnant.” 

“Oh… I’m sorry.” 

“No, no, don’t be. It’s just something that happened. Just a childhood memory.” 

Jiye fiddled with her hands and stood up. The hem of her coat fluttered, revealing a glimpse of her thigh. 

“Ugh! I shouldn’t be thinking like this. I’ll head in first, kid. I have to put my baby to bed and take care of things!” 

Jiye no, Jiye ajumma smiled brightly and left first. Watching her go, I felt a strange feeling. 

Maybe this conquest would last quite a while.