Chapter 64
A sense of helplessness swept over her once again. Even though her account held an enormous sum of money, even though she had gained the freedom she had always dreamed of, it still felt the same.
『Representative Baek Yi-ryong is under investigation by prosecutors today for alleged bribery and illegal campaign funds. Last month, Professor Shim Gyu-jin from Korea University was accused of evading taxes worth billions…』
Hee-joo stared blankly at the television screen, watching her in-laws become suspects. Yet, there was no emotional ripple within her. She lowered her head. Just as she was about to drift into sleep—
Ring, ring, ring! Ring, ring, ring!
The piercing ringtone shattered the silence, immediately putting her on edge. Hee-joo frowned slightly and reached for her phone. It was probably her sister or the head of the center. She planned to pretend she hadn’t seen it, reject the call, and then turn off her phone.
With half-closed eyes, she glanced lazily at the screen.
675…?
It was an unregistered number with an unfamiliar area code she had never seen before. She intended to press the end button, but the shrill ringing filled her with unease. A faint ache throbbed at the back of her head, forewarning something ominous.
Biting her lip, Hee-joo impulsively swiped to answer.
“...Hello?”
—...
“Hello?”
—...
The other end of the line was eerily silent.
“Who…?”
—...
“Who…?”
Suddenly, the call ended with a sharp beep beep. Hee-joo stared at her phone, frozen for a long moment. Was the heater not on? She rubbed her arms for no reason, feeling a chill she couldn’t explain. Her heart seemed to sink heavily for an instant.
But from that day onward, the ghostly calls began to haunt her nightly.
Ring, ring, ring! Ring, ring, ring!
Tonight was no different. The phone rang again.
One day, two days, three days, four days…
Every night at the same time, the same number—675—called, only to disconnect. The bizarre pattern repeated without fail. Each time, Hee-joo was jolted awake by the ringtone, but she never blocked the number.
“Hello?”
—...
“...I don’t know who you are.”
—...
“It’s the middle of the night here.”
—...
“Don’t you sleep where you are?”
She mumbled in a half-asleep state.
“Can’t you talk?”
—...
“Well, I’m mute.”
Even she didn’t know why she rambled like a drunken old man.
“Won’t you hang up first tonight?”
—...
“Are you even human?”
—...
“Could you be AI? Am I talking to a machine?”
These nonsensical, surreal nights continued. She clutched the phone, hearing nothing but silence, muttering drunkenly into the void.
Then, the television suddenly switched to the last video recorded of Baek Sa-eon before the accident.
“...!”
Hee-joo didn’t dare blink. A chill ran through her entire body in an instant. Her eyes stung as if they had been pierced by cement dust.
“Find me.”
The eyes on the screen locked directly with hers. Her heart sank heavily once more.
What does that mean? Find what? How?
She stared at that face, both familiar and filled with longing and resentment, her mind overflowing with unanswered questions. Her breathing became erratic, rough gasps escaping her throat.
At that moment, a loud noise came from the other end of the phone line. Only then did Hee-joo realize she was still in the middle of a call.
—“…orada…yapıyorsun…”
What had once been a silent connection now surged with an influx of sounds, as if a door had suddenly been flung open. Distant foreign voices, chaotic noise, piercing… something. And the steady sound of someone breathing.
“Hello…” Before she could finish speaking, the call disconnected.
Hee-joo brushed back her loose hair and rubbed her face vigorously. “Am I just overthinking things…?” She glanced uneasily at the urn.
“You weren’t scammed out of money, were you?”
“What?”
Hee-joo had gone to the service center to inquire about the strange calls. As soon as she explained her situation, the staff member, who had been glued to the computer screen, began speaking rapidly.
“675 is indeed an international number. But the call charges are 1,400 won per minute. In short, it’s a scheme where local telecom operators make random calls to generate call revenue.”
“...”
“That’s our current assumption. Since international calls aren’t common here, the rates are high. However, no cases of major financial scams have been reported yet.”
Hee-joo found it hard to follow the staff member’s rapid explanation.
“Do you know anyone in Papua New Guinea?”
“Papua…where?” She blinked blankly.
“Papua New Guinea. It’s a country in Oceania.”
“No.”
“The call originated from there.”
Hee-joo was at a loss for words. With the staff member’s explanation, she couldn’t argue further. She stood up to leave but then hesitated, gripping the edge of the desk.
“Is it possible for the number to be spoofed?”
“Spoofed?” The staff member’s eyes widened in surprise before breaking into a laugh.
“Yes, like… what if the call is only targeting me?”
“Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?” The wide eyes reflected pure confusion.
“Uh…” Hee-joo awkwardly scratched her forehead. “No, it’s just that I once knew someone… who spoofed a number to target only one person.”
“Why?”
“Uh…if you ask why…” She rolled her eyes, stalling. “Maybe they had something they needed to accomplish?”
“...”
“Maybe they wanted to deliver a message? My nickname used to be 406, and this number is 675. If you combine 406 and 67, and replace the zero with a five, it ends up as 675—”
“...”
“Doesn’t that seem meaningful?” Hee-joo leaned in closer.
The staff member fell silent, their expression turning serious. “Ma’am, are you sure you’ve come to the right place?”
Waving a hand, the staff member summoned a burly manager to take over.
“No, no, listen to me—”
And just like that, the staff member passed the issue on to their superior. The same thing happened at the police station when she tried to track the call’s location. No one was willing to entertain her theories.
All day, she felt unusually thirsty and hungry, eating constantly. Even though nothing nerve-wracking had happened, her heart raced uncontrollably, refusing to calm. Once again, Hee-joo awaited the night.
Ring, ring, ring! Ring, ring, ring!
It came…!
She rushed to the couch and quickly brought the phone to her ear, moving as swiftly as a soldier assembling a rifle.
“Hello?”
—...
Silence again, but her heart pounded so hard it hurt.
“Is this a foreign number?”
—...
“Why are you calling? There must be a reason.”
—...
“Whether it’s a prank call, spam, insurance sales, or a loan offer—”
—...
“Aren’t you planning to pitch something to me?”
The longer the silence stretched, the more a strange certainty grew in her heart.
“You’re not trying to scam me, are you?”
—...
“Then how would you know I’m a wealthy widow…?”
People would surely think she was insane. Hee-joo repeatedly licked her dry lips.
“Could it be…”
Her legs trembled as she paced the spacious living room.
“Baek Sa-eon, uh, I mean…”
—...
“Are you my husband?”
Yes, this could be…a call from her deceased husband.
“What’s going on? You actually took the initiative to ask us to meet?”
Hee-joo chewed on her nails, hesitating over whether she should say it out loud. But her sister was a journalist—surely she’d be interested in a conspiracy theory, right?
Fiddling with the teacup, Hee-joo struggled to speak.
“Lately… how’s that case going?”
“What case?”
“The Baek Jang-ho family…”
Ah. Hong In A nodded indifferently.
“Everything has unraveled. It’ll be tough for them to get out of this one. The funny thing is, even though the prosecutors’ higher-ups are all relatives of the Baek Jang-ho family, they’re pretending they don’t know anything.”
“Why?”
“They’ve got their own fatal weaknesses.”
“Huh?”
“I have no idea who’s behind it.”
“You don’t need to know.” Hong In A shrugged. “Compared to Candidate Baek Yi-ryong, Professor Shim Gyu-jin’s corruption is even worse. And wasn’t Baek Sa-eon’s assistant also tied to Shim Gyu-jin? With this trial, he’s looking at prison time.”
“...”
“But what’s wrong with you?”
“Huh?”
Hong In A flinched when she felt Hee-joo’s icy hand.
“Are you sick? Why are your hands so cold?”
“Sis…”
“Is there a pharmacy nearby?”
“Is Baek Sa-eon really dead?”
“What?”
“Is Baek Sa-eon really dead?”
“…”
As expected, her sister’s face immediately stiffened.
“What are you talking about?”
Leaning forward, Hee-joo lowered her voice.
“Think about it. Don’t you find it strange too? All the reporters were in the screening room. Who exactly was Baek Sa-eon holding a press conference with?”
“…”
“And then, the reports mentioned a large number of people with minor injuries. Did you confirm that at the emergency room? Were there really any injured people? The reporters who were supposedly with Baek Sa-eon—did you look into them?”
Hong In A, like a doctor, pulled open Hee-joo’s eyes to check them.
“You look normal enough…”
“I feel like Baek Sa-eon is still alive.”
“...!”
“He calls me every night.”
Hee-joo’s eyes widened as she whispered.
Hong In A wordlessly pressed her forehead against the table.
Chapter 67
"Pazar, stop fooling around and sit down."
"That hurts!"
"I won't repeat myself," Baek Sa-eon said coldly.
The soldier, Pazar, shrugged, put the cup down, and sat beside Baek Sa-eon. "This woman is also from the East. Are you from the same country?"
Hee-joo rubbed her sore jaw, stealing a glance across the table, only to meet his piercing gaze.
"How would I know?" Baek Sa-eon's sharp tone cut through the air like a blade, his cold stare going straight to her core. Hee-joo felt tears threatening to fall as she bit down on her trembling lips.
She had so much to say to him, words piled up like mountains in her heart. But now—seeing him in front of her—everything seemed to blur.
Just as her vision began to swim, an angry outburst in Korean startled her.
"To hell with negotiations!"
Baek Sa-eon raked his hand through his hair, his face contorted with frustration. He exhaled sharply, his gaze lifting to the ceiling as he muttered something under his breath.
"Ask him where he's reached now."
"…!"
Hee-joo's expression shifted. She didn’t fully understand his words, but she recognized the code in his tone. Struggling to maintain her composure, she conveyed the message to the chairman.
The older man’s eyes widened, locking onto her with suspicion.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, hitting the space between Hee-joo and the chairman.
"Ah!" Hee-joo instinctively shielded her head. Smoke wafted from Pazar's gun, a warning shot fired deliberately.
"Stop staring at each other," Pazar sneered, the acrid scent of gunpowder filling the air.
Hee-joo was too terrified to breathe.
Baek Sa-eon, staring at the ceiling, suddenly clenched his jaw and cursed under his breath. In an instant, he grabbed Pazar's head and slammed it against the table repeatedly.
"Ugh…!"
Bang, bang!
The sickening thuds sounded like a watermelon splitting open.
Pazar groaned and fought back, but before he could regain control, the chairman snatched up a gun from the ground and shot Baek Sa-eon in the shoulder.
Baek Sa-eon managed to grab Hee-joo, pulling her along as they bolted from the warehouse.
"Get that traitor! Don’t let him escape!" someone screamed hysterically from inside.
The guards gave chase as Baek Sa-eon shoved Hee-joo into a military jeep.
The roar of the engine cut through the chaos, and the jeep sped off into the endless wilderness.
"Ugh…!"
The rough terrain made Hee-joo's body bounce against the car’s interior, her muffled groans slipping out despite her clenched lips.
Baek Sa-eon's face twisted into something feral, his grip on the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white.
"Hong Hee-joo, who the hell are you?"
His cold, furious tone bore down on her.
"Are you out of your mind?" he growled, his voice shaking with barely contained anger. "Why are you here?"
His words were harsh, but Hee-joo could only stare at him, tears brimming in her eyes.
It was him. It was really him.
She thought she was seeing a mirage—until his hand reached out suddenly, cradling her face, her neck, and her ears.
"Damn it, it's really you," he muttered under his breath, the tension in his face betraying an overwhelming mix of emotions. His pain wasn’t just anger—it was a profound sadness he could no longer suppress.
"You were the one who called me first," Hee-joo choked out, her voice trembling.
Baek Sa-eon said nothing, his jaw clenched as he focused on the road ahead.
"You made such a big show of 'dying,' so why are you here now?!" she shouted, her voice breaking with resentment. "Why did you keep calling me?!"
"…"
"You called, didn’t you? Admit it!" she demanded, her voice rising. But his silence—neither confirming nor denying—was answer enough.
Her anger surged, her nose stinging as tears threatened to spill.
"What if I had actually remarried?" she lashed out. "Were you just going to keep calling like some ghost? Until when—"
The car swerved sharply, cutting her off as she slammed against the door with a grunt.
Baek Sa-eon's voice, icy and low, filled the tense air.
"Hong Hee-joo, you’re speaking nonsense."
"What nonsense—!"
"Remarry? I never gave you permission to remarry."
"…!"
"Are you meeting another man?"
"…!"
"How could Hong Hee-joo even entertain such an absurd thought?"
"Watch the road—!"
"You think I faked my death so you could remarry?"
"Watch the road!" Hee-joo pounded the dashboard, her voice frantic.
"Even if I disappear, I’ll die as Hong Hee-joo’s husband—"
"Stop talking about dying!" she screamed, her face pale with panic.
A wry smirk tugged at Baek Sa-eon’s lips.
"Hong Hee-joo, your words are so grating," he said, his tone edged with bitter amusement.
"…!"
"Keep talking; my eardrums are about to burst," Hee-joo shouted at Baek Sa-eon without restraint, her heart pounding in her chest.
Bang, bang, bang!
Bullets rained down on the car.
"Ah…!" Startled, Hee-joo clung tightly to the door handle. The pursuing rebels fired through the windows, and the jeeps on both sides closed in fiercely.
The speaker sitting in the back seat patted Hee-joo’s shoulder and made a gesture.
"If we can just buy time, our government forces will arrive!"
Hee-joo quickly relayed the message. "If we can just buy time, government forces will arrive!"
"I couldn’t care less if that old man lives or dies, as long as you’re safe," Baek Sa-eon retorted coldly.
"Why are you even here?" Hee-joo asked angrily.
"Doing what I do best."
The jeeps on either side tried to box them in as Baek Sa-eon accelerated.
"Driving?" Hee-joo asked, confused.
He chuckled darkly. "No, scheming."
"…!"
"Exploiting weaknesses on one side to sell information to the other—it's what I’m best at."
The rear window shattered with a loud crash. He swerved sharply, causing Hee-joo to hit her head against the door.
"Back when I lived here for a while, I partnered with a group of international journalists to set up a shell company. Whether it was rebels or government forces, we gathered intel and traded it for favors," he explained, shifting gears roughly. "That interrogation video I shot back then? It was what got this chairman released from the prisoner-of-war camp. His hearing probably got damaged during that ordeal."
"…!"
Hee-joo's eyes widened as she darted glances between the chairman and Baek Sa-eon.
"But Hong Hee-joo always ruins my plans."
"…!"
The statement hit her like a punch to the chest. She bit down on her trembling lip.
"Do you know how many times my plans have changed because of you? Plans mean nothing in front of you. The moment you get involved, everything goes to hell," he muttered irritably.
A few hundred meters away, more jeeps were closing in, their long gun barrels aimed at the car.
Bang, bang, bang!
The car jolted violently under the relentless assault. Hee-joo felt an inexplicable wave of anxiety grip her.
"…I told you to come find me!" she burst out.
"…"
"Oppa, I told you to come find me!"
The car wobbled precariously for a moment before Baek Sa-eon regained control.
Clutching her chest, Hee-joo yelled, "You’re always so confusing, acting like you care about me! Why? Why are you like this? I’ve liked you for so long, but I can’t even hate you properly, nor can I let go. Why do you treat me this way?"
Her voice cracked with a mix of anger and desperation. For two months, her parched throat had become a constant, but now tears finally began to well up.
"You always make it seem like you care about me…!"
"…"
"You know everything about me—even the sides no one else could ever imagine!"
"…"
"And we’ve even kissed!"
"…"
"We’ve even slept together!"
At that moment, Baek Sa-eon froze entirely, his expression unreadable.
His lack of response only made Hee-joo feel more indignant, her chest aching with suppressed emotions. Despite her pride, she couldn’t hold back.
"You’re the one who made me think I could be greedier! You bastard!"
Baek Sa-eon’s neck flushed red, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged as he gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity.
Am I the crazy woman who chased him all the way to Argan? How could I let something like this intimidate me!
"If you’d just been cold to me like before, I might’ve let it go…! But why did you have to shake me like this?"
Words carried tremendous weight. As she poured out her deepest emotions in a torrent, she felt herself drawn toward him, her burdens suddenly lighter.
Closer. Just a little closer.
"I have nowhere else to go now…! I’ve cut ties with my mom, and I don’t want to go back to living alone. I have no friends, no boyfriend, and no husband."
"…"
"So who am I supposed to live with now?"
The car swerved violently, shaking from side to side.
"If you’re planning to die, let’s die together this time," she said.
The acrid smell of burning tires filled the air as bullets rained down on the vehicle.
Amid the chaos, Baek Sa-eon floored the accelerator, speeding away.
The seats rattled as more bullets struck the car.
"Government forces are here! They’re closing in behind us!" Hee-joo relayed the news with excitement.
"Ah—!"
Before Hee-joo could finish her words, a bullet tore through the dashboard and shredded the seats. The three occupants ducked instinctively as the car swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding the relentless gunfire. Finally, the pursuing vehicles were shaken off after a sudden, sharp turn.
The deafening barrage of bullets seemed to tear through their eardrums.
"Ah…!"
At that moment, one side of the car abruptly sank with a heavy thud, accompanied by an alarming sensation. The car's warning alarms blared incessantly.
A tire had burst, causing the car to lose speed drastically.
"…!"
The relentless gunfire claimed yet another tire, sending the car spiralling out of control, violently jerking from side to side.
"Hee-joo—!"
Baek Sa-eon immediately unfastened his seatbelt and turned to shield her with his arms.
The vehicle, now completely out of control, hurtled toward the lush, green riverside slope below. It was too late to steer or brake.
Baek Sa-eon could only hold the stiffened Hee-joo tightly in his arms, his expression filled with helpless resolve.
"—!"
With a thunderous crash, the car plummeted into the river, submerging rapidly under the water’s surface.
Chapter 65
As time went on, Hee-joo became increasingly isolated. She stopped answering calls from her sister and Director Han Jun, who were both worried about her mental state. Once again, Hee-joo shut herself inside her home.
However, as soon as the phone rang, she quickly answered, like a squirrel darting to retrieve a nut.
"Hello?"
—…
The breathing on the other end was different from usual, as if it was interrupted midway.
"Why do you only call once a day?"
—…
"Can’t it be more frequent?"
—…
Even if people thought she was crazy, it didn’t matter. Even if they labeled her as mentally ill, she didn’t care.
Closing her eyes tightly, Hee-joo said, "I will find you."
—…
"So, please wait for me."
—…
"Wherever you are, I will find you."
Even if you’re a ghost, I will find you.
Hee-joo gripped the phone with all her strength.
It was her first time visiting a prison. The place felt desolate and cold. Sitting in the visitation room, Hee-joo anxiously adjusted her carefully chosen outfit, waiting for someone to arrive.
Soon, a man appeared, escorted by a prison guard—it was Baek Sa-eon’s personal assistant, Park Do-jae.
Hee-joo was well aware of how close Park Do-jae and Baek Sa-eon were.
"Hello," she greeted.
Park Do-jae avoided her gaze.
It was clear that prison life hadn’t been kind to him. One of his eyes was swollen badly, his lips were cracked, and he walked with a limp. His limbs bore obvious signs of injury.
"I came to see you, Assistant Park, because…"
Hee-joo swallowed hard and asked, "Where is he?"
"…!"
Park Do-jae froze, meeting her gaze.
"I know this sounds crazy, but it’s just my intuition. My gut tells me that he’s still alive."
"…"
"Sometimes in life, there are absurd things we must confront, and for me, that time is now. Where is he?"
"I don’t know," he replied, his face expressionless.
It was evident Park Do-jae wasn’t going to divulge anything. He abruptly turned his head, signaled to the guard, and stood to leave.
At that moment, Hee-joo grabbed his wrist.
"You pushed me."
"…!"
Park Do-jae’s face turned pale as he stared at her.
"At the workshop, it was you who pushed me, Park Do-jae."
"…!"
"Shall we talk about that first?"
His gaze faltered, a slight tremor in his eyes.
Under Hee-joo’s half-threatening tone, he sat back down.
Though she wasn’t naturally intimidating, this past month had honed her ability to use whatever tactics she had.
"It looks like you’re having a hard time in here."
"…!"
"Answer my question."
Hee-joo stared him down.
"Although my family has fallen from grace, I’m still the second daughter of the president of The SanKyung Daily. Compared to you, a mere assistant in prison, my influence is far greater, isn’t it?"
"..."
Their gazes clashed in midair. Hee-joo finally relaxed her shoulders, letting them slump helplessly.
"I’m not here to pass judgment on you. I just need to know about Baek Sa-eon..."
"My younger sister went missing when she was a child," Park Do-jae interrupted her.
His words left Hee-joo speechless.
"That incident plunged my family into ruin. It was in the late ’90s, during a period when cases of missing children were rampant. My father quit his job and traveled the country searching for her."
"..."
"A 30-square-meter apartment shrank to 20-square-meter. Then, it was a rented villa. After that, a semi-basement studio. In less than three years."
His voice was low and dark.
"My mother, overwhelmed with depression and neurosis, was bedridden for years before passing away."
"..."
"That’s when I met Professor Shim."
"...!"
"The reason I stayed by the spokesperson's side all this time was..." His gaze dimmed.
"Professor Shim told me that Baek Sa-eon was the one who harmed my sister."
"...!"
"I always thought that was referring to the man I served as my superior." He rubbed his face with his cuffed hands, a tormented expression etched into his features.
"But it turns out that man wasn’t Baek Sa-eon."
His distorted face betrayed deep anguish.
"I was unknowingly helping the man responsible for my sister's suffering."
His cracked lips curved into a bitter smile.
Pushing Hee-joo on the hiking trip. Taking the negotiation phone from her climbing pack to keep it undiscovered. Deliberately sabotaging location tracking or erasing threatening voice files to cover up the mastermind behind the calls—it had all been his doing.
Manipulated completely by Shim Kyu-jin and her son, he hadn’t realized he was becoming just like them.
Eventually, Park Do-jae straightened his once-slumped shoulders and said resolutely:
"...He’s still alive."
Hee-joo’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"He’s alive. —If he’s the man I know."
"This must have been orchestrated by the Blue House’s planning team. Professor Shim and her biological son had planned from the beginning to destroy Baek Jang-ho's memorial hall."
"If your predecessor knew of this plan, then the more relevant question is, which Baek Sa-eon actually died?"
Amid the chaos of hurriedly packing her suitcase, the front door suddenly flew open.
A storm of angry footsteps followed as someone charged into the room.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Hong In A yelled, her voice sharp.
"I thought I misheard you!"
"..."
"What? You’re going to the Argan Republic?"
Hong In A stood with her hands on her hips, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called, saying there’s an exceptional passport application. The name they mentioned was Hong Hee-joo. They asked if it was part of The SanKyung Daily’s itinerary."
Hee-joo only shrugged, her focus still on her clothes.
"Now you’re abusing chaebol privileges for this?"
"Are you crazy? Why would you go there? How can you even think of going to that place?"
"..."
Silently, Hee-joo continued folding her clothes.
If Baek Sa-eon was truly in hiding, then he must be in the Argan Republic. It was where he’d completed his military service and the starting point of his years traversing conflict zones.
Park Do-jae’s conviction in his gaze had left no doubt in her mind.
Desperate, In A grabbed Hee-joo’s arm.
"Get a grip...!"
"..."
"You’re not doing this because of Baek Sa-eon, are you?"
Hee-joo met her gaze, calm and resolute.
The silence between them spoke volumes, revealing an unshakable determination.
Hong In A’s face crumpled, and she ran a hand through her hair, exasperated.
"I asked you to wait a little longer. I’m investigating it now, and there are definitely suspicious elements. Just give me some more time—"
"Unnie."
Hee-joo took her frantic sister’s hand in hers.
"Thank you for helping me escape back then."
"...!"
"Thank you for giving me the chance to stay by his side."
The whispered words caused In A’s expression to falter.
"But if you’ve been looking after me out of guilt—"
Hee-joo gripped her hand tightly.
"You can stop now."
"...!"
"I haven’t lost anything."
Hee-joo smiled as she said those words.
"Please. If what you feel for me isn’t just guilt, then let me go."
"...You’re walking into death."
"No, I’m going to talk to him."
Hong In A turned away to hide her glistening eyes.
Argan was a dangerous country. Yet, there was no stopping Hee-joo. In-a couldn’t help but reflect on her own past, when she had risked everything to escape an arranged marriage, enduring illegal clinical procedures to seize her freedom. How was she any different from Hee-joo now?
An indifferent father, a calculating stepmother, and her selfish self—Hong In-a often thought of them as a perfectly dysfunctional trio. Except for the girl wedged between them like a coral reef, her stepsister Hee-joo—transparent as water, her emotions always visible.
That little hand, the one that pulled her out of the silent void she’d once been trapped in, was now the same hand she felt powerless to protect.
"I guess... I was too late after all," In-a murmured, hugging Hee-joo tightly.
She felt as if she had completely lost Hee-joo to Baek Sa-eon.
"I should have gotten married back then."
"Now, it’s impossible," Hee-joo said firmly.
Her determination made In-a sniffle despite herself.
The sun blazed fiercely. Beyond the half-destroyed buildings, the turquoise sea shimmered brightly.
She pulled the old scarf over her nose and mouth. The sea breeze carried sand that found its way into her mouth, intensifying her thirst. Hee-joo licked her dry lips and quickened her pace.
This foreign land, with its vast grasslands and deserts, had been mired in chaos for over two decades. Torn flags lay scattered on the ground, and the temporary tents set up everywhere were now in tatters.
She walked past the ruins and climbed a shrub-covered hill. This was Biben Special Education Facility.
When Hee-joo pulled down the scarf covering her face, a child waved enthusiastically and called out, "Teacher!"
It was a child who used sign language.
"Keep your head down, stay quiet..."
She quickly approached a group of about ten children.
For the past two months, she had been in the Argan Republic as an international sign language interpreter, teaching at this facility for hearing-impaired children.
"Hee-joo, hurry!"
The director called out in broken English, urging her to move faster.
According to the director’s intel, a street battle was expected to break out tonight. They were now trying to escort the children to a UN tent for safety.
Suddenly, the rumble of engines roared in the distance.
Chapter 66
"Quick, hide..." Hee-joo gestured in sign language, urging the children to hide in the bushes. The headlights of a military jeep swept over their position. Wiping cold sweat from her brow, she exhaled deeply.
It had been two months since she arrived in Argan. Though her sister had helped her secure a safe entry through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the challenges didn’t stop there. She wondered where he might be. Acting on a mere possibility made everything seem uncertain and aimless.
Initially, she sought news of an Asian man through foreign journalists but found nothing. He had been a war correspondent, later worked in political journalism, and even became a broadcaster. Perhaps he was at the epicenter of the conflict? But after moving to the most dangerous areas, witnessing children fall amidst gunfire, Hee-joo could no longer bear to step foot there.
Especially the hearing-impaired children. Unable to communicate, they were the most vulnerable. Their inability to speak meant they couldn't protest, making them the first to be forced into submission. Hee-joo understood this all too well.
So she began teaching international sign language. As a teacher, her days were busy and fulfilling, though searching for Baek Sa-eon felt increasingly distant. She occasionally asked the director to inform her if he ever heard news of a handsome Asian journalist. But each time the director returned from the city, he only shook his head apologetically.
At first, Hee-joo was disappointed, even cried. But now, she had grown used to the setbacks. What kept her going was the hope that one day she might see him again.
"Damn it, we've been spotted..." The director, walking ahead, cursed under his breath.
Suddenly, rebel soldiers emerged from hiding, half-concealed, their guns trained on the group.
"Hands up! Place them behind your heads!" they barked, their guns aimed.
Terrified, the children immediately knelt. Hee-joo followed suit, her hands behind her head, bowing low. She noticed the soldiers' boots, riddled with bullet holes, and felt a chill of fear.
"I heard there’s an international sign language translator at Biben Education Facility."
"..." Hee-joo bit her lip as she listened to the slow, deliberate English.
"These little ones look like they’re from Biben."
A long barrel grazed the ears of the huddled children. Seeing their terror-stricken faces, Hee-joo raised her trembling hands.
"I—I'm the sign language translator."
"No, Hee-joo!" The director tried to pull down her arm, but it was too late.
A dark-skinned man with thick eyebrows scrutinized her.
"Are you really a translator?"
"...Yes."
"Then you’re coming with us."
"I can’t go with you."
"Is that so?"
The man remained unfazed. At his signal, the waiting men abruptly grabbed the children, hoisting them high and shoving them into the truck. The director shouted and tried to stop them, but he was quickly stomped to the ground by a boot.
"What are you doing?!" Hee-joo’s face turned pale with anger.
"If you won’t come, then they’ll all be hostages."
"…!"
"If you don’t cooperate, these kids will all suffer."
Weighing her options quickly, Hee-joo glared at the man in front of her.
"At least tell me why you’re taking me."
"We need a translator."
"A translator?"
"We’ve captured the leader of the government forces, but he’s deaf. His brother was our translator, but I accidentally shot him."
"…!"
"So now the negotiations are stalled." He lit a cigarette leisurely, his movements oddly calm despite the urgent situation.
Suddenly, he stared directly at her face.
"You’re from Korea, too—"
"Release the children," Hee-joo interrupted him sharply. He frowned.
"I’ll go with you."
The bumpy dirt road jostled the seats endlessly. Blindfolded, Hee-joo was being taken somewhere. The stench of exhaust fumes was overpowering, and an old radio crackled with static. She let the wind from the open window whip against her face as she assessed her situation.
If they had captured someone from the government forces, then these people were definitely rebels.
Finally, the car screeched to a halt. She felt a hand seize her neck, dragging her out. Her ankle slammed into the car door, sending a sharp pain shooting through her leg.
"Time is short."
"…!"
"Can you translate right away?"
"Water... please, give me a glass of water." Her cracked lips barely moved as she spoke. The man nodded and motioned for her to walk ahead. Still blindfolded, Hee-joo groped her way forward. Any hesitation was met with the cold press of a gun muzzle against her back.
A strange smell wafted through the air. As soon as she entered a building, the blindfold was suddenly removed.
"…!"
Her eyes, sensitive to the light, immediately squinted. The damp warehouse was dimly lit, the floor covered in plastic sheeting. Piles of wood scraps, plastic pipes, and sawdust cluttered one corner. It was clearly a makeshift space in an abandoned structure.
At an old table sat a solitary middle-aged man, his disheveled appearance hinting that he was likely a member of the government forces. Hee-joo's heart began to race as the gravity of her situation sank in. Could one wrong move lead to her death? Cold sweat beaded her forehead.
With the gun still prodding her back, she finally pulled out a chair and sat next to the unfamiliar man. He scrutinized her with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"I’m an international sign language interpreter. Are you all right?" Hee-joo signed quickly. The man’s face softened slightly, showing a hint of relief.
"You’re a sign language interpreter?"
"Yes."
The man wiped his brow and exhaled heavily.
"I’m the chairman of the government forces. Those bastards finally brought a translator," he signed, his expression laced with sarcasm.
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed from the iron stairs above, making the table legs tremble.
"…!"
The chairman’s face froze. He quickly began signing again.
"It’s the rebels' negotiation expert. Not an Argan native, but someone who’s been closely connected to the rebel commander for years. They say he’s more cunning than a viper—"
Bang!
A glass of water slammed onto the table, spilling droplets onto a man’s hand. The chairman abruptly stopped signing.
"I heard you were thirsty," a familiar voice said.
"…!"
At the sound of that voice, a cold shiver raced down Hee-joo’s spine. She jerked her head up and locked eyes with the man standing under the dim light.
"…"
"…"
Her breath caught in her throat, her scarf slipping from her head. After months in Argan, her sun-darkened face was slick with sweat, her hair falling naturally to her ears. She wore a simple black short-sleeved shirt, pants, and heavy military boots. Yet, the gun holster strapped from her shoulder to her waist, and the radio clipped at her side, made her look both unfamiliar and commanding.
It was him. Baek Sa-eon. The man she had been searching for.
The man who had once represented the government in a sharp suit was now stripped of that polished image, his rougher, battle-hardened presence reflecting the harshness of their surroundings.
Found you. Hee-joo’s thoughts trembled as she gazed at him, her eyes welling with tears. She had searched endlessly, braving everything for just one glimpse of him.
She was about to speak, her emotions threatening to spill over, when Baek Sa-eon casually pulled out a chair and sat across from her. His eyes briefly flicked to hers before he focused on the table, as though nothing had happened.
"…"
That cold indifference was like a slap, stunning her into silence. It was the same familiar, distant demeanor she had seen before—a deliberate disregard that made her feel insignificant. She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself against the sting of rejection.
Baek Sa-eon crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes. The veins on his forehead pulsed as he rocked the chair back and forth, the creaking noise unnerving.
"Let’s continue the conversation," he finally said, opening his eyes.
His physique had grown even more defined since she had last seen him. Silently, Hee-joo watched him, but Baek Sa-eon tapped the table impatiently, jolting her back to reality.
"Translate," he ordered.
"…Ah!"
Her cheeks flushed as she quickly averted her gaze and began translating, her voice trembling slightly.
"They are willing to cease attacks but demand control of a critical stronghold."
"Reject the impossible demands," Baek Sa-eon replied curtly.
"You’re not ready to negotiate yet," Hee-joo translated.
"But that land—"
"It’s only a matter of time before the rebels take it."
The dialogue flowed smoothly, though Hee-joo’s mind was a storm of conflicting emotions.
"How’s it going?" The soldier who had brought her in approached with a smug grin. "Didn’t you say you were thirsty? Why aren’t you drinking?"
The conversation at the table abruptly halted, the air growing tense. The soldier’s eyes roamed over Hee-joo with unsettling amusement. She noticed the change in his demeanor and braced herself.
"Ugh…!"
Suddenly, the soldier grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. He picked up the glass of water, clearly intending to force it down her throat.
Before Hee-joo could react, a heavy walkie-talkie flew through the air like a brick, striking the soldier squarely on the head. It clattered to the ground with a thud.
"Enough," Baek Sa-eon said coldly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Chapter 68
The already shattered car window completely fractured upon hitting the water. Baek Sa-eon tightly wrapped himself around Hee-joo, curling his body to shield her. In an instant, water rushed into the cabin, flooding it entirely.
“Who said I was going to die?” Baek Sa-eon growled through clenched teeth, his pale cheek brushing roughly against hers.
The icy river water slapped against their faces relentlessly, consuming everything. There wasn’t even enough time to take a final breath. The water was so cold it felt as though it could stop their hearts. In the distance, faint police sirens could be heard, but their consciousness began to fade.
His hair floated in front of her, his submerged face pale. And just like that, absolute silence fell.
This man was afraid of water.
At that moment, a desperate voice echoed faintly.
He’s afraid of rivers! Please…!
The words reverberated in her mind, striking her fading awareness like a thunderbolt. Her eyes flew open, releasing a stream of bubbles from her mouth.
Just then, the speaker, who had escaped the car earlier, opened the passenger-side door from the outside. Clenching her jaw, Hee-joo dragged Baek Sa-eon’s unconscious body out of the vehicle.
Moments later, the man who had also briefly lost consciousness slowly opened his eyes. He began coughing violently, expelling precious droplets of water from his lungs, his chest heaving. His limbs stiffened—a clear sign of panic.
Hee-joo quickly grasped his face and gently tapped her chin with her pinky finger, an intentional gesture.
“It’s okay.” Tap, tap.
“It’s okay.” Tap, tap.
I hope you can hear me.
The panicked man looked at her with a dazed expression, as though trapped in a dream. Hee-joo wrapped her arms around him and kicked at the water with her legs.
Breathe. We still have so much to say. Let’s use our mouths for everything they’re meant for.
The faint glow of the surface began to come into view. Hee-joo didn’t stop kicking, pushing toward the light, the sinking jeep fading behind them.
But eventually, her strength began to wane.
“I can’t…” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Just as she felt her energy reaching its limit, something brushed against her chin.
“...!”
A newly awakened Baek Sa-eon lightly tapped her chin with his pinky finger.
Ah…!
In that moment, an indescribable wave of emotion coursed through Hee-joo. Finally, now—she had entered his nightmare, bridging the gap to his guarded heart.
Strong arms tightened around her waist. Together, their heads broke the surface of the water in a swift motion.
“Gah…! Hah…”
Hee-joo gasped, her mouth wide open, greedily inhaling the air. As oxygen rushed in, the chaotic sounds of the world returned all at once.
“Hah… Hah…”
She glanced toward the hills, where the government forces had arrived and were securing the scene.
Baek Sa-eon, cradling Hee-joo’s hips, waded out of the river at last. His soaked figure loomed over her, his expression a mix of complexity and intensity. Both of them were breathing heavily, staring at each other intently.
“...Baek Sa-eon is no more.”
Droplets of water fell heavily from the tips of his hair.
“The real Baek Sa-eon—my damned nephew—is gone. I brought that bastard here.”
“...!”
The words left unsaid carried so much meaning. She could understand his resolve, risking a hail of bullets to bring the kidnappers here.
“So, I’m nothing. No name or family to decorate me. I was adopted by the owner of a fishing farm and grew up hating people.”
For the first time, Hee-joo clearly saw his true self.
“No privileges, no qualifications—that’s my real identity.”
No longer the handsome elite, no longer the only son of a political dynasty, no longer the spokesperson of the Blue House. Just a man, drenched to the bone.
“Love at first sight.”
Hee-joo used all her strength to lightly punch his arm. “I… back then, I saw you cry…”
She suddenly wiped at her eyes, now growing warm. More than being alive and safe, what thrilled her most was the chance to finally tell this man how she felt.
“I’ve loved you since I was nine.”
“...!”
“Twenty years. For twenty years, I’ve only had eyes for you.”
The man flinched.
“To me, you were never the prime minister’s grandson or a politician’s son.”
“...”
“The person I wanted to see again was the boy crying secretly in an alley, the boy who wouldn’t eat properly, the boy who had nightmares.”
“...!”
“That person wasn’t Baek Sa-eon.”
His expression twisted, as if he were holding back pain. It was terrifying to see, but she had come this far and had nothing left to fear.
“And the brother who had phone sex with 406—”
Before she could finish, her rounded head was grabbed forcefully. His lips crushed hers as if trying to consume her. He turned her head, kissing her with the kind of intensity that felt like he was trying to steal her soul. His tongue pressed against hers, sweeping deeply through her mouth. It was more suffocating than drowning.
Their lips parted only to come together again, over and over, clinging desperately. Their wet bodies rubbed against each other, their soaked clothes clinging tightly.
“I…!” Hee-joo gasped during a brief separation of their lips. Her chest heaved with the effort of catching her breath.
“When I was a kid, I used to dig through trash cans for snacks.”
“What?”
“Oh, and… my farts are really loud.”
“...”
“That’s my flaw,” she said, blushing as she avoided his gaze. “So, what I mean is…”
Why am I so bad at expressing myself? Maybe it’s because all I’ve ever known is how to threaten people, and now even normal conversations feel difficult.
“If we’re truly going to be a couple, we shouldn’t hide anything from each other. These kinds of conversations… should’ve happened long ago.”
Although his face remained emotionless, Hee-joo pushed on.
“From now on, I want to be my true self.”
“...”
“Translating and relaying messages is fine, but we should share more of our own thoughts. We have so much to talk about.”
“I didn’t know we needed so many words between us.”
“What?” Hee-joo was startled by his rejection, a wave of unease rising within her. But she didn’t back down.
“No, no, conversations between a couple are important…!”
“I love you.”
His voice cracked slightly.
Hee-joo froze.
“I love you, Hong Hee-joo.”
The setting sun dipped behind him, casting a strange light on his face. There was no smile—only a twisted expression, as if he were suppressing something, a look that appeared like a scar in the fading sunlight.
Hee-joo couldn’t look away. Every second felt precious.
There was no need to say anything more. She clung to him dazedly, and he responded by kissing her again. Their tongues entwined, saliva exchanged.
“Mmm…” Her entire body tingled.
He let out a faint chuckle during the kiss. As the sun disappeared, night began to fall. The two held each other tightly, as if it were the last day of their lives. Their chaotic breaths intertwined, bodies colliding and separating, then colliding again.
A breeze passed, and Hee-joo’s body shivered slightly. Sensing this, Baek Sa-eon released her lips first. Seeing her pale face, he clicked his tongue softly.
The man took her hand and began walking toward the open plains. Nearby, soldiers helped the speaker onto a military vehicle. No one stopped them from moving freely.
“Where should we start?”
“Until sunrise.”
“What…?”
His eyes glanced at her faintly. Even that small gesture made Hee-joo’s body heat up.
“But… I’m a widow,” she suddenly said.
He stopped abruptly.
“I’ve lost my husband. Do you still want me?” He frowned, as if searching for something in her.
“I don’t even know your name…”
“675.”
“What?”
“Call me 675.”
“…!”
“That’s the number I chose to match with 406.”
Hee-joo paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. Her bright, carefree laughter softened the corners of his mouth into a gentle smile as well.
Just then, a phone started ringing in the distance. Their gazes met simultaneously.
“Did you bring your phone?”
“I did—”
“Turn it off today.”
“…Oh, just for today?”
Hee-joo looked up at him blankly, and for a moment, he didn’t even blink.
“Do you have a phone too?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then keep it off from now on.”
“…!”
“I’m completely sick of phones…!”
Hee-joo cupped his face in her hands and laughed.
“From now on, let’s only talk with our mouths.” She leaned in and gently kissed his cheek before pulling away.
The man lowered his head and whispered something softly into her ear. The sensation of his breath tickling her made her shoulders tremble as she laughed. Then, she raised her arms and cheered:
“675 has fallen in love with 406!”
With that, she began running across the field. He caught up to her and wrapped her in his arms once more, kissing her deeply.
And so, the love-filled conversation between husband and wife continued throughout the night. It was a kiss they had reached after taking the long way around—a language that would forever belong to the two of them.
The End
pen_p:
Finished.
I will not be translating the bonus chapters...sorry.
It was an experience. Something i don't think i want to do again.
i say this with the most admiration & respect possible, but you are absolutely insane!! you must've been possessed by the translation gods to have achieved this in such a short amount of time 😭😭 now that the gods have finally released you tho, please get some rest!! thank you thank you THANK YOU for all the work you've done <3
p.s. i've compiled all the chapters of your translation in the following doc to read personally, & made it public so others can also read it comfortably. lemme know if you'd like me to take it down <3
compilation HERE
@pen_p
Finished.
I will not be translating the bonus chapters...sorry.
It was an experience. Something i don't think i want to do again.
Amazing, brilliant, page turning translation. Thank you so much. Now a well deserved rest. This was such a great day to read this in a span of several hours, we are also so grateful for how fast you got this out. Do u have a link to the extras for those who wanna read further. You deserve all the praise for the hard work. Truly amazing.. MDL translated novel thread was an experience. What was your highlights in this story? Thoughts on the overall story and characters? Wish you all the best. Relax, eat sleep and know you brought joy to many.
i say this with the most admiration & respect possible, but you are absolutely insane!! you must've been possessed by the translation gods to have achieved this in such a short amount of time 😭😭 now that the gods have finally released you tho, please get some rest!! thank you thank you THANK YOU for all the work you've done <3
p.s. i've compiled all the chapters of your translation in the following doc to read personally, & made it public so others can also read it comfortably. lemme know if you'd like me to take it down <3
compilation HERE
Amazing! Thanks!
i say this with the most admiration & respect possible, but you are absolutely insane!! you must've been possessed by the translation gods to have achieved this in such a short amount of time 😭😭 now that the gods have finally released you tho, please get some rest!! thank you thank you THANK YOU for all the work you've done <3
p.s. i've compiled all the chapters of your translation in the following doc to read personally, & made it public so others can also read it comfortably. lemme know if you'd like me to take it down <3
compilation HERE
That's fine 😬. Makes it an easier read.. thanks
@pen_p
Amazing, brilliant, page turning translation. Thank you so much. Now a well deserved rest. This was such a great day to read this in a span of several hours, we are also so grateful for how fast you got this out. Do u have a link to the extras for those who wanna read further. You deserve all the praise for the hard work. Truly amazing.. MDL translated novel thread was an experience. What was your highlights in this story? Thoughts on the overall story and characters? Wish you all the best. Relax, eat sleep and know you brought joy to many.
The other discussion has the link details of where you can download: Here
Highlight that should not be missed is Baek Sa-eon's (our ML) back story. I was surprised by his real identity.
Hee Joo translating at a Wedding was also emotional and should not be missed.
pen_p ….. you are LITERALLY amazing like thank you so much for your hard work!!!!!! Your translations got me staying up until 6 AM IN THE MORNING reading this whole novel in two sittings. Ever since I started the kdrama I found this and read this nonstop in pure delight. I appreciate all the time you spent for this and truly would give you the biggest hug if I could like omfg THANK YOUUUUUUUUU ‼️‼️💓💓💓 please get some good rest and may santa bless you with many gifts this year!!!!!!💓💓🗣️
kiwislicesss:
pen_p ….. you are LITERALLY amazing like thank you so much for your hard work!!!!!! Your translations got me staying up until 6 AM IN THE MORNING reading this whole novel in two sittings. Ever since I started the kdrama I found this and read this nonstop in pure delight. I appreciate all the time you spent for this and truly would give you the biggest hug if I could like omfg THANK YOUUUUUUUUU ‼️‼️💓💓💓 please get some good rest and may santa bless you with many gifts this year!!!!!!💓💓🗣️
You're welcome. I learnt a lot during this process. Thanks everyone
That was amazing work Pen_P!
I second borahebangtan 's comment. Couldn't have better said it myself.
It's too bad for the bonus stories... but at the end of the day, it's free work, at breakneck speed and the main story is translated so I get it ^^
Get a good rest ^^ and THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!
If anyone has a link for the bonus stories in Korean I'll be glad to get my hands on those. My Korean level is not yet good enough to translate but I can manage reading with a heavy use of a dictionary ^^
Kannadin:
That was amazing work Pen_P!
I second borahebangtan 's comment. Couldn't have better said it myself.
It's too bad for the bonus stories... but at the end of the day, it's free work, at breakneck speed and the main story is translated so I get it ^^
Get a good rest ^^ and THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!
If anyone has a link for the bonus stories in Korean I'll be glad to get my hands on those. My Korean level is not yet good enough to translate but I can manage reading with a heavy use of a dictionary ^^
Rooting for you!
Moonlight is progressing quite quickly too. ☺️
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