Novel Translation: When the phone rings

Thank you Thank you so much 

Praying for your eyes too

Chapter 22

"Wait, let's talk this through properly! Don't do this, let's just have a conversation...!"
— Talk with you? Is there anything more terrifying than that?

"Calm down...!"
— You're the one who needs to calm down, you lunatic.

"This is a misunderstanding, it's not what you think!"

Hee-joo raised her voice almost to the point of madness. Where did it all go wrong? It was just a picture of garter belts—how did it escalate into an affair?

Hee-joo wiped her face with her hand. Even if it sparked his imagination, that doesn’t mean I’m her lover! Why couldn’t he imagine it as a paparazzi photo, a nightclub worker, or even a professional blackmailer? It could easily have been a leaked photo from a party... so many possibilities! Especially for someone like Baek Sa-eon, who has enemies everywhere.

But why, of all things, this?

Ever since Hee-joo stopped engaging in direct communication, she had almost no experience in navigating delicate conversations. She didn’t understand how subtle shifts in tone could change everything. All she could do was parrot others’ words, leaving her nearly incapable of true dialogue.

This was Hee-joo's fatal misstep. Her face turned ashen.

— "406, are you even listening to me?"

Hee-joo glanced at the dwindling amount of time left. This wasn't working. She needed a breakthrough. She couldn’t let the threats she’d built up turn into an emotional entanglement. A threat had to look and feel like a threat—it needed to deliver a fatal blow.

Hee-joo wasn’t giving up. Her eyes gleamed with determination.

"Have you not considered that I’m doing this for Hong In-ah’s sake?"

Baek Sa-eon’s breath hitched.

"Getting Hong Hee-joo out of the picture is because In-ah needs a place. Without Hong Hee-joo... everything can proceed as it should."

Hee-joo’s brow furrowed in pain, her words cutting into her like a knife. Her breath quickened.

"I told you from the very beginning—get rid of Hong Hee-joo and bring back your original fiancée. Don’t you understand what that means?"

Baek Sa-eon remained silent.

"Then why would you jump to such a conclusion? I only showed you the photo—I didn’t say anything else."

— "…Do you have delusions? What exactly is going on in your head?"

Hee-joo deliberately retaliated sharply, trying to avenge the moment she had been cornered.

— "Ah... I..."

At that moment, a faint, mocking laugh echoed. It sounded like someone muttering to themselves, like someone who had just been slapped. But soon, the man coldly said:

— "406 really doesn’t know anything."

"What?"

— "The last person Hong In-ah met before she disappeared was me."

"…!"

— "It seems you didn’t hear that from Hee-joo."

…What?

For a moment, I was speechless. My sister had met Baek Sa-eon before she disappeared? And he was the last person she saw?

— "So stop using Hong In-ah as an excuse. Just say it straight. It looks like 406 is panicking and saying anything."

"…"

— "Or would you find it easier to deal with me if I were truly paranoid?"

"…!"

In truth, I didn’t hear anything else. The sudden mention of my sister was too shocking, leaving my head in chaos. I couldn’t even remember what I wanted to say.

And so, I lost all will to fight, frozen in place.

— "No matter what you do, Hong In-ah won’t come back—or rather, can’t come back."

His tone was filled with certainty.

— "So, what will you do? I think I just eliminated your motive for making threats."

Baek Sa-eon spoke in an unusually gentle voice.

Meanwhile, Hee-joo’s thoughts were entirely on her sister. What was my sister thinking? What did the two of them talk about on the night before the wedding? Does Baek Sa-eon know where she is?

— "So, will you stop these meaningless threats?"

At that moment, my lips moved involuntarily.

"Even so, the threats will continue..."

The words came out before my chaotic mind could process them.

— "Yes, I knew you’d say that."

"But I’m not her lover. I swear, I’m not..."

— "Ah, not her lover. Sure."

"Even I wouldn’t do that kind of thing to a married woman."
— "Ah, so you don’t touch married women."

"...What?"

— "That means it happened in the past."

"What? Wait, that’s not what I meant—"

His unfocused eyes regained their sharpness. But by the time I realized I had misspoken, it was too late to take it back.

— "The world these days is a complete mess. Harassment, stalking, even men murdering women they once dated—scum like that are everywhere..."

In that moment, Hee-joo seemed to finally grasp his trigger point.

— "Do you know how much I despise 406?"

Baek Sa-eon was someone whose arrogance knew no bounds. To provoke him, you had to trample on his domain. Even in a political marriage, the title of "wife" fell under his jurisdiction.

— "It seems you hate me too. So why don’t we settle this properly, head-on?"

Ha... Hee-joo shut her eyes tightly, as if resigning herself to the chaos, and decided to play along with the situation.

"...But does Hong Hee-joo only have a mole on her thigh?"

— "...!"

"It’s always so fun to play with Hong Hee-joo."

As soon as the words left her lips, there was a sharp sound of something shattering—crack, clink. Hee-joo flinched slightly but felt herself growing more focused. Her anxiety boiled over, pushing her to speak faster.

"You’re not afraid of fire, or even pulling teeth, so what if I get closer to Hong Hee-joo—"

— "I’ll give you two billion won."

"What?"

The unexpected proposal stunned her into silence.

— "But you’ll have to meet me."

"...!"

— "Let me see 406’s face."

The timer began to beep loudly. Baek Sa-eon spoke leisurely.

— "Looks like it’s time to run. You hang up first."

Call #4_mp3

Hee-joo collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion etched across her face.

"Senior! We analyzed the CCTV footage from the nursing home—it’s the same person who set the fire!"

Assistant Park burst into the room but immediately froze, stepping back in shock.

Baek Sa-eon was leaning against the desk, his head bowed as if in repentance. His posture was unnerving, radiating an indescribable rage.

The pronounced bones of his neck and his mountainous shoulders twisted unnaturally. As he took deep breaths, his entire body shuddered like a trembling spine.

"Uh… Chief Spokesperson?" Park Do-jae sensed the strange atmosphere and cautiously approached.

"…Shibal—"

The assistant was even more shocked. The man who was always composed and articulate was now muttering vulgar curses in his low, trembling voice.

Scattered documents were clenched between Baek Sa-eon’s fingernails, and a savage smile played at the corners of his mouth. Normally calm and collected, he now seemed unable to contain the fervor boiling within him.

Some lunatic’s words had burned through him, from his esophagus to his stomach.

"When I was a child, there was a small fish tank."

"What?"

Park Do-jae’s eyes widened. This was far from Baek Sa-eon’s usual demeanor.

"The world was always greedy, noisy, and irritating. But whenever I stood near that fish tank, I felt a strange sense of peace."

"…"

"Among everything surrounding me, that was the quietest thing. Just staring at it let me breathe more freely."

He kept his head lowered, his voice dark.

"I must have been very skilled at using that fish tank."

"…"

"A small fish tank that could swallow up all the noise of the world—"

A faint warmth throbbed at his temples, an irritant that only deepened his annoyance.

"Keeping it nearby was quite useful."

He began to slowly straighten his posture.

"But…"

His usually indifferent gaze was now tinged with something unfamiliar.

"I placed that fish tank there myself. But someone… secretly drank its water."

"…!"

"In that case, who does the fish tank belong to?"

"…What?"

Park Do-jae was utterly confused by his words. But as an experienced assistant, he knew how to pick out the critical point. His eyes darted cautiously as he tried to interpret.

"Is this a new theft case?"

Baek Sa-eon silently stared at him. Yet it didn’t feel like his focus was on the assistant’s face but rather on the emptiness beyond him.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Park Do-jae desperately tried to respond. His superior never discussed personal matters, and this seemed like a rare chance to score points.

"Of course, the fish tank at home belongs to you, sir!"

But Baek Sa-eon’s expression remained completely blank, sending a chill down his spine.

"I never cleaned that fish tank. I just placed it in an obvious spot. Every day when I returned home, I would look at it and always think it was mine."

"…"

"But I forgot… it could move."

He twisted his neck from side to side and suddenly laughed.

Park Do-jae quickly masked his shock, forcing his expression to remain neutral. Everyone had their own cherished things, but his superior was undeniably... unique. Perhaps it was for the better that his superior wasn’t entirely human.

If the fish tank were to symbolize a woman instead, the chill running down his spine would have been far harder to bear.

"So filthy…"

The man murmured to himself as he quickly put on and took off his jacket in a repetitive motion.

The assistant, ever sharp, seized the moment to respond.

"If it’s just a matter of drinking the water, sir, you can always refill it."

Chapter 25

Working with him under these circumstances felt like walking straight into a trap.

"The process starts with document review, and you’ll need a letter of recommendation. I can only write one for our center. If you’re not interested, I’ll give my recommendation to someone else."

"…!"

A flicker of desire flashed in Hee-joo’s eyes, though she was reluctant to admit it.

"Why do you look so eager, yet act so stubborn? Isn’t this just for show—"

Han Jun abruptly paused, giving her a meaningful look.

"Don’t tell me… it’s because of that?"

‘What are you talking about?’

"When I used to date, my girlfriends would act just like you when they were about to meet their favorite idols—rushing to fan meetings or fighting for concert tickets. Their faces would go pale, their legs would shake. Are you feeling nervous and excited just thinking about it?"

"…!"

"Oh? Why did you flinch just now? That’s really suspicious…"

Han Jun smirked playfully, his nostrils flaring slightly.

"You’re just going to give up on the chance to become a successful fan?"

‘It’s not like that!’

"Sweetheart, Baek Sa-eon is already married. You should at least make sure your career takes off; otherwise, it’d be such a waste."

Hee-joo was so infuriated that she couldn’t even respond. Han Jun laughed, clearly enjoying himself. Though he claimed to be joking, his annoying mouth didn’t stop.

"I can’t pretend to understand what goes on in a young girl’s mind."

‘I’m almost 30!’

"I didn’t expect you to take this so seriously."

‘It’s not like that!’

"I’ve heard Baek Sa-eon is an incredible person, right? So his wife must also be someone extraordinary. A man like that wouldn’t just marry anyone."

"…"

Hee-joo’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.

As someone who had never surpassed Baek Sa-eon, had never stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, or even managed to follow closely behind, she was the so-called "insignificant wife" people often looked down on.

‘Write me the recommendation.’

"What?"

‘I’ll go to the interview.’

Determination lit up her face. It was an impulsive decision, but for once, she wanted to stand in his time—his space—even if only briefly.

If she could become a Cheongwadae sign language interpreter, it might be her only chance to stand on equal footing with him, at least on the surface. Rather than garnering sympathy during her husband’s political campaigns, she wanted to create a pinnacle in her own career.

This dull and exhausting political marriage should, at the very least, have some benefits.

Words like insults, profanity, and verbal abuse echoed repeatedly in her mind. How should she deal with such an unreasonable request? This was the first time a phone call had left her so disoriented.

Hee-joo put the phone on speaker mode and stared blankly at the mirror on her vanity.

"We still have a lot to talk about today," came the voice on the other end.

"Uh... to be honest, I’m not sure," Hee-joo reflexively responded, rubbing her aching forehead.

"First, send me all the photos you have of Hong Hee-joo."

"What?"

"Including the originals."

Her previously dazed expression suddenly sharpened.

...I don’t have any. Seriously, I don’t!

"Do you think you can drag my wife into this with a single photo of her thigh? Are you underestimating my ability to manipulate the media?"

Hee-joo silently watched the phone emitting that cold voice.

"Are there more photos? I heard you’re obsessing over the placement of a mole. Don’t you think that’s arrogant?"

...I swear I don’t have any! I said I don’t!

"Or maybe her face is showing? There’s a mole on her eyebrow."

"…!"

Her emotions became unexpectedly complicated at that.

Hee-joo leaned closer to the mirror, pushing her bangs aside. Sure enough, there it was—a small mole hidden under her brow.

How does Baek Sa-eon know about this? It was a feature she hadn’t even noticed herself until she was old enough to wear makeup.

"I… why would I give you the photos?" she stammered, her voice trembling yet resolute.

"Afraid of pervert 406 stirring up trouble again?"

"…!"

"So just leak them to me and no one else."

Her mind went blank, but her heart pounded wildly.

"I’ll pay the price. Let’s make a deal," he suggested, his tone calm but pressing.

Her expression wavered. Here it was again—being dragged along by him.

Why is someone as capable as you unable to handle replacing your wife? Instead, you’re being blackmailed… As a man… I don’t get it…

Why are you so unwilling to let go of someone as insignificant as Hong Hee-joo?

‘But not this time!’

Her expression hardened with unprecedented determination. From their previous call, she had realized how obsessive he was about the concept of "wife."

Instead of targeting his reputation, disrupting this area would be far more effective.

Hee-joo redirected the focus toward herself.

Sure enough, the best way to provoke him was—

"I’ll give you something, but not photos—something else."

"What is it now?"

Hee-joo closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

"…Ah, ah-ha."

"…!"

"Mmm, mmm."

"…What are you doing now?"

For the first time, the Cheongwadae spokesperson was at a loss for words.

Her face flushed as if it would explode, but she couldn’t stop. All she could think of was to provoke him.

"Mmm…!"

She knew how disgusting those voice-modified moans would sound, yet she stubbornly continued making them.

"Like this?"

Baek Sa-eon fell silent, as if struck by a massive blow.

"I’m just relaying what I’ve heard," Hee-joo said nonchalantly.

"…"

"Isn’t this better than the photos?"

"Hah… damn it…"

The sigh on the other end was filled with frustration and defeat. Hee-joo’s eyes lit up like light bulbs.

"Should I do it again?"

"…"

"Ahem, mm, mmm, something like this."

The sound of labored breathing came through the phone.

"…Damn bastard."

The profanity that slipped from his mouth, as if he couldn’t hold back, felt almost like a victory.

For the first time in their exchanges, Hee-joo felt like she had the upper hand against Baek Sa-eon. The feeling was indescribable, tinged with a hint of rebellious satisfaction.

"…Knowing full well I’m her husband, you humiliate Hee-joo in front of me on purpose? Are kids these days all so eager to die?"

His voice was laced with venom, every word enunciated with ruthless precision.

"I’ll fill your mouth with water until your lungs burst. I’ll force it into your vocal cords, trachea, and esophagus until they rupture—let’s see if you can talk after that."

Was this… a death threat?

Panicking, Hee-joo quickly checked to ensure the recording was functioning properly.

"Wow, brutal, truly brutal. But go on…"

Was this successful intimidation? Her hands trembled, but she forced herself to smirk.

"Drowned corpses break apart when touched. If 406 has parents, I’ll throw the body in front of them. If not, I’ll feed it to dogs."

The words spilled out without hesitation, crossing the line into clear murder threats. A small provocation had completely broken his composure.

"People like 406 cheapen society. They don’t know what to say or not to say—they just sit there breathing. Such filth must be purged entirely."

"…"

"We should start by rinsing out your throat with lye. Even pig intestines are cleaned with detergent—406, you’re no exception."

"Oh, oh, okay… so waterboarding, then? What comes next?"

His voice abruptly cut off.

"From the start, I’ve felt…"

"Felt what?"

"Talking to you is revolting."

"What?"

"Stop swallowing your saliva. Do you think I can’t hear every sound you make?"

"…!"

"Your habits are disgusting."

"…Habits?"

"Don’t tell me you’ve been teaching Hee-joo these things… hah, shibal!"

What the hell…

Hee-joo instinctively pulled the phone slightly away from her ear. It felt like the device was overheating—not from the phone itself, but from Baek Sa-eon’s curses.

Her stomach churned uneasily.

"Watch what you say. Especially about our situation. Hee-joo must never know about any of this."

His voice grew darker, like a shadow enveloping her.

"Don’t taint her memories. She doesn’t need to endure these things."

"…!"

Her heart plummeted, a sharp ache spreading through her chest.

Baek Sa-eon was a man of contradictions.

"No matter how much you act out, the one losing dignity is you—not Hee-joo. Remember that."

As someone who had dared to threaten him, Hee-joo felt this deeply every time they spoke. On the surface, he treated her with icy indifference, but deep down, he cared for and worried about his young wife more than anyone else.

"…Since when did you care so much about her?"

Admitting this wasn’t easy. Yet a surge of unexplainable emotions, like an impending sneeze, broke free within her.

"What’s the point of telling me all this? You should be saying it to her!"

"If there’s one thing I’m grateful to 406 for," Baek Sae-on’s calm yet cutting voice interrupted her outburst, "it’s that he disrupted my complacency."

The statement was cryptic, but it sent shivers through Hee-joo as a strange premonition washed over her.

"You’ve completely overturned my life."

"…!"

"If you knew what I’ve done for Hee-joo," his voice lowered, laced with sarcasm and weight, "you wouldn’t flaunt such cheap tricks in front of me."

The gravity of his words froze her in place, her legs feeling like they were nailed to the ground.

"What does that mean?"

A sudden suspicion dawned on Hee-joo.

He’s hiding something.

That unsettling intuition struck her without warning.

Chapter 27

On the second floor of a hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, Hee-joo felt overwhelmed the moment she stepped inside.

The room was filled with influential figures: the Deputy Prime Minister of Economy, ministers, senior government aides, and leaders from politics, business, finance, labor, arts, media, and academia. Even a cursory glance at those lining up revealed an intimidating presence.

"Oh, Baek son-in-law!"

At the entrance, Kim Yeon-hee, greeting guests, lit up as she spotted them. She seemed far more delighted to see her son-in-law than her own daughter.

"I heard Baek Representative and Mountain View Daily are joining forces—is it true?"

"Is this the first time you’ve brought your wife to an event?"

"Baek Representative must be seriously preparing to run for president…"

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd, drifting into Baek Sa-eon’s ears. Curious gazes soon shifted to the woman holding his arm.

Though Hee-joo felt goosebumps rising, she kept her gaze fixed firmly forward, maintaining composure. She reminded herself of her singular purpose tonight:

Just a decoration. That’s all.

At that moment, Kim Yeon-hee pushed her way through the crowd to reach the couple.

"You both came together? I thought you wouldn’t make it."

"How have you been?" Baek Sa-eon asked politely, though his tone was indifferent.

"Of course, I’ve been well. Why wouldn’t I be?" Kim Yeon-hee smiled brightly, unbothered by his detached greeting.

"But, Baek son-in-law, could I borrow my daughter for a moment?"

Baek Sa-eon frowned slightly but eventually gave a small nod.

However, Hee-joo instinctively tightened her grip on his arm.

"…!"

Her unintentional action made his cold expression shift slightly as he looked at her. Startled, Hee-joo quickly let go, but his frown deepened as he scrutinized her.

In a low voice, he murmured, "Don’t go?"

"…"

Their eyes met. His gaze was still icy, as usual, but there was something different about it—a subtle undercurrent.

As if…

As if he would grant any request she made.

Hee-joo shook her head to dispel the absurd thought.

"What a ridiculous idea…!" she whispered to herself, shaking her head again.

"Hee-joo!"

Her mother’s voice broke the moment, cutting through the atmosphere. She stepped between them, instantly shattering the delicate tension.

"How could you trouble Mr. Baek like that?"

Pulling Hee-joo to her side, her mother gave Baek Sa-eon a reassuring smile, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.

Baek Sa-eon remained where he was, his expression stubborn, as Hee-joo turned her head to glance at him.

"You…!"

Her mother dragged her to a corner, lowering her voice but maintaining a poised smile as she greeted passing acquaintances.

"What’s going on with your father?"

Her expression darkened dramatically, like a wrathful demon’s, as soon as they were alone.

"I heard he’s moved into a nursing home."

"…"

"Why does Mr. Baek know about your father? Did he… find out?"

Hee-joo hesitated but eventually nodded, only to face her mother’s sharp reprimand.

"You’ve finally exposed your pitiful father," her mother hissed, her lips trembling.

"What’s there to show off about letting Mr. Baek find out?"

"…"

"If people think you’re some sneaky woman secretly taking care of her ex-husband, what do you think will happen? What will Chairman Hong do if he finds out? I’ve been supporting you behind his back. This is my final act of leniency," her mother said, gripping Hee-joo’s arm tightly, her hand trembling slightly.

Hee-joo could tell her mother was suppressing her anger, but she also felt the sharp sting of Kim Yeon-hee’s shame.

Before becoming madam, her mother had survived her first marriage by working as a voice actor. It was a past she detested recalling, a memory worse than death itself. That intense denial cut deeper into Hee-joo’s own wounds.

"If you make me any angrier, I’ll send your father to a psychiatric hospital instead of a nursing home."

"…!"

Hee-joo widened her eyes in stubborn defiance.

"Whether it’s brawling or calling the police, don’t cause a scene. After all, he’s just an old man. What’s the loss if he loses a few teeth? Try dragging Chairman Hong’s name into this mess and see what happens."

Faced with the threatening warning, Hee-joo clenched her teeth hard.

"What is wrong with you…" Kim Yeon-hee sighed deeply, shaking her head.

"You still don’t know what’s more important."

"…"

"You either handle your father’s situation quietly or bury it entirely."

Her gaze was icy, though she casually adjusted her hair with an air of elegance.

Soon, her mother’s eyes locked onto someone in the distance—Baek Sa-eon, surrounded by a group of admirers.

"This position was already too high for you. Now that you know, you’d better act accordingly."

Among all the men, Baek Sa-eon stood out—strikingly handsome and composed.

It was a scene Hee-joo knew well. The layout, the distance—it had always been this way and showed no signs of changing.

"Before you lose everything."

"…!"

Her mood sank to its lowest point as her mother once again greeted others brightly:

"Oh, Mrs. Jung—!"

Hee-joo stepped behind a pillar, quietly trying to steady her chaotic breathing. The pain in her scratched wrist couldn’t compare to the hurt of being treated like an unwelcome guest by her own mother.

"Ah… I’ve stopped taking the medication…"

Whenever she saw her mother, that stubborn depressive feeling clawed its way back.

It was now 9:50 p.m.

But as her thoughts shifted to what she had to do, her expression changed rapidly. Weakness gave way to energy, despair morphed into determination, fueled by the weight of the phone in her purse.

Something more important than maintaining the facade of a marriage.

Hee-joo grabbed a passing glass of champagne and downed it in one gulp. Then, clutching her purse tightly, she headed toward the restroom.

"Did you see Hong Hee-joo today?"

"Ah, yes, I did."

A strange nasal tone caught her attention—it came from the dressing room across the way.

Hee-joo paused mid-hand wash to listen.

"She’s so shameless. She stole In-ah’s position and doesn’t feel a shred of guilt."

"Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Sa-eon-oppa in ages. He’s different now—more mature, wouldn’t you say?"

"That position was meant for In-ah!"

The sharp accusation made Hee-joo flinch.

"I told you she was odd from the start, didn’t I?"

"Your theories are always ridiculous."

Despite the bickering, their laughter sounded close-knit.

"From the moment she started tagging along with In-ah, handling her schedule, I found her strange. She doesn’t talk much, her gaze flits around, and she’s got no presence—a gloomy little thing."

"Do you think she learned sign language on purpose? To stick close to the eldest daughter of Mountain View Daily and take advantage of every opportunity?"

"But who would’ve thought she’d even steal her sister’s fiancé?"

Hee-joo let the water run as she stood motionless.

From the elite preschool to the prestigious high school attached to a university, In-ah’s circle of friends had always dismissed Hee-joo’s presence.

As her sister’s bridge to communication, Hee-joo had frequently mingled with them. But after In-ah’s disappearance, the rumors began to swirl.

The twisted tales and the "dirty secrets" she now used to threaten Baek Sa-eon? Much of the inspiration had come from those very women.

"Where do you think In-ah went? Still no news?"

"Hopefully she didn’t die somewhere…"

"Don’t say such scary things…!"

Hee-joo raised her head and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her wounded face looked as gloomy as they’d described, much like the acts she’d committed behind the veil of a voice changer.

It was now nearly 10 p.m.

When the elevator doors opened, the pitch-black night sky poured in.

The rooftop terrace, while open, was deserted due to the biting cold.

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

Though the glittering nightscape beyond the railing was dazzling, Hee-joo found it uninteresting. Each breath sent a frosty puff dissipating into the air.

"—Hello."

"…"

"—406, speak."

"…"

Strangely, her nose stung, and tears threatened to form.

Hearing that familiar, steady baritone, Hee-joo felt a sharp sting in her eyes, as though she’d been stung by bees. She wanted to say something but found herself pressing her lips tightly shut.

"—What is it?"

He seemed to interpret her silence as a bad omen, reacting with sharp concern.

"—406."

Under his stern urging, she finally opened her mouth, unable to hold it in any longer.

"When your fiancée disappeared, and Hong Hee-joo replaced her… how did you feel?"

Her words felt like a knife she had chosen to wield against herself, as if she had made up her mind to deepen her own wounds. She hoped the sharper pain might make the faint, lingering ache vanish entirely.

"Hmm… I understand. It must’ve been hard for you at the time."

"—Something like that," he replied.

Hee-joo closed her eyes tightly.

"—To be precise, I was blank at first."

"…!"

"—A young kid ruined all my plans."

"…"

"—At that moment, I had to replan everything. It was troublesome."

It was exactly the kind of cold and calculated response she had expected from him.

Hee-joo smiled bitterly and sat on the railing. If gossip was the key to opening his guarded persona, it was also a way to keep her own thoughts flowing.

"…He had his reasons too. She had no money, no connections, no company shares. Her professional skillset was limited, and as a daughter-in-law of a political family, she had zero social aptitude. People only saw her as someone unworthy of respect. She was just…"

She gazed distantly at the pitch-black sky, her expression vacant.

"…just an appendix to Hong In-ah."

She let out a short, bitter laugh, the sound edged with self-deprecation.

"And the funniest part is, he must’ve known that too."

Her voice trailed off as the champagne she had downed earlier coursed through her veins, spreading a dull warmth throughout her body.

"But every time I tried to escape, I always hesitated. Because I lacked the courage… because the comfort of wealth was too seductive. Hong Hee-joo is just a coward who surrenders to money."

"—…"

"It’s probably better that I didn’t say any of this to his face. If I did, I’m sure smoke would’ve started coming out of his ears."

She dangled her legs over the edge of the railing, kicking them lightly.

Baek Sa-eon remained silent.

It suddenly dawned on her that she had been rambling alone for quite a while.

"Hey?" she called out cautiously.

The sound of teeth grinding came from the other end of the line.

Chapter 28

"—406."

"What?"

"—Have you always approached Hee-joo with such thoughts?" His voice was thick with suppressed anger.

"—What gives you the right to belittle her like this?"

"What?"

"—...Just this kind of petty relationship... it’s infuriating..."

The sound of the phone being moved away made his voice slightly muffled.

"Uh…"

"—If you can’t even recognize her strengths, then stop making threats. You’re unqualified. For someone who wishes for my failure, 406, you’re utterly disappointing."

The clash of harsh words and heavy breaths struck like thunder in her ears.

"—I tolerate all sorts of bastards around me on a daily basis."

"…!"

Wait, was he just insulting me? Again?

"—The more I understand you, 406, the more I see there’s absolutely nothing redeemable about you."

From his tone, it was obvious Baek Sa-eon was defending her. Yet strangely, Hee-joo felt as if she were the one being scolded, leaving her with conflicted emotions. A small surge of defiance welled up in her chest.

"That’s because you don’t truly know her…"

"—I don’t know her?" He let out a sarcastic laugh.

"—If I don’t know her, then who does?"

"…!"

"—Hee-joo isn’t gloomy; she’s observant of her surroundings. She’s not socially inept; most people are rude to her first. Calling her narrow-minded? That’s just her passion for her work. Saying she submits to money? That’s because…"

Baek Sa-eon spoke with unwavering confidence.

"—She loves her mother."

At those words, tears suddenly surged from her eyes.

It felt like something bloated and festering within her had burst, splitting apart with an audible crack. Her ears roared, and she hurriedly wiped her damp cheeks with her palm.

"—Besides, if Hee-joo were to start smoking, that’d only make things easier. I’m quite the smoker myself; I could teach her how to do it."

He scratched his neck roughly and let out a laugh.

What… what was that supposed to mean? Smoking? Was he actually talking about smoking?

At that moment, the cold wind brushed across her shoulders, reminding her she’d lost her shawl somewhere.

Hee-joo quickly covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a hiccup.

"How dare you… hic! What do you even know…!" She had no idea what she was saying anymore, her words a jumbled mess.

It wasn’t her dulled brain speaking but her sad, icy heart, pushing her to spill long-buried truths.

"Didn’t you leave for overseas…!"

At that moment, she wasn’t the disguised, voice-altered blackmailer but simply herself.

"How long were you even with her to pretend you knew her? Don’t get it twisted. In Hong Hee-joo’s timeline, you don’t even exist…! There’s nothing between you two!"

Panting, Hee-joo unconsciously wiped at her damp eyes.

The other end of the line was silent, save for the sound of his labored breathing and what seemed like the steady pace of footsteps.

"—…When I was a child, I had an eating disorder."

"What?"

"—At the time, Hee-joo…"

His voice cut off at the critical moment, as if he had moved the phone away again.

What was happening?

"Hello? Hello?"

Her heart raced with sudden anxiety, but there was no response.

"—...Hee... where is she…"

This time, his voice sounded fragmented and stiff, as if he wasn’t speaking to her but to someone else entirely.

Brushing the cold wind-tousled strands of hair from her face, Hee-joo focused on the voice as the alcohol in her system began to subside.

"—Because I was around children, I let my guard down."

His tone abruptly returned to normal, as though nothing unusual had happened.

"—At that time, I found eating and speaking unbearable."

"What? Why?" Hee-joo cut in hurriedly.

"—…"

His voice broke off again.

Hee-joo pressed her forehead with her hand, realizing she’d been too impatient. Had she pushed too hard?

After a long silence, Baek Sa-eon finally spoke, his voice quieter, as if searching for the right words—or perhaps debating whether to say them at all.

"—Let’s just call it an intense adolescence."

Though she didn’t fully understand, Hee-joo nodded quietly to herself.

"—But when I was with Hee-joo, everything felt natural. Even if I was caught crying or lost my temper, it never felt embarrassing."

It was true. Baek Sa-eon had always been less guarded around her than he was with others.

Whether it was his demeanor or way of speaking, back then, she had thought he was dismissing her because she was just a child. A sharp pain pricked the corner of her mind—a bitter reminder of how crippling insecurity could be.

"—Back then, I thought it was because she was young, couldn’t speak, clumsy, and afraid of me. So I looked down on her."

"…"

"—That’s how it was at the time."

Suddenly, his voice grew colder.

"—Hee-joo, gloomy? Do me a favor—tell me, is the ocean gloomy too?"

"…!"

The unrestrained harshness in his tone made her shoulders shrink involuntarily, and she hugged her stomach tightly. His voice felt colder than the night wind.

"—If this is all you’ve got, just quit now."

His words were icy, but oddly, they sent a flicker of warmth through her.

"…Why? Why do you keep talking like this, acting as if you have the right to criticize me—"

She tried to fight back, but he cut her off mid-sentence.

"—Do you have any idea how many times she had to repeat the same actions, dozens or even hundreds of times, just to become the adult she is now?"

"…!"

"—What Hee-joo endured during that time—if not a battle, then what was it?"

Her vision blurred, and she felt something inside her crumble. Her mind went blank.

"—She’s not an accessory; she’s her own person, someone entirely new."

"…"

"—So don’t casually judge my wife."

She hadn’t called him to hear these words. And yet, Baek Sa-eon’s biting remarks had unexpectedly become a balm for her fractured heart.

Caught in this contradiction, Hee-joo was momentarily speechless. The cruel words from her sister’s friends seemed to vanish into irrelevance. The reality of her surroundings dissolved entirely in the gravity of his defense.

At that moment, Hee-joo couldn’t help but wonder: Has he always been watching me? Was it because I was so young and ignorant that he hated me?

But those questions turned into something harsher as they slipped out:

"Then why do you treat Hong Hee-joo like she’s invisible?"

"—Did she ever say that to 406?"

"This sudden question? Don’t tell me I don’t understand her," she snapped.

At that exact moment, the elevator chimed with a soft ding.

Hee-joo turned her head absentmindedly.

"…!"

"…!"

Both of them froze, still holding their phones to their ears, staring at one another.

"…You—"

The moment Baek Sa-eon saw her precariously perched on the railing, his face darkened, and he shoved his phone into his pocket.

Striding toward her with an intense expression, he reached her in a few steps. Startled, Hee-joo hastily tried to hide her phone in her bag.

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her off the railing, placing her firmly on the ground.

"Are you trying to kill yourself…!"

His sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Uh…!"

"Throwing your clothes all over and then climbing onto the railing—what were you thinking?"

"Ugh…!"

Frightened by his thunderous tone, Hee-joo hiccupped. Moments ago, she had been speaking to him over the phone; now, she stood frozen in place.

He ran a hand over his eyes, muttering, "…Damn it, I’ve been looking for you everywhere."

Seeing the fatigue on his face, Hee-joo felt a pang of guilt welling up in her chest.

In his hand was the shawl she had left behind in the restroom.

"Didn’t they teach you in school not to go to dark, high places alone?" he grumbled, frowning as he grabbed her cheeks firmly.

"Ah…!"

Her lips puckered like a fish’s as his nose brushed lightly past her cheek.

"Hong Hee-joo’s been drinking," he muttered coldly.

"…!"

Hee-joo stiffened in surprise, and his expression turned even more frigid.

"So? How does it feel to drink and climb railings?" His tone was mocking as he draped the shawl over her shoulders.

Looking into his cold gaze, an irrepressible urge stirred within her—a need to shatter his composure.

Why… why were you so cold to me before?

Why are you acting like this now?

Why can’t we just pretend to be a real couple?

She opened her mouth, but her throat felt clogged, no sound escaping. No matter who she was speaking to, her voice still refused to come out smoothly.

Baek Sa-eon seemed to understand the questions in her eyes. Tilting his head slightly, he asked, "Were you on the phone?"

"…!"

Hee-joo jolted, her eyes darting nervously. His gaze grew sharper.

"If you weren’t talking, why was your phone pressed to your ear?"

He tightened his hold on her waist, his piercing eyes locking onto her face.

Hee-joo endured his intense gaze, her lips moving slightly.

"Mom…"

He bent down, meeting her face-on, carefully reading her lips.

"Ah…" he murmured softly, his brows knitting together, clearly skeptical.

Even so, Baek Sa-eon didn’t straighten up. Instead, he kept his focus on her lips, his piercing gaze unwavering.

"Ah…!"

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit Hee-joo, making her sway unsteadily.

Before she could react, he lifted her off the ground. Maintaining his hold on her waist, Baek Sa-eon effortlessly picked her up.

"This is punishment," he said flatly.

"…!"

His fingers pressed firmly against her side like a searing brand.

With their significant height difference, he carried her with the ease of handling a signpost. Hee-joo was forced to look up at him, gripping his shoulders instinctively to steady herself.

"So cold, and yet… Forget it, never mind," he muttered.

That "never mind" was something she had heard countless times before. It seemed deliberate, a habit he had developed to restrain his words and emotions.

His dissatisfied lips formed a slight pout, and for a moment, her thoughts of the cold vanished entirely.

Chapter 29

On the way home.

"…"
"…"

The moment Hee-joo got into the car, she fell asleep almost immediately. Hugging her handbag tightly, she occasionally opened her eyes to scan her surroundings warily before drifting back into slumber. The faint scent of champagne lingered in her breath.

Baek Sa-eon reached over to steady her head, which swayed with the car’s motion, before fastening her seatbelt securely.

"…"

Afterward, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, staring coldly at the now-ended call displayed on the screen.

"406…"

From the beginning, he had planned to reveal certain truths to her. However, not in that moment, nor in the chaotic way it unfolded.

"I only wanted to spin a story, to build a connection—"

But when the blackmailer began demeaning Hee-joo, everything spiraled out of control.

If he had joined in criticizing her at that time, perhaps the situation might have played out differently. But Baek Sa-eon couldn’t bring himself to do it.

His gaze wandered to the rapidly passing scenery outside, his jaw tightening.

But he couldn’t tolerate it.

"Damn it…"

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone suddenly vibrated. Without hesitation, he answered it, glancing at Hee-joo as he did so.

Before he could even speak, a voice on the other end burst out urgently.

"Senior! We found it! We’ve located them!"

"Calm down and speak slowly," he replied, lowering his voice to avoid waking Hee-joo. At the same time, he carefully brushed her loose hair behind her ear.

"It’s the blackmailer! Do you know the call lasted over 10 minutes? We successfully traced their location. We got them!"

The assistant’s excitement was palpable, but Baek Sa-eon only raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ten minutes? That wasn’t like him. He rarely made such errors in timing.

"They’re very close—at the Sogong-dong hotel where you were earlier today!"

"What?"

For the first time, his eyes left Hee-joo, his expression hardening.

"It seems to be someone who attended the event at the Mountain View Daily celebration today."

"…"

A cold laugh escaped him. This felt like a twisted game, one designed to toy with him.

Baek Sa-eon was no stranger to dealing with criminals, but 406 was different—a peculiar existence that stirred an almost visceral desire to crush them. This person had deliberately targeted his most hidden vulnerabilities, proving to be a master of manipulation.

He resolved to personally investigate the attendees, temporary workers, and staff at the event to uncover the connections.

"How’s the progress on decrypting the altered voice?" he asked in a low tone.

"Ah, yes… It’s not standard voice modulation but encrypted audio. It’s complex, but the team is working to peel back the layers."

Baek Sa-eon adjusted the shawl that had slipped from Hee-joo’s shoulders, though the worry on his face remained.

After dropping her off at home, he drove straight to the third office.

The dimly lit space was still bustling, with several staff members working late into the night at their computers.

As soon as he stepped inside, his exhausted assistant, Park Do-jae, approached with a stack of reports in hand.

"Senior, did you get the notification from the police?"

"Ah—"

Halfway through taking off his coat, Baek Sa-eon paused. The matter had been left to his assistant to handle, as he had been preoccupied with the Mountain View Daily event.

The issue concerning Hee-joo’s biological father had been more of a procedural report, not something he’d placed much hope in.

But then, his thoughts flashed back to Hee-joo in the car, holding her phone pressed against her ear during the ride.

His sharp gaze darkened, as if trying to piece together something he had missed.

Standing motionless in the office for a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate.

"998가4568."

"What?"

"The license plate of a police car. I need the dashcam footage from around 3 p.m. on October 14th."

The request came so suddenly that the assistant tilted his head in confusion.

"Why the sudden interest—what’s this about?"

Baek Sa-eon’s tone remained calm and detached.

"I want to see my wife’s face."

Baek Sa-eon remained silent as his assistant faltered.

"What?"

"Is there an issue?"

Park Do-jae opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond. All patrol cars and the Criminal Task Force vehicles’ dashcam footage had already been commandeered by the NIS hacking programs.

"How long will it take?" Baek Sa-eon pressed coldly.

Under his sharp gaze, Park Do-jae hurriedly returned to his workstation. However, the assistant’s blank expression transformed into a cold, calculated one as soon as he turned away.

"Let me out of the car."

"What?"

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

The faint glow of the monitor illuminated Baek Sa-eon’s face in the dark office. His expression froze, stiffening as his eyes locked on the screen.

There she was—Hong Hee-joo.

"You think this is a taxi?"

"Just let me out. Please."

"But we’re in the middle of the road. How—"

"It doesn’t matter if I’m alone. Everything will be fine."

What the hell is going on?

"Please, I’m begging you. Let me out, please. Ugh—"

On the screen, Hee-joo was frantically banging on the car door, kicking it with her feet in a full-blown panic.

At the same time, her voice echoed clearly:

"Let me out. Please."

"Ha…"

He grabbed the back of his neck as his coffee cup tipped over, spilling across the papers on his desk, soaking them in black.

But Baek Sa-eon didn’t even notice. His burning gaze was glued to the screen.

Hong Hee-joo can… speak?

She spoke?

Since when…?

Running his hands over his tense face, his trembling eyes refused to settle.

What the hell is going on…

Even as the coffee seeped into his sleeve, staining it dark, he paid no attention. Instead, he replayed the video.

His face remained a twisted picture of disbelief, his expression unrelenting.

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

The voice was crystal clear, devoid of distortion.

He forced himself to listen to Hee-joo’s voice over and over again. Yet no matter how many times he replayed it, the disbelief remained.

That mouth, which had been closed nearly her entire life, how could it have produced such a sound?

So effortlessly, so fragile, so heartbreakingly delicate.

"Ha…"

His fingers pressed the replay button again.

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

"I can’t do this anymore. Please, let me out here."

His obsessive gaze fixated on her lips in the video, unrelenting.

For twenty years.

Twenty years of silence.

Perhaps it was because of that silence that he had never doubted her muteness. But now, it felt like a brick had struck him square in the back of the head, leaving him numb and cold.

"You can ring my be-e-ell…"

As the faint pop song played in the background, he replayed the video once more.

The entire night passed like this.

By morning, Baek Sa-eon had accepted a fact he could no longer deny.

Hong Hee-joo could speak.

His brows knitted tightly together.

When Hee-joo opened her eyes, the morning light nearly made her scream.

"—!"

Thankfully, the sound lodged in her throat transformed into a sudden, violent sneeze.

Why, why…

Standing beside the bed, Baek Sa-eon stared down at her with an expressionless face.

But what was more unsettling than his sharp gaze were his unnaturally still movements, as though he had been standing there for a long time.

Though he wore the same clothes as the night before, they now bore subtle differences. His tie was missing, and his sleeves were stained with what looked like dried coffee.

What happened last night? How had his usually immaculate appearance become so disheveled?

Hee-joo instinctively clutched her reddened neck and moved away from him.

Baek Sa-eon’s eyes followed her every movement, unblinking.

"Hong Hee-joo, did you sleep well?"

"…"

His tone sounded nothing like a casual greeting. Beneath it was a strange, simmering anger.

Sensing the tension, Hee-joo furrowed her brows.

When she didn’t respond, he let out a cold chuckle.

"Ah—this feels worse than I imagined."

He laughed softly, rubbing his temples as if battling a severe headache. A faint wrinkle appeared between his brows, his frustration evident.

"I always thought Hong Hee-joo was just a quiet person—"

He added, his voice carrying a peculiar, sticky quality.

His gaze lingered on the area around Hee-joo's lips, scrutinizing her intently.

"Let’s start with the tremors."

"…!"

"Want to give it a try?"

He licked his lips, his tired eyes blinking slowly as if weighing his options.

"I always thought there wasn’t a secret in this world I didn’t know. But today, I got slapped in the face hard."

Resting his head against the wall, he muttered to himself, "This is an utter mess."

"Hong Hee-joo knows how to pick her moments."

Climbing onto the bed, he collapsed heavily onto it. A faint scent of coffee clung to him.

Startled, Hee-joo hurriedly tried to leave the bed, but before she could move, his hand seized her ankle.

The grip was far stronger than she expected, leaving her unable to budge.

He pulled her ankle, straightening her leg, and then tucked the blanket securely over her.

"The timid Hong Hee-joo… knows exactly how to pick her battles. Makes me…"

Half-lidded eyes gleaming faintly, he muttered curses under his breath.

Then, with an unusual intensity, he lifted his gaze to her stiff, motionless figure.

"An expensive mouth, indeed."

Hee-joo could only stare at him blankly, utterly at a loss for words.

Chapter 32

"Ah...!!"

"I need a man who's fully committed, deep, someone who drinks Hennessy and smokes weed. Not just any snake but one as big as a king cobra."

"Ahhh!!"

He read on smoothly, ignoring Hee-joo, who leapt up to snatch the paper from him to no avail. Casually sidestepping her, he continued reading aloud with his deep, velvety voice, as if narrating a dramatic script.

"It’s better if it’s curved, slanted."

Baek Sa-eon gritted his teeth.

"If he has a beard, I’d wet it. Wear a mask, tighten the neck... hmm..."

He kept his cold, sharp gaze on the lyrics. Hee-joo’s face was burning as she buried her head, unable to bear the embarrassment. His expression turned increasingly cold.

"Kneel on the ground, ride up—"

"......"

"You’re wet now... hah..."

He sighed deeply, finally rubbing his temple with a visible vein bulging on his hand like a reprimanding professor.

"Hong Hee-joo."

He laughed, but it wasn’t a laugh of joy.

"Who wrote this?"

"......!"

He crumpled the paper with a dangerously sharp glint in his eyes.

"Why do you have something like this? Don’t tell me... you wrote it?"

The absurd accusation made Hee-joo flustered. Hurriedly, she whipped out her phone and opened a long-dormant one-on-one chat titled "Business Husband."

Frantically, she typed and sent a message.

[9:52 PM]
That’s lyrics from a foreign singer introduced by Director Han Joon…! He mentioned a gig to interpret at a concert. I refused. That paper... it was just left in my bag.

Baek Sa-eon checked his phone’s notification with a measured calmness, his sharp eyes scanning the screen for an unusually long time.

"Hong Hee-joo, I’m much more conservative than you think."

‘...What?’ Hee-joo could only blink in confusion.

"I don’t like that director at all. What do we do about that?"

"...!"

"If you had accepted the job, you’d probably have to practice with him. Director Han Joon, meeting a subordinate twelve years younger face to face, ‘guiding’ them."

"......"

"Things like, how to use this term, what context it fits, how to interpret this expression—"

Baek Sa-eon twisted his neck slightly, cracking it.

"Curved, big."

"......!"

"You haven’t even discussed such things with your own husband."

He licked his lips, which seemed to grow hotter, and muttered.

"Nearly slipped out of my mouth."

Feeling anxious, Hee-joo quickly typed another message with trembling hands.

[9:53 PM]
You’re misinterpreting! That singer is famous for bold, spicy lyrics...

"So," Baek Sa-eon’s sharp gaze locked onto her, glinting with amusement, "I watched your sign language today. What kind of expression would you use to interpret this steamy content?"

‘What… what?’ Hee-joo’s panic grew.

Suppressing a strange impulse, he swallowed hard.

"Not happening."

He chuckled coldly, stuffing the crumpled paper into his jacket pocket.

"This paper is confiscated. This discussion is over. Done."

"......"

"Supermarket? Forget it. Go to bed."

His eyes blazed a warning as he dismissed her. Hee-joo masked her unease, her fingers quickly tapping away at her phone.

The clock ticked softly, a sound only she could hear.

[9:55 PM]
"To the supermarket... I need to buy sanitary pads."

Her face, already red from embarrassment, now felt like it was on fire. At her message, Baek Sa-eon frowned slightly.

"You’re not at that time of the month yet, are you?"

"……!"

What? Hee-joo looked at him in shock.

"And at this hour, how can I let you go out alone? Whether you're really going to the supermarket or planning something else, how would I know?"

His suspicion seemed to grow stronger by the second.

"I’ll go instead."

"……!"

"You stay home."

For a moment, she blinked in surprise, but this wasn’t necessarily a bad turn of events. If she couldn’t leave, having Baek Sa-eon go in her place might actually work. He glanced at his watch, seemingly contemplating making a call. Seizing the opportunity, Hee-joo typed another message.

[9:56 PM]
"Small, medium, large, and extra-large pads with wings. Also small and large tampons. Oh, and snacks…"

This was a subtle way of ensuring he’d be gone longer. When he saw the message, a faintly uncomfortable expression flashed across Baek Sa-eon's face. Scratching his eyebrow, he asked:

"What snacks?"

Earnestly, she typed another reply.

[9:56 PM]
"Fried chicken…"

While he read, Hee-joo subtly pulled back the curtain to observe the outside. Their small, upscale residential area didn’t have tall buildings. She could barely make out the back of a man, talking on the phone as he walked away.

—I heard 406 is in the same area as me. Could they be near us?

"……!"

Her heart sank. As expected, it was wise to send Baek Sa-eon out. If she made the call under the same roof, the risk of saying something wrong under tension was too great. The slight soundproofing wouldn’t help either.

—Do you have the guts to come meet me?

"What exactly do you want to happen to me?"

—Seems your brain isn’t entirely fried yet.

"What?"

—The fact you can discern that proves you’re not entirely useless.

The voice dripped with derision. Hee-joo took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. She couldn’t let herself get worked up like last time. Tonight, she had something she had to ask Baek Sa-eon.

"I’m not useless, which is why you haven’t caught me yet."

—...That’s why I spend all day thinking about 406.

His voice dragged slightly, sounding strangely distorted.

—I don’t even know 406’s age, name, or phone number. So, I can only keep answering these calls.

"……!"

His tone was steady, but his words were harsh, making her shoulders stiffen.

—The less I know, the more I want to find out. I’m curious about your IQ. Are you elegantly crazy, or filthily insane? Do you think about food when you hit someone? I’m intrigued by the mind of a person like you.

It was unclear if he was persuading or berating her. Regardless, he’d thrown out bait, and Hee-joo bit.

"How about a Q&A session, one question at a time?"

—...

After a brief silence, as if considering her proposal, Baek Sa-eon agreed.

—Fine.

"Then I’ll go first."

—Go ahead.

Her throat felt dry. Pacing around the living room, she eventually moved into her room and lay on the bed. Unasked questions she had suppressed for so long now vied for her attention.

"That… your real fiancée. Do you know where she is?"

—Yes.

"……!"

Even though it was a simple response, it struck her like a hammer. He knows? Her legs went numb.

"Where… is she now?" she pressed urgently. Baek Sa-eon’s response was indifferent.

—In my car.

"What?"

—Have you ever heard Hee-joo’s voice? Not her breathing, but her actual voice.

"……!"

The unexpected question left her stunned. Was this a veiled insult toward the blackmailer, or genuine curiosity?

Hee-joo’s expression shifted into helpless exasperation. Over their conversations, she had learned one thing: no matter what the phone call was about, it always seemed to provoke Baek Sa-eon. When the blackmailer first called, and even during the office arson incident, her normally composed husband had shown gradual changes in his attitude.

After their marriage, Baek Sa-eon started speaking more, interfering in her affairs, and even physically holding onto Hee-joo. No matter what happened on the other end of the line, the repercussions would eventually reach her. Knowing this, Hee-joo wasn’t particularly interested in answering Baek Sa-eon’s earlier question.

"What... If it’s moaning sounds—"

—No. His tone cut her off coldly.

But Hee-joo wouldn’t let it go.

"I already answered, so it’s my turn now, right?"

—…

Oddly, in the silence, she could sense his displeasure.

"Where is Hong In-a now?"

—Not here.

"What kind of answer is that? Be more sincere!" Hee-joo frowned, her voice rising with irritation.

—Is that even a question?

"Don’t be so rigid…!"

—I don’t understand why 406 is so interested in Hong In-a.

"Is that a question?"

—Consider it one.

To Baek Sa-eon, "Blackmailer 406" was nothing more than a deranged ex-boyfriend from Hee-joo’s past. But Hee-joo faithfully played her role.

"Because Hee-joo… always seems to care about this matter."

—Be specific.

"I mean, the matter between you and her sister."

—Then I won’t answer.

"What?" Hee-joo was stunned by his shameless refusal.

—If I tell you that, I’m afraid 406 will use it against Hee-joo. So I’m not saying anything.

"…!"

—That’s my answer.

Goodness… Hee-joo’s jaw dropped, but she was left speechless.

—No matter what nonsense 406 pulls, I’ll happily play along. So let’s keep this conversation just between us.

"…."

—Instead of getting close to Hee-joo, feel free to burn my car again and again. It’s mine now.

Though his words were aggressive, the cold detachment in his voice made them frightening. He was quick to steer the conversation to the point.

—What did Hee-joo say to 406?

Hearing that, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"You’re actually curious about what he said to me privately?"

What on earth was this man thinking? Why would Baek Sa-eon care about such a thing? But in her role as 406, she had to maintain her cover as Hee-joo—the most unlikely suspect due to her supposed muteness.

"Honestly, he didn’t say much."

—Ah, I see…

He chuckled softly, dragging out the sound. Strangely, he seemed satisfied, which left her feeling unsettled. That sensation was hard to shake. Determined to push it aside, Hee-joo fired off another question.

Chapter 34

He remembered that the first phone call was definitely from a man. Baek Sa-eon frowned. His rare expression even carried a trace of panic.

Could this mean there was an accomplice?
— Before I expose everything, take care of it yourself. Abandon Hong Hee-joo and bring back your original fiancée.

The voice was crystal clear and transparent. Thinking that such threats had been made in this voice, he couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.

If 406 is a woman...

Then everything would be completely different. The entire situation would...

“...An accomplice?”

“There’s that possibility,” Park Assistant cautiously responded to his murmuring. “Or it could be bait.”

“Or perhaps someone simply used this woman’s voice.”

However, the frequency of the conversations was far too natural to be mere parroting or instructions. All the exchanges flowed seamlessly, like a live broadcast rather than prepared scripts.

Who exactly was it?

— Brother, were you waiting for me?

He laughed. That delicate voice calling “brother, brother” was so adorable it made him grit his teeth.

It had been a long time since he’d felt so teased. If all of this was merely bluffing—

“The guy before was a real ice corpse.”

He pressed a knuckle against the inside of his cheek and chuckled.

— I’ll call you again tomorrow.

He moved his mouse and repeatedly played back that part.

— I’ll call you again tomorrow.
— I’ll call you again tomorrow.

Frowning, he focused on the playback, yet the voice still felt unfamiliar.

Strangely enough, the sound kept echoing in his ears.

...Where have I heard this before?

The tone, the timbre... where on earth had he heard it?

— Ha, ha-oo.

Suddenly, Baek Sa-eon’s focused shoulders gave a slight shiver.

— Ha-oo, mm, hm, something like that.

Though it sounded somewhat clumsy, it was undoubtedly a coquettish moan.

He furrowed his brows deeply, forming a pronounced wrinkle.

“This woman is completely insane.”

The bluish glow from the monitor reflected in his eyes.

“...!”

At that moment, Baek Sa-eon’s face twitched violently.

— Put me down. No, you can’t. Please let me down here.

What the hell... What was this?

He slapped the side of his head as if swatting away an absurd idea.

How did this suddenly... what kind of ridiculous thought—

But just as he furrowed his brows and swore under his breath, standing up abruptly, the man’s face remained half-doubtful, yet icy cold, as he started rummaging through his desk.

Pulling open the drawers, he overturned their contents, shoving thick stacks of files to the floor.

Finally catching his breath, Baek Sa-eon grabbed a USB stick.

He handed it to the bewildered Park Do-jae standing nearby.

“Analyze the sound waves, down to the second decimal point. See what the match percentage is.”

His eyelids twitched as if spasming.

— Can you believe that the Blue House spokesperson secretly spreads illegal rumors and manipulates the entire nation like kneading dough?

“...!”

Hee-joo was utterly stunned, standing frozen.

— A scandal is one thing, but if this comes out, his upright journalist image will be completely destroyed.

“...”

— I’ve brought you a recording you can use, so let me tell you this as well.

“How... do you know all this?”

She didn’t expect an answer, but she had to ask anyway.

A cold snort came from the other end of the phone.

— What don’t I know about Baek Sa-eon? His grandfather cherished those three characters like a treasure.

A burst of chuckling followed.

— So, I leave it in your hands. The real orders I must hear, the ones I’m dying to hear.

The kidnapper’s voice was almost sing-song.

— If it all goes wrong, just die. Everyone should die.

“...!”

Hee-joo etched those cruel words deeply into her heart.

The other party always dragged things out, rarely revealing their true intentions, so every time such words suddenly appeared, her nerves would tighten.

— So hurry up and get divorced, sis.

“...”

— If it all goes wrong, you’ll be the first to die. Because you’re the most in the way.

“...!”

— I’m not joking.

Ding-dong. The doorbell rang.

Hee-joo’s head turned slowly, creaking like an old iron door.

“...No way?” she asked in a trembling voice.

The eerie laughter from the other end of the phone sent chills down her spine.

Dragging her feet, Hee-joo walked to the living room and checked the intercom. Her face was tense, but there was no one visible in the camera.

— Go back to how it was before.

“...”

— Go back to how it was before.

The call ended just like that.

Hee-joo pressed her hand against her chest and stood there blankly for a while.

Moments later, when she opened the door and stepped out—

“...What is this water?”

The floor was soaking wet, as if someone had spilled water everywhere.

“Ugh…!”

Instantly, a stifled groan escaped her throat.

A pile of dead goldfish lay there in a heap.

That night.

[Web Notification] This is the Blue House Public Relations Office. Congratulations on passing the third and final interview for the Blue House sign language interpreter position. For detailed information, please refer to the announcement on the Blue House website. If you have questions about follow-up arrangements, please contact the Blue House Spokesperson, Baek Sa-eon (010-xxx-xxxx). In addition, the Public Relations Office’s seminar will be held from October 22nd to October 23rd, 202X. For specifics, please check the Blue House website. Thank you.

The first event was a seminar.

At 10 p.m., although Hee-joo had uncovered her husband’s new vulnerability, she still hadn’t mustered the courage to make the call.

The slick sensation of the plastic bag, the feeling of personally placing the dead goldfish into it, lingered vividly in her mind. She couldn’t shake the odd sensation from her fingers.

Under a prominent commemorative banner, people gathered together.

Hee-joo unconsciously scanned the unfamiliar faces but didn’t see the one she was looking for.

Adjusting her backpack, Hee-joo took a step forward.

“Baek Sa-eon didn’t come home yesterday.”

In the early morning, Hee-joo had woken up to find the space next to her unexpectedly empty.

A wave of worry washed over her as she sat there in a daze.

She thought about sending him a message but quickly dismissed the idea.

He was eloquent when threatening others over the phone, yet when it came to Hong Hee-joo, he would revert to being an immature boy.

While tightly gripping her backpack, the atmosphere in the crowd suddenly changed.

“The big boss is here!”

“Oh, you’ve arrived!”

“Good morning, Mr. Baek!”

Baek Sa-eon entered with the Public Relations Secretary, looking unusually clean and neat as if he had freshened up somewhere.

With his hair falling over his forehead, his typically sharp demeanor seemed slightly subdued.

Baek Sa-eon nodded lightly in greeting and quickly scanned the area.

Soon, he found Hee-joo in a corner, standing apart from the crowd.

The moment their eyes met, he unhesitatingly walked over and grabbed Hee-joo’s arm.

Dazed, she was pulled to the front of the group, his hand firmly gripping her shoulder.

His hand was unexpectedly warm, and the familiar scent of his body wash wafted over her.

“Why hasn’t anyone greeted the new sign language interpreter yet?”

There was a faint hint of reproach in his words, though it seemed only Hee-joo could sense it.

The crowd fell silent, exchanging glances.

“This is Hong Hee-joo, our new sign language interpreter. I hope everyone will take good care of her; she might face some challenges.”

“...”

“In addition, Interpreter Hong Hee-joo is an introvert and has difficulty communicating directly due to personal reasons. However, she is a talented individual chosen for her abilities. I hope everyone will work harmoniously with her.”

Lowering her head, Hee-joo felt mortified. Baek Sa-eon had spoken on her behalf, making her unable to lift her head.

“In her research about me, she didn’t just watch my briefing videos but even studied my lips, teeth, and palate in detail. Let’s look forward to Interpreter Hong Hee-joo’s contributions.”

Her head sank even lower, her neck burning with embarrassment.

“Why is he giving my self-introduction for me?”

Her ears turned bright red. She wanted to glare at him fiercely, but his firm grip on her shoulder rendered her immobile.

“Everyone, let’s give her a round of applause.”

“...Wow…”

It’s over. Completely over…

The employees began clapping one by one, whispering among themselves.

Their surprised expressions openly displayed their astonishment.

Hee-joo sighed helplessly.

When the bus arrived, people boarded quickly as if escaping.

As Hee-joo hesitated about whether to get on the bus, her backpack was pulled forcefully.

Baek Sa-eon leaned casually against the bus, looking at her.

“Wait a moment. Ride with me.”

“Huh?”

“You need to sit next to me.”

“...Why should I?”

“Your expression is truly unpleasant.”

He stared at Hee-joo’s face, speaking in a low voice.3

“We didn’t get to sleep together yesterday.”

“...”

“This will make up for it.”

“This is a public place!”

Hee-joo anxiously gestured with her eyes, signaling to the many people around them. Sitting together would undoubtedly spark gossip.

Baek Sa-eon looked at her with a completely innocent expression.

“You thought I spent the night out?”

He lightly curled up one side of his mouth.

“I went home and obediently slept in my bed all night.”

“...”

“I just came back here for a bit this morning.”

He suddenly leaned his neck toward her.

“This is the scent of our home.”

The tip of her nose lightly brushed against his deep collarbone.

For some reason, the nervousness she felt about her first day of work completely vanished.