Page 113 of Perfect Happiness
“If you were so curious, Eun-ho, why didn’t you call me once while I was gone those five days?What wereyoudoing for those five days?”
This was a clever subversion.She had hit the ball right back at Eun-ho.If Eun-ho were his usual self, he would have gotten caught up in her trap and become emotional.But Eun-ho was becoming less and less receptive to these games.
“I thought you were at your mother’s.But you weren’t.Your sister came looking for you here.”
The grin disappeared from Wife’s lips.It seemed like the mere mention of Jane could put her in a sour mood.
“She said she came here to tell you that your Mom is out of the country and not to drop Jiyoo off at their house.”
Wife’s eyes momentarily looked left before returning to looking forward.Eun-ho knew what it meant when Wife’s eyes moved like that.She made it when she was backed into a corner and was looking for a way out.Eun-ho continued:
“I told your sister that I thought you were at your mom’s place.And she looked confused, like she didn’t know what I was talking about.”
“I never said I was going to my mom’s place.”It looked like she had found her way out.
“I went on a trip with Jiyoo.I needed time to think.Time to think about whether I wanted to continue living with a man who wouldn’t accept my daughter as his own.”
Eun-ho poured more vodka into his empty glass.It seemed like he wasn’t going to get drunk no matter how much he drank.
“I came back because I decided to give you one more chance,” Wife said.“Just one.But you haven’t changed.I’m trying my best.”
Trying her best meant killing Noah.Eun-ho dumped the entire glass of vodka into his mouth.His stomach lurched in pain.
“Didn’t you promise when we got married that you would try too?Have you forgotten your promise?”
Wife moved so that she was all the way on the desk.She crossed her legs, one hand supporting her and the other holding her glass.With her right foot dangling in the air, her slipper slid off her foot, just getting caught on her toe before falling.Her smooth, white toes bobbed up and down ever so slightly.Eun-ho’s nose was filled with the smell of her body.
“Are you finally ready to try?”Wife looked Eun-ho in the eye.This kind of seduction used to have an effect on him.But right now, her advances were only making it hard to breathe.He couldn’t believe Wife still thought she could seduce him like this.It was clear she had a magic mirror inside her that told her she was a queen.
“So, you’re not going to answer me?”
Wife brought her hand to Eun-ho’s cheek.She stroked his bristles with her warm, soft fingers.As her fingers traced lines on his face, goosebumps appeared in their wake, like skid marks on a road.
“Yuna.”
Eun-ho moved his head backward and distanced himself from her hand.
“I have something I need to tell you.”
Wife glanced at her hand, which was left dangling in the air.
“No.”She shook her head.“I have something to tell you first.”
Eun-ho closed his mouth.
“I’m leaving the company.I relinquished my duties as CEO yesterday.”
This was the last thing Eun-ho expected to come out of her mouth.Wife studied his reaction.Eun-ho used all his might not to let his eyes waver.
“I’ve thought about this for a while.”
Wife explained that she wanted them to immigrate to Russia.She’d even gone to a Khabarovsk investment immigration info session.She’d made preparations to start a new business and had already found a house for them.
“I’m going to the real estate agency on Monday to put this house up for sale.It’ll sell quickly if we ask for less than market value.After that, we’ll be ready to start our new lives together, in Russia.”
When had she had the time to do all this?She must have been planning this for months.Had she been working under the assumption that he would agree to this?That must have been what she believed.Either that, or she was planning on coercing him into agreeing.Eun-ho wondered if Noah had been one of the items she crossed off her to-do list.
“I know it’s tough, but you’ve got to let Noah go.You need to move on with your life.You have a family.The ones who are still alive.”
