Page 114 of Perfect Happiness
Wife scooted across the desk so that she was directly in front of him.The slipper that had been dangling on the tip of her toes fell to the ground.Wife used to straddle him like this when they were madly in love to get him to do things for her.She would get up on his desk, spread her legs, and put her feet on the armrests of his chair, trapping him in his seat.It wasn’t long ago that he would sit helplessly in anticipation of her next move as he listened to the pounding of his heart.But now, he could hardly bear to look at her.
“The police investigation will end soon.You’ll be charged with manslaughter and either be sent to prison or have to pay a fine.All we can do is wait.That’s what my lawyer said.But don’t worry.He has the highest win rate of any criminal defense attorney in Korea.When this is all over—”
Eun-ho could hear Wife’s voice becoming distant.He was desperately fighting the urge to jump out of his seat and strangle her.Soon, he was going to be formally charged with the murder of his son.If he couldn’t reveal the truth before then, and if he gave in to his current urges, this would turn into a double homicide.
“So don’t do something as stupid as handing over those sleep study results.”
Wife put her bare foot on Eun-ho’s inner thigh.Her toes playfully crawled up his pants.Eun-ho’s leg started to spasm.
At the same time, Eun-ho realized something.Wife knew something about Noah’s death.She hadn’t said anything that directly proved this, but she was talking with too much conviction.
“I’m trying my hardest to defend you, honey—”
Wife looked into his eyes and tried to cast a spell over him.The sour smell of her skin was seeping into every inch of his body.
“If you keep acting on your own, I won’t be able to help you.Don’t you think so?”
Eun-ho’s intuition was right.She was threatening him, telling him that whatever it was that he knew, he should forget it.If he didn’t, she would make sure he was convicted as a child murderer.
“Yuna.”
Eun-ho looked Wife in the eye.He tried his hardest not to show any emotion on his face.He had to be calm and emotionless for his words to have an effect.
“I want a divorce.”
Wife tilted her head to the side.She wrinkled the skin between her brow, as if she didn’t think this was funny.He looked her straight in the eye and spoke clearly, so there would be no chance of her mishearing him:
“I’ll leave the house.Tomorrow morning.”
*
Dad Puppet had magical powers.When Jiyoo was asleep, he protected her from nightmares.And when she was awake, he gave her the strength to endure anything.
Jiyoo woke up several times throughout the night, and when she opened her eyes, she was immediately in pain.Lying in bed, she would confide in Dad Puppet.She told him about what she did wrong, the disappointment in herself for getting caught, her regret and sadness about losing Mother’s trust, her suspicions about Mother and the guilt she felt for doubting her, and the fear about her impending punishment.
As she talked, the pain in her chest subsided and she was able to fall asleep again.When day broke, Jiyoo was well enough to stand up.She also had the courage to summon Mischievous Mouse.She was ready to figure out who could help her.
Not Stepfather.As far as Jiyoo saw it, Stepfather had no interest in her.He said hi to her like he would say hi to a random child on the street.He only helped her last night because he pitied her.Mother had knocked Jiyoo unconscious and given her a bloody nose.Anyone would have stepped in like he did.Anyone.
What about Auntie?Would she be any different?Would Auntie come running if she knew Jiyoo was in trouble?Would she look after Jiyoo until Mother decided to forgive her or Grandma came back from Russia?That’s what she did last time Jiyoo was sick.She nursed Jiyoo back to health and stayed by her side at the hospital when Mother wasn’t around.She even called Jiyoo affectionate names and hugged her when she was having bad dreams.
Jiyoo pulled her sheets over her head as she thought hard about how she could talk to Auntie without Mother knowing.But she couldn’t think of anything.At least, not until Stepfather knocked on her bedroom door.
“Jiyoo, are you up?”
Even if Jiyoo hadn’t heard his voice, she would have known it was him because Mother didn’t knock before coming in.Mother always said that she had the right, not just to enter Jiyoo’s room, but to have access to Jiyoo’s thoughts.She could decide what Jiyoo thought and how she acted.
When Jiyoo asked why, Mother said, “Because you belong to me.”As soon as Jiyoo protested with a “But—”, Mother posed a question to Jiyoo: “When an artist paints, does the painting belong to the painter or the painting?”Finally, Jiyoo understood.She was a painting.
“Jiyoo, are you still asleep?”
Jiyoo stuck her head out from the sheets and answered, “No.”
As usual, Stepfather didn’t come into Jiyoo’s room.He just stood outside the door and delivered his message.
“Come down for breakfast.”
“Yes,” Jiyoo said as she got up.She quickly made her bed and changed out of her pajamas.She did this twice as fast as she normally did.Mother would be downstairs, and Jiyoo didn’t want to make her wait.
