Page 90 of Perfect Happiness
Jiyoo removed her cheek from Jane’s stomach and looked up at her.
“I told you I would.”
“But still.”
Jane put Dad Puppet in Jiyoo’s hand.
“Think of a place your mother won’t find it.The crack between your bed and the wall is too dangerous.”
“I know.A secret place—”
Jiyoo paused.Judging from the way Jiyoo’s eyes were getting wider, Jane could tell that she finally understood the meaning of her words.
“You knew?”Jiyoo asked.
“Don’t worry.I’ll keep it a secret.”
Jane held out the Happy Meal.Jiyoo’s eyes grew with excitement.
“You said no one was home, didn’t you?”
Instead of saying thank you, Jiyoo just looked down at the bag of fast food.
“I told them not to include the toy.Remember to get rid of the wrappers when you’re done.Do you remember what I taught you about folding the paper box?”
“Yes.Fold it until it’s flat, then put it in the trash.My stepfather takes out the trash.”
Jane took a step backwards.
“Well, young lady.Go inside and hide him in your secret place.”
Despite nodding, Jiyoo didn’t move.
“If you need anything, call me.I’ll keep my phone on for you.”
Jane took another step backwards and down the front steps.
“I’m leaving.”
Jiyoo didn’t move.One step, and then another.Jiyoo continued to watch until Jane turned around and crossed the street to her car.
Jane stopped in front of her car and looked back at Jiyoo.Long tangled hair, the hem of her white dress fluttering in the cold wind, slender calves and bare feet, holding Dad Puppet in one arm and a Happy Meal in the other, staring quietly out at Jane.
Jane could feel something cold spreading inside her chest.Everything surrounding Jiyoo looked melancholic.The large two-story house towering behind her, the dead leaves tumbling about on the roof, the ashen sky—even the cypress on the front porch positioned like Jiyoo’s shadow looked depressing.Jane thought she could hear Jiyoo whisper something to her.
Auntie, don’t touch Mother.
A question popped into Jane’s head, one that she should have asked herself before.If what she feared turned out to be true, and Jiyoo lost her mother, how would Jiyoo handle it?
The answer was “not well.”Jane knew that Yuna wasn’t simply Jiyoo’s mother.She was an absolute monarch who had dominion over her daughter’s soul.There was no replacement for Yuna in Jiyoo’s world.If Jiyoo lost her mother, she would lose everything.But if Jane continued digging, that’s exactly what might happen.
Jane turned away from Jiyoo.She pulled out her car keys and unlocked the doors.Just as she did this, Jane heard a car in the distance.She turned her head to discover a white SUV driving toward her.Without moving her head, Jane glanced out of the corner of her eyes toward the front door.Thankfully, Jiyoo had already disappeared.
The white SUV pulled up next to Jane’s car.The driver’s side door opened, and Eun-ho stepped out of the car.Jane was astonished by what she saw.How could someone change so drastically in such a short amount of time?It had been only two weeks since she last saw him.The hair to the left of his left ear was graying.There were dark bags under even darker eyes, and his cheeks, which had been as rosy as a child’s, were now thin and hollow.He looked like he had aged ten years.
The cold wind cut across the back of her neck as she was struck by a sense of déjà vu.Eun-ho looked just like Joon-young had looked when he got in her car.It seemed like all Yuna’s men turned out like this.If they didn’t die first, that is.
“What are you doing here?”Eun-ho asked as he stood to the side of the front of her car.He looked out of breath.Jane wasn’t prepared with an answer.So naturally, what came out of her mouth was a jumble of words.
