OMS 37

Upon returning home, Park Dong-sik went straight to Chairman Kim, not Kim Tae-han. Fortunately, Madam Song was out, and Butler Yoon was guarding the room. Opening the door, he immediately saw Chairman Kim sitting on the sofa.

“Hee-soo!”

When she abruptly tried to grab his hand, Park Dong-sik quickly pulled away. Chairman Kim’s face crumpled with hurt, and she whimpered.

“You just rejected my arm…”

Park Dong-sik hurriedly took her hand. “No, Yoon-ah. I just haven’t adjusted to your new face yet. Besides, though you don’t know it, there’s some history between us. I’m sorry.”

Listening, Kim Yoon-ah nodded in understanding.

“Actually, I feel the same. Especially when bathing…I really hate it.”

As she said this, Chairman Kim looked at her groin with disgust. How awful must it be? To suddenly have something there that wasn’t before. He still got goosebumps thinking about when Chairman Kim had taken out his penis and waved it around in front of him.

“You must hate touching that wrinkly thing. I understand.”

“How do you know so well?”

Since it would be strange to say he’d seen it directly, he gave a vague answer and offered her a solution.

“If it bothers you that much, use a brush. You know, the kind used for cleaning?”

“What? Even so…”

“Or ask Madam Song. It might be less embarrassing with another woman?”

She seemed to consider it slightly. Then Kim Yoon-ah shared various difficulties. Her body ached even when still, and she woke up several times at night to urinate. Plus, it was torture being alone all day for fear of arousing suspicion.

“Getting old is so sad…I understand now that I’ve aged overnight.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll return to your body soon.”

“Do you think that’s even possible…?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, have you heard about the driver who caused the accident? They say he was drunk driving…Completely intoxicated.”

Park Dong-sik didn’t answer. Though they say the person wasn’t in their right mind and accidentally hit again while trying to flee, he couldn’t shake his suspicions. If it wasn’t an accident but intentional, whose doing was it? Chairman Kim? Madam Song? Or Kim Jun-han? Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised if it were any of them.

“By the way, I have a favor to ask you.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing difficult, just something I need you to do.”

“Me…?”

“Yes. Something only Chairman Kim can do.”

As he whispered the plan in her ear, Kim Yoon-ah’s expression darkened and eventually turned tearful. After he finished, she shook her head with a dismayed expression.

“I-I can’t do it. Everyone will think it’s strange.”

“No, you can. Remember what you told me when we were drinking at the harbor? That your childhood dream was to be an actor.”

“That was just childish talk.”

He kept comforting her as she insisted she couldn’t do it. He explained several times why it was necessary, and when told there was no other way, she reluctantly nodded and accepted.

***

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s been staying in his room since hurting his leg, but now suddenly wants to have dinner together.”

Madam Song seemed to welcome the rare family dinner. Park Dong-sik glanced at Kim Jun-han sitting next to him. As before, he didn’t spare Park Dong-sik a single look. What happened at the villa felt like a distant dream.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Kim Tae-han arrived late and sat across from them. He flashed a smile at Lee Hee-soo. It was such a fresh smile that it was hard to believe he was the same madman who had called dozens of times. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“Sister-in-law, I hear you went to the Gangwon-do villa with my brother. Did you enjoy it?”

Before Dong-sik could answer, Madam Song snapped.

“Why did you follow him there? Not letting your husband rest. If you lack common sense, just stay put.”

“I asked her to come.”

Kim Jun-han’s response surprised both Madam Song and Park Dong-sik. Only Kim Tae-han sat across from them, smiling.

“Brother, you’ve changed a lot. Were you ever close enough to travel together?”

Kim Jun-han stared steadily at Kim Tae-han.

“Kim Tae-han.”

“Yes?”

“Know your limits.”

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Even Kim Ah-ra, who usually jumped in tactlessly, quickly looked away, and Madam Song, perhaps thinking the brothers’ behavior was because of Lee Hee-soo, showed her discomfort.

“That’s enough. Your father will be here soon.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Chairman Kim appeared in a wheelchair, assisted by his secretary. When their eyes met as the Chairman settled at the head of the table, Park Dong-sik sent encouraging looks.

“Now that we’re all here, let’s eat.”

Unlike usual, Chairman Kim’s voice trembled slightly. Park Dong-sik was nervous, and everyone seemed to notice something odd about the Chairman. The meal began, and contrary to concerns, the Chairman’s acting improved as time passed. For someone who had been afraid, it turned out to be excellent acting.

Yes, Kim Yoon-ah. You’re better than me at everything.

Just as he was admitting this internally, Chairman Kim put down his spoon.

Madam Song fretted over her husband’s behavior.

“What’s wrong? Eat more. Is it not to your taste?”

“I have something to say.”

“To whom?”

Chairman Kim’s gaze moved to Kim Jun-han.

“Jun-han, are you planning to get a divorce?”

The family members’ expressions varied at the sudden question. Ironically, Kim Jun-han, the person in question, remained the most composed. Chairman Kim swallowed subtly. His gaze touched briefly on Park Dong-sik.

“I’m asking if you’re going to divorce.”

Conscious of the staff, Madam Song lowered her voice.

“Dear, why bring this up here? There are too many eyes. Later, okay? Talk when you’re alone. You’re making Jun-han uncomfortable.”

What discomfort? Madam Song must be having vision problems if she couldn’t see her son’s face properly. Though Park Dong-sik had much to say, he kept his mouth shut. He knew it wasn’t his turn to step in.

“As your mother says, I’ll speak with you upstairs after dinner.”

“The family should know, so we’ll discuss it here. I oppose your divorce, both of you.”

Madam Song’s jaw dropped, and finally, Kim Jun-han’s expression showed disturbance. Kim Tae-han was the same, looking at his father as if he were his mortal enemy. While everyone was feeling unsettled, only Kim Ah-ra looked around, unable to grasp the situation.

“Big brother’s getting divorced? Am I the last to find out about this?”

As Madam Song was about to speak up heatedly, Kim Jun-han beat her to the punch.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Chairman Kim’s eyes wavered. He looked at Park Dong-sik. His expression seemed to say, “Hee-soo, what should I do? I’m scared.” Park Dong-sik gave a small encouraging nod, signaling that he could do it. Perhaps emboldened by this, Chairman Kim set down his spoon with a loud clack.

“Even if I’m just an old man relegated to the back room, I should at least be able to say that much to you. But what? Not even ‘I’ll think about it,’ but ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that’? How dare you say such things! You insolent boy!”

Everyone was dumbfounded. They had never seen Chairman Kim raise his voice at Kim Jun-han before.

“No matter how lacking your wife might be, you should protect and cherish her. How long have you been married to already talk about divorce?! I’ve made myself clear, so remember it. Don’t make me repeat myself!”

Park Dong-sik bit down on his molars to suppress his laughter.

Well done, Kim Yoon-ah. Wonderful. Bravo!

Kim Jun-han’s brow furrowed, and his clenched jaw tightened. He was holding back. Holding back his rising anger. He must be completely bewildered. After all, Chairman Kim had agreed to the divorce but was now changing his words.

Kim Jun-han finally stood up from his seat.

“I’ll leave first due to my flight time. I’ll discuss the rest when I return.”

Chairman Kim drove the final wedge into his discomfort.

“Starting next week, Tae-han will be coming to work at the company. Keep a position open.”

Kim Jun-han gave Kim Tae-han a cold look. Kim Tae-han didn’t back down. The tension in their exchanged glances was enough to make observers’ knees weak.

“What? Do I need your permission for this too?”

Kim Jun-han’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

Kim Jun-han gave a polite bow and turned away. Park Dong-sik saw it clearly—how Kim Jun-han tightly closed and opened his eyes. He’s seriously angry. As he disappeared from view, Madam Song sighed deeply and held her forehead.

“Dear, why are you treating Jun-han like this?”

As soon as she asked this, Chairman Kim slammed the table with his palm and stood up abruptly.

When Madam Song flinched in surprise, Chairman Kim shouted at the family.

“From now on, I want no one to dare question my words! If you do, you’ll all be thrown out! Understood?”