OMS 89

Watching TV, Park Dong-sik swallowed hard seeing the characters drinking soju while eating grilled intestines. He felt like licking the screen. Now the characters were stepping outside and lighting up cigarettes. Park Dong-sik clicked his tongue and changed the channel.

Even though he was pregnant, the cravings for alcohol and cigarettes hadn’t easily subsided. He was only restraining himself because these types of things were bad for the babies.

Losing interest, he lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes. Images alternate between Lee Hee-soo’s mother’s shocked face upon hearing Park Chun-bae’s name and Lee Hoon-jae’s lustful gaze toward Lee Hee-soo.

Park Dong-sik muttered quietly.

“You should have used the courage you have to die to take those bastards down. Why did you die…?”

Tossing and turning in his troubled state, he opened his eyes to find Kim Jun-han looking down at him. Startled, he sat up as Kim Jun-han came closer. As always, he carried a pleasant scent.

“You’re home early?”

He glanced behind, wondering if Kim Tae-han came too.

“Tae-han’s away on a business trip. He won’t be back for a while.”

“Ah, business trip…”

He reached out and tidied Park Dong-sik’s hair, messed up from lying down just now. His chest had felt tight like it was crushed by a boulder, but the gentle touch cleared his breathing. Park Dong-sik clung to Kim Jun-han’s arm and leaned against him.

“What’s this? This isn’t like you.”

When there was no response, Kim Jun-han whispered, embracing his shoulders.

“Is this some kind of signal between spouses? Should I go take a shower?”

Park Dong-sik burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking without resistance. Who knew you could make jokes like that? The laughter helped clear his complicated thoughts somewhat, and he straightened up.

“I have something to confess.”

“Let me go first. No, let me apologize first.”

“Huh?”

“I received a message while Hee-soo was sleeping, and the content seemed strange, so I checked and saw the video.”

Ah…It’s shocking to hear what he was about to confess come from Kim Jun-han’s mouth instead.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were being blackmailed?”

Park Dong-sik smiled bitterly.

“Even though I’m Park Dong-sik and not Hee-soo, would you want to show such a video to CEO Kim? That’s why I went to meet Hee-soo’s mother today. I was going to tell you once I found the sender for sure, but there was no evidence.”

“It was my father.”

Park Dong-sik was speechless at this unexpected revelation. “Who?”

“Park Jae-min was the one who first recorded the video. When he tried to blackmail me, I locked him up in the villa and collected and burned all the videos. I didn’t know Hee-soo’s mother had it, but the eldest son Lee Hoon-jae used the video to extort money from my father. Then my father sent it to you.”

Park Dong-sik furrowed his brow.

“Is this some kind of pyramid scheme? Why so complicated? So basically, Hee-soo’s mom had it, Hoon-jae took it, Hoon-jae blackmailed Chairman Kim, and Chairman Kim blackmailed me? Damn, why would that old man…?”

Park Dong-sik paused after swearing in anger. Maybe that was too harsh. He was still his father after all. He expected a comment, but Kim Jun-han merely nodded his head. Park Dong-sik had planned on having Chairman Kim punish Lee Hoon-jae, but it turned out they were in on this together. It was infuriating.

“He probably intended to make you anxious. The old Hee-soo would have tried to get money somehow, and my father was waiting for that opportunity.”

Park Dong-sik pressed his throbbing temples.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m fucking pissed. CEO Kim, quick, cover my mouth. I’m about to say some really bad words.”

Kim Jun-han gently covered Park Dong-sik’s mouth, and Park Dong-sik stroked his belly trying to calm down. He worried the babies might learn swear words first. If their first babbling was “fuck,” Kim Jun-han’s expression would be worth seeing.

“You know, I never really thought deeply about Hee-soo before. At first, I even resented him. If he wanted to die, why drag me into it? But today, for the first time, I understand. When everyone around him was using and tormenting him, could anyone have stayed sane?”

“I have nothing to say about that.”

Kim Jun-han couldn’t look at Park Dong-sik properly.

“I was indifferent to Hee-soo. If I had paid even a little attention, I would have known how my father viewed him. When the video came out, I just thought of him as an immoral person. I didn’t even try to learn more or understand. When I found out about his relationship with Tae-han, I used it as an opportunity to demand for a divorce. I wonder if I have any right to criticize him. I only realized today that I’m partly responsible for driving Hee-soo to his death.”

“…”

Kim Jun-han finally hung his head.

“I’m sorry.”

It felt heavy. I’m not Heesoo, so why am I feeling these emotions?

“I’m truly sorry.”

Park Dong-sik sighed and patted Kim Jun-han’s shoulder.

“Since I’m Hee-soo now, I’ll forgive Jun-han.”

Finally, Kim Jun-han looked up, and Park Dong-sik grinned.

“I’ll let it slide because you’re so handsome.”

Though they joked, neither could really laugh. He had planned to bring up the story about the birth mother today, but he’d have to postpone it. It wasn’t certain anyway, and he didn’t want to add more to their troubled minds. But Kim Jun-han brought up something unexpected.

“Please wait regarding my father’s matter. It will be resolved soon. And about Hee-soo’s birth mother and half-siblings, I’ll take care—”

Park Dong-sik shook his head.

“I want to handle that myself.”

Park Dong-sik turned completely to face him. Kim Jun-han’s face looked particularly tired and worn today. He could tell he’d been through a lot mentally.

“I think Hee-soo had a reason for giving his body to me. It wasn’t just for sex, you know.”

Kim Jun-han looked displeased.

“Are you planning revenge?”

“Of course. If I leave it to you, you’ll just shoot them dead. That’s not revenge.”

“Then what?”

“Making them live in hell while they’re alive—that’s true revenge. Though I guess our young master never had to get revenge for anything. Probably just signed papers at the company and ordered secretaries around all day.”

Kim Jun-han narrowed his eyes.

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“Me? How dare I?”

“Yes, you are being sarcastic.”

“Hey now. Why are you like this? I thought you were more open-minded.”

“I’m narrow-minded. Very much so.”

Park Dong-sik knew how much Kim Jun-han worried about him. But he didn’t want to just stand back and be a spectator while leaving everything to him. Seeing no sign of backing down, Kim Jun-han reluctantly asked.

“So what’s your plan?”

“I’ll tell you the plan later, but first, grant me one favor.”

“Favor?”

Park Dong-sik made a circle with his thumb and index finger and waved it.

“Support me financially, and generously. Revenge isn’t cheap. And there’s something I need you to find for me. Actually, I really hope you can find it. It’s really hard to get, and you’re the only one who can help.”

Kim Jun-han didn’t answer, and Park Dong-sik nuzzled his cheek against his shoulder.

“You said you were sorry to Hee-soo. Help me just this once. Please? Hm?”

He could tell what Kim Jun-han’s expression was without even looking. What man would be happy about his pregnant ex-wife asking for money for revenge?

“I still oppose you getting involved. But, I agree with what you just said.”

“Which part? That revenge costs money?”

“No. That they should see hell while they’re alive.”

Looking up, he saw Kim Jun-han’s darkened gaze. It was similar to what he’d seen before the shooting at the villa, making him feel momentarily breathless.

***

The air in the house felt cooler than before. The staff were busy watching their employer’s mood, and Butler Yoon’s expression wasn’t good either. Everyone seemed on edge because of yesterday’s incident. Madam Song stood in front of the stairs holding a bowl of medicine, looking momentarily dazed.

“Mother.”

Madam Song startled and turned around.

“Jun-han. Going to work?”

“I came to see Father.”

Kim Jun-han’s gaze fell on the herbal medicine.

“Let me take it. I’ll bring it up.”

“No, I’ll—”

“Please. It’s okay.”

Seeing Kim Jun-han’s firm expression, Madam Song hesitantly handed over the tray. Before going up, he hugged her shoulders once.

“You must have been very shocked. Go rest inside.”

Leaving Madam Song behind, Kim Jun-han slowly began climbing the stairs. Entering the second-floor bedroom, Chairman Kim was watching the news on TV, leaning against the bed in his pajamas. Kim Jun-han placed the medicine on the bedside table while checking Chairman Kim’s complexion.

“How are you feeling?”

Chairman Kim clicked his tongue and turned off the TV.

“Don’t even ask. Because of that damned bastard, I couldn’t sleep, my eyes are blurry, and I’m even hearing things. That crazy bastard. His eyes were wild, not even recognizing his own father, how dare he try to strangle his own parent!”

“But locking him up was too much.”

“Too much? I’m thinking of throwing him in a mental hospital soon.”

“Father. You know Tae-han will die if he goes there. You know his personality.”

“Of course, I know! He inherited my temperament, who wouldn’t know? That’s why this happened. Tell me honestly. Wouldn’t it be better for you if Tae-han disappeared?”

At the probing tone, Kim Jun-han replied calmly.

“As you know, I’m not interested in Hee-soo. What I need is the child he’s carrying. Don’t say anything about blood ties pulling at me.”

Chairman Kim nodded his head.

“Well, you never had feelings for that kid from the start.”

“I plan to send him away after he gives birth. Please turn a blind eye until then. I’m asking you.”

Ahem, Chairman Kim cleared his throat awkwardly and avoided eye contact. As he fell silent, seemingly deflated, Kim Jun-han handed over the herbal medicine he’d brought on the tray.

“Please drink this. You need to recover quickly.”

Chairman Kim frowned at the medicine.

“Why keep bringing this useless stuff?”

Despite his words, he gulped it down and soon lay down. While Kim Jun-han was collecting the empty bowl, Chairman Kim rubbed his eyes and frowned.

“What’s that? What’s that black stain on the ceiling…?”

Kim Jun-han looked up. The pure white ceiling didn’t have a speck of dust. He smiled warmly at Chairman Kim and carefully tucked in his blanket.

“So there is. I’ll tell Butler Yoon to check it out. Sleep well and rest easy.”