Episode 1. A Woman Pregnant with Her Husband's Child
Byeol-ha's eyes widened like a rabbit's as she clattered and lifted her teacup. Startled by her friend's unexpected words, Byeol-ha almost dropped her teacup.
Perhaps because she flinched, the hot tea in the cup overflowed and soaked the back of Byeol-ha's hand.
The back of her hand burned as the still-cool tea touched it. Byeol-ha quickly put down her cup and wiped her hands. Her once-pure white skin had already turned a bright red.
She watched Byeol-ha's flustered form as she fought, then opened her mouth. Seeing Byeolha's injuries, she didn't even ask if she was okay, just blurting out what she wanted to say.
Byeol-ha, who had been blowing a cold wind with her breath, turned her head and looked at Gyeo-ru.
Thud.
On her family relations certificate, Lee Do-hyun was registered as her spouse.
Byeol-ha's eyes widened like a rabbit's as she clattered and lifted her teacup. Startled by her friend's unexpected words, Byeol-ha almost dropped her teacup.
Perhaps because she flinched, the hot tea in the cup overflowed and soaked the back of Byeol-ha's hand.
The back of her hand burned as the still-cool tea touched it. Byeol-ha quickly put down her cup and wiped her hands. Her once-pure white skin had already turned a bright red.
She watched Byeol-ha's flustered form as she fought, then opened her mouth. Seeing Byeolha's injuries, she didn't even ask if she was okay, just blurting out what she wanted to say.
Byeol-ha, who had been blowing a cold wind with her breath, turned her head and looked at Gyeo-ru.
“That went well. Congratulations on your wedding. Have you set a date? We should hurry to get married before my belly gets any bigger.”
Byeol-ha sincerely congratulated Gyeo-ru, who always brags about her boyfriend and shows how much he likes and cares for her.
Byeol-ha sincerely congratulated Gyeo-ru, who always brags about her boyfriend and shows how much he likes and cares for her.
“We’ve already met the parents and reserved a wedding hall.”
She gave a faint smile as if to tell Byeol-ha not to worry and started rummaging through her expensive designer bag.
She gave a faint smile as if to tell Byeol-ha not to worry and started rummaging through her expensive designer bag.
“I called you today to give you an invitation.”
She placed the invitation on the table with a loud thud. Then she gently pushed it towards the guest room.
She placed the invitation on the table with a loud thud. Then she gently pushed it towards the guest room.
“Have you already printed the wedding invitations?”
The subtle pearl detailing looked quite luxurious. Byeol-ha picked up the invitation on the table and opened the envelope.
November 28th, 1:00 PM, S Hotel Ceremony Hall
The front was simple. It contained only the names of the bride and groom, along with the date, time, and location. Byeol-ha's eyes widened as she confirmed the groom's name.
The subtle pearl detailing looked quite luxurious. Byeol-ha picked up the invitation on the table and opened the envelope.
November 28th, 1:00 PM, S Hotel Ceremony Hall
The front was simple. It contained only the names of the bride and groom, along with the date, time, and location. Byeol-ha's eyes widened as she confirmed the groom's name.
“Oh my, the groom’s name is ‘Lee Do-hyun’? That’s the same as my husband’s name.”
What a coincidence. Was Do-hyun really this common?
As Byeol-ha, unable to hide her surprise, started to flinch and exclaim in wonder, Gyeo-ru, who was sitting in front of her, began to lick her lips.
Then, as if trying to suppress a smile, she pursed her lips and stared at Byeolha.
It is no exaggeration to say that all of her nerves are focused on Byeol-ha.
What a coincidence. Was Do-hyun really this common?
As Byeol-ha, unable to hide her surprise, started to flinch and exclaim in wonder, Gyeo-ru, who was sitting in front of her, began to lick her lips.
Then, as if trying to suppress a smile, she pursed her lips and stared at Byeolha.
It is no exaggeration to say that all of her nerves are focused on Byeol-ha.
“It’s strange. Well, compared to you or me, the name Lee Do-hyun is common.”
“Phew.”
Gyeo-ru, who had been trying hard to hold back her laughter, finally burst out laughing at Byeol-ha's subsequent words. A low chuckle escaped her lips. But that was only for a moment, before a bizarrely raspy laughter filled the cafe.
Gyeo-ru, who had been trying hard to hold back her laughter, finally burst out laughing at Byeol-ha's subsequent words. A low chuckle escaped her lips. But that was only for a moment, before a bizarrely raspy laughter filled the cafe.
“Ah... Wait a minute. Heh heh...”
Her laughter instantly drew all eyes. She clutched her stomach, oblivious to the stares of those watching her.
Her laughter instantly drew all eyes. She clutched her stomach, oblivious to the stares of those watching her.
“You’re so funny. Seriously.”
It was so funny that tears welled up in Gyeo-ru's eyes. She wiped them away with her finger and nodded toward the invitation.
It was so funny that tears welled up in Gyeo-ru's eyes. She wiped them away with her finger and nodded toward the invitation.
“Open it.”
“Huh? Yeah.”
'Why are you laughing like that all of a sudden?'
For some reason, she felt uneasy. It was because Gyeo-ru's gaze seemed to mock her. Byeol-ha slowly unfolded the invitation, her gaze fixed on Gyeo-ru.
The wedding invitation contained a wedding photo of the bride and groom, along with a simple message to live happily ever after.
The bride is wearing a dress that accentuates her slender figure, and the groom is smiling happily next to her.
For some reason, she felt uneasy. It was because Gyeo-ru's gaze seemed to mock her. Byeol-ha slowly unfolded the invitation, her gaze fixed on Gyeo-ru.
The wedding invitation contained a wedding photo of the bride and groom, along with a simple message to live happily ever after.
The bride is wearing a dress that accentuates her slender figure, and the groom is smiling happily next to her.
“...?”
The moment she saw the photo, Byeol-ha's mind went blank. The man next to Gyeo-ru was someone she knew well.
The moment she saw the photo, Byeol-ha's mind went blank. The man next to Gyeo-ru was someone she knew well.
“Why is my husband...”
Is it just a look-alike? Or is it just me seeing things for a moment because my husband and he have the same name?
Byul-ha looked at the wedding invitation in her hand again and again. No matter how many times she looked at it, she knew the man in the photo was her husband, Lee Do-hyun.
Is it just a look-alike? Or is it just me seeing things for a moment because my husband and he have the same name?
Byul-ha looked at the wedding invitation in her hand again and again. No matter how many times she looked at it, she knew the man in the photo was her husband, Lee Do-hyun.
“What? That’s not funny. Now, stop kidding.”
Byeol-ha bit her lower lip and looked at Gyeo-ru. Her eyes lost focus and shook pitifully. Gyeo-ru brushed her long hair back and looked at Byeol-ha, who was trembling.
As she watched Byeol-ha looking at her with a desperate look in her eyes, she couldn't help but smile.
Byeol-ha bit her lower lip and looked at Gyeo-ru. Her eyes lost focus and shook pitifully. Gyeo-ru brushed her long hair back and looked at Byeol-ha, who was trembling.
As she watched Byeol-ha looking at her with a desperate look in her eyes, she couldn't help but smile.
'You're so stupid. That's why you lose men.'
Even though she showed Byeol-ha the invitation, she felt foolish. Thinking she had to say everything out loud for the sake of the other party, she slowly opened her mouth.
Even though she showed Byeol-ha the invitation, she felt foolish. Thinking she had to say everything out loud for the sake of the other party, she slowly opened her mouth.
“I’m pregnant with your husband’s child.”
“...!”
Thud.
'You're pregnant with my husband's child?'
Her heart sank. Feeling like it was tumbling endlessly, Byeol-ha involuntarily took a deep breath. Her mind was disoriented, and she felt extremely dizzy. Not only was her vision spinning, but her stomach churned.
Her heart sank. Feeling like it was tumbling endlessly, Byeol-ha involuntarily took a deep breath. Her mind was disoriented, and she felt extremely dizzy. Not only was her vision spinning, but her stomach churned.
'That's ridiculous. Why... why with my husband...!'
Byeol-ha covered her mouth with her hands, trembling like a poplar tree. Gyeo-ru's words didn't feel real. She prayed that her husband, Lee Do-hyun, would jump out from behind her at any moment and tell her it was all a joke.
However, it was just a vain hope.
Lee Do-hyun didn't appear, and Gyeo-ru gazed at Byeol-ha, stroking her flat belly. Her eyes were intoxicated with victory, and the corners of her lips curled leisurely.
Byeol-ha covered her mouth with her hands, trembling like a poplar tree. Gyeo-ru's words didn't feel real. She prayed that her husband, Lee Do-hyun, would jump out from behind her at any moment and tell her it was all a joke.
However, it was just a vain hope.
Lee Do-hyun didn't appear, and Gyeo-ru gazed at Byeol-ha, stroking her flat belly. Her eyes were intoxicated with victory, and the corners of her lips curled leisurely.
'You must be mistaken. There's no way my husband would do that to me.'
Her husband was a man so devoted to Byeol-ha that everyone envied her. Even though Byeol-ha had already seen the wedding invitation, she couldn't accept the current situation. No, she didn't want to.
Her husband was a man so devoted to Byeol-ha that everyone envied her. Even though Byeol-ha had already seen the wedding invitation, she couldn't accept the current situation. No, she didn't want to.
“Do you know what day November 28th is? It’s Do-hyun, and I’m celebrating our 6th anniversary. So please don’t say useless things like, ‘I’m just delusional.’”
Gyeo-ru spoke as if she knew everything Byeol-ha was thinking. Byeol-ha couldn't help but freeze in place when Gyeo-ru told her they'd been together for six years.
It's not like they only met a few months ago, but they've been together for six years.
A feeling of emptiness washed over her like a storm. A pain that tore her heart apart, a pain so intense that even breathing felt like a struggle.
All of it consumed Byeol-ha's body.
Gyeo-ru spoke as if she knew everything Byeol-ha was thinking. Byeol-ha couldn't help but freeze in place when Gyeo-ru told her they'd been together for six years.
It's not like they only met a few months ago, but they've been together for six years.
A feeling of emptiness washed over her like a storm. A pain that tore her heart apart, a pain so intense that even breathing felt like a struggle.
All of it consumed Byeol-ha's body.
“Even while I was studying abroad in the US, he came to visit me from time to time. Do-hyeon is really affectionate. Not only in everyday life, but also in bed.”
Gyeo-ru flicked her lower lip, as if provoking a contestant, and let out a meaningful smile. It was amusing to see Byeol-ha happily married, oblivious to everything. She couldn't tell her how much she wanted to say this.
Your husband loves me.
Gyeo-ru looked at Byeol-ha, who was now tattered, with eyes filled with the joy of competition. Then she cruelly cut out Byeolha's chest.
Gyeo-ru flicked her lower lip, as if provoking a contestant, and let out a meaningful smile. It was amusing to see Byeol-ha happily married, oblivious to everything. She couldn't tell her how much she wanted to say this.
Your husband loves me.
Gyeo-ru looked at Byeol-ha, who was now tattered, with eyes filled with the joy of competition. Then she cruelly cut out Byeolha's chest.
“Do-hyun and I were together the day before your wedding. We spent the night at the hotel together and then went to the wedding hall.”
Byeol-ha's eyes were suddenly filled with clear tears. She couldn't say a word, just shed tears miserably.
Byeol-ha's eyes were suddenly filled with clear tears. She couldn't say a word, just shed tears miserably.
“Your husband never loved you from the beginning. He always said he loved me, not you. So don’t be too sad. There must be another man out there who will love you.”
Byeol-ha finally lowered her head, unable to listen to Gyeo-ru's words any longer.
Her shoulders shook and tears flowed down her face, soaking them with transparent tears.
Byeol-ha finally lowered her head, unable to listen to Gyeo-ru's words any longer.
Her shoulders shook and tears flowed down her face, soaking them with transparent tears.
“Will you congratulate me on my wedding?”
The demonic voice of Gyeo-ru pierced Byeol-ha's ears. It echoed like a relentless whisper, relentlessly pressing down on Byeol-ha, destroying her mentality.
You want me to congratulate you on marrying my husband?
It was beyond absurd; it was unfair.
She wanted to grab her by the hair right now and ask her what she had done, but strangely, her body wouldn't move.
The shock was so great that she had no strength left in her body.
The demonic voice of Gyeo-ru pierced Byeol-ha's ears. It echoed like a relentless whisper, relentlessly pressing down on Byeol-ha, destroying her mentality.
You want me to congratulate you on marrying my husband?
It was beyond absurd; it was unfair.
She wanted to grab her by the hair right now and ask her what she had done, but strangely, her body wouldn't move.
The shock was so great that she had no strength left in her body.
“Do you think I... will divorce him?”
Without even looking Gyeo-ru, Byeol-ha asked in a trembling voice. It was her last desperate attempt.
Gyeo-ru laughed with a mocking expression as she watched Byul-ha, who seemed to be trembling but would never back down.
Without even looking Gyeo-ru, Byeol-ha asked in a trembling voice. It was her last desperate attempt.
Gyeo-ru laughed with a mocking expression as she watched Byul-ha, who seemed to be trembling but would never back down.
“Hey, are you threatening me right now?”
Byeol-ah's words, which had caused a burst of laughter, seemed completely unfazed. In fact, she laughed at Byeol-ha's mention of divorce.
Byeol-ah's words, which had caused a burst of laughter, seemed completely unfazed. In fact, she laughed at Byeol-ha's mention of divorce.
“You and Do-hyun haven’t even registered your marriage.”
“...!”
“On that topic, why are you talking about divorce?”
Byeol-ha's body flinched. The attack had hit the nail on the head.
She didn't register her marriage with Lee Do-hyun. She respected his request to register the marriage after having a child.
Gyeo-ru rummaged through her bag once more and then threw a piece of paper onto the table as if she was trying to show off.
Byeol-ha's body flinched. The attack had hit the nail on the head.
She didn't register her marriage with Lee Do-hyun. She respected his request to register the marriage after having a child.
Gyeo-ru rummaged through her bag once more and then threw a piece of paper onto the table as if she was trying to show off.
“Lee Do-hyun and I, legally, are already a married couple.”
Byeol-ha, who had been keeping her head down the entire time, finally raised it at Gyeo-ru's words. A piece of paper folded in half caught her eye in her blurry vision.
Bang!
Byeol-ha, who had been keeping her head down the entire time, finally raised it at Gyeo-ru's words. A piece of paper folded in half caught her eye in her blurry vision.
Bang!
“...Lies!”
Byeol-ha slammed both hands on the table and shouted. Then, with unfocused eyes, she stared at the paper on the table.
Byeol-ha slammed both hands on the table and shouted. Then, with unfocused eyes, she stared at the paper on the table.
“You will know with your own eyes whether it is a lie or not.”
She forced a piece of paper into Byeol-ha's hand and gave her a bitter smile. Byeol-ha couldn't say anything after seeing what was in her hand.
Because everything Gyeo-ru said was right...
She forced a piece of paper into Byeol-ha's hand and gave her a bitter smile. Byeol-ha couldn't say anything after seeing what was in her hand.
Because everything Gyeo-ru said was right...
On her family relations certificate, Lee Do-hyun was registered as her spouse.
“...ha.”
“So, can you stop saying that Lee Do-hyun is your husband? He’s not your husband, he’s my husband.”
Her face was intoxicated with victory as she looked down at Byeol-ha with her arms crossed.
Byeol-ha had no choice but to let go of the hope she had clung to until the very end. Six years of love and marriage were denied, and it was the moment everything was denied.
The miserable reality gripped her whole body. Byeol-ha staggered out of the cafe, unable to even grab her bag.
Byeol-ha, who had stepped out onto the street, eventually collapsed to the ground after taking only a few steps. Amidst the crowds laughing and chatting under the cool autumn sunlight, she couldn't make a sound, her shoulders shaking desperately.
Twenty-six, that autumn was brutally cruel. Like a fallen leaf crunching beneath her knees, Byeol-ha's heart was shattered into pieces.
Her face was intoxicated with victory as she looked down at Byeol-ha with her arms crossed.
Byeol-ha had no choice but to let go of the hope she had clung to until the very end. Six years of love and marriage were denied, and it was the moment everything was denied.
The miserable reality gripped her whole body. Byeol-ha staggered out of the cafe, unable to even grab her bag.
Byeol-ha, who had stepped out onto the street, eventually collapsed to the ground after taking only a few steps. Amidst the crowds laughing and chatting under the cool autumn sunlight, she couldn't make a sound, her shoulders shaking desperately.
Twenty-six, that autumn was brutally cruel. Like a fallen leaf crunching beneath her knees, Byeol-ha's heart was shattered into pieces.
***
'I'm hungry...'
A cramped one-room apartment, about 5 pyeong (approximately 16 square meters). She woke up hungry, sprawled out in the middle of the room without a bed.
As soon as she woke up, she fumbled around on the floor, picked up her smartphone, and then, as was her custom, logged onto Stargram.
0 followers, 0 following.
That was her account. She skillfully searched for IDs and spied on the daily lives of her friends and family.
She stared at her phone for a long time with a look of bitterness and regret in her eyes.
After her divorce, Byeol-ha remained a recluse for over three years. She could have relied on friends and family, but whenever she was with them, she always thought of Lee Do-hyun.
So she ran away. To a place where there was no one, a place where she wouldn't be remembered. She even quit her job. She couldn't stand working with Lee Do-hyun.
Byeol-ha changed her number and even her name, trying to forget the existence of Lee Do-hyun and Gyeo-ru.
Who said humans are creatures of forgetfulness? Nightmarish memories that would resurface whenever they were about to be forgotten, wreaking havoc on Byeol-ha's life.
Byeol-ha put down her phone and slowly got up from her seat. She walked unsteadily and put water on the stove to fill her stomach.
It's been three years since she started living in this studio apartment because the division of property was delayed due to the apartment not being sold.
Byeol-ha took out one of the books the previous tenant had left behind and laid it on the floor. Then she placed a pot on top of it.
The title of the book came into her sight as she was eating ramen.
The Countess in the Trap
This was a novel she happened to read after moving into this house. She flipped through the pages out of curiosity, but she never got to the end.
This novel is a dilapidated tale about a Count who constantly causes trouble for women and the Countess who suffers because of him.
Byeol-ha got so caught up in the emotions of the female protagonist that she ended up leaving the book without being able to read it all the way to the end.
A cramped one-room apartment, about 5 pyeong (approximately 16 square meters). She woke up hungry, sprawled out in the middle of the room without a bed.
As soon as she woke up, she fumbled around on the floor, picked up her smartphone, and then, as was her custom, logged onto Stargram.
0 followers, 0 following.
That was her account. She skillfully searched for IDs and spied on the daily lives of her friends and family.
She stared at her phone for a long time with a look of bitterness and regret in her eyes.
After her divorce, Byeol-ha remained a recluse for over three years. She could have relied on friends and family, but whenever she was with them, she always thought of Lee Do-hyun.
So she ran away. To a place where there was no one, a place where she wouldn't be remembered. She even quit her job. She couldn't stand working with Lee Do-hyun.
Byeol-ha changed her number and even her name, trying to forget the existence of Lee Do-hyun and Gyeo-ru.
Who said humans are creatures of forgetfulness? Nightmarish memories that would resurface whenever they were about to be forgotten, wreaking havoc on Byeol-ha's life.
Byeol-ha put down her phone and slowly got up from her seat. She walked unsteadily and put water on the stove to fill her stomach.
It's been three years since she started living in this studio apartment because the division of property was delayed due to the apartment not being sold.
Byeol-ha took out one of the books the previous tenant had left behind and laid it on the floor. Then she placed a pot on top of it.
The title of the book came into her sight as she was eating ramen.
The Countess in the Trap
This was a novel she happened to read after moving into this house. She flipped through the pages out of curiosity, but she never got to the end.
This novel is a dilapidated tale about a Count who constantly causes trouble for women and the Countess who suffers because of him.
Byeol-ha got so caught up in the emotions of the female protagonist that she ended up leaving the book without being able to read it all the way to the end.
“I should throw it away.”
"I can't believe I feel this bad just looking at the title of the book," Byeol-ha muttered to herself as she stared down at the novel.
She picked up the book with her index finger and threw it in the trash can.
Thud!
It wasn't the noise she heard when she simply threw the book away. Byeol-ha frowned at the unfamiliar sound and listened intently.
Kwaaaaang!
It was then that the ground began to shake with a tremendous roar.
"I can't believe I feel this bad just looking at the title of the book," Byeol-ha muttered to herself as she stared down at the novel.
She picked up the book with her index finger and threw it in the trash can.
Thud!
It wasn't the noise she heard when she simply threw the book away. Byeol-ha frowned at the unfamiliar sound and listened intently.
Kwaaaaang!
It was then that the ground began to shake with a tremendous roar.
“Uh-uh-uh!”
The ground began to shake with a massive movement, as if an earthquake had struck. Byeol-ha was crushed by the collapsing building, leaving her no chance to escape.
Byeol-ha died alone in a place with no connections. Her first life ended tragically.
Perhaps she didn't know that a brilliant second life awaited her in the book she had discarded.
Byeol-ha, who had lost consciousness, felt someone calling her desperately.
The ground began to shake with a massive movement, as if an earthquake had struck. Byeol-ha was crushed by the collapsing building, leaving her no chance to escape.
Byeol-ha died alone in a place with no connections. Her first life ended tragically.
Perhaps she didn't know that a brilliant second life awaited her in the book she had discarded.
Byeol-ha, who had lost consciousness, felt someone calling her desperately.
“...Are you okay!”
She lifted her eyelids with difficulty, relying on the faint sound of a voice. As soon as she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an exquisite chandelier.
She lifted her eyelids with difficulty, relying on the faint sound of a voice. As soon as she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an exquisite chandelier.
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