90 The Short-Lived Affair (1/2)

The two became quite close as time passed.

Han Yeoreum would make up excuses so that she could go to the hospital, and Heo Woo Seung would meet up with her. Sometimes, they took walks at the park near the hospital, and sometimes, they spent some quiet time together in his office.

They were two people who were stuck in unhappy marriages, so they had an immediate connection with each other. Over time, they confided in each other about many things.

Han Yeoreum opened up about her life to Heo Woo Seung, pouring out all of her grievances. She told him of her abusive husband, and of her desire to leave the man.

Similarly, Heo Woo Seung told her of his unloving wife and his cold home. He also spoke about his dreams of becoming a politician. He told her that it was only because his parents wanted him to inherit the hospital that he had became a doctor, even though his younger sister excelled more in the field compared to him.

The two cheered each other on and healed each other's wounds.

Of course, after spending so much time getting to know each other, attraction was inevitable. The two had committed adultery in his office out of a moment of passion.

While he felt slightly guilty to his absent wife, he was convinced that Han Yeoreum was his true love. They had begun a secret relationship after he convinced Yeoreum to accept him as her lover.

It was the most daring thing he had ever done in the 30-something years of his life, and he was admittedly exhilarated at the thought of having an affair.

It was around that time when he had finally decided to join a political party and pursue his dreams.

Although he faced objections from the people around him, he pushed on. Simply because, Yeoreum believed in his abilities.

One day, Han Yeoreum called him out.

They had met at the park as usual. But, something was wrong with Han Yeureum.

She had a grave look on her face.

”What's wrong, Yeoreum-ssi? Are you sick somewhere?” He asked with concern.

Han Yeoreum did not respond to his question. She simply looked at the sceneries for a long moment, before turning to him and said: ”Let's break up.”

”What?” Heo Woo Seung was startled. ”Why so suddenly?”

She sighed, ”You know that this was inevitable. We're both married people. This can't go on forever. And your career... the people wouldn't trust their fates in the hands of a person who cheated on his wife, right? So... let's stop.” She smiled sadly.

”...” Heo Woo Seung kept mum. He was reluctant, but he knew her words were true. He was in his prime, and his ambitions would not allow things like a scandal to tarnish his reputation.

Han Yeoreum laughed, though her heart was practically being torn apart. In the time that they had spent together, she had come to love him as much as she loved the Lee Do Joon before they eloped.

”Become a great politician, Woo Seung-ssi. You'll always have my vote, no matter what.”

Then, she left, without giving him a chance to say anything.

He spent weeks searching for her, but Han Yeoreum had never disclosed about where she lived or who her husband was, so it was rather difficult. It took him a long time, but after searching for so long, he had finally found her.

But—his heart could only be broken.

Han Yeoreum was pregnant.

He had stood outside her house, straining his ears, only to hear the tinkling sound of her laughter, and that man's sweet, pampering voice as he talked about how cute their daughter would be.