Chapter 28:

Mrs. Kang paced back and forth in the grand living room of her house, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. Her heart was pounding in worry, and her perfectly styled hair looked slightly disheveled, an unusual sight for a woman who always carried herself with elegance and grace.

But tonight, she was nothing but a restless mother. Her only son, Ha-neul, had not returned home in over a day, and no matter how many times she called, he wouldn't pick up. Her fingers clenched the phone tightly as she dialed his number for the twentieth time.

She knew he hadn’t slept. She knew he hadn’t eaten. And she knew exactly who was behind it, Scarlet. That woman had turned her perfect, ambitious son into an obsessed, love-struck fool. It had been days since she had seen him properly, and the last time they spoke, he was too distracted, too lost in his misery to even listen to her words. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the ringing stopped, and the call connected. 

"어머니..." (Mother...) His voice was hoarse, exhausted. She could hear the fatigue dripping from his tone, and it only made her heart clench more. 

"하늘아, 너 도대체 어디야? 이게 몇 번째 전화인지 알아?" (Ha-neul, where on earth are you? Do you know how many times I’ve called?) 

There was silence on the other end. She could hear his soft breathing, but no response. That only made her more anxious. 

"너 집에 와야 해. 이게 뭐 하는 짓이야? 하루 종일 아무것도 안 먹고, 잠도 안 자고. 너 자신을 왜 이렇게까지 몰아붙이는 거야?"
(You need to come home. What do you think you’re doing? You haven’t eaten all day, you haven’t slept. Why are you pushing yourself like this?) 

Still, he didn’t reply. She pressed the phone closer to her ear, as if that would make him answer faster. 

"하늘아, 제발 말 좀 해 봐. 나 엄마야. 네가 이렇게 스스로를 망가뜨리는 걸 보고만 있을 수 없어." (Ha-neul, please talk to me. I’m your mother. I can’t just stand by and watch you destroy yourself like this.) 

The silence stretched longer, and frustration bubbled in her chest. She clenched her fists, trying to control her temper, but she couldn’t hold it in anymore. 

"너, 도대체 그 더러운 여자 때문에 이렇게까지 해야겠어?!"(Do you really have to do this to yourself over that filthy woman?!) 

Before she could even finish her sentence, Ha-neul’s voice exploded through the phone. "그만해!" (WILL YOU PLEASE STOP?!) 

His mother flinched at the sheer volume of his voice. He had never yelled at her like that before. Never. But tonight, his patience had run out. 

"도대체 언제까지 스칼렛을 탓할 거야? 무슨 잘못을 했다고?" (How long are you going to keep blaming Scarlet? What did she even do wrong?)  ha-neul cried out.

"그 여자가 결혼한 게 죄야? 그녀가 오랫동안 결혼 생활을 해왔고, 내가 그녀의 삶에 늦게 들어온 게 죄냐고?" (Is her crime that she’s married? That she’s been married for God knows how long and I came into her life too late? Is that her fault?) he defended.

His voice cracked at the end, filled with bitterness and pain. His mother pressed her lips together, closing her eyes briefly. "하늘아, 너..." (Ha-neul, you...) 

But he wasn’t done. "내가 그녀를 만났을 때, 그녀는 이미 결혼한 여자였어. 하지만 난 그녀를 사랑하게 됐어. 내 의지로, 내 감정으로. 그녀가 나를 속인 것도 아니고, 그녀가 날 유혹한 것도 아니야. 그런데 왜 계속 그녀만을 비난하는 거야?!" (When I met her, she was already a married woman. But I fell for her. By my own choice, with my own feelings. She never deceived me. She never lured me in. Then why do you keep blaming only her?) 

His mother sighed, trying to remain calm, but her son was too lost in his emotions. "그 여자는 너를 위해 존재하는 사람이 아니야, 하늘아. 그걸 받아들여야 해." (She is not someone meant for you, Ha-neul. You have to accept that.) 

"왜? 왜 내가 그녀를 사랑하면 안 되는 거야?"(Why? Why can’t I love her?) He demanded.

"왜냐하면 그 여자는 네 것이 아니야! 그리고 넌 네가 가질 수 없는 것에 집착하고 있어!" (Because she isn’t yours! And you’re obsessing over something you can’t have!) his mother tried to sound as normal as she could, even though it was breaking her own heart.

"집착?!" (Obsession?!) He let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "어머니, 난 그녀를 사랑해. 그게 집착이라면, 난 평생 집착할 거야." (Mother, I love her. If that’s an obsession, then I’ll be obsessed for the rest of my life.) 

His mother inhaled sharply. "제발 이러지 마, 하늘아. 엄마가 널 얼마나 걱정하는지 몰라. 너 요즘 얼굴도 초췌해지고, 눈도 퀭해졌어. 이러다 병이라도 나면 어떡할 거야?" (Please, don’t do this, Ha-neul. You don’t know how much I’m worrying about you. You’ve lost weight, your face looks so tired, your eyes are hollow. What will you do if you get sick?) 

Ha-Neul shook his head, though she couldn’t see it. "난 괜찮아." (I’m fine.) 

His mother's lip shivered, as she tried her best not to cry in front of her son. "괜찮긴 개뿔! 너 지금 멀쩡한 상태가 아니야!" (Fine, my foot! You’re not fine!) 

She was desperate now, pleading, begging for him to come home. "제발 집에 와. 너 혼자 두고 싶지 않아." (Please, just come home. I don’t want to leave you alone like this.) 

But Ha-neul was unmoving. His mother just didn’t understand. She never had. "엄마, 난... 지금 엄마 말 들을 수 없어." (Mother, I… I can’t listen to you right now.) And with that, he hung up. 

His mother stood frozen, the silence in the room almost deafening. The call had ended, but her mind was still filled with her son’s voice, his pain, his anger, his suffering. She slowly lowered the phone, staring blankly at the screen. Her Only son was shattering before her eyes, and she couldn’t do anything to stop it.

***

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Ha-Joon rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, irritated by the interruption. He stood up, his footsteps heavy, and made his way to the door. When he opened it, he wasn’t surprised to see his mother, Mrs. Wi, standing on the other side, her face as sharp and calculating as ever.

“What is it, mother?” Ha-Joon asked with a taunting edge to his voice, leaning against the doorframe, blocking her path.

Without skipping a beat, Mrs. Wi pushed past him with a deliberate, almost dismissive movement. "I’m here to see Scarlet,” she said coolly, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Scarlet, who was sitting quietly, already sensing the tension in the air.

Mrs. Wi didn’t acknowledge Ha-Joon’s presence any further, walking straight toward Scarlet, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. She stopped just in front of her, her gaze lingering for a moment before she finally spoke, her voice dripping with condescension. “So, the woman who’s been wreaking havoc in my son’s life.”

Scarlet stood up slowly, her posture straight, meeting Mrs. Wi’s gaze with a calm but firm expression. She’d dealt with sharp tongues and cutting remarks before, but she knew this conversation would be different.

Mrs. Wi crossed her arms, looking Scarlet up and down, as if appraising her. “ You’ve managed to worm your way into my son’s heart, haven’t you?” she said, her lips curling into a thin smile. "It’s not easy to manipulate someone as strong-willed as Ha-Joon, but you’ve done it quite successfully."

Scarlet’s face remained neutral, but inside, she felt a slight pinch of discomfort. Mrs. Wi's words were sharp and biting, and she knew there was no real kindness behind them.

“I’m ready to give you a chance,” Mrs. Wi continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. “A chance to prove yourself, to show that you’re worthy of my son’s time and affection.”

Scarlet couldn’t help the smile that bubbled up, though it was more a nervous chuckle than anything else. "I care about him, and I’m sure you already know that,” she said, her tone biting.

Mrs. Wi tilted her head, as if considering the remark. “Oh, I’m sure you do. But that doesn’t mean I’ll trust you, dear. Not after everything that’s happened." She walked a few steps closer to Scarlet, her voice taking on a mocking edge.

“You’ve played the game well, haven’t you? Manipulated my son, got him to fall in love with you. But I’m kind-hearted, you see,” Mrs. Wi sneered, “so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

Scarlet’s gaze hardened. "What are you really here for, Mrs. Wi?” she asked coolly.

Mrs. Wi smirked, clearly enjoying the power play. “I’m not here to lecture you, Scarlet. I’m here to see if you’re more than just a manipulative little girl who’s after my son’s money and power. Can you even do anything beyond manipulate people into doing what you want? Hmm?”

Scarlet stiffened. The woman wasn’t holding back any punches. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, though she could feel the blood rising to her face.

Mrs. Wi eyed her with disdain. “Can you even cook, Scarlet? Or are you just good at playing games with his emotions? Let’s see if you can do anything practical for him, like making sure he doesn’t starve while you’re playing the role of his ‘lover.’”

Scarlet was momentarily taken aback. Cook? That was the bar she was being judged on? “Of course I can cook,” Scarlet replied sharply. “But what does that have to do with anything?”

Mrs. Wi’s smile widened. “Well, if you want to prove yourself worthy of my son, then maybe you should start by proving that you’re capable of doing something useful.” She turned to Ha-Joon, who had been standing in the background, watching the interaction with a quiet intensity.

“You see, Ha-Joon,” she said, her tone now lighter, as though she was getting some satisfaction from the situation, “I’m not entirely heartless. I just want to see if she can handle the responsibility of being in our family. And if she’s really as ‘worthy’ of you as she claims.”

Before Ha-Joon could respond, Mrs. Wi walked past him and out the door, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. Ha-Joon shut the door softly, then turned to Scarlet, his expression unreadable.

Scarlet was still processing everything. “You heard what she said. She’s trying to help. She’s giving me a chance,” she said, her voice a little uncertain.

Ha-Joon scoffed. “You don’t seriously believe that, do you? My mother doesn’t ‘help’ anyone. She’s just toying with you.”

But Scarlet shook her head. “No, Ha-Joon, she’s trying. She really is. I think… I think she’s being kind. She just wants to see if I’m serious about you, about this.”

“Kind?” Ha-Joon's voice was sharp, his disbelief palpable. “That’s not kindness, Scarlet. That’s manipulation. You should know better.”

“But she said...” Scarlet started, but Ha-Joon cut her off.

“I don’t care what she said,” he snapped. “You shouldn’t believe her. She’s not kind. She’ll just tear you down, piece by piece, until there’s nothing left.”

Scarlet took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Maybe. But maybe she’s right, Ha-Joon. Maybe I do need to prove myself.”

“Don’t let her get into your head,” Ha-Joon warned, stepping closer. “She’s only playing games, and you shouldn’t let her.”

Scarlet looked at him, her expression softening. “I’ll be fine, Ha-Joon. I’ll prove that I’m not just someone to be manipulated. I’ll show her.”

Ha-Joon’s gaze softened for a moment, but the worry was still there. "Just promise me you won't let her break you."

Scarlet smiled faintly. "I won't. I promise."

***

It had been a while since Scarlet had cooked., and she wanted to show the family that she could contribute. As she made her way downstairs, the house was quiet, the only sound being the faint rustling of the leaves outside.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Ha-neul’s mother, Mrs. Kang, moving quickly towards the staircase. The older woman didn’t spare Scarlet a glance, her eyes fixed straight ahead as she passed by. Scarlet's lips curled into a faint smile, but she didn’t let herself feel any satisfaction.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft scoff under her breath as she watched Ha-Neul’s mother turn away from her. Their encounters were always brief but never pleasant. It didn’t matter how much she tried to be polite or accommodating. Scarlet knew that she would never be accepted in the way Ha-neul's mother wanted. The older woman was stubborn, and Scarlet didn't have the energy to change that.

Instead, she moved on, her eyes catching Aaira in the dining room with her son. The baby was sitting in a high chair, his little hands grabbing at the spoon as Aaira tried to feed him Cerelac. The moment Scarlet entered the room, the baby let out a little gag, which made Aaira frown slightly. But she immediately chuckled softly, trying again. The baby’s face scrunched, but then his lips curled into a smile.

Scarlet stood in the doorway, watching the scene for a moment. Her son and Sung-hoon’s son, was always so full of energy, always acting as if the world was his playground. She couldn’t deny the joy she felt when she saw him.

The little boy's face was a mess of food, his small hands grasping at the spoon more tightly Aaira was trying to feed him. He gagged, his face scrunching up again as the spoonful of Cerelac was placed in his mouth, but Aaira didn’t seem bothered by it. She just smiled softly at him, her voice gentle as she tried again. Scarlet’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. It was rare to see Aaira so calm, so patient.

Aaira caught her gaze and smiled. It was one of those smiles that always seemed to disarm Scarlet, and she returned it with a small nod. Aaira was a good mother, even if her relationship with Sung-hoon was strained. She was doing her best with the child, and Scarlet couldn't fault her for that.

“I’m going to make dinner tonight,” Scarlet announced as she turned towards the kitchen.

Aaira’s smile widened. “That sounds great, Scarlet. What are you making?”

Scarlet paused for a moment, considering the options. She didn’t want to go overboard, but she also wanted to make something that would please everyone. “I’m thinking of making a classic Italian dish. How does lasagna sound?” she asked, knowing it was a safe bet. Aaira had never been one to turn down good food.

“I love lasagna,” Aaira responded, her voice full of enthusiasm. “Thank you. You’re so kind to do this for us.”

Scarlet gave her a small, polite smile before heading into the kitchen. As she reached the counter, she opened the cabinets, gathering the ingredients for her lasagna. She wasn’t going to make anything too complicated, but she wanted to make sure it was rich in flavor. She started by chopping onions and garlic, the smell of both wafting up into the air. She set a pot of water to boil for the pasta and prepared the meat sauce, browning ground beef and seasoning it with salt, pepper, and a bit of oregano.

As the meat simmered, she took out a small bowl and began mixing ricotta cheese, egg, and a little bit of parsley. She knew the layers would come together perfectly. The lasagna would be hearty, with layers of cheese, sauce, and pasta, each bite comforting in its own way. Scarlet smiled at the thought of seeing everyone’s faces as they ate. It wasn’t just about the food, though; it was about showing them she could still take charge of something in this house.

Just as she began to assemble the lasagna, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out to check, only to see the name of her sister flashing on the screen. Esme. Esme and she had always shared a close bond, despite the distance and the differences in their lives.

Esme had married Ha-Joon’s cousin, Jung Seung-Il, and now, she was pregnant. Scarlet was both happy and concerned for her sister, knowing how difficult it could be for a foreigner to adjust to a traditional Korean family. But Esme had always been strong, even in the face of adversity.

Scarlet let out a sigh as she answered the phone, her hand still stirring the bubbling meat sauce on the stove. The familiar voice of her sister, Esme, came through loud and clear.

“Scar, I’ve been trying to reach you all day. How are you holding up?” Esme asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.

“I’m fine,” Scarlet replied, though her tone lacked the usual confidence. She hesitated before adding, “Just trying to keep my head above water, you know?”

Esme’s voice softened with understanding. “I can imagine. The family’s been difficult?”

Scarlet paused, carefully placing the lasagna noodles into the pot of boiling water before answering. “Difficult doesn’t even begin to cover it. They’ve been on my case about everything lately, my status, my behavior... it feels like I’m suffocating under all their expectations.”

“Ugh, don’t even get me started,” Esme huffed. “Seung-il’s family is no better. Since I got pregnant, they’ve been treating me like some sort of princess. I can barely make a decision without someone trying to control it.”

Scarlet smiled faintly at that, her hand pausing mid-motion as she took in her sister’s words. “I guess you’re lucky, huh? Seung-il’s family seems to be taking care of you now.”

“Lucky? Lucky?” Esme’s voice grew heated. “You have no idea how difficult it is, Scarlet. I can’t do anything without their opinions being shoved down my throat. The only reason they’re ‘treating me like a princess’ is because I’m pregnant. As soon as I give birth, I’ll probably be tossed aside like the rest of them. And don’t even get me started on Seung-Il’s family. They’ve been extra critical, watching every step I take.”

Scarlet chuckled dryly, despite the heavy weight in her chest. “Sounds like you’re in a different situation than I am. At least they’re treating you like you matter.”

There was a long pause before Esme responded, her voice filled with disbelief. “What do you mean, Scarlet? What’s going on? Why aren’t they treating you the same way?”

Scarlet took a deep breath, then leaned against the counter. Her thoughts swirled, and she wasn’t sure how to begin. The last thing she wanted was to put more strain on her relationship with her sister, but the truth was eating her from the inside out.

“I… I don’t know how to say this, but it’s complicated.” She paused, biting her lip, then whispered as quietly as she could, “I’m married to Ha-Joon.”

There was an eerie silence on the other end of the line, and then Esme’s voice exploded. “What?!” she shouted, her shock unmistakable. “You’re married to Ha-Joon? You didn’t tell me this! Why didn’t you tell me, Scarlet?!”

Scarlet winced, holding the phone a little farther from her ear as Esme’s words filled her head. She felt the familiar pang of guilt shoot through her, but she quickly tried to calm her sister down.

“Esme, please,” she whispered, glancing back toward the dining room to ensure Aaira wasn’t listening. “It’s not what you think. The marriage... it’s fake. It’s all for show.”

Esme’s breathing grew rapidly on the other end. “Fake? How could you marry him, knowing that? I thought...” She stopped herself, her anger giving way to confusion. “Scarlet, I’m your sister. How could you keep something like this from me?”

Scarlet rested her head against the cabinet for a moment, feeling the weight of her sister’s words. “I know, Esme. I never meant to keep this from you. But... the whole thing has gotten out of hand. I don’t know how long I can keep up with it.”

“I can’t believe this,” Esme muttered, the anger in her voice was palpable. “Why would you get involved in something like this? I know things between you and Ha-Joon have been tense, but to go as far as faking a marriage? This is insane.”

“I had no choice,” Scarlet admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ha-Joon’s family is a nightmare. I never thought it would spiral out of control like this, but now, it’s everywhere. The family’s making things worse, and I don’t know what to do.”

Esme’s tone softened, though she was still clearly upset. “Scar, I get that things with Ha-Joon’s family have been tough. But you should have told me.”

“I know,” Scarlet said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shut you out. But with everything going on, I didn’t know who I could trust.”

Esme let out a deep sigh, her anger finally subsiding. “I just don’t want to see you in this situation, Scarlet. You deserve more than this. If you ever need help, I’m here, okay?”

Scarlet nodded, even though she knew her sister couldn’t see it. “I appreciate that. But I don’t know how much longer I can keep up with it. The family’s getting more and more pushy, and I’m starting to lose myself in it all.”

“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through,” Esme said softly. “But don’t forget, you’re not alone.”

Scarlet snorted lightly, shaking her head. “They just don’t care. As far as they’re concerned, I’m just a tool for their image, and they keep saying what about our image etc etc. Nothing more.”

“Scarlet, that’s not true,” Esme said firmly. “I know you don’t see it right now, but you have to know, you’re valuable to them. It may take time, but they’ll come around.”

Scarlet smiled, though it was bittersweet. “You’re lucky, Esme. Ha-joon’s family doesn’t treat me like that. They barely tolerate me.”

Esme frowned, her voice tinged with frustration. “That’s not right. Ha-Joon should be standing up for you. This whole situation sounds like a mess, and I’m angry that you’ve been stuck in it alone.”

Scarlet fell silent, letting her sister’s words settle in her heart. But she wasn't truly alone, she had Ha-joon by her side. “Ha-joon is standing up for me, don't worry.”

Esme was quiet for a moment before replying. “Good thing.”

Scarlet felt a wave of gratitude wash over her at those words. “Thank you, Esme. I really needed to hear that.”

“I’ll always be here for you, Scar,” Esme replied softly. “Just promise me, you’ll take care of yourself, okay? I know you’re tough, but don’t forget to take care of your heart.”

“I will,” Scarlet said, her voice soft. “I’ll try.”

As the conversation wound down, Scarlet returned her focus to the lasagna. The layers of cheese and meat were coming together nicely, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a little lighter. Her sister’s words had offered a moment of comfort in the chaos, and for now, that was enough.