51 : A Glass Of Milk

Eun Young suddenly lost her balance that she had to lean onto her car for support. Her knees felt weak and instantly, the world around her became a blur. There was only the deafening sound of monotonous silence and for a second, she almost couldn't feel her heart beating anymore. Those were just two words. Yet those words were enough to punch a hard blow.

Eun Young's fingers trembled as she mustered all her strength to prop herself up. Slowly, she turned to look at Na Rae. The woman before her was a mess. It's been weeks since Eun Young last saw her but this woman noticeably became skinnier. Her hair was all over the place from fighting the guards earlier and visibly, she looked really pale. Na Rae's coat was left open and beneath it, she simply wore a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Eun Young couldn't help but glance at her flat stomach. There was no baby bump yet and so if Na Rae's claim was true, the child must be approximately weeks to a month old.

"Let me go!" Na Rae exclaimed at the men holding her. Eun Young signaled for the security guards to release her and obediently, they did.

Na Rae hurriedly went towards Eun Young. Because of her abrupt movement, the security guards were alarmed that they almost reached out to restrain her again. Fortunately, Na Rae only approached Eun Young. "Please... tell Min Jae to see me immediately. I... I don't know what else to do. Our child needs him. The baby can't grow up without a father." She shamelessly begged.

Eun Young's heart squeezed upon hearing her words. 'Our child'. She scoffed. A child. This woman was carrying a child. Her husband's child at that! Eun Young's heart tightened all the more.

Never in her entire lifetime did she expect that something like this would ever happen. Right now, she was just numb. Nothing made sense anymore. She was subconsciously praying that all this was just a dream. She was hoping that eventually, she would wake up from this terrible nightmare--that soon everything will be okay and nothing like this ever happened. But it wasn't a dream. This was all real. Even the unborn child carried by this woman before her is real.

Putting up a brave facade, Eun Young spoke. "I said he's not here." She said through gritted teeth. "Voluntarily leave now or else I'll drag you out myself." She warned.

Na Rae was unaffected by Eun Young's threats. She already expected this. No one will surely believe her until she provides evidence. Staring at Eun Young, she continued. "You're a doctor. I'm guessing you know how to read medical records." Na Rae retorted. Reaching for her bag, she produced a folder and threw it on the concrete floor. "Fine. I'll leave. Read it or throw it away I don't care what you do with that stupid sh**! Tell Min Jae to f****** meet me or else this thing will die!"

And with that, the woman turned to her heel and began to walk away. Na Rae was unafraid. She had the upper hand in this. With the life of the unborn child involved, she couldn't possibly lose.

The guards bowed in respect towards Eun Young before reassuring her. "We'll see her out and inform the main post to deny her entry, Mrs. Lee." One said and they followed Na Rae out of the compound afterwards.

Now that she was alone, Eun Young's attention was caught by the folder on the ground. She stared at it for a few minutes, debating whether to check it or not. She was hesitant. She was unsure if she had the courage to read it. Her hand was shaking as she stooped down to pick it up. But instead of opening it, she simply held it tightly

Eun Young walked lifelessly until she reached the main threshold. She wordlessly entered the dark living room and closed the door carefully behind her. It was very silent--so silent that she kept hearing her heart breaking again and again to a million glass shards. Tears began to well up in her eyes. And before she knew it, big warm droplets came running down her cheeks.

How could this happen? How could it be that when she thought everything was going to be okay... sh** like this suddenly happen?! Eun Young crumpled to the ground and hugged herself. Pain exploded in her chest and soon, it became difficult for her to breathe. Words weren't enough to describe how hurt she was. She was ready to forgive him. She was ready to give him another chance because for the past weeks, she saw that he was trying. But now this?

In an instant, her entire world crashed. In a single night, her hopes and dreams were destroyed. Eun Young cried her heart out, to ease the ache in her chest. She cried in hopes of letting out the misery she was feeling. Tears continued to stream down her face but to no avail, the agony ceaselessly resurfaces.

Eun Young fished for her phone and even though she couldn't clearly make out the screen, she dialed for Min Jae's phone. That woman might be wrong. Who knows... she might've made this all up to ruin their relationship! It couldn't possibly be Min Jae's child! The phone rang. But no one answered. She tried again and again but still, no one from the other line answered.

It wasn't until Min Jae called her back that she sat right up. "Min Jae?" Eun Young's voice broke as she spoke.

However, it wasn't her husband speaking from the other line. "Mrs. Lee, this is Secretary Yoo." The man introduced himself. "Mr. Lee is in a contract signing right now but I'll inform him right away that you called." He said.

Hearing this, she sobbed. "Tell him to come home." She demanded.

"But Mrs. Lee, after this we still have--"

"I don't care." She sternly said. "Just tell him to come home now." And with that, she hung up.

The lights from the dining area opened and soon after, Mrs. Bong came out. Mrs. Bong heard disturbances from the living room so she quickly went out to check. Leaning against the main door, she immediately noticed Eun Young crying. Worried, Mrs. Bong hurriedly went to her side. "Mrs. Lee, what happened? Are you okay?" She asked.

Eun Young didn't reply. Instead, she wiped off the tears from her face, picked up the folder and slowly stood up. "Please don't worry about me, Mrs. Bong." Eun Young weakly said. Her voice was coarse from crying. "I'll... head up to rest."

Mrs. Bong watched as Eun Young slowly walked away. She sympathized with her and to see her in this state, Mrs. Bong wanted to do something for her. "Mrs. Lee, should I get you a warm glass of milk?" She abruptly asked. She knew that Eun Young sometimes have difficulty sleeping so the least she could do was prepare her a glass.

Eun Young halted. Could a glass of milk even bring her to sleep at this state? Looking at Mrs. Bong, Eun Young refused. "No need." She said while gently shaking her head. "Please take the week off with the other helpers, Mrs. Bong. I just... want to be alone right now." And without looking back, she quietly headed to the bedroom.