Chapter 445

Episode 445

– Jaeheon, did you happen to do this?

Lee Jae-heon frowned at the call from Lee Jae-hyung that came early in the morning.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

―You don’t know Hyeyeon Yoo?

“...I stopped by my house briefly yesterday.”

-Was it really you?

“So what are you talking about, you old man...!”

Because Seo-ah hadn’t come home yet, there was no pressure to raise her voice.

“I just woke up! Because of your phone just now! At 4:31 AM! Even though we are a family that has seen all the worst, shouldn’t we be polite? “If you want to peck someone, explain the situation properly and then peck them!”

―Ugh... Um....

“Ugh?! hmm?! “That’s not all there is to say, right?!”

-Calm down, you idiot. Anyway, it’s not you.

“Ah, what the fuck are you talking about...! If you keep doing this, I’ll hang up the phone. I was already tired from trying to please the kids, but...”

– Don’t hang up. This is really serious.

As Lee Jae-heon muttered and widened the distance between him and the cell phone, Lee Jae-hyung, who sensed that he was really going to hang up, stopped him. He took a deep breath and finally started asking the right questions.

-Still, let me ask you this first. What did you do yesterday when you took Yoo Hye-yeon away?

“...? “Regardless of why you knew that, of course, I would have hired someone or watched CCTV... Anyway, I served him a cup of tea and sent him away.”

―Why did you suddenly return to the aquarium?

“...Are you questioning me now? “Is the atmosphere a bit strange?”

―This is a strange situation, so answer properly. Why did you stop by the aquarium parking lot where everyone was already done and take Hyeyeon Yoo with you?

“You’re describing me like some kind of pervert, and it’s really unfair. “Isn’t she the pervert?”

-what?

“He’s been chasing me from behind since I was visiting the aquarium.”

Jaehyung Lee will also find out if he takes a look at the CCTV inside the aquarium. It was an obvious fact that Daily President’s daughter, Yoo Hye-yeon, was stalking Lee Jae-heon.

“Aren’t I a bit sensitive to things like that? It’s like walking around with your kids and someone keeps following you. “I took a quick look and it was her. I thought I was mistaken, so after sending all the kids away, I stopped by the aquarium to ask them to check the CCTV, and only found Yoo Hye-yeon in the parking lot as if she had been waiting.”

―...What did you take with you home? If you had checked there, there wouldn’t have been a need.

“Then are you leaving it there? She even told me to say hello to her, saying she was the daughter of the Daily CEO. Isn’t this an important greeting? I barely refused when he asked if I wanted to have a drink with him, so I headed home. I felt like I would be in trouble if my picture was taken anywhere, so I made the best choice...”

―You asked me to have a drink? That woman? why?

The title dropped from ‘Yoo Hye-yeon’ to ‘that woman.’

“...I ran into Yoo Hye-yeon the other day when I was leaving after feeding some dog. I greeted him warmly, gave him a business card, and left a message to meet him sometime, before quickly returning to his group. From then on, I was strangely concerned. “I have to say that my eyes are a bit appetizing.”

―But since you didn’t contact me first, I ended up stalking you. When he was caught sneaking around and watching around the aquarium, he even openly waited for me to come pick him up? Isn’t this a really perverted bastard?

“Why are you angry?”

-Hey, that’s enough. You don’t care. My brother will take care of everything this time, so just go to sleep. I thought there wouldn’t be any problem in this way, but some kind of bug is here and it’s damn good.

‘Lee Jae-heon’ crumpled his face as if he was about to hang up the phone.

“No, this guy? I tried my best to answer sincerely, but... you didn’t explain it properly? Why is this happening? “What’s the mood?”

-Ha... no, I... thought you had an accident.

“Are you buying it?”

When I raised my voice again, Jaehyung Lee spoke gibberish.

―You went to the aquarium that day, and the toys you were playing with... I heard you took them with you. Of course, I wondered if that woman, Yoo Hye-yeon, had also done something in the same context...

“So what does this mean?”

-He died.

“....”

―I heard that shortly after leaving your house, he was crushed by a falling rebar and died instantly.

He seemed not to notice that Lee Jae-heon had become strangely quiet and continued grumbling.

-The situation is a bit strange, isn’t it? The lady of the house said that a black-faced man went into the master bedroom without telling anyone, walked back alone without using a driver or calling a taxi, and died... “...Do you think

“How old-fashioned to distinguish between men and women in this day and age!”

―Let’s not give a damn, honestly, you don’t look like a pretty, shiny necklace that suits you. A ring might be fine, but what about a necklace? It’s troubling to think that it’s Yoo Hye-yeon’s necklace.

“Why are we even searching the house?”

-That’s not true... Just thinking about the possibility of it being discovered by the police makes the back of my neck hurt. There are very few police officers who know the industry but are considerate of it. You hide that really well. We won’t do a search or anything like that, but if you get noticed and reach the Daily Boss’s ears, you could be searched really well.

“Hmm...”

Lee Jae-heon nodded and opened his mouth.

“Then how about this? What do I call my dog as a detective? ”

It was referring to Hong Gyeong-jun.

―...Can you trust him? Aren’t you preparing to get revenge on me?

“At least it’s within the palm of your hand. “If you don’t want to see the woman you’re in unrequited love like a piece of meat, you should bend her down on your own, so what can you do?”

-If you apply that much pressure, even the smallest insect can fly out of your hand.

“Isn’t my ability to control speed and pace amazing? He seemed to be slightly confused. I think it would be a big help in building trust if I just let you know that I am not really the culprit this time...” ―Are

you going to pursue your hobby in the meantime? You are truly amazing.

Jaehyung Lee sounded tired, but did not stop him.

-I would be more comfortable with it if I could do it on my own. It seemed like you wanted to appease the Daily boss. I think it would be sorted out if you were investigated as a reference, proved your innocence, and described your daughter’s last appearance to the Daily CEO.

“I’m good.”

-Okay, let’s proceed like that. I’m doing a good job organizing the house.

“Except for a real necklace, you don’t have anything?”

-Hide it well. You idiot.

The call ended with a brief greeting.

“....”

It was already well past 5 am.

Lee Jae-heon looked at the mirror hanging in the closet and blinked slowly.

“...I’m tired.”

-i love you.

Was he being considerate of Lee Jae-heon, who was answering the phone? The voice that had been quiet during the call rang in my ears again.

―Love....

“I’m sleepy....”

―I love you. I love you...

“....”

A pitch-black shadow wrapped its arms around his neck.

“...I can’t hug this on behalf of the author anymore.”

It was a type of monster that appeared next to survivors when their mental strength was low.

The shadow’s hair, which shimmered like fog, sometimes became short and sometimes became very long. It was difficult to guess who the opponent was just from the hair that was constantly shaking like waves and the monster’s all-black face.

Originally, it was a monster that resembled a wife. A figure with long hair tickling her waist, wearing a one-piece dress, gesticulating with her bare hands and feet. Perhaps someone’s love was overlaid on that image.

“Haha...”

It was obvious who that ‘someone’ would be.

Your name is not Yoo Hye-yeon.

“That’s funny.”

Still, I’m trying to remember.

Even if that memory covers my wife’s image, puts love on top of love, ruins its original form, torments me with hallucinatory voices, and strangles me with both hands, it’s okay. Nevertheless, the love you gave me once brought me happiness or joy. It has value because it was given.

Lee Jae-heon unwrapped the bandages on his back and muttered to the monster biting his wound.

“Do you need a name too?”

Blood seeped onto the blanket.

Fortunately, it was Lee Jae-heon’s own blood.

(Continued in the next part)