CH 55

“From now on,” instructed Muyeol, “don’t answer calls from people you don’t know.”

“Okay,” said Yiyoung.

“And don’t interact with anyone you don’t know if they visit you at work.”

“But who could possibly know about our secret? The deal was only between you and Madam Choi.”

“Yes, but it’s still possible for someone to find out about the deal. You never know what will happen, so I’m telling you this now.”

“Hm… Okay. I still don’t think that’s going to happen, but I’ll remember your words.”

“Okay, good.” 

Silence hung in the air for a while, but then Yiyoung smiled lightly. “But don’t you think your grandmother likes me a lot?”

“She likes you and remembers you.”

She was slightly disappointed when he agreed with her quickly, as if he hadn’t listened to her carefully. Nonetheless, she continued, “I didn’t expect her to tell me that you don’t deserve someone like me. I’m sure she just said it to make me feel good, but it felt nice to hear that.”

The two of them did not need to pretend to be in love with each other in front of Madam Choi. She was a composed, rational person, and the deal had been completed successfully without any setbacks because she had not expected anything from them. Still, Yiyoung had been worried when Madam Choi ran into her room, but the old woman’s words allowed her to relax. 

It was then that Yiyoung realized how simple-minded she was for being relieved by just one compliment from Muyeol’s grandmother. But she didn’t criticize herself for it. It was great that they did not have to lie to Madam Choi; Yiyoung would be able to act like her usual self in front of the old woman.

“I hope your grandmother gets to enjoy her trip instead of worrying about you all the time,” she said.

“I’m sure she will.” Yiyoung’s words made Muyeol recall how expectantly Madam Choi had looked at him. “She’ll have a lot of fun during her trip.” 

Yiyoung turned and looked at him as he muttered to himself. She reached out, gently tapping Muyeol’s hand which was resting on the steering wheel. His brows furrowed slightly, slowing the car to a stop as they reached the hospital.

“Thank you for the ride.” Yiyoung opened the door and stepped out.

But Muyeol stopped her. “Wait.”

“Yeah?”

He pulled out a small pouch from his pocket and handed it to her.

“What’s this?” 

“Open it.”

Yiyoung sat down again. She opened the pouch and a shiny ring fell out of it. “Oh, what is this for?”

“I was wondering if this ring would be okay for you to wear at work.”

“Is this so I can let other men know that I’m married now?” Yiyoung joked as she put on the ring.

“Just wanted to remind you about the promise you made.”

Yiyoung scoffed loudly in response. However, she could not deny that she liked the ring; it had a simple design which wouldn’t bother her while working.

“It’s not like you have to be married to wear a ring,” he said.

“Yeah, but I’ve never worn a ring before,” she explained. Muyeol was the one who allowed her to experience the feeling of wearing a ring.

“Just wear it. You’ll get used to it soon.”

Yiyoung looked at his hands, his fingers devoid of any ring. “What about you?”

“I’m not going to wear it.” 

“Why?”

“If I wear it, it’ll have a meaning. And I don’t want to seem like I have some secret life.”

“What about me, then?”

“You’re different from me.”

Yiyoung’s eyes flashed with anger. She clenched her fist, the slender ring digging into her skin. Her body shook as she coldly spat out, “Okay. You win, you eunuch.” 

Yiyoung slammed the door behind her as she left. Muyeol watched her figure disappear into the hospital, and then put his hand inside the pocket to feel the other ring sitting inside.

“Welcome! Thank you for visiting us again,” the retailer had greeted Muyeol when he entered the store.

“Please recommend a ring that won’t bother her while working.”

“Please wait. I’ll bring out all the options.”

Once Muyeol was done choosing a ring, the retailer complimented his selection, “Your fiancé must love this one. What a nice choice. You’re going to get a ring for yourself this time as well, right?”

Muyeol had nodded almost instinctively. “Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll prepare yours as well. Thank you.”

Muyeol chuckled as he started the car. Yiyoung had called him an eunuch, but he didn’t mind. He was just thankful she hadn’t thrown the ring at his face.

* * * 

Some days were still cold, but the weather was slowly growing warmer. More and more people started wearing thin, bright clothes.

Yiyoung yawned and lightly hit her shoulders with fists. They were stiff and aching from all the overnight shifts she had worked for over many days now. Even normal shifts did not give her enough time to relax, let alone the overnight shifts; there were always some drunk people being rushed into the ER after getting involved in huge accidents. The sound of the ambulance siren echoing through the dark, silent night always put her on the edge.

The doctors at the ER were supposed to work on a rotating shift. Yet somehow, Yiyoung ended up working multiple overnight shifts in a row. She hated working at night and then sleeping during the day, but she just could not refuse the other doctors when they asked her for a favor.

“I’m digging myself a grave here,” Yiyoung muttered.

The bags under her eyes only grew darker, and her lips were chapped. Despite having put her hair up in a tight ponytail at the beginning of her shift, it was now sticking out from everywhere. And she had been in such a state for over a month now. Sure, compared with when she was an intern, her current life was like a dream, but it was still physically draining.

Yiyoung rubbed her face. “…Couldn’t even see my husband’s face.”