Hostage Handbook

Chapter Five | Madman's Dead Geranium

YEOREUM

The next day, Jungkook leaves for a sudden business trip to Busan.

I reach the study room door when a conversation between two maids rises from the hallway. They always chat when they think I'm not around, but most of their discussions are boring.

"Be honest with me, did you steal those contraceptives?" a maid says.

"I don't even have a boyfriend. Why would I need those?" the other maid retorts.

"Aren't you short on cash? Contraceptives can be sold at a very high price when dealt in shady markets."

"That's ridiculous," the second maid yells. "Honestly, I feel like Ms Kim just got confused. She is old, so it's only normal for her head to be a little slow, right?"

The first maid laughs. "That's what I thought as well. The missing contraceptives have a similar expiration date. Ms Kim probably just forgot to document them."

"I know, right? I can't believe she told us she suspects every single person in this castle," the second maid says. "And when Minjoo asked if Miss Song is included, she told us though Miss Song shouldn't be considered a prime suspect, she is also suspected."

"How ridiculous. Everyone knows Miss Song is trying desperately to have a baby. I saw her sob over a negative pregnancy result that other day when I was cleaning the master bedroom."

The other maid sighs. "Mr Jeon and Miss Song have been trying for a month now. It's strange that Miss Song is not pregnant yet."

"It can't be Mr Jeon's fault. He has accidentally made other women pregnant in the past. Remember Miss Ryu and Ahreum?"

"Then is it Miss Song's fault? Maybe she can't conceive anymore after getting raped by those...."

Their words bludgeon my mind like bullets. I almost want to run out and explain the actual aftermaths of sexual assault, but my lingering sanity holds me back.

Those monsters assaulted my genitals and mental state, causing emotional pains, but they didn't shove a knife up my uterus to shred my womb. As much as it felt like that, it wasn't the case.

"That's so pitiful. Miss Song is so pretty too. Her baby with Mr Jeon would be adorable," the first maid says regretfully. Her voice is much closer to the door now.

I throw myself on the couch and pull a white tassel throw over my body.

"Miss Song, it's dinner time," the first maid says as he raps her knuckles against the door. "Are you ready for dinner?"

Soon, the maid ventures into the room and lets a rueful gasp.

"Sorry, Miss Song," the maid utters. "I did not realise you were asleep."

I have gotten quite good at fake sleeping these days, thanks to Jungkook, so my fake waking is also refined to perfection. A tender look crawls to the maid's eyes as she watches me blink myself awake like she is watching a young child.

"It's dinner time, Miss Song. Would you like to have dinner here? You could watch a movie while eating."

"Thank you." I timorously flit my eyes to her courteously lowered gaze. "Am I very scary?"

The maid vigorously shakes her head. "No, of course not, Miss Song."

"You can be honest. I won't be angry. You jumped and reached for a knife the other day when I stepped into the kitchen," I mutter. "Maybe that's why I can't get pregnant...."

"Miss Song...."

I bite my lower lip. "Is my future child too afraid of me to come? Is this why I'm not pregnant yet?"