My Contractual Husband

0. Heartbreak

Ji-Yeon had always known how unexpected life can get, but even so, she could have never imagined that her life would come to this.

The bedroom door was barely shut, leaving just a gap open, and that alone was enough to make Ji-Yeon's world come crashing down. As if a floodgate had been opened, Ji-Yeon pressed her back against the wall with emotions overwhelming her senses. Mortified, a part of her believed that if she simply stayed frozen then things would reverse to happier times. If she just believed in a false sense of normalcy things would stay the way they are just like before. But that was simply the delusion of it all, it was reality that she had to facing. And the reality was that her boyfriend of 5 years had betrayed her.

Her tears threatened to fall, slowly and painfully coming to accept the situation, all while the two "lovebirds" moaned at each other's touch.

Nothing will ever be the same.

Ji-Yeon sucked in a tight breath that hurt her chest, she couldn't bite her tongue any longer. The initial moment of grief she had was quickly followed by anger. To stay quiet and walk away? She felt ashamed to think that was an option.

A loud bang shattered the vulgar sounds as the door slammed open, taking the first hit of Ji-Yeon's anger.

"Min-Joon, what's going on." It was cold. She tried to sound calm but there was an undeniable quiver in the voice, especially at the sight of the ful image which involunteerily burned itself into her mind.

Sheets ruffled, a dark hair woman straddled Min-Joon on the bed, they were both practically naked with what little fabric was left clothed. It was in the very same bed that Ji-Yeon had slept on. The same bed that she and Min-Joon had laid on, talking about their future.

Ji-Yeon never considered herself hot-headed, but at that moment, could have easily burnt them alive; only if she wasn't already burning them with her deathly glare.

The woman turned around and Min-Joon perked up in shock. "Ji-Yeon-" The man's eyes widdened at the sight of her girlfriend and hastily pushed the woman off.

"Why are you here-" He hastily got off the bed with his boxers still on; not that it made anything better. "I mean- I can explain."

Ji-Yeon found it ironic that he's the one with looking so horrified when it was her that'd been cheated on. Nonetheless, that fearful look that garnered no sympathy from her as she crossed her arm.

"I got off work early to surprise you, but look how the tables have turned!" She scorned bitterly, glaring right into the man's eyes. "What a huge surprise this is-" she shot a vindictive glance toward the woman and back at Min-Joon.

"You should've told me- Look, I had no idea that you're back." Frustration began to boil in his voice.

What? Ji-Yeon, quite frankly, was baffled. That was the best explanation he'd managed to muster up? Just a few minutes ago, she believed that Park Min-Joon was an intelligent man. Despite his affluent background, good body, or pretty face, his intelligence was what truly drew her in. Has it all been an illusion all along? In that case, what else has he deluded her in?

Min-Joon continued on his frantic 'explanation' and his hand reached for Ji-Yeon's shoulder, while the woman had most likely scurried off in the background. But Ji-Yeon didn't process any of that. She simply looked at her ex-boyfriend, emotionless and filled with disappointment as it glistened with tears hanging on by sheer pride. She wanted to question him about how long it has been going on, but she simply didn't have the energy and she wouldn't have the heart to handle the question anyway. No matter what Min-Joon says or does, she wouldn't ever see him as the man she once saw. Whether she wanted to or not, she would have to accept that she had wasted the last 5 years of her life on someone who'd betray at the blink of an eye.

She peeled away Min-Joon's grip and turned away, lifelessly walking away. She couldn't remember what his ex said or how she got down the building, only the wet tears and the aching of the chest at the thought of past memories; as if those memories never belonged to them.