The Other Woman (HAESOO)[18+]

Staying Afloat

At times, you must make choices that may sting your heart but ultimately bring peace to your spirit. The deepest anguish comes from losing sight of yourself while loving someone too fiercely. She poured her entire being into him, only to find herself betrayed and exploited in the end. Initially, anger surged within her, but it soon gave way to a profound sense of hurt. She never anticipated such treachery from him.

Yet, here she was, left shattered and alone. The weight of her heartbreak drained her of all vitality. She felt engulfed in despair, haunted by the knowledge that this burden would shadow her forever. It seemed that no matter what life threw her way—be it joy or sorrow—she would inevitably bear the pain.

Jisoo lay in bed, utterly exhausted by the whirlwind of her life. After experiencing a relapse that morning, she found herself sinking into the mattress, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as her thoughts drifted to him. A weary sigh escaped her lips; the constant pondering was sapping her energy, yet it also sparked some realizations about their relationship.

In that moment of reflection, she understood that, above all else, she was a mother, and her children had to be her top priority. A part of her felt petty for dwelling on the situation, but she recognized that she needed a moment to breathe. Especially now, in the wake of Haein's betrayal, the weight of everything felt particularly heavy.

In addition, Jisoo came to a profound realization: her happiness had always been contingent on others. True joy should emanate from within, rather than relying on someone else to provide it. For too long, she believed that by ensuring Haein's happiness, her own would naturally follow. But she now understood that she needed to nurture her own happiness first in order to share that positive energy with those around her.

Suddenly, a buzz interrupted her thoughts from outside her room. Jisoo stirred weakly, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Could it be Seom?" she wondered, glancing at the clock to find it was nearly midnight. With a sigh, she pushed herself up and made her way to the front door. Leaning against it, she cautiously peered through the peephole, but to her disappointment, she saw no one waiting outside.

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the stillness. Silence met her query, leaving her feeling uneasy. Dismissing the oddity, she began to turn back toward her room when the buzzer sounded again, this time lingering for an uncomfortable stretch of time.

With a frustrated sigh, she approached the door once more and peered through the peephole, but still saw no one waiting outside.

"WHO IS THERE?!" she demanded, raising her voice in exasperation. Yet again, there was no reply. Her irritation boiled over, and with a swift motion, she flung open the door, ready to confront whoever was on the other side.

"I WILL CALL SECURITY IF YOU DON'T STOP—" she shouted in frustration, but her words froze in her throat as she laid eyes on Haein.

"Haein?" she gasped, disbelief washing over her. Haein flashed a quick smile, reaching out to prevent her from slamming the door shut.

"Please... let me in. We need to talk!" he urged, pushing against the door. Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of dizziness washed over Jisoo as she struggled against him. She stumbled back, leaning against the wall for support, her breath coming in quick, sharp gasps.

Haein seized the moment, stepping inside and immediately noticing Jisoo's pale face and the way she clutched her head with both hands. Concern flickered in his eyes as he rushed to her side. "Jisoo, are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency.

"What's wrong? Do you feel sick?" Haein asked, his hands gently resting on her arms. Jisoo's irritation flared at his mere presence.

"How did you find me? How did you even know where I was?!" she snapped, attempting to push him away. In an instant, Haein seized her wrists, pinning her against the wall.