[2] The Substitute Wife

CHAPTER 222

But then, as if he was agitated by something, Jeon Jungkook suddenly reached out his hand and swiped a finger across the screen to answer the call. He then grabbed Yerim's wrist and lifted the phone up next to her ear.

"Jeon Jungkook?" Lisa Lim's voice could be heard on the other end of the phone. Yerim could clearly sense Jeon Jungkook's fingers tremble as he continued to hold onto her wrist. She subconsciously turned her head and met his eyes. He did not respond but he had a pleading look in his eyes when he returned her gaze.

In all my memory, Jeon Jungkook has always been a proud man who never begged anyone for help, but now that his legs are paralyzed he's constantly making me help him with that girl...

Yerim shifted her gaze away and, as she heard Lisa Lim's voice through the phone again, she couldn't seem to find it in herself to respond, making Jeon Jungkook gently tighten his grip around her wrist. Yerim turned and glanced at him. He moved his lips without vocalizing, and as he intended she understood what he was telling her: "Yerim, please."

Yerim clenched her teeth and swallowed. After Jeon Jungkook mouthed, "Please, I really have no other choice," her eyes hardened, and she gave in and replied on the phone, "Hello."

When Lisa Lim heard Yerim's voice, she went completely silent.

"Hello, is this Ms. Lim? I'm Yerim."

"Hi... Hello. I... I'm looking for Jeon ... Jeon Jungkook ... Is he... Is he there?"

Yerim instinctively looked toward Jeon Jungkook. He had heard Lisa Lim stutter, but he had no intention to talk to her. He nodded at Yerim without hesitation and indicated for her to follow his instructions.

"Brother Jungkook ? He's taking a shower..." Yerim gripped hard onto the table while replying calmly. Before she could finish her sentence, she heard a loud bam on the other end of the phone.

"Hello? Ms. Lim? Hello?" Yerim was worried that something had happened to Lisa Lim and called out her name repeatedly but did not get any response. She looked at Jeon Jungkook to seek his advice on how she should proceed. Jeon Jungkook, who was seated in his wheelchair, suddenly snatched the phone away from her hand and by the time he got it to his ear the call had ended. He called her number again, after ringing twice she cut the incoming call.

She rejected my call...

Jeon Jungkook held onto his phone and remained motionless for a long time before he gradually placed it down on the table. He lifted his head and flashed a weak smile at Yerim . As if nothing had happened, he said gently, "Yerim, it's getting late. You should get some rest."

"Brother Jungkook..." Yerim called out worriedly.

Jeon Jungkook smiled. "It's not good for your health to sleep too late. Be a good girl and hurry off to bed."

Yerim felt her eyes sting, keeping her from saying anything else. She turned and dashed out of the study. As she was closing the door, she glanced back inside and clearly glimpsed Jeon Jungkook gripping tightly onto his legs.

Yerim lifted her hands up and mindlessly wiped away the tears that were trickling down her face before she hurriedly closed the door. She then leaned against it and held her breath for a moment. She heard the lighter being lit and, in a few moments, Jeon Jungkook coughing.

As he coughed, Yerim could clearly detect a faint, trembling sob.

...

The next day, Jeon Jungkook appeared more nonchalant and casual than what Yerim had expected.

After breakfast, he sat on the balcony and basked in the sun as he began his video conference, while Yerim muted the television and settled in on the sofa to watch her TV drama.