Wonwoo's Protection

14. Engravings

TW: Mentions of Scars

Wonwoo's and Inha's reception ended quite late. Soon it was time to bid farewell to their guests and leave for their new home. Their family members had tears in their eyes as they were about to send them off to live their new lives. Wonwoo's parents even playfully threatened to disown him if he ever hurts their daughter-in-law, while Inha still couldn't believe that she's now married into a family that values and respects her. She was finally in a position to escape her hell.

After all the fuss and hugs, when Inha was preparing to get into the car, her stepmother called out to her. "You just got married today and already you forgot your mom and sister?" She asked very sweetly, throwing open her arms so that she could hug Inha. Wonwoo noticed how Inha physically winced at those words as she reluctantly stepped towards where her stepmom was standing. As they hugged, Inha trembled after hearing what her stepmom had to say to her.

"Do you think you'll be happy with him, Inha-ya?. Wait until your husband sees your scar-riddled body, then you'll know that you won't be able to escape me forever" She whispered to Inha, her words laced with contempt and pure evil even though she was smiling. The words gave her chills as she immediately stepped away from her and stumbled on her hanbok skirt in a frightened hurry. Thankfully Wonwoo caught her by her shoulders and steadied her. Inha took a harsh breath looking up at her husband who had nothing but concern for her in his eyes. Now she didn't know. All those doubts that she had swept under the carpet came tumbling down and crashing upon her. She took a harsh breath as she stepped away from him, suddenly feeling her scars burn as if they were lit on fire once more.

"Gwaenchana?" He asked her and Inha quickly nodded her head. "I am sorry, I slipped" she said as she now firmly stood on the ground.

"Come on, let's go" he said, pulling her along with him towards the waiting car. His manager offered to drive the newly wedded couple to their new home. However throughout the ride, Inha kept quiet and Wonwoo knew why. He didn't know what her stepmom told her but he clearly knew that the reason why Inha was quiet now was because of that vile lady.

Wonwoo thanked his manager as they parked in the underground parking lot of their apartment. Wonwoo had bought a new apartment to stay after the wedding which was right below where SVT's double storey penthouse is. He wanted to have his privacy but at the same time didn't want to move farther away from his members too. However Seungcheol promised that Wonwoo's room at the penthouse will always be there whenever he wants to use it.

Wonwoo helped Inha carry her suitcases into the small and cozy double bedroom apartment that overlooked a splendid view of Seoul's skyline. Inha's mood instantly lifted after seeing the house that she was going to share with her husband.

"It's minimally decorated now but you can add on to the house's interiors if you'd like," Wonwoo said as he placed her heavy suitcase down in the living room. "And that'd be your room" he said pointing to the one which was on the left side of the house.

"Thank you Wonwoo-ssi" she said, smiling slightly for the first time, ever since she heard those spiteful words from her stepmom. She was grateful that Wonwoo didn't push her to sleep in the same room together. "Your house is so pretty," she added.

"Our house" Wonwoo said without any hesitation which made Inha's heart beat faster.

"Our house" she muttered as if saying it with her own lips would make it concrete that she now had a house with Wonwoo where she could be safe.

"You must be tired. Wash up and sleep soon. We'll talk tomorrow" Wonwoo said as he rolled the suitcases inside her room.

"You too Wonwoo-ssi" she said shyly as she registered the fact that they were standing somewhat closer in the small room.