The doctors informed Kun-woo that his stepmother had had some complications during the surgery and they needed to put her in an induced coma for some days.
Yongsun was so shocked that something like that was happening to Moonbyul and that her husband kept acting like a caring son in front of other people.
Five days later, the couple got a call from the hospital telling them that the older woman's health had improved to the point of being taken out of a coma.
The wife told her husband that she wanted to visit the stepmother along with him and they arrived at the hospital around 9 am.
One of the doctors who was treating Moonbyul explained the blonde was having some partial memory loss, which could be temporary or permanent.
Yongsun thought that the whole situation was very convenient for her attacker.
As soon as the couple entered the hospital room, the woman gave them a confused look.
Kun-woo bowed and said:
__ You must be scared. I am Kun-woo, your stepson and I am ready to take care of you, mother.
The 21-year-old girl glanced at the guy with a mix of shock and disgust, but she fastly averted her eyes.
__ Step... son? But we must be almost the same age...
The stepmother had lost weight, and her delicate face seemed fragile without any makeup on it.
__ Ah... I understand your confusion. Indeed...you are only 2 years older than me. My father married you some years ago. Unfortunately, he has already left us.__ Kun-woo had an expression of sorrow.
The woman's voice was huskier than usual for not being used in a while:
__ Oh... I see... Kun-woo... if you are here, does it mean I have no family members?
__ Sadly it is true. As far as I know, you have no close relatives alive.
Yongsun felt the stepmother switching her attention to her and ask:
__ How about you? Do we know each other?
A bit sad that the other woman had also forgotten about her, the receptionist reponded:
__ Yes. I am Yongsun, Kun-woo's wife, and your employee.
__ My employee????__ Moonbyul had a puzzled expression.
Kun-woo said in a soft tone, which made Yongsun have a bad intuition:
__ Yes, mother. You've been running the family business since my father passed.
Holding her head in a way she was feeling pain, Moonbyul mumbled:
__ This all seems so far from my reality. It's giving me a headache.
__ I'm sorry to hear that, mother. But I need to be honest. You've been in the hospital for almost a week. Maybe it's time to think about a plan to keep the business running well. __ The stepson spoke with a convincing, sorry expression.
Yongsun was taken aback by that interaction and even more when Moonbyul showed she trusted him.
The blonde murmured:
__ I'm so confused right now. What do you suggest?
The male was showing his manipulative side Yongsun had never seen before:
__ Well... I don't have your natural talent for business, but if you want, I can do my best and replace you. Temporarily, of course.
__ Of course. My mind is foggy. It can't be good for work. You do this for me, please.
Kun-Woo stated:
__ Sure, mother. We just need a lawyer. The board of the company won't follow my lead unless you grant me legal permission.
Yongsun glanced at Moonbyul, hoping that the powerful and smart woman snapped out of that naïve state, but the blonde simply nodded in agreement.
The girl watched her husband hold the stepmother's hand and tell her not to worry and that he would be back the following morning with everything set.
On the way back home, Kun-woo broke the silence after a while:
__ It's not what it looks like. I am not trying to lie to her. But my father worked really hard during his life. That's why I am stepping in.
Yongsun hesitated before exposing her opinion:
__ You could have told her the truth, though. She would probably trust you even more if you were clear about the bad blood between you two.
Kun-woo caressed his wife's hand:
__ I don't know. Her health is unstable right now, and she is confused. It might be bad for her. You understand, right?
__ Of course.__ Yongsun faked a smile and turned her head to look at the window.
Two days later, the chaos got installed in the hospital.
Kun-woo had already gone to the company one day before and shocked everybody with his document signed by Moonbyul.
Wheein and Hyejin didn't swallow that information well and decided to visit their boss and best friend. However, to their astonishment, they didn't get permission to enter Moonbyul's room.
Hyejin threatened to sue the hospital and accused them of helping Kun-woo to commit fraud and other crimes.
Yongsun dropped by the hospital before going to work and dragged the duo to the cafeteria.
__ Of course! You are helping your dear husband too.__ Hyejin exclaimed in rage.
The receptionist looked around to check if someone was looking at them:
__ Would you please stop shouting and listen to me?
__ I have nothing to talk to you.
Wheein intervened:
__ Hyejin-ah... Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. Go ahead, Yongsun.
The brunette took a deep breath before speaking:
__ I am afraid of this whole situation. Byul-yi is fragile, and she doesn't remember things. He said he is just trying to protect the company while she is recovering but... I don't know.
__ Kun-woo is your husband. Do something!__ Hyejin exclaimed.
Wheein held her lover's hand:
__ Calm down, Hyejin-ah!
The brunette exclaimed:
__ How???? I mean... After all this guy did...
__ I am worried too. I swear! Byul-yi convinced me about his behavior. I felt safe in her presence. Now I am alone with him in that house. Plus, she doesn't remember me either. I can't even tell her about her own plans...
Wheein asked:
__ Which plans?
__ Well... nothing concrete. She was thinking of a way to set a trap, though...
Hyejin suggested:
__ We need to talk to her. When she sees us, she will remember things.
__ I'm not saying you shouldn't see her. But I am partially glad she forgot about... some things...__The brunette declared.
The other 2 females understood what the receptionist was trying to say and nodded in agreement after sighing.
__ Maybe our best shot is if you get close to Byul-yi and gain her trust. This way, he won't be able to manipulate her. __ Wheein suggested.
Hyejin and Yongsun glanced at each other while trying to figure out what the other was thinking.
YOU ARE READING
The stepmother
FanficYongsun is a 21-year-old- girl who has been dating her boyfriend for over a year but doesn't know his family. When the guy finally takes her to spend the weekend in the mansion, she finds out that his only parent is his stepmother, a mysterious woma...
