Thorn Year (가시연) (ENG)

(여우의 요람 ) Fox's Cradle: Sequel - CHAPTER 4

It took less than a week for A-hyun and I to go from a simple disagreement to a full-blown war. Ever since that night, every trace of liking towards me were erased from her heart, and she would show her disdain towards me for trying to monopolize her father. Any time, anywhere, she would oppose me.

"Get up, quickly."

I always spoke to her in a very gentle and amicable tone. If I didn't bother to even show her this little bit of affection, I might be blamed for not trying to communicate with the child on my part. But if A-hyun is truly as mature as they say, then she probably understood what I truly meant. And even if she didn't understand now, some day she would. You can't disregard me just because you dislike me, because Yunho loves me more than he loves you.

"Don't you want your breakfast?"

It's just that the child doesn't understand the extent of our love. There's no way a 5-year-old would've understood anyway. The length of time we've been together was about thrice her age, and we've always loved each other deeply. There were times when we hated and scorned each other, but we overcame all of that and created a solid, stable love that belongs only to us. How could this small little being, born from one tiny cell of Yunho, ever come between us? Thinking of it makes me want to laugh.

"Are you ignoring me?"

I know you hate me. But the more you hate me, the more I'll use your father's love for me as my shield. Little brats should know their place, especially you, A-hyun, the child who grew from everybody's tears. Being jealous of something like this is too extravagant for someone like you.

Today, he still stood by the pitiful me. It was way past breakfast time and the child was still asleep. Even Yunho got mad at such undisciplined behavior. Recently she's been disobeying me like this, only listening when her father scolds her. As long as I wasn't involved, she would listen to her father like a little angel. I hate her to the core.

The war-like morning passed and Yunho, who had been working from home since the child was born, went into his study to catch up on his work. A-hyun took an early afternoon nap, sleeping on the sofa instead of her own room. She probably fell asleep while watching television. I put the laundry into the washing machine and then stared blankly at her. Even though it was summer, the house still felt somewhat chilly. I was already unhappy with her but seeing Yunho cover her with a blanket made me even madder. He'd taken her blanket from her room and laid it over her tiny body, curled-up on the sofa.

A-hyun rolled over and continued dozing. I sat on the ground in front of the sofa, resting my chin on my knees.

It's refreshing. Like milk. As usual, she looks like an angel when she sleeps...

"..."

I heaved a sigh.

If Yunho was stolen by this child, then what would I have left? Because I know the answer to that, i was always wary of A-hyun, my one and only rival. Even now... in order to protect myself, and my Yunho.

"A-hyun ah, your father likes men."

Your father turned gay because of me.

"The one you call mother, me, also likes men."

It's just the the person I love happens to be a man...

"You... Don't have a mother..."

Your mother...

"Your father and I... We love each other very much..."

...I killed her.