Contract Marriage with Memory Loss on Top - Chapter 22
Someone more decent should have been by Ki-won’s side. Someone who doesn’t bring trouble, has the qualifications to stand by Ki-won’s side, and unlike me, I don’t have the financial means to help Ki-won.
I guess this is why they say marriage is reality. Marriage was different from a fairy tale. I wasn’t unaware that our levels were different for me to shamelessly stay by Ki-won’s side.
As I took a deep breath, the cold wind seeped into my lungs. Yeon-woo, having come to his senses, searched for uncontested divorce on the cell phone he had brought.
‘It seems the relationship isn’t settled just by getting divorced right away…’
I tried to disappear from his side as quickly as possible, but contrary to Yeon-woo’s expectations, the divorce process was complicated. Even if we had an agreed divorce, there was a cooling-off period. After thinking deeply, Yeon-woo nodded his head as if he had made up his mind. It seemed like he would have to bring up the topic of filling out the divorce papers to Ki-won as soon as the sun rose. It wasn’t breaking the contract period anyway, since a cooling-off period existed.
‘And let’s leave right away on the 28th.’
I decided to leave on the contract expiration date, even if that full period hadn’t passed yet. And I made up my mind to get as far away as possible from the area where I lived with Ki-won.
‘Should I start looking for a place now…?’
Since I would receive a 200 million won consolation payment from Ki-won, I could look for a place in the countryside. Yeon-woo tilted his head back, his eyes reflecting the pitch-black sky. There were no stars visible at all today, giving the feeling of ink spilling across the sky.
***
The morning sun rose without fail. Having finished breakfast with him, Yeon-woo glanced at Ki-won who was about to leave for work. He had to bring up the divorce, but the words wouldn’t leave his lips.
“Do you have something to say?”
Sensing Yeon-woo’s gaze, Ki-won asked languidly. After contemplating for a moment, Yeon-woo shook his head from side to side. He didn’t want to tire Ki-won out from the morning. Thinking it was a topic that could be brought up after he got off work, Yeon-woo tried to put on a bright expression.
“I was wondering if I should tie your necktie for you.”
He seemed uncomfortable because his hands weren’t free due to the bandages. Yeon-woo stealthily approached his side and picked up the necktie he had chosen. Ki-won silently lowered his upper body to match Yeon-woo’s eye level. Thanks to that, Yeon-woo was able to place his hands near his neck without having to rise on his heels.
‘Is this done correctly…?’
I tightened the knotted necktie moderately, but somehow the knot looked sloppy. Seeing a clearly different shape from when Ki-won did it, Yeon-woo gave an embarrassed smile.
“The shape looks weird, so I think I need to fix it a little…”
There was no confidence at the end of his words. He had tried to do something that would help him even a little, but it was unspeakably clumsy.
“It’s just fine.”
Is that fine? Growing dumbfounded, Yeon-woo silently glared at the crooked knot. He earnestly hoped Ki-won would fix it at the company or have his secretary re-tie it for him, and hastily turned his gaze.
“By the way, about our contract period…”
I was going to mention the contract expiration date one more time, even if I informed him about the divorce papers after work. Just as Yeon-woo was about to open his mouth again,
“It hurts a bit here.”
Around the same timing, Ki-won touched the top of his bandage. Yeon-woo, startled, forgot what he was about to say and stared at Ki-won’s arm for a long time. Although the wound couldn’t be seen because it was wrapped in bandages, Yeon-woo fretted, asking if he needed to take pain medication.
“Touch it for me.”
Ki-won extended his arm more actively. Yeon-woo, feeling something strange, tilted his chin. Wouldn’t it hurt more if he touched the painful area? For a sutured wound like Ki-won’s, it was best to just leave it alone.
“Are you sure it really hurts…?”
“Are you doubting me right now? That’s upsetting.”
Yeon-woo hurriedly explained that he didn’t mean it that way and gently caressed Ki-won’s palm as he wanted. Even that was done by barely grazing the top of the bandage, afraid it would hurt.
“I should get going now.”
As if satisfied, Ki-won withdrew his arm and headed towards the shoe cabinet. In the end, Yeon-woo couldn’t express his intention about the contract expiration. Well… there was still plenty of time, so he could bring it up after work as well. Thinking that way, Yeon-woo waved his hand as he watched Ki-won disappear beyond the door.
Click, the front door closed and silence soon followed. Yeon-woo, lowering the corners of his lips that had been trying hard to smile, touched his mouth. It was so difficult to pretend to be bright that his facial muscles started cramping.
“For now, let’s go get the documents.”
He had figured out at dawn that the uncontested divorce application form was available at the court’s filing window. They said the form could be obtained online, but since he didn’t have a laptop to use, he decided to visit in person. While he was at it, it seemed like he could also stop by the community center and get the necessary documents for divorce.
Yeon-woo, entering the bedroom to prepare to go out, tilted his head at the sudden strange feeling. The bedroom looked somewhat empty.
‘Something seems different?’
Yeon-woo, narrowing his eyes, went back out to the living room and slowly crossed the threshold as if entering again. His head movements as he looked around were slow and careful. Actually, there was no need to go this far. What Yeon-woo’s persistence discovered was the empty table.
‘Huh? The thing that was here…’
The calendar was gone. The calendar where he had drawn a big circle on the 28th. The calendar couldn’t have grown legs and walked away, so it must have fallen somewhere. Yeon-woo, scratching his cheek, searched for the calendar’s whereabouts for a long time and was able to find it not far away.
The calendar was thrown in the trash can. It wasn’t even past the year yet, so why was it thrown away? Thinking the cleaning staff might have made a mistake, Yeon-woo was about to take out the calendar.
Yeon-woo’s face was filled with bewilderment. The page for this month was completely torn. He could understand if it was crumpled or slightly torn, but Yeon-woo couldn’t hide his shock at an entire page completely disappearing.
Did someone tear it out to take a memo?
He shook his head sideways, as the management staff wouldn’t carelessly touch things.
Then was it him?
No way. There was no reason for him to tear the calendar when he could just leave a memo pad. Yeon-woo, feeling uncomfortable, pushed the calendar back into the trash can. Regardless, there was no need to take out the damaged calendar. What a baffling situation. Even as he headed to the closet, Yeon-woo kept tilting his head.
***
Yeon-woo, who had stopped by the court, walked out holding the uncontested divorce intention confirmation application form in his arms. Even though no one could see what he had brought out, his attitude was cautious.
Although his back and buttocks still ached, making it uncomfortable to walk, he had gone out leaving the chauffeur behind. It was to move as secretly as possible since he hadn’t formally requested the divorce to Ki-won. Realizing it was lunchtime, Yeon-woo swallowed.
‘Should I stop by the community center next time.’
It seemed like the wait would only get longer if he went now. Yeon-woo, finishing his thought, was about to go take the bus. His cell phone rang shrilly. Yeon-woo, tucking the documents under his arm, picked up the phone. There was only one person who would call at this hour.
Kwon Ki-won.
As expected, the call was from Ki-won.
“Hello, hyung?”
Yeon-woo, stopping at a nearby bus stop, sat on the chair as he answered the phone. Although he hadn’t checked properly yet, it was clear that there were bruises on his buttocks. Groans escaped involuntarily whenever he tried to sit on the chair.
“Are you outside? I don’t think I heard you say you were going somewhere today.”
“Ah…”
Yeon-woo, scratching his cheek in a difficult situation, swallowed. Should he say he went out for a short walk? But Ki-won’s words to him yesterday weighed on his mind. The firmness with which Ki-won had told him not to create lies or secrets poked at Yeon-woo’s chest.
I guess it can’t be helped. Since divorce wasn’t an issue that could be resolved just by stamping a seal, he had planned to calmly inform Ki-won after work, but he decided to just spill it now.
‘I tried not to bother you…’
If he said the purpose of his outing was the court, Ki-won would surely ask the reason. Yeon-woo, finishing his short contemplation, slowly parted his lips.
“I’m on my way back from the court.”
“…Court?”
“Our contract is ending soon. I looked into uncontested divorce and found out that if we apply for divorce on the contract end date, it would take quite some time. I thought it would be more convenient for you to end it quickly since you’re going to terminate the relationship anyway, so I got the form in advance.”
A bus stopped in front of Yeon-woo as he spoke calmly. Yeon-woo, stepping onto the opening door, tagged his card and sat down.
“The application form is needed anyway, and it’s boring to just stay at home… So I was on my way back.”
“So you’re saying you got the divorce application now?”
It was good to take a light walk to reduce the swelling and bruising. Yeon-woo, looking out the window as it started to move, continued in a small voice.
“Yes, I thought you’d be busy. Since I’m out anyway, should I go to the community center and get the necessary documents too? They said things like family relation certificates are needed.”
“Sigh… Yeon-woo.”
Fatigue could be heard in Ki-won’s voice. Yeon-woo, tilting his head sideways, answered in a clear voice.
“Yes? Why? Is there something else you need? Ah, do we have to get the documents together? I’ve never gotten them before, so I’m not sure. I should look it up.”
“…Just go home quietly.”
“I was already on the bus anyway. I only said that about the community center because I wanted to show off a bit.”
He exuded the nuance that Ki-won didn’t need to worry since he was thoroughly preparing. No one would be preparing for the contract termination as responsibly as him. Yeon-woo, feeling proud, swallowed a faint smile. With this, Ki-won would be able to focus on work too. He had such useless thoughts as well.