Chapter 153 - Chapter 150: Episode 148 - Parents
Yu-ra, as I had always seen her, was miserable.
Considering her failed attempt at raising a child, her life could hardly be called smooth, even with her position as Executive Director of the Hwaryong Guild or that flashy house with the massive garden.
How much must she hate the child who is dragging her once-successful life down into the abyss?
That was what I once thought.
At least, until I saw the mother and daughter in my bedroom.
The image of Yu-ra, who had thrown Yu-rin aside after grabbing her by the throat, only to then block my path and try to sacrifice herself, kept replaying in my mind.
Even while supporting Yu-rin, her eyes remained fixed on me, ready to throw her body in the way at any moment to protect her daughter—the very image of a parent.
That was why I couldn't take my eyes off them for a long time, even after the two of them left the room and reached the front door.
Old memories, which I had forgotten while indulging in Seon-ah's body, surfaced.
It was a conversation between Hyeon-tae and me, not long after Seon-ah was born; I don't even remember who started it.
I don't know how the conversation drifted that way, but it started with me sharing a worry I had with Hyeon-tae.
'What if Seon-ah goes astray or loses his way? If he ends up doing something bad, I don't know what I should do for him.'
Hyeon-tae laughed as he responded.
His voice, casual as if it were nothing, was overflowing with confidence.
'If Seon-ah goes astray and does something bad, he's still my child. What can you do if a parent doesn't take their child's side? Isn't it a parent's duty to try and protect them, no matter how big a mistake they make?'
Recalling that old memory, it felt as if Hyeon-tae's words were unfolding right before my eyes.
Seon-ah hadn't done anything bad, but I could understand Yu-ra's heart, wanting to protect the wayward Yu-rin.
I could see that this was the parental mindset Hyeon-tae had spoken of.
'But what about me...'
I turned my head back to look at my child, Seon-ah.
Wrapped in a blanket, his body was soaked in my arousal and the semen that had leaked from him during the act we had just shared.
With his face poking out from the blanket, he couldn't hide his shock at what had just happened.
Am I even a parent, having abandoned my duties to indulge in my son's body and committing such an act?
The memories of the three of us living happily together in this house.
Seon-ah, the treasure born between Hyeon-tae and me.
My resolve to protect my son.
Is this filthy desire so important that I would abandon all of that, forget Hyeon-tae, tear down the bonds of our family, and even soil the old memories of our life together?
It wasn't.
I had no choice but to realize that everything I thought of as Seon-ah being my lover and husband was an illusion.
It was my own desire, obtained by briefly borrowing the name and skin of Sophia.
I was simply taking out the loneliness and filthy desires that arose after Hyeon-tae disappeared on Seon-ah's body.
This was a sin.
A sin I created by deceiving Seon-ah and smashing our family's memories to the ground.
Even on the first day I shared my body with Seon-ah, although he said he had healed himself, there were traces of dried arousal on his thighs and pelvis.
I don't know how much Seon-ah had been violated before I rescued him.
Yet, for Sophia's sake, Seon-ah endured his painful memories and acted as he always did.
I, who thought nothing of Seon-ah being exhausted from being violated by other women and followed his words to indulge in his body, was neither his wife nor his parent.
I had no choice but to realize that I was just a human worse than a beast.
'Ah... what have I done... Hyeon-tae, I'm sorry... Seon-ah, I'm sorry...'
I shouldn't share my body with Seon-ah anymore.
This was a sweet dream and a sin that had lasted for a month.
As a result of manipulating Seon-ah's heart as I pleased, I ended up acting no differently than Yu-rin, whom I had just grabbed by the throat and thrown aside with my own hands.
A sorrowful feeling filled my heart.
However, I didn't have the courage to tell Seon-ah this fact.
Seon-ah might be disappointed in me and not want to see me anymore.
But there was another, bigger reason.
The pain Seon-ah would feel when I revealed that the person who had been biting and sucking his flesh all this time was not his true lover, Sophia, but me, was so great that I didn't know what might happen.
He might even take his own life because of that fact.
Because Seon-ah's heart was not whole due to the abuse he had suffered for such a long time.
In this month, there was only one time Seon-ah said he wanted to leave the house.
That was when he said he wanted to go see Yu-ra's face.
It seemed that Seon-ah, mistaking me for Sophia, wanted to imitate Min-ah to give Yu-ra hope.
However, that was something that could no longer be done because of the two mother and daughter who had entered the bedroom just now.
Regardless, Seon-ah stuck to my side and didn't think about leaving.
I couldn't help but feel anxious at that appearance, which seemed to show extreme dependency.
As my mind cleared from the guilt of things I hadn't noticed for a whole month, numerous facts came to mind.
The fact that the Demon King would know the location of this house, the succubi who appeared to be sisters, and finally, the fact that even Yu-rin and Yu-ra would all know the location of this house.
This house, where I shared memories with my husband, Hyeon-tae, and my son, Seon-ah.
It had become too dangerous a place to continue cherishing those memories.
That was why I made the choice to abandon this house and make a fresh start.
A choice to return a normal life to Seon-ah.
The first thing I wanted to do after finding Seon-ah in the Demon World was to return a normal life to him.
I intend to do that thing I have only just realized now.
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"Seon-ah. Our Seon-ah..."
"Yes, Sophia..."
When I spoke, Seon-ah turned his dazed face toward me and began to listen.
"I'm sorry about what happened just now. It seems we won't be able to go see Yu-ra and Yu-rin anymore."
"...I'll reveal it to Yu-ra-ajumma myself... later... This time, it couldn't be helped... Those two attacked first, after all..."
"..."
Was I too good at acting as Sophia?
He didn't seem to have a shred of doubt about what I had done, as if he thought this was how Sophia would naturally act.
"Honestly, I was scared that Sophia would kill those two... But you stopped for my sake... Thank you."
Fortunately, it didn't seem to be to that extent.
"And there's something I want to say. This house is important to you, right, Seon-ah?"
"Yes... it's important... This is the house I grew up in... Even if the home appliances or furniture inside have all changed... the exterior is the same, at least."
"Other people might come looking for us, just like before... We could be attacked. I... you are more important to me, Seon-ah... Let's start fresh somewhere else, Seon-ah..."
My heart pounded even as I said it.
The contradiction of abandoning our family's memories for the sake of our family felt like a dagger piercing my heart.
However, after hearing my words, Seon-ah pondered for a long time.
He had a look on his face as if he couldn't easily reach a conclusion.
But perhaps thinking of the mess when we first entered this house, he glanced once at the living room, which was clearly visible through the open door, and said to me:
"I... don't want to leave this house. But since you're worried about me, I have no choice... Okay... Let's go somewhere else and start fresh... But I have to clear up the misunderstanding with Yena and Yu-ra-ajumma later... You'll help me then, too, right, Sophia?"
My heart sank after hearing everything Seon-ah said.
The thought of Yena, who had become the Demon King, and the need to go directly to the parent who had harmed her child with her own hands to clear up that misunderstanding.
The former was impossible to compromise on.
If I were to meet Yena while borrowing Sophia's name, I might get caught.
However, in the latter case, while difficult, it was not impossible.
But seeing Seon-ah's expectant face, I had no choice but to hide that fact.
"Yes... I'll help you, Seon-ah. Of course."
It was half true.
Because it was sincere that I would act as Sophia to Yu-ra and clear up the misunderstanding.
But when I truly met Yena—no, Sophia—there was only one thing to do.
Since the only way to ensure Seon-ah wouldn't find out that I wasn't the real Sophia was to get rid of her.
However, before I could even finish that thought, Seon-ah asked again.
"But have you decided on a place to move to?..."
"Of course... I don't know if you'll like it, Seon-ah..."
I had already found a place where I could protect Seon-ah while I was away.
It was clear that 'she' wouldn't be able to refuse, as she also owed a debt to Seon-ah and me.
If she didn't agree, I was even thinking of exposing everything that happened in the past and taking that position away from her.
Honestly, I didn't like the idea of going back there, but the 'power' of that place was real.
It was, in name and reality, the number one guild in South Korea, possessing power that couldn't even be compared to the Hwaryong Guild.
Although it wouldn't have enough ability to protect Seon-ah from Sophia, it was clear it would be enough to buy time for me to arrive while I was away.
To go there, I washed my body with Seon-ah and then stepped out the front door to go on a date together for the first time in a while.
Feeling the warmth of holding Seon-ah's hand to return him to a normal daily life, I made a vow.
'Mom will protect you... Seon-ah...'