Chapter 1 — Adultery, That Ecstasy...2

Oh! It’s almost time for Jenny Park to come home.

The thought of meeting her daughter snapped Sarah Park out of the dreamlike daze she’d been floating in since waking.

She hurriedly changed clothes, slapped on some makeup, prepared to go to the market, and stepped outside.

As she descended to the first-floor entrance, a sudden fear gripped her—what if she ran into David Kang?

Tense and alert, she quickly slipped past the front door.

“It’s gotten really cold today. Just give me two packs of Chapagetti, please.”

Sarah Park forced a bright smile toward Claire Yoon, the middle-aged widow who ran the corner store—almost as if trying to hide her guilt behind cheerfulness.

She never bought Chapagetti from this shop; she always got it at the cheaper market supermarket. But she made an exception here, not wanting to completely ignore the little store at the end of the alley.

“Ms Park, you must’ve had something good happen—your face is glowing like a young bride’s. How many should I give you?”

Claire Yoon, the youngest of three sisters left behind after her husband’s death, smirked as she eyed Sarah Park’s unusually polished appearance.

“N-no… what good thing could possibly have happened? Just two, please.”

Sarah Park fumbled for her money, her chest tightening with unease. It was impossible, but for a moment, it felt like Claire Yoon somehow knew she’d been inside David Kang’s apartment.

“I can’t be fooled by that look. But where were you just now? You’re not dressed like someone coming back from the market.”

Claire Yoon didn’t even bother giving change, instead scanning Sarah Park up and down.

“I-I was just coming back from the market…”

Only then did Sarah Park realize how different she looked. She’d put on makeup, worn her trench coat, and swapped her usual worn shoes for proper shoes. Even to herself, she looked unmistakably like someone preparing for an outing—not a simple grocery run.

Her heart fluttered strangely, and David Kang’s face flashed in her mind.

Had she unconsciously dressed up thinking of him? Had she applied lipstick and chosen her coat while imagining his eyes on her?

“That so? Then why’d you buy so much?”

Claire Yoon’s gaze shifted to the plastic bag in Sarah Park’s hand.

“I-it’s not that much. I just bought a few mackerel pike because they were cheap. One tofu, a few tangerines. Haven’t seen Jenny Park, have you?”

“Nope. She’ll be here soon enough. Oh! Mr. Park? What are you doing here? Are you sick or something?”

“What?”

Sarah Park turned, her heart dropping again.

Sure enough, her husband Michael Park was walking past the store, shoulders slumped, face pale and lifeless.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”

She stepped outside, legs trembling with dread. He shouldn’t be home at this hour—something was terribly wrong.

Approaching him, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes as she finally spoke.

“Yeah. Where were you coming from?”

Michael Park stopped, seeing her hurrying toward him.

“Uh… just went to get a few things at the market. But you—what are you doing home? Are you sick? You look awful.”

Sarah Park lifted the fruit bag slightly and tightly hooked her arm through Michael Park’s.

She needed to hold onto him—otherwise, the guilt would crush her.

“What’s gotten into you? Arm-in-arm in the alley?”

Michael Park grumbled, pulling his shoulder in slightly.

“Pfft! It’s not the alley—it’s right in front of our house. What’s wrong with holding arms?”

Sarah Park clung tighter, forcing a cheerful tone. But the guilt only deepened.

“Is the sun rising in the west today? Since when do you do things like this?”

Michael Park sounded annoyed, but his expression wasn’t truly displeased.

That kindness only made her heart ache more.

Now that she thought about it, they’d never walked like this since getting married.

“Honey, your face looks really swollen. Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”

As they walked, she studied his face. His cheeks were visibly puffy, his body clearly aching.

Thinking of how he’d gone to work despite feeling unwell—while she had let David Kang touch her breasts—brought tears to her eyes.

But afraid he’d notice, she kept her voice soft and concerned.

“Just a cold, probably. I’m actually on my way back from Green Pharmacy with medicine. After a dose and some rest, I’ll be fine.”

Michael Park didn’t feel any serious pain—just a heavy, drained sensation, like his body was soaked cotton.

Still, he’d left work early because of a persistent pressure in his lower abdomen. Even after using the restroom, only a trickle came out, leaving him weak and sluggish.

“In my opinion, it’s more than just a cold. These days, regular medicine doesn’t cut it. You need a shot at the hospital.”

“I’ll eat lunch, take the meds, sleep a bit—then I’ll be okay.”

Michael Park glanced at his wife’s flushed face, reddened by the cold wind, and smiled faintly. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of warmth toward her. Maybe tonight, he’d make love to her properly again.

“But no. After lunch, you’re coming with me to the hospital. Promise?”

Inside, Sarah Park wept.

Outwardly, she wore worry—but inwardly, she sobbed. Her husband hated spending money, avoided hospitals over even minor issues. And yet, she’d thrown herself at a man like David Kang? The thought tore her apart.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Michael Park replied brightly, then playfully tapped her breast with his elbow.

For a fleeting moment, he felt like the young man he once was—eager, alive. Tonight, he’d hold her close and love her deeply.

“Oh!”

Sarah Park blushed crimson, startled by the touch.

Did he know? Was this some kind of retaliation for what she’d done with David Kang?

Thankfully, she saw his face break into a genuine smile. Relief washed over her, and she exhaled silently.

“Oh! Your face is red!”

“W-when did I say it was red?”

Sarah Park responded with nervousness, stopping before their three-story row house.

She looked at Michael Park again.

He grinned.

Phew. Another breath of relief.

He definitely didn’t know.

But now, his health worried her. A cold alone wouldn’t cause such severe swelling.

“Why? Do you want a kiss?”

Michael Park chuckled, gently poking her cheek.

“Pfft! You never kiss when I ask, but now you’re showing off? What’s with the sudden act? Just because you said you were sick and left work early?”

“The section chief told me to go home, make some spicy bean sprout soup, dump in red pepper flakes, sweat it out.”

Their apartment was on the third floor.

As Sarah Park entered the foyer, she glanced down at the basement stairs.

Her heart pounded—what if David Kang suddenly opened his door?

Unlike usual, she climbed the steps quickly, face tense, eager to escape.

“I bought your favorite mackerel pike.”

By the time she reached the third floor, she relaxed and smiled brightly.

She pulled the key from her purse, inserted it, and turned slowly.

The lock clicked. The handle turned.

“Mackerel pike’s expensive these days. We don’t have money to spare—why buy it?”

“I just… thought of how hard you work for us. So I decided to treat us.”

“I’m fine. You should buy whatever you want, don’t hold back.”

Michael Park followed behind, turning his back to lock the door.

“Don’t lock it. Jenny Park will be home soon.”

Sarah Park felt her heart swell with emotion. She took off her trench coat and hung it neatly.

She walked to the boiler control panel and switched the temperature from “away” to “heating”—so Michael Park could rest warm after lunch.

“Bean sprout soup isn’t medicine for a cold. So after lunch, you will go to the hospital. If you don’t, you’ll be in big trouble. Understand?”

She playfully mimicked scolding, puffing her cheeks.

“Back in the day, people cured colds exactly like this.”

Michael Park, feeling urgency, handed her his suit jacket and headed to the bathroom.

His bladder felt full, but the stream was weak. He strained, puzzled, but nothing more came out.

Stress?
Maybe. With the promotion next month, he’d been under immense pressure lately.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”

Sarah Park approached him as he emerged, movements slow and drained.

He looked okay—but her heart ached.

To have such a good man, and still betray him with David Kang… The guilt was unbearable. She wanted to die.

“Must be stress. With the promotion coming up, I’ve been on edge. Feels like my insides are off.”

Michael Park decided he needed to lie down.

“But what’s there to stress about? Didn’t the manager say you’re guaranteed to get promoted?”

She followed him into the bedroom, opened the closet, and laid out bedding.

“Well, personnel decisions aren’t certain until the lid’s lifted. You never know.”

Before getting under the covers, Michael Park searched for the TV remote.

Part of him wanted to skip lunch and sleep straight through. But knowing Jenny Park would arrive soon, and that Sarah Park would insist he get up, he figured he might as well watch TV while resting.

“Even if you can’t guarantee it, worrying won’t stop the promotion if it’s yours—or give it to someone else if it’s not. But your health will punish you if you ignore it. So stop pretending you’re fine. Go to the hospital this afternoon. Understood?”

“My body knows best. Stop fretting. Just prepare a nice meal for your rarely-home husband. And come here for a sec.”

Michael Park spoke lightly, then flopped onto the bed and gestured for her to come.

“Why?”

Sarah Park’s heart trembled—even though she knew he couldn’t possibly know.

Her mouth dried with tension as she slowly sat beside him.

“I love you.”

Michael Park had pretended to watch TV, indifferent—until the moment she sat down.

Then he lunged, pulling her down, rolling across the floor with her in his arms.

“Ah!”

Sarah Park screamed, loud enough to shake the room, as his lips crashed onto hers.

“What’s wrong?”

Michael Park pulled back, confused by her reaction.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she clung to his shoulders and kissed him desperately, searching his lips and tongue with feverish hunger.

Michael Park responded, pulling her fully onto the blanket.

You feel hotter than usual today.

He whispered, lifting her blouse.

“Ahh!… N-no… umm…”

Just as he said, her entire body burned uncontrollably.

More aggressive than ever, she pressed against him, devouring his mouth.

Michael Park, aroused by her intensity, pushed her blouse higher.

“Ah… honey… honey… hah… hah!”

Sarah Park tilted her chin up, gasping like a parched woman, clinging to his shoulders.

“I love you, honey.”

Lately, he’d never seen her this passionately excited.

The boldness of daylight only fueled his urgency—he hastily pulled her skirt down.

“Honey… honey… ah… I think I’m going crazy.”

Even as he removed her skirt, she couldn’t wait.

She groped his pants, finding