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I must keep him talking so I can formulate a plan, because if this escalates, I don’t stand a chance.
“I…I don’t understand.”
“Your presence dishonors me.”
“How could you say that? Do you shun me because I am Korean and not American? If that is the case, I would take a look in the mirror.”
He snickers. “You’re short-sighted if you think that is the reason for my scorn.”
“Then why?”
“I rose from ashes—from nothing. My father’s father’s father was a fisherman with only a small hut on a bank to care for his seven children, yet look at what I had amassed. Fortune enough for a penthouse, a staff, and to marry into a legacy line that squandered everything.”
“You begrudge me my name?”
“Can you blame me? While I worked my ass off, you sat in a gilded cage. While I rose, your family crumbled. Still, despite my achievements, I could not garner an audience with the Korean elite. Not without you.”
Suddenly, it all makes sense. He married me without even knowing me because he needed me, and to him, that’s unforgivable.
“Now that I understand your hatred, perhaps we can cohabitate in peace. For the boys,” I offer.
“You think I wanted those boys?” Ji-hoon scoffs.
I furrow my brow in confusion. “You’re the one who suggested we have Hyun. If you didn’t want children with me, why would you suggest IVF to get a second?”
“Because having the perfect family image was essential to the groups I did business with.”
“But you were a scientist? Why would you need to politic?”
He says nothing.
“Me and the boys will move out. There’s plenty of space here.”
“You are a blight to my name I can no longer suffer. You think I don’t know that you were with one of the CPs before you came here? Those men are dogs, and would not leave you unmolested.”
I throw the notebook at him. “If you think I’m writing a suicide note, you’re dead wrong.”
“There is no question. You will write the note.”
“You’re goddamn crazy!” I snap. “Why would I do such a thing?”
“Because if you do, I’ll spare the boys.”
I blink back at him.
“As of right now, everyone seesmedrop them off.I’mthe one people interact with. Everyone thinks you’re weird and standoffish. If you comply with my demands, me and the boys will come home and find your body. I’ll be kind enough to spare them the visual, even. But, if you resist, the boys will suffer your fate.”
The world tilts. “No…”
“I’ll bring them home, make them a special tea, and leave. People will see me out and about. I’ll give no hint of distress, and when I come home, I’ll find the three of you. I’ll also find a note, written in Korean, that only I can read. No one will care to dig. They lack the capability.”
“You wouldn’t…”
“You know, when you arrived here, I really did try. I tried to look at you differently. I tried to care. But you came back worse than you ever were, with the stench of that American man permeating your flesh. You’re dirty. Unclean.”
“And you’re disgusting!”
“Do as I say and no harm will come to the boys.”
