F Side Story 16

Judging from Yeonho’s mother’s reaction, it didn’t seem like he had done anything to disappoint her. Still, that was only Siwoo’s assumption, he couldn’t let his guard down. It was clear that he hadn’t simply gone to sleep quietly that night.

The fact that he couldn’t remember what he had said or done filled him with dread. At the same time, he felt sympathy for Yeonho, who had endured such moments countless times before.

How terrified must Yeonho have been when he watched footage of himself behaving like someone else? Even though Siwoo had only experienced a fraction, less than one percent, of what Yeonho had gone through. It was enough to help him understand and care for him more deeply. He still had a long way to go.

“Does this have something to do with Park Jihyun?”

Yeonho’s mother gave a tight smile and nodded.

“I thought you remembered everything. That’s why I didn’t explain anything and just told you to return to Korea first.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything. Did something happen? Did I make a mistake?”

Tension stiffened his shoulders. He had strong faith in himself, but if by any chance he had done something disgraceful to Yeonho, he was ready to accept whatever punishment was appropriate. He’d even draft a will leaving all his assets to Yeonho before getting torn to pieces. If Yeonho was willing to accept the money of a filthy, promiscuous, unfaithful man like that.

Yeonho’s mother asked,

“Then Yeonho doesn’t know anything either?”

“No, he doesn’t.”

She fell into thought, then smiled warmly and said,

“Then this is something he should know. I’ll tell him myself. You can go.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

Siwoo blinked anxiously. She looked him straight in the eye with a teasing smile.

“Worried?”

“No, not worried exactly… it just bothers me that I don’t know what I did.”

“I think it’s best if you hear it from Yeonho later.”

She sent him away firmly. Siwoo left quietly and returned to the office. He decided to empty his mind and quietly await whatever judgment Yeonho chose to give him.

To him, he sent a heartfelt message:

If I’m someone unworthy of your love, I won’t beg for it. Only love me like you do now if I’m someone who deserves it.

Yeonho received a call from his mother saying, “There’s something you need to know about what happened during this last business trip.”

Could she know what happened that night? He stepped outside the company and joined her for lunch.

He ignored the message from Siwoo. “Unworthy of love,” huh? That was rich, coming from the same Kim Siwoo who had risked his life to love Joo Yeonho when Yeonho was the one without any right to be loved.

Yeonho would do anything Siwoo asked of him, but “Don’t love me if I’m not worthy” was one request he couldn’t accept.

No matter what his mother was about to tell him, even if it shook the faith he had in Siwoo, he would still love him.

Eating in a private room, Yeonho braced himself to accept everything his mother was about to say. She began,

“Siwoo drank quite a bit, but he didn’t pass out. He was still on his feet and even greeted me properly when we arrived at the hotel.”

“He doesn’t get drunk easily,” Yeonho replied with a wry smile. That was true, normally, Siwoo wouldn’t have blacked out.

His mother continued,

“I had something to give him, so I went back out of my room later. And the investor’s manager who was with us…”

“Park Jihyun?”

“Right. You know him?”

Yeonho nodded, smiling faintly. He didn’t elaborate. His throat was dry from nerves, so he gulped down water. His heart was pounding wildly.

“Park Jihyun was heading into Siwoo’s room. The door was closing, but he shoved his arm in like this and slipped through.”

Yeonho, pretending to eat calmly, lowered his chopsticks and hid his hands under the table. They had started to tremble. His mother, animated, went on,

“To me, it looked like he was trying to sneak in before the door closed. If he really went in uninvited, Siwoo should’ve kicked him out, right? But he didn’t come back out. I started thinking all kinds of things, were they friends? Did they know each other already? Did they plan to drink alone later?”

Her voice grew louder.

“They didn’t seem close at all all day, so why meet secretly at night in a hotel room? That’s when I knew. Something was wrong. If it’s something filthy, I swear I’ll kill them both.”

Yeonho flinched. Seeing the way he trembled, she softened her tone and continued.

Suspicious, she had considered calling Siwoo. She wanted to tell him to come out immediately, just to see how he’d respond. But before she could dial, she heard a commotion from the hallway.

The door burst open, and there was Siwoo, shirt unbuttoned to his chest, dragging Park Jihyun by the collar.

“Oh my god!”

Siwoo, storming out with his shirt undone, yanked Jihyun along like a ragdoll, threw him against the wall, and punched him in the stomach.

“How dare you touch me!”

Jihyun collapsed with a single hit. Only then did Siwoo notice Yeonho’s mother standing in the hallway. His face crumpled. He trudged toward her, voice raw with shame.

“Ma’am… I was asleep.”

“Yes, I see. Go on.”

“That bastard touched me. He tried to assault me.”

“Oh my god. Should I call the police? You weren’t actually assaulted, right?”

She glanced at Siwoo’s pants and belt, still properly fastened, and felt some relief.

Jihyun had already started fleeing down the hall. She helped button Siwoo’s shirt and straightened his clothes.

Looking crushed, Siwoo sank to his knees and muttered,

“I’ve been tainted.”

Yeonho, listening, choked on his water. His mother poured more into his glass, mimicking Siwoo’s tone from that night.

“I never gave myself to anyone but Yeonho…”

“Mom. Please. Stop.”

Yeonho, face flushed bright red, pressed his hands together and begged her. He was curious what came next, but he couldn’t bear to hear it from her mouth.

Obeying, she resumed eating and tilted her head.

“So all that stuff about Siwoo’s private life, lies? You know how much nonsense Seong Junyoung told me about him? It was nonstop.”

“Yeah. It was all lies. He’s not like that. He’s a good person.”

Yeonho tried to sound casual, holding down the corners of his mouth that wanted to smile. As he poured her water, he asked,

“So, what about Park Jihyun?”

“He disappeared. By the next morning, he’d checked out and cleared out his stuff. When we explained the situation to the investor, he was fired immediately. We know who he is, so we didn’t press charges. You and Siwoo can decide what to do.”

Yeonho gave a faint smile and nodded. Suppressing the urge to laugh, he quietly said what he needed to say.

“We won’t report him. I think Siwoo’s parents sent him to break us up. But he’s gone now, and that’s enough. He failed. He won’t show his face again.”

“Oh, he was sent by the Kim family? That makes more sense. The investor has ties with them. I’m actually grateful now, things worked out in our favor.”

She laughed brightly. Yeonho laughed with her. He wished things could stay this peaceful, but he had something he needed to say.

“I think Siwoo’s parents really hate me.”

“Well, can you blame them? Their kid cut ties with them after hearing your story. I can’t say it feels like someone else’s business. I almost lost my child forever because of my own mistakes too. It still haunts me.”

Yeonho gave a bitter smile.

“There’s something that’s been bothering me…”

“What is it?”

As the meal was wrapping up, Siwoo joined them. Seeing his face, Yeonho burst into laughter but quickly covered his mouth with the back of his hand.

Siwoo sat beside Yeonho and looked nervously between mother and son. Their attitude didn’t seem hostile, but Yeonho kept sneaking him suspicious glances.

In any case, that wasn’t why Siwoo had come. He wanted to talk about the threat from his parents.

It was possible Yeonho’s mother might turn against them because of it. But he couldn’t hide the truth out of fear. Above all else, Yeonho’s safety came first.

Siwoo turned to her and spoke calmly,

“I’m sure you’re worried, but if you trust me, I promise to protect your son. I won’t let anything happen to him.”

What if she told him to break up with Yeonho? He didn’t know what he’d say. He didn’t want to separate, not now, not ever. Even the thought exhausted him. All he could do was pray, please don’t push me away.

Under the table, Yeonho suddenly gripped his hand. His gaze remained fixed on the teacup above, unreadable.

As they sipped their tea, Yeonho’s mother dabbed her lips with a napkin. Siwoo waited to hear what she’d say next. But what she said surprised him.

“I kind of understand your parents. When you lose your child because of your own mistake, the regret is overwhelming. You want to turn back time. But admitting you were wrong? That’s the hardest part. Especially when you’re older. I’ll talk to them, adult to adult.”

“Ma’am…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell you to go back to your parents. You saved my son’s life. Twice.”