When The Phone Rings

Chapter 55

― “Is that all you have to say to me, 406?”

“What?”

― “It’s not like you have many opportunities to talk to me, and that’s all you want to say?”
“Even now, in this situation, you’re pulling this kind of nonsense?”

Heeju’s face twisted in disgust.

― “For me, this call is more important than anything else. It’s the only time I can hear your words, your thoughts, and your unfiltered opinions.”
“…..”
― “I will definitely find 406.”
“You’re truly despicable…”

Heeju could no longer bear to continue the call.

406 this.. 406 that.. 406! 406!!

She had built this bridge of communication herself, but as always, she could never reach the other side.

The pain of that awareness, that complex, was unbearable. The shattered reservoir she thought she had demolished was being rebuilt by her own desperate hands.

What if she clung to him and failed, just like her father? What if, after discovering the truth, he turned away? What if, even after breaking down the final wall, she was rejected?

That would truly destroy her.

And what happens to a broken person? How do they stand again? Her father, aimlessly wandering through life, was the only answer she had in her world.

Heeju couldn’t muster the courage to take off the voice modulation yet.

Last Call.mp3

 

***

 

Rrrr! Rrrr!

The sharp sound of the ringtone cut through like shattered glass.

Heeju, who had dozed off, opened her eyes to find her mother’s number flashing furiously on the screen.

Her eyes and throat were swollen, a testament to the night she had spent crying herself to sleep. The bed beside her remained untouched, the duvet smooth and unwrinkled, offering no trace of Sa-eon’s presence.

As soon as he picked up the phone, her mother shouted-

― “What the hell is going on…!”

It was practically a scream.

― “What did you do to cause an article like this to come out!”

The shrill voice pounded in her ears, more agitated than usual.

― “And In-ah, what on earth was she thinking, joining a rival company and pulling something like this? Is she trying to drag us all down with her? It’s chaos here! Representative Hong is calling in a frenzy! Where’s that disrespectful girl Hong In-ah? I’m going to wring her neck myself!!”

Sleep fled Heeju’s eyes in an instant.

― “While Baek is doing this, where were you, what were you doing? Sitting around at home, doing absolutely nothing, that’s why things like this happen!”

A grim premonition flashed through Heeju’s mind.

Switching to speakerphone, she opened her internet app. The top-ranked articles flooded the screen.

― “I should’ve known something was off. Baek Sa-eon isn’t the type to suddenly care about someone like this. It felt strange, and now look what have you done!”

Her hands were shaking.

Heeju pressed the top one among the articles with provocative titles.

[Exclusive] The duplicity of the trusted Blue House spokesperson: Scandalous Audio Revealed!
Hong In-ah, reporter, Myeongji Daily.

Suspicions of an affair between spokesman Baek Sa-eon and a woman have surfaced. The recording file, which was obtained exclusively from a confidential source, shows the Blue House spokesperson making inappropriate and obscene phone calls.

“I haven’t done it with my wife,” and “Have you ever done it alone?” he said to the alleged mistress. Adding to the shock is the fact that the spokesperson, Baek Sa-eon, is reportedly married.

Spokesperson Baek Sa-eon said he would hold a public press conference at a special documentary screening on the late assemblyman Baek Jang-ho scheduled for this afternoon.

“…..”

Heeju stared blankly at her phone screen.

『Presidential Spokesman’s Shocking Affair Allegations!』
『Baek Sa-eon Engulfed in Scandal over Lewd Audio!』
『I Want to XX’ – Startling Recording Rocks Nation!』
『Betrayal of the Perfect Man: Baek Sa-eon’s Fall from Grace.』
『Beloved Elite Exposed: Verbal Abuse and Death Threats in Audio Recording!』
『Explicit Phone Calls: Presidential Spokesman in Crisis!』

Her mother’s furious voice continued to rant, but Heeju ended the call abruptly.

A throbbing headache took hold.

“Ugh…”

Her heart raced as the allegations dominated the headlines of every major portal site.

Is this really what I…… wanted? To bring down a man who was loved and trusted by the entire nation?

…No, this wasn’t it. I just wanted to use his weakness as leverage to get a divorce, not to throw him into the gutter.

‘I have to… meet sister first…!’

There’s no mistress. That’s me on the other side.

Mustering all her strength, Heeju forced herself to stand. As she stepped out to change her clothes, she found Baek Sa-eon standing alone in her room.

“……!”

He had one hand shoved in his trouser pocket, his jacket draped over his forearm. Heeju’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of his back.

The man slowly turned his head, his eyes scanning the room. It was a meaningless gesture, but there was a strange longing in his eyes that seemed to be etched in stone.

When did he come in? Sensing her presence, he turned fully to face her.

“…….”
“…….”

They stared at each other intently for a long moment.

Heeju couldn’t read what he was thinking.

“Did you see the news?”

He didn’t take a single step toward her. The sharp distance between them remained, his low, indifferent voice the only thing bridging the gap.

“I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
“……!”

His eyebrow arched in a cynical flourish, a silent dismissal of her feelings.

So, it’s come to this… Heeju’s brow furrowed in pained disbelief.

“Don’t worry about the reports. I’ll hold a press conference today, and things will quiet down.”

Would he cover it up with another celebrity scandal? And I’ll keep living like this while he keeps searching for 406? What was the meaning of all those kisses, all that intimacy? Were they just mistakes made in the heat of uncertain emotions?

‘I thought there was room for me, a space I could occupy…’

The bitterness rising in her throat was too much to bear. Heeju grabbed a tissue box and hurled it at him.

Thud—! The box hit his chest and fell to the ground.

Yet Baek Sa-eon didn’t so much as blink. He simply stared at her, and she stared right back, her gaze growing fiercer.

‘I have to speak up. I have to say something so that I don’t regret it later!’

Recalling her father, whose lungs and voice had rotted away, Heeju opened her mouth.

“…Con…”

Last time he said we should talk. Heeju’s eyes reddened.

“Con…versation…”

But seeing the man before her, her tongue felt paralyzed. Now that she thought about it, she had never once spoken to Baek Sa-eon while looking him in the face since their first meeting as children.

The realization sent a wave of tension crashing over her. It was infuriating.

Clenching her icy hands into fists, Heeju bit down on her tongue. If I don’t speak now, I’ll be no different from my father. So just spit it out…!

Just as she was about to bite her rebellious tongue harder, something entered her mouth.
His finger was deliberately pushing between her teeth.

“Are you insane? Don’t bite it.”
“……!”

His growl was low and fierce. Baek Sa-eon furrowed his brow for a moment before his expression smoothed back into neutrality.

A weary sigh escaped him as he closed his eyes, the veins on his temple bulging with the tension.

“Enough. Don’t strain yourself. Don’t say anything.”
“…….”
“There’s no need to force it.”

He withdrew his hand and straightened his posture.

“Don’t skip meals. Be wary of anyone who approaches you. Register an emergency contact, no matter where you go— domestic or abroad. Live wherever you want, however you want.”
“……!”

Heeju frowned, unable to make sense of his words.

“Check your account. You don’t have to force a smile for Chairman Hong anymore. You don’t have to take care of father-in-law for your mother-in-law’s sake. And never let anyone, not even family, know about your money. You don’t owe Hong In-ah any explanations, either.”
“…….”
“Always think about what’s best for you.”
“…….”
“And when you turn thirty, buy yourself a pretty bag and shoes.”

His deep gaze seemed to hypnotize her as he continued.

“When you’re forty, adopt a dog if you feel like it.”
“…….”
“When you’re fifty…”

Heeju grabbed his sleeve, halting him. Though momentarily surprised, he resumed speaking as if nothing had happened.

“When you’re fifty, start singing a little. You might not know, but you’re a good singer.”

A strange compulsion held her tongue. She felt compelled to absorb every word, even as a painful knot tightened in her throat.

“And when you’re sixty, don’t let yourself get depressed. Leave behind a portrait.”
“…….”
“When you’re seventy, always eat meals with someone.”
“…….”
“When you’re eighty, take care not to get sick.”
“…….”
“And when you’re ninety…”

He paused and gently placed his hand over her eyes, just like when they were children. With her vision blocked, his low voice sank deeply into Heeju’s ears.

“Live your life freely. And then, perhaps, think of me a little.”

He removed his hand.

Heeju trembled as she watched him turn and walk away. Sa-eon’s face remained cold to the end. His footsteps echoed through the living room before stopping as the front door shut quietly.

Heeju remained frozen in place, unable to grasp that this was Sa-eon’s way of saying goodbye.

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TL/N: This chapter made me tear up