When The Phone Rings

Special Side Story 04

“Miss Heeju, there are 5 minutes left before the interview starts!”

Heeju rose from her seat, her movements slow and listless.

‘A rough patch…’

She believed those past issues were irrelevant now. After navigating countless miscommunications, they had finally found their way to each other. Every day together was precious because of the journey they had undertaken.

‘Just a few days ago, I was sure of our relationship, without the slightest doubt. But now… You’re pushing it Baek Sa-eon.’

Trying to suppress her feelings of sadness, Heeju looked at her phone. A message awaited her, but…

---

Awesome Husband♥
Love, I’m sorry.
I’ll explain later, I promise. If I tell you now, you won’t believe me.
I’ll contact you after sorting this out.

---

Heeju impulsively left the message on read without replying.

‘What does he think I’m going to question? That we’re facing a crisis? That his feelings aren’t what they used to be?’

“……”

She found herself consumed by anger, unable to respond.

Were his explanations genuine, or just excuses? Doubts crept into her mind. If he could text, why not call? Now, he seems hesitant to even speak with her.

A chilling fear gripped Heeju. If that man, already so emotionally distant, decided to withdraw his affection, she dreaded witnessing the slow, agonizing erosion of their love.

‘That would be too painful for me to bear…’

The hand holding the script fell limply.

“Wow! This is going to be awkward. Was the interpreter assigned today, Hong Heeju?”

At that moment, a harsh voice was heard next to her. An older politician, dressed in a stylish suit, had approached without her noticing. He was the leader of the ruling party to which Baek Sa-eon belonged. Heeju was startled.

The politician’s assistants were moving frantically, adjusting his clothes or patting his face with a puff. Through a small hand mirror, the leader glanced at Heeju and gave her a mocking smile.

“Miss interpreter. Have you managed to calm your husband?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I mean, our reliable assemblyman Baek Sa-eon sure caused a scandal, didn’t he?”
“……”
“Is he like this by nature? Does he also speak to his family with such contempt?”
“H- He isn’t like that.”

Heeju quickly shook her head in denial.

“After all, you can’t hide your true personality forever. I mean, look at what he has done.”

The politician smiled broadly, making his facial wrinkles even more pronounced.

“But, will you be alright? The script has been revised.”
“W- What do you mean?”

As Heeju blinked in confusion, the party leader handed her a new script.

She realized she had cut her fingertip on the freshly printed paper. The edges were surprisingly sharp, like a razor blade. She quickly pressed her finger to stop the piercing sensation, but the politician’s assistant continued coldly-

“The content of the press conference has changed. How much time do you need to familiarize yourself with it?”
“…….”

As soon as her eyes landed on the title, written in large letters, Heeju froze.

[ Resolution to Condemn Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon. ]

She held the script rigidly, when a mocking voice resounded through the air.

“Hmm… I’m a bit worried. Even though you’re merely translating my words, I’m about to reveal all the flaws of Baek Sa-eon. I doubt the same fingers that caress his cr*tch can expose him ‘properly’…”

 

***

 

< Declaration of condemnation against Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon for betraying the Party’s Trust>

Following the aged voice of the politician, Heeju’s hands began to move.

“Dear citizens, our party expresses its deepest regret and indignation over the recent unfortunate words and actions of Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon.”

Click! Click!

The shutters of cameras echoed in front of her.

She ached to remain firm, but the tension was pressing her down. Despite her personal feelings, she had a job to do. It was crucial to separate her personal life from her professional responsibilities.

Click! Click!

The flashing cameras were ruthless.

“The reckless actions of Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon which have betrayed the decorum expected of a representative of the people, are absolutely unacceptable.”

She just interpreted his words like a lifeless doll. Heeju understood that sometimes, it was crucial to maintain a professional facade, even if it meant a degree of deception.

“We promise to demand strict accountability from Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon who has deceived both the president and the people with his two-faced behavior. We will immediately initiate disciplinary procedures within the party, including considering his removal from office as one of the harshest sanctions.”

With her teeth clenched, Heeju meticulously interpreted the party leader’s speech, carefully conveying the nuances of his expressions. However, little by little, turmoil began to grow inside her and a barely perceptible crack appeared on her face.

“Furthermore, we will investigate and fully expose the rumors of unethical and immoral behavior, such as infidelity, extramarital affairs, and indecent recordings. We pledge to dedicate all our efforts to renewing the party to regain the trust of the people.”

Standing next to the party leader delivering his impassioned speech, Heeju’s face began to burn with embarrassment. She couldn’t even imagine how she was being captured by the cameras. She bit her lips counting when this torturous task would end.

“We also want the public to know that Assemblyman Baek Sa-eon’s wife joins this declaration to condemn him.”

‘What?!’

The hands that had been moving fluidly stopped abruptly.

Me? That… wasn’t in the script. This wasn’t something she had consented to!!

Her arms fell to her sides, lifeless as a puppet with its strings cut. Heeju couldn’t afford to interpret those words.

“…….”

Click! Click!

The explosion of camera shutters grew more intense in response to her unexpected reaction.

Heeju clasped her hands together and remained still, making it clear she had decided to abandon the interpretation. Her act of defiance sparked a rising murmur in the room.

She hadn’t meant to cry, but a single tear, born of sheer rage, traced a path down her cheek.

‘Infidelity, extramarital affairs… the cause behind those rumors was me.’

The noisy flashes persisted, etching themselves into her vision like an unending echo. Heeju finally closed her eyes completely.

 

***

 

A comment, uttered at some point by a shaman dressed in a hanbok, briefly crossed Baek Sa-eon’s mind.

The secret ceremony to commemorate the intangible cultural heritage of shamans was nothing more than an excuse for politicians who were secretly involved with them to gather.

He recognized the shaman from his time as a Blue House spokesperson and regarded her with a look of utter disdain. The woman, with her traditional hairstyle and a hairpin, looked directly at him with cold eyes and began to scold him.

“Why do you insist on going against the natural order? What good does it do to hide this from your wife? No matter how much you twist and turn, nothing will change. The dark water is already within you. Do you think you can escape this great storm?”
“…!”
“Water, though it can bring death, is also life… Tsk..tsk… You need to breathe out and let the positivity reach you.”
“…”
“Tsk! How unfortunate! They seem to be causing you considerable distress.”

Baek Sa-eon showed no expression, but inside, he was instantly shaken.

‘What’s with this damned old woman? How did she know he was hiding something from Heeju?’
Sa-eon fought with all his might to suppress his sneer.

As the shaman clicked her tongue and turned away, Assistant Yoon reached out toward her at that moment. But Baek Sa-eon was quicker and stopped him.

“What are you doing?”
“That… it seems like she knows something. Shouldn’t we ask her more?”
“And what if she asks us to perform a ritual? Are you going to pay for it yourself?”
“You’re the one who said you would do whatever it takes to resolve this quickly, sir.”
“And do you think a politician should believe in such rituals?”

Baek Sa-eon questioned in disbelief, prompting Assistant Yoon to lean in and whisper discreetly, “Sir, you know how it is in this field… Famous shamans count many politicians as their top clients…”
“Stop talking nonsense and go do your job.”

With a look, he motioned him away. At that moment, Assemblyman Kwak, who had always criticized Baek Sa-eon on social media, approached.

“Oh my! What brings Baek Sa-eon here?”

With his shrill laugh, all eyes turned toward him. Baek Sa-eon clenched his lips tightly. Nothing good can come out of a public confrontation.

Sa-eon wanted to leave, wishing he hadn’t been singled out.