wttcs 52
Chapter 52
The room was filled with breezy air as Chae Gyung slowly opened her eyes. His face was the first thing she saw, and it made her smile. She stared at her husband who was still in deep slumber and waited for him to open his eyes. I want this for the rest of my life. The thought of waking up every morning to this beautiful sight made her smile even more.
She had slept by his side the whole night, on the floor.
The ticking sound of the wall clock reminded her of the time. It quickly prompted her to stand up and went to the kitchen to prepare him breakfast.
Later on
Chae Gyung stood by the lakeside when Shin came out looking for her. He walked up to her and greeted, “You woke up early.”
She turned around, this time her eyes has a different glow. “Yes. The sunrise is as beautiful as the sunset. I didn’t want to miss it.”
“Thank you for serving dinner last night and breakfast this morning.”
She nodded.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes. I did.” She kept her smile. “Look. There are flocks of birds flying this way.” Chae Gyung pointed at the corner of the sky.
Shin looked at the direction and answered, “They always do at this time of the year.”
Her eyes followed the trail as she spoke. “They remind me of the pet I once had. I used to play with Cunto over my grandma’s house in her native hometown. We would bring our slingshot and made those poor birds our target. One day, I hit a dove, and it fell on the ground. Its wing was badly wounded by the shot, and we immediately brought it back home. I nursed and fed it well, until it got better and stronger. I kept it in the birdcage for several weeks, and then one day grandma told me I should set it free for it belonged to the wild. I went up on a hill and set it free. The dove flapped its wings and started to fly out in circles. Eventually it soared higher and flew away, until I could no longer see it. When I was about to walk back to the house, something flew over my head and landed on my shoulder. It was the same dove, it came back to me. It didn’t want to go away. I took it off my shoulder and tried letting it fly again, but it still came back. I knew then, it didn’t want to leave. And so it became my pet, until it died several years later.”
Shin appeared amused. “And I thought you have told me all of your childhood stories.”
“It was one of my early memories. I think I was only eight.” Chae Gyung smiled.
He moved a few steps away and turned around. “I’m leaving in an hour.”
Her smile vanished in an instance.
“Let’s talk about it now.”
“About what?”
“About us. Going our separate ways.”
She moved closer. “Why are you pushing me away?”
“It’s bound to happen, sooner or later.”
“And you’re going to give up, just like that.”
“We need to get on with our lives.”
“I’m not ready.”
“I don’t have much time. We need to settle this. I’m leaving and I might not be back in a long time.”
“If that’s what you want.”
She walked over to the red scooter, took out an envelope and went back to where he was standing.
“Here are your properties. Your lawyer gave the documents to me. I’m not taking any of it.” Chae Gyung shoved the envelope to his chest.
“You have to, for your future.”
“I don’t need it.” she gazed into his eyes.
“It’s yours. I have nothing else to give you.” he stared right back at her.
“I don’t need you to give me anything.”
“I will still be here to help even if we’re apart.”
“Stop it. I don’t need your money.” Tears came running down from the corners of her eyes.
“I have prepared everything for you and your family.”
“You don’t need to do this for us.”
“I want to do it, for my peace of mind.”
“I know. You have done so much for me. I know everything. Your sister has told me. You had sacrificed too much for me. And now you want to just walk away from it all. But I’m staying. I’m not giving you a divorce.”
“I’m doing what’s right for you. You’re not indebted to me.” he took out the divorce papers from the envelope and handed it back to her.
“Sign it.”
Her eyes were piercing into his soul. “I don’t want to.” She calmly refused.
He brought his eyes low to the ground. “How much more do you want?”
“You really think I’m only after your money?”
“How much more?”
“You’re hurting me.”
“How much?”
She grabbed the papers and scribbled on it in tears. As soon as she finished, she folded it and gave it back to him. “Good bye.”
.Chae Gyung ran to the scooter and put on her helmet as she started the engine and sped away.
His eyes followed her until all her traces were gone. As he turned around to walk back to the lake house, he unfolded the papers and read the words. Finally, Shin was set free in the midst of a deluge of tears.