Chapter 139

EP.139 Confession

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“Why is it so dizzy…?”

Dr. Jennifer Cash, who had returned home instead of the laboratory, clutched her head.

The sudden dizziness.

The cause must be the mental exhaustion from the plane.

The house she hadn’t been to in a while. After gulping down water from the fridge, she sat on the sofa for a moment, trying to stabilize her mental state.

After pressing her temples for a while, she picked up her phone and looked at the photo her grandfather had taken at the art museum.

Her, standing with her hands together, smiling brightly, and Jihyuk, laughing so hard his cheeks were about to burst, with his arm around her shoulder.

The way he looked at her with a big smile was so charming.

The mental exhaustion was caused by this photo.

She had been nervous that Jihyuk might ask her to send the photo.

Fortunately, Jihyuk seemed to have forgotten about it and didn’t say anything.

“Haah…”

Letting out a deep sigh, the doctor unconsciously stroked Jihyuk’s face in the photo with her thumb.

Looking at that happy smile, memories of her time with Edward came flooding back.

At the same time, she felt resentment toward Ed.

If only he hadn’t passed away so early… They would have been living happily by now.

They met 15 years ago, got married two years later, and had three years of passionate love.

She loved his eccentric, genius-like demeanor, his lively personality compared to her calm and collected self, and how he comforted her even when they struggled to have children due to infertility.

Every little thing Ed did was lovable.

And it still was.

Everything they did together was vividly etched in her memory.

Not a single thing was forgotten.

That’s why it was so hard. Lately, he kept coming to mind.

She got up and went into her room, sitting on the bed and picking up a small frame on the nightstand.

Her in a beautiful wedding dress.

And Edward Parsons, with his short brown hair, carrying her on his back with a mischievous smile.

“…. Sob!”

Looking at the photo of the happy couple, the doctor suddenly burst into tears.

Crying like a child at this age… It was silly, but she felt like crying today.

After sobbing silently for a while, she wiped her eyes with her palms and picked up her phone at the sound of a vibration.

[Did you get home safely? I just arrived. No one’s home.]

There was a message from Jihyuk.

Why did that sentence about no one being home feel so lonely?

Of course, it couldn’t compare to her situation, but Jihyuk also seemed to have something troubling him.

It was just a hunch, but it felt that way.

He hadn’t been talking much about Sehwa lately…

‘Should I suggest we have a drink?’

Today was really a tough day.

She desperately needed a drink.

But she hesitated, remembering the mistake she made when she drank with Jihyuk.

Holding the touchpad, the doctor agonized before sending this reply:

[Good job.]

[You too, Doctor. Want to work out tomorrow?]

Suddenly, working out? The doctor tilted her head.

[What kind of workout?]

[You’ve been sitting in the lab all the time lately. I haven’t been able to work out either, so my body feels stiff. Let’s do it together.]

Working out… Jihyuk was definitely in great shape.

When he came out of the shower naked in the lab last time, aside from the embarrassment, she was secretly impressed by his toned muscles.

Even with clothes on, his good physique was obvious.

‘I have been feeling stiff lately…’

She didn’t think long before replying.

[Alright. Let’s do that.]

[Then I’ll head to XA Residence by 10 AM tomorrow.]

About to ask how he knew the address, the doctor blushed, remembering the mistake from the drinking session.

[Got it.]

[Get some rest.]

She placed her phone on the wireless charger and lay down.

Lately, Jihyuk’s actions had been a bit more proactive.

Tying her hair at the hotel, his face in the photo, adding unnecessary comments…

She didn’t know why he was acting like this… Could it be that he likes her?

Thinking that far, she chuckled.

That’s ridiculous.

Jihyuk is handsome, smart, and has a bright future ahead.

A guy like that wouldn’t leave a perfect girlfriend like Sehwa for someone like her… a widow nearing her 40s.

He’s just being kind and sincerely trying to get closer to his mentor.

She also has no feelings for Jihyuk, so she shouldn’t have such strange thoughts.

Thinking that, she turned on the air conditioner and covered herself with a blanket.

Don’t think about anything, just sleep. She desperately needed sleep now.

As she closed her eyes in the quiet bedroom, she was startled by a voice in her head.

-No feelings at all? Really?-

A woman’s voice echoing in her mind.

The owner of that voice was herself.

It felt like the voice was trying to correct her recent thoughts.

The doctor frowned with her eyes closed.

Thinking about equipment development and Evil Energy Explorer maintenance, she organized her thoughts, and when the voice didn’t come back, she relaxed and let go of the tension in her eyes.

She didn’t know why she was having such strange thoughts.

She must be more tired than she thought.

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The next day, I arrived at the doctor’s house on time.

She was waiting at the front gate, wearing comfortable workout clothes.

A tight top and loose 7/10 training pants.

If only they were leggings… I’d have been able to admire the doctor’s plump buttocks. What a shame.

But her ample chest was on full display, so I was satisfied.

Beep-!

I honked the horn briefly, and the doctor flinched, then looked at my car.

She narrowed her eyes for a moment, and when I opened the passenger window, she quickly walked over and got in.

She immediately fastened her seatbelt.

The seatbelt cutting between her full chest caught my eye.

I handed her a bottle of water and asked with a smile.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I did. You?”

“Me… just so-so.”

“Just so-so?”

“My mind’s a bit restless…”

Trailing off, I started the car, and the doctor looked at me with half-closed eyes.

“Why are you restless? Did something happen with Sehwa?”

“Sehwa stayed out last night. And it’s not because of her.”

“Then?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

I acted like someone with deep worries.

After the incident at the art museum, the doctor’s thoughts about me had grown stronger.

If I acted ambiguously like this, the doctor would likely prepare a serious conversation.

And this expectation was spot on.

“Shall we talk after the workout? Let’s clear the burden in your heart. I think mental health is more important than physical health. A clear mind is essential for making devices without mistakes. Don’t you think?”

Saying that while her own mental state was unstable.

I’m fine with that.

“Hmm… That’s true. Alright.”

“Good. But are we going to the gym now?”

“No. We’re heading to Han River.”

“Han River…? Why there?”

“Since you haven’t worked out in a long time, I thought we should ease into it. Besides, watching a screen at the gym is boring. It’s better to enjoy the workout first.”

“Really…? If you say so… Alright.”

At Han River, we rented bicycles.

After getting knee and elbow pads and a helmet, I approached the doctor, who was looking around the bike, and asked.

“You know how to ride a bike, right?”

“Are you kidding…? Of course.”

“You looked curious…”

“It’s just been a while.”

Nodding, I went behind the doctor and tried to put on her elbow pads.

She sighed and scolded me.

“I told you to ask first.”

“Ah, I forgot.”

“Give it here. I’ll do it.”

“I want to help you.”

“Haah… Why?”

“You’ll probably do it clumsily. You might even wear the helmet backward.”

At my teasing, the doctor smiled awkwardly.

Then she nodded slightly.

With her permission, I helped her put on the pads and said.

“Look here.”

The doctor turned to look at me.

Her slightly lowered eyes showed how awkward this situation was.

After putting the helmet on her, I adjusted the strap near her chin.

Then I shook the helmet slightly.

“Looks good. Shall we go?”

“Yeah. I’m oddly nervous…”

Chuckling, I corrected the doctor’s posture on the saddle, and while she was fidgeting, I started first.

Then she shouted.

“Hey! Let’s go together! Wait!”

Hearing her urgent voice, I was convinced.

It’s time to move to the next stage.

**

The doctor was surprisingly good at riding a bike.

I had hoped for a romantic scene where I’d catch her if she fell, but it was a bit disappointing.

After two hours of cycling, we took a break at the Han River Bridge.

I got water from a vending machine and handed it to the doctor.

Sitting on the bench, she smiled and thanked me.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Don’t gulp it down, drink slowly.”

“Even water?”

“Anything is good if done regularly.”

Nodding, the doctor took off her helmet and placed it beside her.

Following my advice, she drank the water slowly, then closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze.

Her slightly sweaty blonde hair made me want to kiss her.

“You’re surprisingly athletic.”

At that, the doctor opened her eyes and looked at me.

She smiled and said.

“I may not look it, but I’m confident in my stamina.”

Even in bed? The words lingered in my mouth before sinking back into my throat.

Barely holding back my desires, I reached out to the doctor, who was drinking water, and brushed away a few strands of hair stuck to her cheek.

“Pfft!”

The doctor’s eyes widened at my action, and she spat out the water she was drinking.

She turned her head to the side before spitting, so the water didn’t hit me.

What a shame. It could’ve been a reward.

Some water must have gone down her windpipe, as she coughed and glared at me.

“Hey…! Are you crazy?”

I smirked and shrugged.

“Why?”

“Why do you keep doing this? That’s a bad habit. You know?”

“It’s not a habit. I just felt like it…”

“…..”

The doctor made a troubled face.

After a while, she reluctantly spoke.

“Haah… Don’t do this in front of Sehwa. Got it?”

“If Sehwa’s not around, can I keep doing it?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’d like you to hold back a bit. This kind of behavior is easy to misunderstand.”

“I don’t mind if they misunderstand.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

The doctor’s words trailed off.

Why? Does it bother you?

After swallowing hard, the doctor spoke again.

“No… Do you want to tell me why you were restless?”

“I don’t feel like saying it anymore.”

“…. Are you out of your mind? Are you upset because of what I just said? Or is it the atmosphere? Should we talk somewhere quiet?”

“No. I think you’ll get mad if I say it.”

The doctor tilted her head in confusion.

“You think I’ll get mad?”

“Yes.”

“I asked you to say it first. Why would I get mad?”

“Promise you won’t get mad, and I’ll tell you.”

“Are you badmouthing me behind my back? Are you confessing to spreading rumors?”

“Don’t joke around.”

My face turned serious.

The doctor flinched and nodded.

“I promise.”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay. I won’t get mad.”

I stared deeply into the doctor’s blue eyes.

As her gaze started to shift, I spoke calmly.

“The reason I’m restless is… because of you.”

“…. Me?”

“Yes. You.”

“Why…?”

The doctor’s voice grew softer.

She seemed to have an idea of what I meant.

Well, if she didn’t notice with the way I was looking at her, she’d be a fool.

“Do you remember the day we drank together?”

“Yes… I remember.”

“It started then.”

“…..”

This was direct enough.

Anyone would recognize it as a confession.

Pretending to be nervous, I moistened my lips and continued.

“I know this is wrong, but it’s hard to fix my feelings.”

“…..”

“Do you think this is wrong?”

“…..”

“If you’re uncomfortable with me acting like this, tell me now. Then… I won’t do anything you dislike in the future.”

The doctor didn’t answer immediately.

She lowered her head, staring at the ground, fidgeting with her feet and staining her white sneakers with dirt.

She must be processing everything I’ve said and done.

I waited silently.

She needed time to sort out her feelings.

If I waited patiently, the loneliness she had been suppressing would surface.

That loneliness would clear a space in her heart, making room for my statue next to Edward Parsons’.

After nearly 20 minutes of staring at the ground, her head slowly, very slowly, lifted.

“I…”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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