Chapter 141

EP.141 The Affair

Dr. Jennifer Cash was lying on the medical device table, rolling her eyes. She kept her hands on her stomach until the eighth treatment session. Despite her protests, it seemed she was in a lot of pain.

I confirmed on the monitor that her immunity had developed and most of the virus had been eliminated. “It’s over,” I said.

Dr. Cash then got off the table, slipped on her slippers, and approached me, dragging her feet slightly, perhaps feeling dizzy. “You should get checked too. I’ll monitor you…” She couldn’t even look me in the eye. Well, that was understandable. She had given in to desire and shared a passionate kiss with me.

I grinned and shook my head at her, who was glancing at me. “I’m fine.”

“Fine? You must have the virus in your body too…”

“Why?”

At my teasing question, she glared at me. I chuckled and continued, “You don’t actually believe that colds can be transmitted through kissing, do you?”

“That’s… not it, but you coughed during it… Just in case, you should get treated…”

“I’m really fine. If I feel sick, I’ll get treated.”

“Ah, okay…”

After answering, she fidgeted with her hands and fell silent. The atmosphere was incredibly awkward. The treatment room was so quiet you couldn’t even hear an ant pass by for a while.

Thinking it was enough, I called out to her. “Dr. Cash.”

“What…?”

“Shall we go out?”

“Yeah… let’s go.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Huh?”

Startled, she looked up. “What are you talking about…? Why are you asking that?”

“Why? You agreed when I suggested we go out. Do you want to eat something?”

“I thought you meant leaving the treatment room…”

Any normal person would have taken it that way. This was my playful way of teasing her.

“Let’s eat together.”

Her restless gaze turned firm. “No.”

It seemed she had decided not to be swayed. After passionately exploring my mouth, she reacted like this. Unlike Sehwa or Yuria, she had a certain charm in her resistance.

“Okay, sis.”

“What… what?”

Her eyes widened at the word “sis.” Her voice trembled as if she had heard something unimaginable. “Why?”

“You…”

I silently approached her and took her hand. When I interlocked our fingers, she tightened her grip in surprise. But she didn’t try to pull away like she did in the park. It was good to know how far we had progressed.

“If you don’t want to go eat, I’ll just stay like this.”

“Are you kidding? Are you threatening me now?”

“If it sounded like a threat, does that mean you’re uncomfortable with me?”

“That’s… not it… And don’t call me sis.”

“Why? Does it bother you?”

“It’s not that…”

“Then I’ll call you sis. Calling you Dr. Cash makes it seem like there’s no affection.”

At my playful words, her expression changed. She pulled her hand away and pointed to the lab door. “Go back now.”

“I…”

“Get out now!”

She shouted. I hadn’t made a mistake. Her heart was already open. She just needed time to sort out her thoughts, like yesterday in the park.

I stared at her for a moment, then suddenly hugged her. “Song Jihyuk! You…”

“Just 10 seconds like this, then I’ll go.”

“…Haah…”

She let out a shallow sigh, relaxed her body, and stood still. I stayed like that for about 10 seconds, kissed her neck, and then released the hug.

She looked at me with a bewildered expression. I gave her a weak smile and said, “I’ll go.”

Without hesitation, I turned my back and left the lab.

@@

When Dr. Cash returned home, she immediately opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of vodka. After taking a big swig, she placed the bottle on the table and slapped her cheek. “I’m going crazy…”

She had kissed a young man. A man who had a girlfriend. And even if the first kiss was forced by Jihyuk, the second one was undeniable. She had been swept away by the love in Jihyuk’s eyes and had eagerly responded.

The sweet kiss was something she hadn’t experienced in a long time, and it had made her lose her rationality. ‘Sweet? No…’

Jihyuk’s kiss was completely different from her husband’s. Her husband had prioritized her intentions and followed her lead. But Jihyuk had taken the lead, as if trying to assert dominance in their relationship. It was refreshing and enjoyable.

When he grabbed her butt, she almost lost her mind. It was the same when he licked the drool off her lips and wiped them after the first kiss. She was completely entranced.

It was an unfamiliar kiss. Yet, she felt a sweet sensation, which was absurd.

After the treatment, they had even interlocked fingers like lovers. She felt like she was being swayed by Jihyuk. Despite needing to push him away coldly, she couldn’t.

It was strange. It felt like she had inhaled some highly addictive drug.

And he called her “sis.”

There was almost a two-decade age gap, and he called her “sis.” When she heard that term in his sweet tone, she felt rejuvenated, as if a spring breeze was blowing through her mind.

Thinking that far, she suddenly screamed. “Aaah!”

She shook her head vigorously, trying not to remember the intimate moments with Jihyuk. But they came back vividly.

The feeling of Jihyuk’s tongue touching the edges of her teeth, tapping her gums, and greedily sucking on her tongue—all of it.

Her breathing became rough, and she drank more vodka.

Slamming the bottle down, she suddenly worried about Jihyuk. Was his cheek okay? She might have slapped him a bit too hard…

The weak smile he showed at the end also bothered her. She felt like she had been unnecessarily harsh to someone who genuinely liked her.

Regret washed over her.

‘Ed…’

Calling her husband in her mind, she went to the bathroom to wash her face. Then she went straight to her room and lay down.

What would her husband in heaven think, seeing her like this? He would probably be angry? He had sung about wanting her to be happy, but… she didn’t know.

Buzz-!

While lost in thought, her phone vibrated. She sat up and checked the message.

[Dr. Cash. Where are you?]

‘Dr. Cash?’

She tilted her head. He had clearly called her “sis” earlier, so why had he changed the term? Maybe because she had gotten angry? Probably.

She hadn’t been genuinely angry, though…

Feeling inexplicably sad, she tapped on the keypad.

[I’m home.]

It was a short, firm sentence that didn’t leave room for further conversation. She was clearly showing her mood.

Feeling a bit guilty, she was about to send another message. But Jihyuk’s reply came first.

[Glad you got home safely. Rest well.]

The message ended with a period. She let out a long sigh.

Her psyche was extremely unstable now. Even trivial things that she would have ignored before were bothering her.

She grabbed her head and ruffled her hair.

She wanted to continue the conversation but was worried about hurting Jihyuk. On the other hand, continuing made her feel guilty towards her husband…

Ten minutes passed in this indecision.

She roughly smoothed her disheveled hair and picked up her phone.

Eventually, she decided to reply to Jihyuk.

It would be easier if he ignored her message.

[Thank you.]

[Let’s go out tomorrow. I’ll come to the lab in the morning.]

The immediate reply. She wished he had just ignored it… She was going crazy.

At the same time, she felt relieved.

The fact that Jihyuk had said that meant he wasn’t angry with her.

Should she reply?

If she let it go, Jihyuk would become bolder over time.

When Polymers arrived, they would need to start making the device immediately. She couldn’t afford to get addicted and fall into this.

She had to stop it. She needed to keep her distance.

With that resolve, she sent a reply.

[Okay. Come by 11 AM.]

She knew it in her head, but her heart was leading her actions. She felt pathetic.

She caressed her husband’s portrait.

In her mind, she asked Edward if this was okay, but of course, there was no answer.

Still, seeing her husband’s face, her mental anchor, calmed her down.

‘I can’t do this.’

This isn’t right.

Just tell him to date Sehwa properly. That’s why she agreed to meet tomorrow.

With that mental victory, she carefully put down the portrait and buried her face in the pillow.

@@

The next morning.

Dr. Cash, wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves tucked into light-colored skinny jeans, arrived at the lab on time.

She was pacing around with her arms crossed when, not long after, the lab door opened, and Jihyuk entered, dressed dapperly.

Like her, he wore a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, slightly oversized, tucked into beige slacks.

Standing side by side, anyone would think they were a couple.

Could this be a coincidence…? she thought, looking at Jihyuk with a serious expression.

She was determined to say it. Let’s just stay good research partners.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, sis.”

At that, her expression changed.

From a serious look to one slightly lacking confidence.

She had something important to say, but seeing his bright smile and hearing him call her “sis,” her resolve melted, and a warm breeze blew through her heart.

“Why were you making such a scary face? I’m not late, am I?”

“Well…”

She chewed on her lower lip.

Then, Jihyuk approached her, slightly bending his knees to match her eye level.

Under his gaze filled with concern and affection, she lost all strength and looked down, eventually making a lame excuse.

“I was just… going to scold you if you were late… but you came on time…?”

“Really?”

“Yeah…”

“Hmm…”

Jihyuk stroked his chin with his index finger.

A suspicious expression. She quickly changed the subject.

“Where are we going today?”

“Haven’t decided yet. Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“Anywhere is fine… You decide.”

“Okay. And your makeup looks pretty.”

“…..”

She couldn’t handle it. Why was this happening?

She liked the fragrant shampoo scent from Jihyuk, his firm muscles, and his varied expressions.

Just a few days ago, she had seen him as just a cute assistant, a research partner. But this sudden change… it was driving her crazy.

After her husband’s death, many men had approached her.

She had found those who fawned over her pathetic.

But Jihyuk was different. He was special.

Perhaps his passion for future science and his slightly eccentric nature reminded her of her husband.

The desire to kiss him like yesterday surged. Her heart tightened.

“You look really pale. The treatment was completed yesterday… Should we just rest today?”

At Jihyuk’s concerned tone, she snapped out of it and shook her head.

“No. I’m fine…”

“Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

Jihyuk, tilting his head, went behind her and hugged her.

“Huh…!”

Startled, she tried to struggle.

But remembering the sad expression Jihyuk had shown yesterday, she unconsciously relaxed and placed her hand on his strong arm.

Jihyuk, completely pressed against her back, spoke in a low voice.

“I’m going crazy because of you, sis.”

“…..”

That was what she wanted to say.

She was going crazy because of Jihyuk. She couldn’t maintain her rationality.

Once the dam broke, all the loneliness she had accumulated seemed to explode.

Jihyuk suddenly pressed his face against her neck and took a deep breath.

“Huh…!”

She let out a short breath and shuddered.

Jihyuk whispered in her ear.

“Want to drink tonight?”

“Drink…?”

“Yeah. I want to drink with you, sis.”

“Ah…”

She was certain that if she went drinking with Jihyuk in this state, she would drink until she passed out.

She vaguely anticipated the consequences.

Something… something indecent would definitely happen.

She had to refuse. Being alone with Jihyuk in a closed space while intoxicated was dangerous.

Clenching her fist and trembling, she answered.

“Okay…”

She wanted to kill herself.

It was clear she should refuse, but a submissive answer came out.

Suppressing the urge to bang her head against the wall, she thought.

Well, it’s just drinking.

Jihyuk is kind and knows right from wrong. If she just refuses, nothing will happen.

But could she refuse if he made a move? With Jihyuk, who was shaking her so much?

Could she say no when she couldn’t even push him away?

Moreover, it had been over a decade since she last had sex.

She missed the sweet intimacy with her husband, where they confirmed each other’s feelings. But with Jihyuk, honestly…

‘Ah, no…! Get a grip!’

Closing her eyes tightly, she pushed Jihyuk’s arm away and said.

“Let’s go. It’s too hot here…”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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