Dummy

Chang Wook was lying down on a reclined chair, in his parent's backyard, under a tree. There was a nice breeze and no one to bother him. Sure, it was a good change of pace from everyday work, a calming environment. The only difference was that Ha Eun wasn't there to enjoy it with him.

He looked farther down and saw Eun Ha playing with some dolls his mother had bought her. Do Mi has been buying Eun Ha so many things, like clothes and toys, she's treating her like she's her granddaughter.

Eun Ha has been smiling more frequently, which made Chang Wook smile. He wondered how Ha Eun would react to seeing this new happier version of the little girl they met long ago at a police station.

It's been a few months since he'd last seen his wife. He constantly thinks of her, and every time the mail comes, he wonders if today is the day he'll receive divorce papers. At first, he thought Ha Eun was up to something, but now he thinks it was just wishful thinking, and she has given up on him. He knew their marriage was supposed to be for appearances, but he did come to love her and want a future with her. He knew she felt the same way, but her feelings changed, and he didn't think her feelings would change so quickly.

Maybe due to Eun Ha's kidnapping, Ha Eun thought that he was a failure and that being with him would bring her nothing but trouble. He knows she's the type of person to cut ties with another without a second thought and with no remorse, but he would have liked to have seen her one last time, seeing as he got shot.

Eun Ha was suddenly standing next to him, wiping a tear from his cheek. He jumped in his chair, startled, while Eun Ha looked at him with a frustrated expression.

"Ahjussi, you are so depressing," she said. Chang Wook looked at her, shocked. She hadn't talked in months but suddenly started talking as if nothing had happened. Not to mention, she's talking so crudely to him too.

"I've kept quiet for months because unnie told me to, but I can't stand another second of watching you wallow in your own self-pity. I honestly cannot see what unnie likes about you so much" Chang Wook didn't know what to say, "Unnie said she'll come get us once the bad man is gone."

Chang Wook didn't answer her. He just stared. She waved her hand at him, "Hello! Is anybody there?"

"You were faking PTSD the whole time?!"

"Really? That's what you got from everything I just said?"

"Come here!" Chang Wook pulled Eun Ha into a big hug. She was surprised by this; when she lived alone with her mom, she wouldn't get any hugs or kisses. Now, she's getting them on a daily basis. She won't deny that at times she missed her mom and would wish she'd come back for her but recently, she's become grateful towards her mother for if she hadn't left her, Eun Ha wouldn't have gotten the chance to meet all these wonderful people that have shown her true acceptance and compassion.

You can't choose your family, but if Eun Ha could, she'd choose Ha Eun and Chang Wook.

She wrapped her arms around Chang Wook and whispered, "Dummy."

......

Two weeks later

Ha Eun had spent the day nervously playing with her fingers. After work, she was going to walk into Mr. Oh's house. The house she spent most of her childhood in. It's been a long since she last walked into that house on her own two feet. The last time was with Chang Wook after they got married. This time, she's going in alone.

She worried that once she stepped foot in that house, she'd be bombarded with insults by her stepmother and stepsister. It wasn't anything new; Chang Wook even saw it, but just because it was a daily routine for her didn't mean she was used to it. At first, she wanted to get along with them, but they proved it impossible. Because of them, she ended up pushing everyone in that household away, only ever talking to them when it was absolutely necessary.

If it weren't for Chang Wook, she would have stayed far away from them; only seeing their faces during public events, where it was expected for all of them to be together.

"Geez. I've spent so much time with Chang Wook that his frail emotions have rubbed off on me" Ha Eun sighed as she wondered what he must be doing right now. She's been getting weekly reports on his health, and he's started smiling more often. At first, he wouldn't stop spacing out and tearing up. He's been going on walks with Eun Ha, and his parents don't seem to hate her as much anymore.

Chang Wook's smiling face made Ha Eun both happy and sad. Smiling meant that he was okay, and that was good, but it also meant that he was okay without her. Well, it was always a given that she needed him more than he needed her.

There was a knock on her office door, and Jin Hyeok came in to tell her the car was waiting for her. On the drive to the house, she wondered if it was better for Chang Wook to divorce her. His life would be far simpler without her. Although he's gotten her to open up her heart a little, in return, all she's done for him is turn his life into a living hell.

"Your husband is patiently waiting for you," Jin Hyeok said. Ha Eun widened her eyes in shock. Was she being that obvious? She tends to hide her emotions quite well.

"You do tend to keep your emotions in check, but when it comes to Mister Chang Wook, you tend to sigh a lot and have a slightly saddened expression."

"You're really good at observing people, aren't you?" Ha Eun said with a smile.

"Thank you, Madame," he said, but Ha Eun didn't mean that as a compliment.

Once the car stopped, Ha Eun knew it was time to walk into the tiger's den, "I'll wait for you in the car," Jin Hyeok said. Ha Eun stared at him blankly. He knew what might happen, so he decided not to be part of it.

"Smart bastard," Ha Eun said to him with a smile.

"Thank you, Madame," he said, and once again, Ha Eun didn't mean that as a compliment.