Chapter 6 - Official Occasions
Muyeol gazed at his mother with a newfound curiosity. This time, his interest was palpable, unlike their previous encounters where he'd simply listen to her words. Madam Kang was different from Yiyoung; her demeanor was not one of constant, unfounded cheerfulness, but instead, it appeared to be genuine happiness.
What could have possibly brought such a radiant expression to her face? I've never seen her like this before. What's the reason behind her incessant smile? Muyeol pondered.
Madam Kang eventually caught onto Muyeol's unblinking gaze and gently touched her own face. She questioned, "Why are you staring at me?"
Muyeol, not one to beat around the bush, replied, "Why are you so happy today?"
"Huh?"
"I've never seen you wear such a joyful expression."
"Oh, that's because..." Madam Kang appeared somewhat hesitant to speak, her mouth opening and closing as if she couldn't find the right words. "Um... you see..."
Muyeol patiently awaited her response, but she kept hesitating. Finally, he offered, "You don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable. I'm just glad to see you so happy."
As if his words were a cue, she decided to share her news. With a smile that seemed to have been waiting for this moment, Madam Kang said, "Muyeol, listen."
"Yeah?"
"You're going to have a younger sibling!"
Muyeol's brow furrowed in disbelief. "What? A sibling? Are you thinking of reconciling with Mr. Cha...?"
"Don't even mention his name," she snapped, causing Muyeol to fall silent. She continued, "We're planning a small wedding ceremony with only close family members. It's what both he and I want. So if you don't receive an invitation, please understand."
Muyeol, her own son, wouldn't be invited to his mother's wedding. A sense of emptiness began to engulf him, and it felt like he was suffocating. But the worst was yet to come.
"Are you really pregnant?" Muyeol croaked.
"Yes, I am! That's why I was running late. I just came back from my appointment." Madam Kang retrieved a sonogram from her bag and showed it to Muyeol. "This is your sibling, Muyeol."
Now, Muyeol not only had an older half-sibling but a younger one on the way as well. He stared blankly at the sonogram, a blurry image showing a tiny, bean-sized figure. It was difficult to accept. Madam Kang's face radiated with happiness, something she had never exhibited with him. Tears welled up in Muyeol's eyes, and his heart ached. The void inside him grew so immense that he felt utterly empty.
The food arrived, but Muyeol couldn't taste a thing. Madam Kang, on the other hand, relished every bite, enthusiastically discussing her upcoming wedding and baby. She delved into the details of the ceremony's location, their new house, and even potential names for the baby. Her excitement for her new life seemed boundless, in stark contrast to Muyeol's inner turmoil.
As dessert was served, Madam Kang's incessant chatter finally ceased, allowing Muyeol to seize the moment. He cleared his throat and addressed her, "Mom."
Her response came as a gentle hum, "Yes?"
"Is there anything you want to know about me? Are you curious about anything at all?"
Her curiosity piqued, she inquired, "Why? Did something happen?"
Muyeol shook his head. "No."
"Then why are you asking?" she inquired further.
Back in the day, she used to inquire about his school life, even if it was more of a formality than genuine curiosity. She would follow up with a lengthy speech about how he should avoid becoming like his father. However, today was different—there were no questions for him. Her entire attention was monopolized by the impending arrival of the baby.
"Isn't the baby precious?" she redirected the conversation back to herself.
Muyeol didn't respond. To him, such a tiny bean couldn't possibly be considered precious.
"I hope it's a girl!" she exclaimed.
"Will you receive more money if it's a girl?" Muyeol inquired calmly.
"What?" she asked, taken aback.
"How much are they going to give you this time?"
"What are you talking about?" Madam Kang was clearly bewildered.
Muyeol lifted his head and locked eyes with his mother. "You were given a portion of the company's stock because you had me. So how much will they compensate you for this baby?"
"Muyeol!"
"Why? Is the father not well-off?"
"How can you say—" Madam Kang began to protest.
"Your life would be unfortunate if you married a poor man," Muyeol retorted.
"Mom is pregnant! You should focus on positive thoughts and use kind words. How can you say such things?" Madam Kang whimpered.
Muyeol was fully aware that his mother had exchanged her love for money, and there was no way he could ignore it. He felt a mixture of anger, emptiness, and pain. Yet, he masked these feelings with sarcasm, looking down on Madam Kang and carefully controlling his expression.
"Why are you being so cruel? Look at it in a positive light! You truly are your father's son. I was just sharing the good news..." Madam Kang spat out in anger.
"I never asked for another sibling. Don't speak as if it's something I desired," Muyeol replied coldly.
"Cha Muyeol!"
Muyeol unleashed a barrage of questions, his hands clenched tightly under the table, "How did you feel when you gave birth to me? Were you pleased? Sad? In despair? What exactly did you feel?"
Madam Kang began to protest, "How can you—"
But Muyeol pressed on, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and longing, "Earning those shares must have brought you happiness, but I bet you weren't truly... thrilled. When you entered the room and wore that sunny smile, I thought it was for me. Because you appeared so radiant and full of light..."
His words abruptly halted; Muyeol could sense the tears welling up within him.
"Muyeol, I'm sorry. But Mom is a woman. Can't you just give me your blessing? Can't I be happy?" Madam Kang implored.
"So, you need my blessing?"
"Yes, I do."
Muyeol swallowed hard, attempting to regain his composure enough to meet Madam Kang's gaze. "Alright. My blessing for you is this: Let's not see each other again."
"Muyeol..."
"Next time we meet, it won't be like this. We'll only meet on official occasions."
"Muyeol, you're young, and that's why you're acting this way. Can't you understand—"
"I said, official occasions only."
"No, you can't. You can't do that. You're just angry right now..." Madam Kang shook her head.
"Why not? I'm my father's son, aren't I? Why can't I?" Muyeol rebuked her.
On that day, the light vanished from Muyeol's eyes.
***
Nineteen years later...
Madam Kang's hands trembled as she stared at the document before her. She had been trying to comprehend its contents, but her tears had blurred the words beyond recognition.
"Was there really no other choice? H-he's your brother," she mumbled.
"That's precisely why I'm trying to help you," Muyeol responded swiftly.
"But... this is my entire fortune. And it'll be Hyunseo's in the future."
"Then, just leave it. It'll be beneficial for you, and he'll remain a handsome man perpetually drugged up, unable to stand on his own and forever hiding behind someone else's shadow."
"Muyeol!" Madam Kang protested.
Dressed impeccably in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his figure, Cha Muyeol was now a 32-year-old director of S Corp Hospital, also holding the position of Managing Director of S Corp's holding company. He epitomized perfection.
Muyeol casually glanced at his watch. "You have two minutes to make your decision. You can either relinquish your share of the stock or leave the matter be."
"What has happened to you? You have no reason to act this way..." Madam Kang whimpered.
"It's time for me to claim something of my own as well. You acted similarly before," Muyeol stated in a low, yet condescending tone.
"Still..." Fat tears streamed down Madam Kang's face.
Her husband's business was on the brink of collapse, and she had given most of her shares to sustain it. Now, only the S Corp company stock she had saved for her younger son, Hyunseo, remained. These shares had allowed her to earn some income, not enough for a life of luxury but sufficient for a semblance of a normal family existence. Moreover, these shares held the key to future power, a legacy for her son Hyunseo.
"Two minutes are up. Goodbye," the unyielding man declared, rising promptly. Muyeol strode past her like a swift gust of wind, and Madam Kang instinctively reached out, grasping the sleeve of his coat.
"Alright... I'll sell it, just as you've requested. If it'll help you, then I'll do it."
Muyeol gently pulled her hand off his sleeve, releasing her fingers one by one. "You have to phrase it correctly. You're not selling for my sake. You're selling to save your troubled son."
Madam Kang winced upon hearing Muyeol's derogatory remark about her son. Since the day he was born, Hyunseo had been a delightful child, unlike the cold-hearted Muyeol. Madam Kang cherished him deeply. However, her love had spoiled him, transforming him into a delinquent. After being expelled from school, it was decided that he would be sent to the United States. Once there, he became entangled in the world of drugs.
It wasn't a one-time occurrence. He fell deep into addiction, and no one could rescue him from the abyss he had dug for himself. His criminal activities escalated, ultimately resulting in multiple charges for assault and theft.
Madam Kang had spent a fortune clearing his criminal record, but his latest offense was too grave; he had committed murder. Madam Kang immediately hired the best attorney she could find. She couldn't bear the thought of him ending up in jail. Her Hyunseo was still so young, and he would wither away in such a place.
"Alright, I understand what you're saying. I'll sell it to you. Should I sign here? Can you lend me your pen?" Madam Kang stammered.
Muyeol retrieved his pen and handed it to her.
As she signed the stock transfer agreement, Madam Kang wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. When Muyeol took the signed documents, she added, "You're not doing the right thing. Even if you hate him... he's still your younger brother. He's my son."
"Mr. Cha said the same thing. That even if I hated him, Jaeho was still my older brother, and I couldn't treat my older brother like that," Muyeol sighed.
Madam Kang's skin prickled with dread. She had completely forgotten what Muyeol had done to Jaeho.
It happened during Muyeol's senior year. He snapped and nearly beat Jaeho to death. Following the incident, Jaeho relocated to the United States and did not return to Korea for several years. People whispered that he stayed away because he was afraid of Muyeol.
It was true. Muyeol had his own monstrous side, a trait he had inherited from his father. Madam Kang had somehow overlooked this, blinded by her love for her son. It was no wonder he treated his younger brother so harshly.
"Why didn't you listen to him? Couldn't you just lead a normal life? You have so much, and in the end, it's all because of me," Madam Kang lamented.
"You and Mr. Cha are both foolish," Muyeol sneered.
"What? What did you just say?"
"I never truly hated your troubled son or that son of a bitch."
"Then, why? Why are you being so cruel?" Madam Kang demanded.
Muyeol scoffed bitterly, "I hate you two."
"What?" Madam Kang sputtered.
"I hate you because you never shed a single tear for my sake. And I hate Mr. Cha because he continued to insist on those paternity tests until I graduated from high school."
"How can you say such things... You truly are a monster."
Muyeol responded with a cold, humorless laugh. "Of course. I need to survive as well. How else am I supposed to carry on if I don't act like one?" He patted the sleeve that Madam Kang had clung to, smoothing out any wrinkles she might have caused. "Farewell, Madam."
The moment he referred to her as 'Madam,' she raised her voice, "What? You just called me 'Madam'? I can't believe you're my son!"
"You've received the shares. Why didn't you raise me properly?"
"You're my son! How dare you speak to me like this?"
Muyeol faced her calmly, "That's precisely why I've become like this, Madam."
"Muyeol!"
Mr. Cha was a monster. Madam Kang was a selfish individual. And Muyeol was the product of their union.
"Leave before I change my mind."
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