I called Mary, but she didn’t answer. The flower on the table was fake, sitting cold on its handle. I went inside. The kitchen was spotless, not a trace of grease, the refrigerator was almost empty, with a few spilled water bottles and some fruit.
I went up to the second floor. There are three doors. The first bedroom only had one bed; the blankets were neatly arranged, there was no sign of two people sleeping there. The living room was full of women’s clothing, not a single men’s garment. My heart began to tremble.
The second bedroom was like an office, tidy but not in constant use. There wasn’t a single photo, not a single object that belonged to Kang Jun. It was as if he had never existed.
I opened the last room and my knees buckled. It was full of stacked boxes. Some were open, and inside were bundles of cash tied together.
On the floor. I nodded, my hand trembling. I know he sends 8 million pesos every year. If there’s so much money here, where does it come from? Why is it hidden in a locked room like a warehouse?
At that moment, I heard a door open downstairs. Weak footsteps. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.
Maria Luisa’s voice, but lower, very low, tired. I ran down the stairs. She was standing at the bottom, looking at me. We hadn’t seen each other in twelve years; she was still beautiful but thin, with deep eyes and a heavy air.
We looked at each other for a few seconds. She came closer and gave me a tight hug, not crying, just silent. I’m trembling: Is this what your life is like?
He walks away, looking directly at me.
Ma’am, you shouldn’t be here.
Bakit
She smiled slightly, but didn’t
look at me.
I took
his hand. Where’s your wife? Why isn’t she using it here? Why is there so much money upstairs?
She was silent for a long time before
speaking: Mom, I’m not married
It feels like my world has stopped
. What are you saying?
I never had a wife
Every word
feels like a punch. Twelve years ago I lied to you.
He
nodded: The money I send each year doesn’t come from my husband. It cost me a lot.
How do you make so much money?
He smiled bitterly
in exchange for time and a part of my life
She went to school slowly. Twelve years ago, because of poverty, my accident, and debts, she went to Korea to work as an interpreter and was personally involved with a rich man named Kang Jun. Honestly, sometimes I had to be the perfect woman for him.
I’m not his wife, but I’m not a simple person either. I need to smile when I need to, and be quiet when I need to.
I feel like my heart is being squeezed. Do you know how much it hurts?
He nodded, I know. But if I didn’t go, where will we get the money for your treatment? How will we pay off the debt? I have no other choice.
I cried, but not like this.
He continued. This house was bought for him. The money above is money he hasn’t used yet. Every year he sends 8 million pesos; he saves the rest for when he stops.
But he did have a contract. If he leaves early, he’ll have to return all the money, more than 90 million pesos. There are two years left on his contract.
