Hidden Mate

3. Misery

"So, you want to take your wife to Seoul?"

That sentence stopped Hazel, who'd just been about to enter her room after working all day at the village clinic. She froze. Her movements were locked. Her jaw hardened, and then she looked at Jay and his family, who were having dinner together.

"Yes, Dad. I'll take her. I think it's the only way for us to get to know each other again and repay my ten years of guilt for letting her grow up alone. Besides, my career is already stable."

"That's not a problem? Even though your career is stable, you have a contract with the management, right?"

"No problem. I'll take care of it. I'm an expert at hiding my personal life. Later, I'll introduce to the management that Hazel is both a relative and a doctor handling my mental health during my hiatus."

Hazel hid behind the wall, trying to restrain herself from beating Jay up in front of this big family.

"That's not a problem. After all, you also took care of Hazel during the natural activities on the opposite island ten years ago," Mrs. Song added, looking very pleased.

Suddenly, he groaned in annoyance as his parents fully supported Jay's decision.

"Oh, that's my wife!"

Hazel gasped in shock. She flicked her hair behind her ears as she smiled awkwardly in front of the extended family.

"Come here, dear. You must be tired after working all day." Jay got up from his chair and greeted Hazel.

Since she was in front of the extended family, she could only follow Jay's game plan. It was frustrating for her. She quickly joined the table after Jay helped her off her doctor's coat.

"Sorry I joined late," Hazel said awkwardly. "So, am I coming with you to Seoul?" Hazel asked Jay quietly while holding back anger.

"Of course, we have to get to know each other. Isn't that what married life is like?" Jay blinked one eye that Hazel had almost stabbed him with.

Jay then wiped the fine hair around his wife's forehead. "In the past, we were teenagers. It's time this time we go into married life with a more mature mind and heart."

Hazel wanted to spray Jay in the face, but she refrained. Jay's parents were also among them.

"So, when will you guys officially appear in public as a couple?" Mrs. Han asked. "You can't keep hiding it, right? As a wife, it must not be fun either. You've also been keeping it in the village for almost a decade. Again, the world should know that you have a wonderful wife."

Jay paused to think of something while Mrs. Han gently rubbed her daughter's head. She looked at her son-in-law with admiration.

"Just take it easy. There will be time for that. Don't worry. I would also like to tell the world I have a charming wife quickly." Then Jay gave Hazel a look that made her sick.

"All right. Nothing can stand in the way of that. Everyone will agree if you take Hazel to Seoul. Let your wife travel with you too."

"The world should stop those ridiculous rumors. Jay Han has a wonderful wife!" said Mr. Han proudly to his son and daughter-in-law.

Hazel raised her head. She stared at the ceiling, then closed her eyes. Hazel felt an inexpressible hatred. She didn't want to. It wasn't the right way. Hazel couldn't imagine that she would spend her time with that jerk.

Then Hazel looked at Jay vengefully while Jay smiled slyly, a smile his satisfaction signal at getting back at Hazel. 'Welcome to the real misery'.

Hazel's eyes were tired of whining and begging for her not to be let go of that jerk. However, her mother hit her with the broom handle instead.

"What's wrong with you? Why won't you come with your husband? You've always wanted to travel to different places. Now is your chance!" she snapped.

"Mom! I don't want to live with him."

"He's your husband!"

"But I'm a stranger."

"You'll get used to it."

"Argh! I don't want to!" whined Hazel.

Mom exhaled quite heavily. "Hazel, you should be grateful. How many millions of women in this world want to be you!"

"To be me?" Hazel wiped her tears.

"Jay is a star. He's loved by so many women out there, and you're the luckiest!"

In the end, Hazel was just stunned. She reflected on her increasingly tangled life. Her parents had also decided to let Hazel go. So, there was nothing she could do. Sometimes Hazel even thought about selling herself.

"How long are you going to torture me?" asked Hazel as she rudely opened her suitcase. Mom told her to pack from now on.

"I don't know. Until I'm satisfied." Jay shrugged his shoulders as he scrolled through his phone while holding a smile.

"Why are you doing this?"

Jay stepped closer. "Because I'm your husband. Isn't it only natural that you follow me?"

Hazel rolled her eyes lazily, then looked up at the tall man. "Why didn't you do it before?"

"The situation didn't allow it, Hazel!" Jay blew out his breath roughly. He tried to calm himself down. "Let's fix what's already a mess. You come with me to Seoul. We start a new life."

"That easy?" challenged Hazel.

"Yes. It's that easy! I want to love you easily."

"Unfortunately, I don't."

"Why exactly do you hate me like this? What did I do wrong?! Tell me! So I can fix it!" Jay lost his patience.

"If you want me by your side, then don't try to find out anything! Just keep being annoying like that!"

"Alright. But Hazel, I'll let you off the hook as long as you don't throw a tantrum. I'll introduce you to the hospital director. You can work there. You can continue your specialty studies! I won't stop you!" The twinkle in Jay's eyes radiated seriousness.

"Then, I have one condition."

" Tell me!"

"You have to see things from my point of view too." Hazel looked up, giving her husband a stern look. "I also know you're having a hard time because of those baseless rumors. Therefore, after your business is done after your career has stabilized, send me home and divorce me."

Jay was quite shocked by Hazel's request, but he couldn't just do anything. Hazel had also expanded her heart. Can Jay fulfill Hazel's request? Indeed, this misery was not only for Hazel, but also for Jay.