Lost in translation

Chapter 25: A Surprising Discovery

The next morning, Evelyn woke up early and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. As she closed the fridge, she was startled to see a woman standing there, staring at her. Evelyn screamed in shock.

“Oh my goodness! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there,” Evelyn said, trying to calm her racing heart.

The woman looked familiar, and Evelyn quickly realized she was the same woman from the paintings in Min-jun’s house. It had to be his mother, Mrs. Cha.

“Good morning,” Evelyn greeted nervously.

Mrs. Cha’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you, and where is my son?”

“I’m Evelyn. I don’t know where Min-jun is right now,” Evelyn replied, feeling uneasy.

Mrs. Cha’s gaze was piercing. “Pour me a glass of wine,” she ordered, heading to the lounge.

Evelyn hesitated. “Would you like to go upstairs and get dressed first?”

“Just get the wine,” Mrs. Cha snapped.

Evelyn quickly poured the wine and brought it to her. “Here you go.”

As Evelyn tried to excuse herself, Mrs. Cha stopped her. “Don’t go anywhere. I’m still talking to you.”

“I’m uncomfortable. I need to put on some clothes,” Evelyn said, her voice trembling.

At that moment, Min-jun walked in and saw Evelyn standing next to his mother in a see-through nightdress. He sensed her nervousness and immediately pulled her towards him.

“Go upstairs, Evelyn,” Min-jun said gently.

Evelyn ran upstairs, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. Min-jun turned to his mother, his expression serious.

“Why would you let Evelyn serve you when she’s not properly dressed?” he asked.

Mrs. Cha stood up, her eyes cold. “Is this the thing you left Mr. Joen’s daughter for?”

“Evelyn is not a thing. She’s the woman I’m in love with,” Min-jun replied firmly.

Mrs. Cha scoffed. “You’re talking nonsense. Get rid of these love thoughts related to Evelyn.”

With that, she left the room. Min-jun headed upstairs and found Evelyn sitting on the bed, looking distressed.

“I’m so sorry about my mother’s behavior,” Min-jun said, sitting next to her.

“She’s so intimidating,” Evelyn whispered. “Where have you been?”

“I went for a jog with Tae,” Min-jun explained.

Evelyn stood up and walked to the bathroom. “Let me get ready to leave since your mother obviously doesn’t want me here.”

Min-jun followed her, trying to explain, but Evelyn shut the door before he could finish.

Feeling overwhelmed, Evelyn texted Byoel.

Evelyn: Can we meet up?

Byoel: Sure, here’s my address.

Evelyn took a shower and got dressed, ignoring Min-jun’s attempts to talk. She then told him, “I’m heading out to see a friend.”

“Can I at least give you a ride?” Min-jun asked, concerned.

“Don’t bother yourself,” Evelyn replied, booking a cab and leaving.

As she rode to Byoel’s place, Evelyn felt a mix of emotions. She needed to clear her head and figure out what to do next. Evelyn arrived at Byoel’s house and was pleasantly surprised to see the effort her friend had put into welcoming her.

“Wow, Byoel, this looks amazing!” Evelyn exclaimed as she entered the cozy home.

Byoel smiled warmly. “I normally don’t cook, but I had to make an exception since it’s your first time here.”

“Thank you so much,” Evelyn said, feeling touched by the gesture.

They headed to the kitchen to have breakfast. As they ate, Evelyn took off her jacket, revealing a slightly fuller figure.

“You’re gaining a lot of weight,” Byoel remarked casually.

Evelyn sighed. “I keep telling myself I’ll start working out, but I never do.”

After a moment of silence, Evelyn decided to seek advice. “Byoel, I need your help. Min-jun’s mother doesn’t like me, and she’s so intimidating.”

Byoel nodded, understandingly. “Typical Korean mothers can be very traditional and protective of their sons. They often have high expectations and can be quite critical.”

Evelyn finished her food and asked for more while listening to Byoel. “What can I do to make her like me?”

Byoel watched Evelyn’s eating pace and raised an eyebrow. “I thought you hated Gyeran Bap.”

Evelyn shrugged. “I used to, but now I prefer it over tteokbokki.”

“Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” Byoel asked, half-jokingly.

Evelyn laughed. “No, I’m not pregnant. I’ve been taking contraceptives ever since I met Min-jun.”

Byoel looked concerned. “You know you can still get pregnant even with contraceptives, right? Which ones are you using?”

“Morning-after pills, every time,” Evelyn replied.

Byoel shook her head. “A woman who is ovulating can still get pregnant even after taking morning-after pills.”

Evelyn paused, looking at Byoel. “You’re scaring me.”

“I’m just saying, it might be your hormones, but you should get a pregnancy test once you’re home,” Byoel suggested.

Evelyn, still in denial, continued eating her food slowly. Min-jun tried checking up on her, and Evelyn assured him she was fine and would be home soon.

Byoel and Evelyn spent the whole day together. Later, Byoel drove Evelyn home but stopped at a shopping center to buy pregnancy tests.

“Why did you buy five instead of one?” Evelyn asked, surprised.

“To make sure you get accurate results,” Byoel replied.

Evelyn insisted on hiring a cab and told Byoel to go back home. Byoel agreed and headed home while Evelyn booked a cab. When she arrived at Min-jun’s house, she headed straight to the bedroom. Min-jun followed her, concerned.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Evelyn replied. “Do you think I’m gaining a lot of weight?”

Min-jun hesitated. “You’re slightly gaining weight, but it’s perfectly fine.”

“I need to start working out,” Evelyn said, more to herself than to him. “Can you prepare some food for me while I take a bath?”

Min-jun nodded and headed downstairs to prepare food. Meanwhile, Evelyn took the pregnancy tests and placed them on the mirror stand before taking a shower. She tried to convince herself that it was just the side effects of the contraceptives, chanting, “I’m not pregnant.”

After her bath, she wrapped a towel around her body and checked the pregnancy tests one by one. They were all positive. Evelyn sat on the toilet seat, crying and asking herself how she got pregnant. She remembered what Byoel had said about ovulating and checked her dates, realizing she had been intimate while ovulating.

Min-jun knocked on the bathroom door, and Evelyn quickly threw the pregnancy tests into the bin to avoid being caught. She opened the door, and Min-jun told her the food was ready.

Evelyn got dressed and headed to the kitchen. Min-jun ate while Evelyn poked her food with chopsticks.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Min-jun asked, noticing her lack of appetite.

Evelyn put the chopsticks on the table and stood up. “I don’t want to eat anymore,” she said, heading upstairs.

Min-jun watched her go, worried about what was troubling her.