I woke up very early in the morning, ahead of the sun which still had not dawned in the sky. I walked to the wardrobe, prepared a suit for Donghwa that was still asleep in the dim room, and put it on the bed. Since my fever had gone down, I felt better this morning and could do the chores. Now, I thought that there was no other way than to become a housewife.

Since a long time ago we had often argued about work. Donghwa often asked me to stop working when I was working at one of the huge companies, even he had said it when we were still in college.

At the beginning of our struggle, we used to work at the same company. But, an incident occurred and left us struggling to find a new job. Once luck came, we had to work in different places and those years were a sweetness that had faded in my heart right now.

When Lee Donghwa succeeded to become the president of the agency, he always told me that I didn't have to work and keep staying at home.

However, for me, it was a difficult thing. I might be the one who was always obedient. He forbade me to make friends with anyone, I complied, but not for work. I had always been educated to be a hard worker and always save for the future. So, it wouldn't be easy to stay at home and keep waiting, accepting money, and having sex. I wasn't that kind of person.

After all, asking me to be a homebody was one of his ways to keep me away from people he thought would snatch me from him. It showed how possessive he was in the past and the present.

I obeyed him and always became an obedient kid for him. By following his commands not to overdo social interactions, talking as necessary, and making friends for just a few people, so many people thought that I was an introverted person who preferred to be alone. But, that was simply not true. I was willing not to be myself who liked to be friends with anyone, only to be a good lover for his partner.

Nonetheless, as if he was selfless and merciless, Donghwa took advantage of me by playing with anyone out there. Having sex with lots of sluts like a wild animal and hiding a few concubines. He probably thought that I was easy to persuade as he forced me into loving him in the past, and when I got crazy about him, he kept on treating me casually as if I was the only one who could never survive without him.

Rubbing the worn ring on my finger, I smiled as the bitterness on my tongue swallowed up in my throat as all these things stuck in my head.

Since a long time ago I had been a patient person beyond the normal limits of people in general and no one could endure the same pain; forgive the same mistakes, and even smile cheerfully behind the misery except me.

I wasn't sure if his concubines wouldn't try to escape from his cursed palace if they were in my position.

While making breakfast, I thought about how great I had been all along.

After the sun had risen, I opened the curtains. Lee Donghwa was also up and neat in a suit. His face was brighter and brighter, looking more humane than the days previously, it was different from his demonic appearance.

He sat opposite me at the dining table while enjoying breakfast. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes," I replied simply.

"I'll be home early this afternoon, don't you want to take a walk?"

I just shook my head slowly, showing reluctance.

Sighing, he talked again, "The Christmas this year, what gift do you want? I'll buy it for you. Or, what if my business in Daejeon is done, we go abroad? Last time we went to Italy, next time Europe is still the best choice. I think. It's been a while since we walked around, right? In three months, the company contract is over, so I have plenty of time for you."

I shook my head once again.

"So what do you want? Just tell me, I'll work on it."

Hearing his words, I suddenly froze for a moment. Lifting my gaze, I replied in a low voice, "I want a scarf. My scarf is ripped. I want a new one. But, give it to me on Christmas Eve." This was a simple request but important for me.

Donghwa chuckled. "A scarf? Just a scarf? I can buy it for you today when I come home, then why do we have to wait till Christmas Eve?"

I kept silent.

"Okay, it doesn't matter although that will be the worst gift I have ever given you."

I forced a smile, then asked, "What about you, do I need to buy a new watch for you? Your watch is old, even the color is a little faded. It's looking ugly in your hand. Moreover, vintage watches like that is no longer trend this year," while saying, I glanced at the watch he was wearing. It was the watch I gave him on Christmas Eve many years ago.

"No. There's no need." Donghwa's face looked calm. There was a softness in his eyes as he spoke, "When you bought this watch for me, I promised to wear it always. I don't need a new one. While you are with me, it is the greatest gift for me."

I didn't respond, only laughed loudly inside when I heard those words.

After his words, we didn't have much to say anymore. When he finished breakfast, he got up and hurried away.

In the living room, I sat alone on the sofa. It felt so quiet here even though the TV sound was loud enough. I grabbed my cell phone on the table and again, opened the message that Daehyun just sent this morning.

I ignore it. In the chat application, I had left the company chat groups. So, there weren't many messages anymore — not as noisy as when I was working at TU Company. Besides that, I wasn't very close to people in the company except for Go Hyunjae, so there was no personal message apart from Daehyun's.

I wondered how Donghwa would react when he saw Daehyun's messages. Is he going to drown me in the bathtub and then rape me as he did previously? His possessiveness too often led him to misunderstand. That was truly bad.

Boredom made me slowly feel sleepy, so I decided to go to sleep and wake up during the day. This situation continued as long as I stopped working and decided to stay at home.

It was a little hard but I just needed to get used to it.