His Untold Lies

Chapter 45 Misunderstanding

Ares hurriedly drove home, deeply concerned about his wife. He exceeded the speed limit and, upon arriving home, rushed inside and switched on the lights.

"Hon, I'm back-" Ares spotted his wife asleep on the couch. "Silly girl... She doesn't even worry about catching a cold," Ares remarked, removing his coat and gently draping it over Kianna. He leaned in to give her a kiss before making his way to the bathroom.

As Ares took a bathroom break, Kianna stirred, awakened by the sound of dripping water. She gradually opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings.

...That sounds like someone showering in the bathroom. Is Ares back?...

"Hon- Oh, what's this? - Huh? A coat?" Kianna reached for the coat and a smile slowly spread across her face.

...He's concerned I might catch a cold...

Kianna held the coat close, taking in its scent. However, something about the aroma struck her as unfamiliar. "This can't be our fabric softener... It has a different scent... Something like... a woman's perfume..." Her fingers brushed against something on the coat, and she spotted a lipstick stain on his shirt.

...Lipstick?! Why-why is there lipstick on his shirt?! He came home so late and immediately went to shower. Could he be...

"Impossible," she muttered, shaking her head. "He's not that kind of person. Damn it! Why can't I stop these tears?" Her voice quivered, almost fragile, as if her heart and her voice might shatter any moment. Perhaps her heart was already broken.

"Why am I so fragile..." she sobbed, struggling to contain her still-pounding heart.

After that initial tear, the rest flowed freely. Kianna knelt on the floor, her hands resting on the mat, and allowed herself to break down, crying.

"Ares... I thought you were different."

Her words came out in choked, stuttering sobs. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the hot tears would cease. She remained there for a long time, her eyes moist and her breathing ragged.

While Ares was still in the bathroom, Kianna quietly got up and retreated to the bedroom, hiding under the blankets while pretending to be asleep. Half an hour passed, and Ares finished his shower. He returned to the living room, rubbing his hair dry.

...Finally done with the shower. I smelled terrible earlier after mingling with those people at the banquet. It was disgusting!...

"Wait - Where's Kianna? Did she go back to the bedroom?" Ares asked when he didn't find her on the couch. He immediately went to the bedroom and, upon opening the door, saw Kianna sound asleep.

"Hon, are you asleep?" he inquired, but received no response from Kianna.

...Looks like she's completely drained today. I'll let her rest for now. I should be quiet...

Ares switched off the lights and lay down beside his wife. "Good night, hon..." Ares said, embracing his wife. He closed his eyes, attempting to sleep.

KIANNA

"Hon, are you asleep?" he asked.

I could sense his gaze upon me, but I remained motionless and silent. Perhaps if I kept quiet and pretended to be asleep, he would understand that he needed to say something to me.

I heard a click, indicating that he'd turned off the lights. The next thing I knew, he was lying beside me, holding me in his arms.

"Good night, hon..." After uttering those words, the room fell into complete silence. I couldn't hear anything.

...Ares, you bastard! Don't you have anything to say to me? Or maybe he thinks I'm unaware. That's why he's keeping it a secret, so he can be unfaithful...

-

When I woke up, I heard someone cooking in the kitchen. It was undoubtedly breakfast being prepared, especially since I had classes that day. Although it was still early, I was eager to leave for school. I didn't want to stay here with this two-timer.

"Hon, breakfast is ready!" he called out, offering me a bright smile. I simply nodded and took my seat at the table. "Here! I made panda-shaped pancakes for you today. They may not be perfect, but they taste good. Come on, give them a try!"

I poured syrup over the pancake and began to eat it. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him watching me.

"What?" I asked, my focus still on the pancake.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded in response, but he didn't seem to detect anything amiss. His smile grew wider with my nod. After finishing my meal, I promptly stood up.

"I'm going-"

"What? Now? Wait, hon. I'll just grab the keys-"

"I'll take the bus; don't bother," I interrupted.

"Bus? No, hon. I can't let you travel alone again. Remember the last time you went home?"

He really infuriated me. "Fine! Get the keys and hurry," I said, striding toward the car. He rushed to unlock the car, and when we got inside, he looked at me with concern.

...Finally, you've noticed...

He started the engine and pulled away. "Hon, are you okay? Didn't you get enough sleep last night?"

"I'm fine..."

I remained silent as we headed to my school. Upon arrival, I exited the car. I heard him say good luck and I love you, but I didn't turn back and simply continued walking.

My mind felt sluggish after enduring eight long periods of classes. Additionally, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had discovered the previous night. It was an agitated day. We all eagerly anticipated the final quarter. Many students had started paying less attention in class, unable to stay seated. The boys prepared their bags as the janitor approached with the bell. When the last bell rang, school was dismissed for the day. The gates swung open, and students scattered like a river branching out into a delta.

The scene at this time was chaotic. Some mischievous students made whistling noises. Everyone tried to rush out of the classrooms ahead of the others. The grounds were crowded. Everyone was in a hurry to reach their homes. But not me. I had no desire to go home early. I searched for Miaree and Marcy, but I only spotted Miaree. Perhaps Marcy had already gone home.

"Yes, girl?" Miaree inquired.

"Would you like to have some ramyeon?" As soon as I mentioned the word "ramyeon," her eyes lit up.

"Yes, of course! Let's go!"

She grabbed my hand, and we headed toward the parking lot. A driver was not available today, so Miaree would be my chauffeur. We went to a modest restaurant where they served ramyeon along with soju. Soju and ramyeon were a great combination for either dealing with problems or just chilling. Upon our arrival, the waiter promptly took our order, which included two bowls of ramyeon, two bottles of soju, and some side dishes. While waiting for our order, I began to recount the events of the previous night to Miaree.

* Bang! *

She accidentally dropped a glass on the table. "What do you mean, you just cried?! You can't cry in the dark. Confront him directly! He did something wrong and didn't have the guts to confess it to you. Is he even man enough?"

"It's not that he doesn't admit it. It's just that... I don't have the courage to ask him about it. I'm afraid that if I do, everything we have will crumble... Recently, I've realized how much I love him and how I don't want to be apart from him. I believed everything he told me since we started this arrangement. Looking back now, I realize I know nothing about him. He's a complete stranger."

As I poured soju into a shot glass, I noticed my hand trembling. "I know nothing about his parents, his friends, or even his background. I don't know what kind of marriage we have. It feels like a game..."

"From what I've seen, men are often playboys! They all play around. The real change happens when they're genuinely into someone. Come on, Kia. I've got your back! Don't let yourself get lost in love!"

As we continued to eat ramyeon and drink, my phone suddenly rang, and there was a notification. When I checked it, I saw his name.

[Hon, what time does your school finish? I'm coming to pick you up.]

...Humph. He even dares to text me. I don't want you to pick me up!...

I responded, telling him I was with Miaree, and we were out eating, so I'd be home late. Following that, I powered off my phone to avoid receiving any more messages or calls from him.

"Why do you even bother replying to that cheater?! If it were me, I'd have given him a piece of my mind! Kianna, you're too soft... But never mind that! Let's not talk about that jerk anymore. Today, it's on me. Let's order more soju!"

We ordered an additional five bottles of soju, and as we engaged in a deep conversation, a group of guys approached us. I was feeling a bit tipsy, so I paid them no mind and continued drinking. Suddenly, I felt someone near my abdomen. When I looked, someone was attempting to embrace me. I pushed him away and delivered a slap across his face, taking him by surprise with my swift reaction.

"Calm down! We just wanted to join you. Don't you ladies feel lonely drinking all by yourselves?" one of the guys, who resembled a frog, remarked.

"Back off! Or we'll call the police!"

He disregarded my warning and moved closer to me. "Wow, this girl is quite attractive. She's my type, I think."

There were other patrons in the restaurant, but no one dared to intervene. I overheard someone at another table mentioning that they were a local gang, and nobody dared to challenge the guy in front of me. But who cared? I had just slapped him, and I wasn't afraid.

"Did you hear that, boss? She said she'd call the police!" the guy behind him chuckled, sounding like a quacking duck.

...Am I in a zoo or something?...

"Oh, you're planning to call the police? Oh, I'm so scared! Please, pretty lady, don't do that! HA-HA-HA!"

He grabbed my waist and tried to pull me closer. "Let go of me, you disgusting man! Help!"

"No one will help you if I tell them this is just a lover's quarrel. Besides, you were trying to seduce me just a moment ago! You were eyeing me as soon as I walked into this restaurant!"

"What the heck are you talking about?!"

* Bang-*

I was taken aback as Miaree suddenly struck the man with a bottle. The soju bottle shattered upon impact, perhaps due to the force of the blow or maybe because this frog-like guy had an incredibly hard head.