Joy looks at herself in the mirror. She had worn a pale blue dress at the party. All was going well, she thought. Then a random man commented on Namjoon's origin. Another man joined him. Their rude and snarky remarks forced Joy to retort, "Atleast he is not a spoilt, rich brat who got everything in inheritance. He earned everything with his hard work." She might be heartbroken by his betrayal but she believed that his caliber and efforts were genuine.

Her defensive statement was missed by her husband. He excused himself to the restroom when he had heard them talking harshly about him. He must have left to avoid any unwelcomed outburst. Joy was used to his volatile temper.

By the time he got back, they had changed the subject of discussion. She was initially relieved that nothing would get worse then. But then again something had to happen. 

"Why Mr. Kim Seokjin and Mrs. Irene are not here?" The man was trying to avenge Joy for her remark. Everyone knew what had happened.

"May be he is too busy with his family. Afterall, he is becoming a father in months." One of the men said. They did not know how complicated things were between Seokjin and Namjoon. Such a harmless statement was so venomous for him.

The ride to home was silent and it was haunting Joy. He did not look anywhere and went straight to his room after saying,

"Come to my room."

She is putting on the dress to go back to her room. She cannot pull up the zipper. Her hands are still shaking and after trying for some times she gives up. She uses her shawl to cover herself up. Besides, she is going to shower and change for bed. She wraps herself  with the cloth, "I shall be leaving now." She says without looking at him.

He is lying on the bed on  his stomach, with the blanket covering upto his waist and his face buried in the pillow. He clutches it tightly at her voice, "Do you still love me?" He asks again. He receives the same answer,

"Yes."

She is drying her hair and thinking about tonight. She learned some important things about her 'husband'.

 Namjoon still gets subjected to dubious and insulting comments.These people are ready to have business connections with him due obvious reasons. Yet they do not even feel ashamed to point out things about his looks and bloodline. This behaviour affects him badly.

The idea of Irene, being pregnant with another man's child, disgusts him. He looked like he wanted to kill Seokjin for even touching Irene. 

He must have called her to his bed to distract himself. Yet he had not forgotten to call her 'Irene'.

That night, she could not notice but this time she did. There were scars and marks of beating all over his back, stomach, and left upper arm. She knows who had done that to him.

She wonders if Irene had ever seen these scars. Did she help him with medication? Did she put ointment on them? Did she try to stop her brother, Joseph or any other old servant when they were abusing him so badly?

Namjoon is suffering. He believes that life has been really unfair to him. He is angry and now he wants her to be miserable. He is avenging his plight. Joy is not responsible for his pain in any way. It is completely absurd and wrong to make her suffer. But in his twisted mind, it is right. He believes that she deserves such treatment.  

Joy thinks and smiles slightly. Who knew she can think so deeply and coherently? She needs to share her thoughts and discuss with someone. She needs to decide what she should do. She needs someone who will listen, understand and give her the right advice. But who? Who will help her genuinely?

She feels frustrated. Then she notices her cellphone.

Cheonsa checks out the purchases for the young couple. How cute these two kids are! Holding hands shyly, whispering sweet nothings, as it should be. Suddenly she is reminded of the sad girl she met two days ago. Poor child! She wonders what has happened to her. She looks so young and is even married. Cheonsa is sure there is something wrong with her husband. She really hopes it is not very serious. Poor child is very innocent. She can tell that for sure.The girl, Joy, looked familiar as well.

She waves happily at the cute couple and notices a female figure walking slowly towards the shop. When she comes closer Cheonsa immediately recognizes her and gets tensed.

"Hello Ahjumma Cheonsa, I am so sorry to bother you." Joy says hesitatedly.

"Oh, no dear! Not at all! I will be done with my shift as soon as...oh, she is here!" Cheonsa says.

 She greets the young woman and talks about some storage issue. After she settles down for her shift, Cheonsa takes Joy to the sitting area of the shop.

"Now I know you must not have come here to get things. You are here to talk. That makes you my guest. What would you like to have?" Cheonsa smiles.

Joy refuses but the lady stops her, "No. I've to treat you good. You came here to meet me and also it will be good to have something while we are talking." 

Joy agrees and Cheonsa brings two lemon teas and hands one to her.

"Dear. Are you alright? I mean it's 11.30 in the night." She asks softly.

"I am again sorry to disturb you so suddenly. I wanted to talk to someone and there isn't anyone with whom I can share my thoughts." She feels embarrassed.

Cheonsa puts her hand on hers and presses gently,"Just share with me. I would love to help as much as I can."

Joy takes her time to calm her nerves and sips her tea."I don't know from where to start."

"From the beginning? Or however you want to start from?"

Joy takes a deep breathe and begins, "My name is supposed to be Kim SooYoung but I use my mother's surname."

She begins telling about the reason of why she is not allowed to use her father's surname and ends explaining her pitiful present situation. Everything spills out of gradually in details. She has had no idea that she had suppressed so much within her. The events, her feelings, the impact of these events on her feelings, all seem to break through the shackles of her heart and mind. Her thoughts and feelings for Namjoon before and after his revelations. She has to admit the lady infront of her is an excellent listener. Cheonsa has provided her utmost attention and never even made a sound to distract her. Her story stops with that evening's party and what they had said about him. She also adds how she defended him. And since she has already told her about Namjoon and Irene's relation, Cheonsa does not have to be explained how the words about her pregnancy affected him. She finally stops.

" Joy, dear...whatever has happened to you till now is just unfair! They may have given you a wealthy lifestyle but at a price! The price is too much compared to all the comforts in the world. Yes. Your brother is a good man. I agree. But there is nothing wrong to make your own choice. I know your decision has proved to be an unfortunate one. You know and acknowledge that. But you were betrayed. I admire that you are sorry for hurting your oppa and ready to face the consequences. I've some questions for you."

Joy smiles slightly. She has found someone who understands her, at last.

"Now about that husband of yours. Kim Namjoon? Is he hurting you physically?"

She shakes her head, "No."

"So, he is emotionally and mentally abusing you?

"It seems so. Ummm...I am not sure about abuse. But yes, his behaviour and words are hurting me."

"Okay, it seems you are more heartbroken rather than humiliated or angry. He is using your affection for him as his weapon. He knows his rejection will hurt you the most. The pain of unrequited love. Your situation is the most ironic or you can say, worst. Cuz your love is unreciprocated by the man, who's your own husband."  

Joy looks at her hands, resting on the table. They sit quietly for few minutes. Both woman are lost in their respective thoughts. 

"What you have said about Namjoon's childhood and hardship, I cannot help but feel sympathy for him." Cheonsa states.

Joy nods, "I have come to realize that he needs help. He is scarred. He needs care and love. But the way he is behaving, it seems he has lost his hope to be happy. He wants his pain and sorrows to end but does not know how. He has chosen an unfair way to get rid of his suffering."   

 Cheonsa looks at Joy and smirks. She wonders if Namjoon will ever know how lucky he is to have Joy as his wife? Will he ever find someone who can understand him this well? She speaks without mincing her words, "Now dear, tell me what do you want to do? I mean he has very tactfully ceased all your ways to leave though he is not forcing you to stay. He knows all your weaknesses and very cleverly used them against you. But since you are stuck, make the best of it." 

The young woman looks at her and asks, "Make the best of it?"

"Make the circumstances better, or atleast amicable between you two."

"I still love him, you know? Even after all this! Does this make me...weak and shameless?" This question has been tormenting her since that night.   

"No. It does not make you weak or shameless. You are loyal to your feelings, to him. You truly love him. True love is not like a dried leaf that a slight breeze will blow and make it fly away to some other place. It is, I believe, like an oak tree. That oak tree has a very strong grasp on the ground. And it requires vast power to uproot it even a bit."

Joy can understand what Cheonsa just said. 

"He has never force you to...you know.." Cheonsa sounds shy.

Joy blushes furiously. "No. He never forces me." She whispers. She has mentioned their...intimate arrangement to explain her situation.  

"Oh? I mean given the kind of love Namjoon and Irene shared, I find it hard to believe he will...you know..." She clears .

Joy agrees. Even she was shocked on the first night.

" I know he is not forcing you but are you...comfortable?" She sounds concerned. 

She slowly nods.

Cheonsa thinks deeply and speaks, "Dear, from what you just said, it seems you want to stay with him. With and without your helplessness. Don't you?"

Joy looks straight into her eyes, "Yes." This time her voice lacks hesitation or embarrassment. Reviewing her feelings and opinion with Cheonsa has actually helped her to get to the decision.

Cheonsa sighs a little,"Okay, then. You need to be a bit clever if you want to lead a happy married life with him. The way he is still providing for you, not locking you up and not hurting you physically can be considered as a silver lining. He is just depriving you of love. Also do not forget he saved the Bae mansion and even let Bae Jace and his child live there say something positive about him. He believes you cannot to be not 'The One'. For him, it is only Irene. 

You have to be 'The One'. But at your own will and pace. Show him that you are good in your own way. You are not competing with Irene. No. You are the wife here. You do not compete. Yes, you may have to be a bit...how to put it...distracting to him but there is nothing wrong as he's your husband.

Don't feel miserable. I know it is easy to say but you have to try. Or else, this misery will kill you! And yes. Be subtle so that he cannot guess. Do not feel guilty or belittle yourself. You want him. Get him. Your life partner. You are with YOUR husband and make him realize that."  

Joy listens to her carefully and thinks. Cheonsa is absolutely right. There is no harm.

"This is not only for you. Always remember it is for the betterment of both of you. You want to help him heal. Make yourselves happy. That poor guy needs some positivity in his life. He himself will not realize it when he has overcome his emotional turmoils. 

Joy looks at Cheonsa with tears in her eyes, "Will he ever be able to let go Irene's love? He is obsessed with her."

Cheonsa pats her head soothingly,"That we do not know. But make him always remember and hold onto YOU and YOUR LOVE. You are not taking anyone's place. You are making your own place. She's his obsession?? You become his habit! Trust me. A person may live without his obsession but they cannot ignore or let go of their habits. It is nearly impossible. Habits can even compel a man to do things that he may not do normally. Remember that."

Joy nods.

"So, make your heart and mind strong. Stop feeling so guilty and sad all the time, if you want to live. Be a little clever and remember that it is for both of your future. You are saving him from himself."

Joy looks at the clock all of a sudden and gasps. "IT'S 2.00 A.M. NOW! I had no idea! I should not have come here this late! I am so stupid!"

"Oh! Stop panicking child! And stop thinking yourself inferior at first! You can sleep upstairs in our home. It is not safe for a young woman to be on the street this late even if her home is 5 minutes away."

Joy has to spend the night at the Lees'. Mr. Lee is already asleep so she cannot meet him. She is given their small guestroom. Their home is tiny yet it is the most beautiful place she has ever been to. Reason? It is a home. Something she has always wanted her whole life. And now she is determined to have one.