The sky was still bright that afternoon, though reddish hues had begun to spread across it. It had only been five days since Junho left this world, yet his wife was being forced to marry her own father-in-law.
“But—have you ever thought about what people will say later?” Maya challenged him. She wasn’t thinking only from her own perspective or her husband’s. People would surely assume Maya was a selfish woman. Junho’s grave soil had barely dried, and she was already willing to marry again. And the reason behind this rushed marriage was unclear at best.
“That’s true, Sir. If we agree, will our family really be able to accept it and bear the consequences?”
“I don’t think it will be a problem. It’s only a matter of time, and the rumors will die down on their own. To me, Junho’s wishes come first,” Junho’s father said.
That day, it was decided that the two of them would marry after Junho’s seven-day memorial ceremony. Junho’s family could accept it, but things were difficult for Maya’s family. They were a family of doctors and were fairly well known, so it was only natural that they cared deeply about their reputation.
Junho’s father told them that his decision was based on what he had seen at the hospital. Whatever his reasons, he didn’t want to make a fuss over it. He was certain that without Junho, Maya’s financial situation wouldn’t be a problem.
“All right, I agree to marry Dr. Lay,” Maya said. This time, Lay began trembling even more, and at that very moment, Junho’s figure appeared right beside Maya. He gazed at her with deep love.
Maya would be the one to persuade her family. The decision had not yet reached the children’s ears, and she would be the one to tell them later.
Maya had only one request. She didn’t want this to become a grand, elaborate ceremony. She only needed it to be sacred. After all, she wasn’t getting married because of love or her own desires, but because of her husband’s wishes.
Her father-in-law agreed, while Lay grew even more insecure. When darkness fell, Lay took his leave and sent Dr. Maya a message asking to meet her privately.
The next day, a letter from the court arrived at Maya’s home. It stated that her house and car, which were suspected to have been obtained through Junho’s corruption, would be seized. There was also a witness who had stated that Junho was involved in a corruption case involving the embezzlement of four billion from the university.
“That’s impossible, sir! This house wasn’t obtained through what you’re accusing him of!”
“Ma’am, please cooperate and appear in court on the scheduled date. There won’t be any arrests, but the seizure has already been approved.”
“Approved? What do you mean? NO! I REFUSE!”
Maya drove the court officials and the university’s lawyer out of the house. Until now, she had known nothing about any problem like this. She could hardly believe it. She was sure her husband had been framed.
Lay called and asked about the visitors who had come that afternoon. He also said that the private matter he wanted to discuss concerned a serious problem involving Junho.
Maya grabbed her car keys and went to meet Lay. Since Lay’s voice sounded exhausted after getting off his night shift, Maya asked him to stay at his apartment. She would be the one to come to him.
Lay fumbled around, unsure how to clean the place. In the end, he shoved the piles of clothes into a closet and quickly washed the dishes that had been piling up in the kitchen.
Exactly twenty minutes later, Maya arrived. As soon as Lay opened the door, she swept inside and impatiently asked, “Dr. Lay, explain in detail what problem my husband was dealing with before the accident.”
Lay was somewhat nervous. He felt extremely tired that day and struggled to tell the story properly.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Maya. Please sit down.” Lay looked rather disheveled, but he didn’t care. “Actually, I don’t know much either. But Junho only told me briefly that his position at the university was in danger.” Maya grew even more interested and asked him to explain further.
“Junho was framed for corruption, and he knew a lot about the university’s dark side. That’s why many of the higher-ups were targeting him. The corruption accusation, the seizure of the house and car—it was all part of it. You should consult a lawyer as soon as possible, Doctor.”
“Why didn’t my husband ever tell me about this? Why did he tell you instead?”
Lay lowered his head. He felt that he didn’t know much, but there was one thing Junho had said. “Junho… didn’t want to disappoint you or trouble you, Doctor.”
Maya couldn’t hold back her sadness and disappointment when she realized she was the last to know. “Then why did he ask us to get married? Is this what he meant—to avoid dealing with the case?”