Page 93 of Perfect Happiness

“How about I send you my driver’s license?”

In a reluctant tone of voice, Jinu gave her his cell number.After hanging up and sending him the picture, Jinu replied with a message asking her what she wanted.

—I have something I want to ask you about my sister.I’m hoping we can meet in person.This isn’t something I can talk about over text or a phone call.I promise I won’t take up a lot of your time.

A minute or so later, he replied agreeing to meet her.Jane added that she didn’t want Yuna to know about their meeting.Jinu replied with a simple “Okay.”He chose the time and place for them to meet.

“Did you have lunch?”Jinu asked as he placed the latte in front of her.“I bet you’re starving.”

Jane hadn’t but lied anyway.She didn’t want to impose on him.Silence fell between them for a moment as Jane organized her thoughts and he sipped his coffee.

“You were college classmates with Yuna, right?”Jane finally asked.She didn’t want to beat around the bush.She was going to ask him questions up front and directly.She hoped he would be equally direct in his answers.

“Yes.”

“You were friends with the man she was living with, right?”

“Yes.”

“I heard you went to the apartment just before your friend died in a car accident.”

Jinu made an audible gulp as he swallowed hard.

“I came here to ask you about that day.”

Part 3: Perfect Happiness

Chapter 7

Eun-ho watched as Jane drove off.Even after her car disappeared, he continued to stare down the road for some time.Her answers, though not necessarily friendly, were clear as day.But whether they were transparent and honest was another issue.He was particularly unsure about the latter.

Jane was a master of deception according to Yuna.She had conspired against Yuna and turned her into a problem child using all manner of lies and tricks.It was because of her that Yuna had to spend her childhood in the country with her grandmother.Yuna’s grandmother pitied Yuna for this; that was why she willed her a cabin and large plot of land.Where was that plot of land again?

Eun-ho looked up at Jiyoo’s room.He could see the curtain move beyond the glass.Eun-ho had a hunch that Jiyoo had been staring at him until he looked up.She was probably curious about what Eun-ho and her aunt were saying.

Where was Wife?Earlier when Eun-ho left the house, she acted like she was going to be home all day.It almost seemed like Jane had come specifically to make Jiyoo lunch.Jane was right; it would be best if Wife didn’t know about her coming here today.To that end, Eun-ho needed to ask Jiyoo to keep this a secret.

Eun-ho got back in his car.He needed to see Jinu.He had something to ask his old college friend.On the phone, Jinu suggested they meet later that afternoon, as he had plans before that.After hanging up, Eun-ho considered checking on Jiyoo, but couldn’t bring himself to go back into the house.Yuna would be home soon—at least, that’s what he wanted to believe.

A voice was circling Eun-ho’s ears as he drove around and avoided going inside.

Yuna and Jane are working together.

The voice wasn’t Eun-ho’s; it belonged to someone who had called him that morning.He had just gotten out of the shower and was drying himself off when his phone started to ring.Yuna brought the phone to the bathroom for him.It was a number he didn’t recognize.Leaning against the door frame with her shoulder, Yuna asked:

“Aren’t you going to pick up?”

Eun-ho stared at Wife.Why wasn’t she leaving?

He let the phone continue to ring until Yuna got the message and left.

“Eun-ho Cha, correct?”a woman’s voice asked as soon as Eun-ho picked up.

It was an unfamiliar voice.She introduced herself as Min-young, the sister to Joon-young Seo, Yuna’s ex-husband.She wanted to meet in person.

“Why?”

“I’ll explain later.You’re looking for answers about your son’s death, aren’t you?”