30 Days

I picked up my blazer from the floor, took a deep breath, and fixed my hair while looking around the hotel room. The messy sheets were clear evidence of what had just happened, just like the other woman in this suite who was currently getting dressed.

Even though this wasn’t the first time I’d done this, guilt was still the main feeling.

“I’m so tired of all this, Nayeon,” I heard the other woman say as I put on my shoes.

“When are you going to tell her?”

“Soon,” I answered softly.

“You’ve been saying that for the past six months. I’m starting to get bored.” Momo replied, anger rising in her voice.

“It’s not that easy, but I will tell her. Just give me time,” I sighed deeply.

“I won’t be your mistress forever, Nayeon,” said my ‘business partner’.

“Either you tell her this week or we’re done.”

“Momo-yaa,” I tried to calm her down and walked toward her.

“No, I’m serious this time.” She responded with determination and avoided my attempt to wrap my arms around her waist.

“I’ve been patient, but this isn’t what I want. Sneaking around and doing this behind her back was exciting at first, I admit, but it’s been too long. I’m starting to get tired.”

The shorter woman walked past me and headed for the door.

“You have to tell Mina about us,” Momo added before leaving the room.

“Good evening, Madam.”

As usual every night, I was greeted by our housekeeper who took my coat and smiled politely.

“Thank you,” I muttered tiredly.

“Where are Mina and Seungjun?”

“They’re in Madam’s room. Would you like me to prepare dinner?”

“No need, thank you.”

At first, I planned to check on our child, Seungjun, in his room. But since he was probably already asleep and I didn’t want to wake him, I went straight to the master bedroom—my and Mina’s room.

Opening the door, I saw Mina on the bed with a Nitendo in her hands, glasses perched on her nose, her long hair tucked behind her ear, and almost her entire body covered by the blanket. It was the same sight I usually came home to.

My wife of eleven years, Mina, looked up from her Nitendo as I entered.

“Hi, honey.” She greeted me with a gentle smile.

“Hi.” I whispered for some reason.

My stomach felt like it was tied in knots. The memory of my conversation with Momo earlier made my heart beat fast. I knew I had to tell Mina sooner or later.

I stood in the middle of the room and just stared at the brown-eyed woman. There was a part of me that loved her and didn’t want to hurt the woman who had been by my side through everything all this time. But another part of me said that we weren’t as happy as we used to be anymore.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Mina asked worriedly as she put down her book.

"We need to talk," my voice was already trembling.

After I spoke with Mina, I knew there was no turning back.

"I don't know how to tell you," I whispered.

"You know how, Nayeon," Mina replied, and I looked up to meet those eyes.

Something in the way Mina reassured me told me that she might already know where this conversation was heading.

"I feel like we've grown distant lately," I heard my voice trembling again.

"You know that I care about you so much, and there's a part of me that will always love you. But lately, I think we're no longer happy in this relationship. We've become so distant. I rarely see you, and I know that's my fault because I'm busy with work. So I feel like we might be happier... if we..."

"If we divorce," Mina finished my sentence while struggling to find the right words.

Our eyes met again, and I felt tears burning in my eyes. Even though I was sure we weren't as happy as before, my heart sank at the idea of truly closing this chapter of my life. Mina's eyes were also glistening, but she put on a stronger face than mine, as if hiding something.

"Alright." I almost choked on the simple word that Mina uttered.

Mina bit her lower lip and sighed softly. I knew she was upset, but she reacted in an unexpected way.

She just nodded.