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A two-story house in a quiet area. I rang the doorbell and no one answered. The door wasn’t locked, so I pushed it open and went in. The garden was nice but cold, with no human noise and no television sound.
I approached the front door, my hand trembling as I grasped the doorknob. I took a deep breath and slammed the door shut. At that moment, I was stunned.
The room was spacious, clean as if it were almost lifeless. Everything was in order, like a model home, but there was no trace of a man. There were no slippers scattered about, no jackets hanging around, no smell of food or tea—normal things in a house.
I called Mary, but she didn’t answer. The flower on the table was fake, sitting cold on its handle. I went inside. The kitchen was spotless, not a trace of grease, the refrigerator was almost empty, with a few spilled water bottles and some fruit.
I went up to the second floor. There are three doors. The first bedroom only had one bed; the blankets were neatly arranged, there was no sign of two people sleeping there. The living room was full of women’s clothing, not a single men’s garment. My heart began to tremble.
The second bedroom was like an office, tidy but not in constant use. There wasn’t a single photo, not a single object that belonged to Kang Jun. It was as if he had never existed.
I opened the last room and my knees buckled. It was full of stacked boxes. Some were open, and inside were bundles of cash tied together.
On the floor. I nodded, my hand trembling. I know he sends 8 million pesos every year. If there’s so much money here, where does it come from? Why is it hidden in a locked room like a warehouse?
At that moment, I heard a door open downstairs. Weak footsteps. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.
Maria Luisa’s voice, but lower, very low, tired. I ran down the stairs. She was standing at the bottom, looking at me. We hadn’t seen each other in twelve years; she was still beautiful but thin, with deep eyes and a heavy air.
We looked at each other for a few seconds. She came closer and gave me a tight hug, not crying, just silent. I’m trembling: Is this what your life is like?
He walks away, looking directly at me.
Ma’am, you shouldn’t be here.
Bakit
She smiled slightly, but didn’t
look at me.
I took
his hand. Where’s your wife? Why isn’t she using it here? Why is there so much money upstairs?
She was silent for a long time before
speaking: Mom, I’m not married
It feels like my world has stopped
. What are you saying?
I never had a wife
Every word