Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 185

Side Story 5: Nuclear Punch, Chae-ner

2024.02.01.

Nancy was arrested by the police and taken to the Metropolitan Police Agency.

Luke headed to the Metropolitan Police Agency with Chae-ner. Throughout the journey, Chae-ner saw Luke’s face, which had been cut by a knife, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“I’m okay, it was just a scratch.”

“But I’m still upset.”

“I’m sorry for laughing while you’re crying, but I’m touched.”

“Huh?”

A wife who can’t stand her husband being attacked and chases after the culprit. Most people would imagine the opposite situation.

Seeing Chae-ner take off her shoes and chase after Nancy, the realization hit him.

“That you love me very, very much.”

“Idiot! Did you only realize that now?”

“And I love you very, very much too.”

Even after hearing Luke’s answer, Chae-ner glared at him, still seemingly resentful.

Soon, clear tears streamed down her cheeks. Her expression seemed to ask why he had confused her so much while loving her.

“Actually, the whole ‘confused’ thing was a lie. It was more because of my inferiority complex.”

Luke confided his feelings to Chae-ner in a gentle tone.

When he faced Chae-ner, who had become an adult after the lunar eclipse, the first thought that came to his mind was a single, overwhelming fear.

Perhaps Chae-ner might regret marrying him, or even leave his side; that anxiety was the greatest.

She was already an outstanding woman before, but now that she had become even more perfect, things would inevitably change.

“Someone like me won’t hold her interest. It’s obvious that other men will covet you—beautiful, smart, and capable.”

As expected, even though only articles about their strained relationship were published, letters and bouquets of courtship poured in for Chae-ner.

So, he admitted he was even more frightened. In the end, he was afraid that Chae-ner would leave his side, so he put up a defensive wall first.

“I’m so pathetic, right?”

“Weren’t you loving me for who I am?”

“That’s right, but I was worried about losing you and got ahead of myself. Honestly, I’m so embarrassed right now that I can’t even face you.”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re the secretary of Duke Courtois, the first noble of Lubeck, handsome, capable, and you earn a lot of money, and your night skills are amazing… I haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m sure you’ll be great. From the first time I met you, I only saw Luke, *Oppa* [an affectionate term for older brother or boyfriend].”

Only after hearing the confirmation from Chae-ner’s mouth did Luke feel truly relieved.

At the same time, he was ashamed of the emotions he had shown her as a form of protest. It wasn’t just setting a snag… If he could turn back time, he would act like an adult.

“I’m sorry, I’m an inadequate husband.”

Luke hugged Chae-ner tightly. But she pushed him away from her embrace with both arms.

“I heard everything. The conversation you had with the Duke. That your love for me has faded…”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

Despite his explanation, Chae-ner turned her head towards the car window. Now that she had misunderstood and declared it was wrong, what good would it do to argue?

Once love fades, it’s all over.

Even though the conflict may have been resolved after many twists and turns, his love, in her mind, had become irreversibly damaged.

* * *

When they arrived at the Metropolitan Police Agency, Leia and Terrence were also there.

While Luke went to be investigated, Leia told Chae-ner what had happened.

“You’ve received countless threatening letters.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It was kept secret. I was afraid you’d be surprised. Of course, Luke knew.”

Chae-ner was dazed by this revelation.

So, that’s why Luke looked around with an icy face during the presentation.

Now, things seemed to fit together little by little. Perhaps the person who sent the threatening letters was Nancy.

‘It wasn’t me who was targeted in the first place.’

Because she said she wanted to destroy what was precious to the person she hated. Then Luke was attacked for no reason.

At least Nancy’s plan was partially successful. Because Luke was hurt, and her heart was breaking.

“Chae-ner, do you remember what you and I overheard last time?”

“That *Oppa’s* love for me has faded?”

“Yeah.”

“How can I forget? That one word is about to end my relationship with *Oppa*.”

Leia felt sorry for Chae-ner, who was caught in this misunderstanding. Leia wondered how to tell Chae-ner the truth in a way that would immediately resolve her doubts.

‘How to tell her? Just tell her as it is.’

“It’s not true. He said his love for you has never faded.”

“Yes?”

“We didn’t even hear the rest of the story.”

Leia also told Chae-ner about the rest of the conversation between the two men.

If it was an emotion that would have faded easily, she wouldn’t have even bothered to worry.

Leia summed up that Luke still loved Chae-ner but was slightly wavering. Then she approached Chae-ner, stroked her hair, and whispered subtly.

“From what I’ve experienced, love isn’t just given for free. You have to go through the process of misunderstanding, fighting, making up, and liking each other again. Why else would I have run away to Greymon? Love is like farming. You have to pull out the weeds in the wheat field of your heart and manage it to prevent pests from ruining the fruit of love.”

Chae-ner didn’t say anything even after Leia’s long speech.

As she listened to her story, old memories resurfaced.

Leia and Terrence loved each other very much, but their trials were also significant. The person who watched the whole process was herself. Compared to that, her and Luke’s worries…

“*Unnie* [term for older sister or close female friend], so has your love become stronger?”

“Yes, it’s become very strong, like a flint. Hah! It would be nice if we only had to love each other. But you have to fight to know each other better. After coming all the way here, I even feel a sense of camaraderie with Terrence.”

“Ah! It’s complicated! I think the old days were more comfortable.”

Chae-ner grabbed her head and shook it violently.

Unlike the old days when everything was simple and easy, it was now very difficult to discern the other person’s feelings and pay attention to them.

“There’s nothing difficult. Just like before, you and Luke can simply like each other.”

Just in time, Luke and Terrence returned after finishing all the investigations. As expected, the person who sent the threatening letters to Chae-ner was Nancy.

“I swear, you’re the only one who would say thank you to a criminal.”

Terrence looked at Luke as soon as he came and was furious.

Leia and Chae-ner looked back and forth between the two men with bewildered faces.

“Terrence, tell us so we can understand too.”

“Luke just went and said hello to a woman named Nancy? He thanked her for wielding the knife at him instead of attacking Chae-ner.”

“Yes?”

Chae-ner and Leia were surprised and looked at Luke.

“Anyway, Nancy will receive a fair punishment. If that sharp blade had been aimed at Chae-ner…”

Luke stopped talking and rubbed his face.

“I couldn’t have endured it.”

At his pitiful voice, Leia took Terrence’s hand and slowly moved away. It was time to give them some time alone.

Chae-ner didn’t even know when the two had disappeared because she was only looking at Luke.

She just shed tears after hearing Luke’s words. It was as if the stuffiness that filled her chest was washed away by her tears.

“So? What’s going to happen to us now? Are we getting a divorce?”

Chae-ner shot back provocatively, or rather, without thinking.

“What divorce? I told you I came to my senses.”

Luke retorted in an agitated tone.

“What if you go crazy again?”

“That won’t happen. If I go crazy and do something like that again, hit me with that iron fist.”

“Iron fist?”

Chae-ner looked at her small hands and tilted her head.

She had only been making lace with these slender hands all her life.

“I heard you punched Nancy and fractured her cheekbone.”

At Luke’s words, Chae-ner’s tears disappeared. He had to be exaggerating.

“What kind of joke is that? Of course, I was angry, but what power does this fist have?”

Chae-ner swung her fist into the air, and the sound of it cutting through the wind was surprisingly loud.

Chae-ner was more surprised by the sound than anyone and blinked her big eyes. Then she murmured quietly.

“I… was too angry.”

She mumbled, hiding her hand behind her as if she was embarrassed, and Luke seemed to be overwhelmed with emotion and on the verge of tears.

He hugged Chae-ner tightly to hide his face.

“I love you, and I’m sorry.”

Chae-ner punched Luke’s chest and sobbed.

If he had just said that one word earlier, she wouldn’t have suffered so much. She resented him for saying it only now.

“How much do I love you, *Oppa*!”

Perhaps because she felt so wronged, she didn’t even realize that she was clenching her fists and mercilessly hitting his chest.

Luke, unable to bear the pain, bent over and coughed, and only then did Chae-ner’s punching stop.

“Are you okay?”

“I think my bones are broken. It’s hard to breathe.”

“Oh! What should I do? This isn’t it… !”

“Ugh!”

Chae-ner thought Luke was pretending. But she was greatly surprised to see sweat beading on his forehead.

She put Luke’s arm around her shoulder and headed to the hospital right in front of them.

Fortunately, the hospital wasn’t far away. But how did the situation turn out like this?

“Cancel the iron fist. You’re a nuclear punch, Chae-ner Ferry!”

Chae-ner shouted when Luke made a joke even though he was in pain.

“You should have told me not to do it if it hurt. Why are you taking it all?”

“Because I upset you, I have to take this much punishment. So, from today on, we’re going to love each other more, okay?”

As soon as Luke finished speaking, Chae-ner kissed him.

A deep kiss continued for a very long time in a very uncomfortable position. It was more sweet and affectionate than ever.

Chae-ner’s rich eyelashes fluttered as she felt her dry lips become moist. She looked at Luke with deep eyes and said.

“If you upset me again next time, I’ll break your ribs.”

“Hahaha, now you’re back to the Chae-ner I know.”