TDIMEH Chapter 01

 

1. Three Years After Divorce & One Week Living on a Deserted Island

They say even a rich family can last for three years after going bankrupt?

"Who came up with such nonsense?"

Se-ah grimaced as she got up from an old, sagging spring bed, filling a chipped glass with water and drinking it in one gulp.

The water, tasting as dull as her current mood, felt like it was sliding reluctantly down her throat.

Not long after her marriage to Junhyuk, Se-ah's family had gone bankrupt in less than three months, let alone three years.

Memories of being chased by shareholders holding what had become worthless stocks haunted her dreams, robbing her of restful sleep.

How much longer would she continue to dream such things?

Sighing deeply, she shook out her damp pajamas, drenched in cold sweat.

It had been three years since she had arrived in the Philippines, using up all her remaining assets to search for Director Kim, who had disappeared. Yet, the nightmares from that time still plagued her.

Today's nightmare featured her ex-husband, Do Junhyuk, as one of the main characters.

Hiding in their honeymoon house, he had suddenly appeared with the same scowl he had on their wedding day and promptly revealed her hiding spot to the creditors.

'It's over there.'

His long, elegant fingers had pointed precisely at her hiding spot. It felt as if her very soul had dropped out of her body.

Even though it was just a dream, the audacity of it infuriated her.

Bad Do Junhyuk.

Even while peeling off her damp clothes and taking a cold shower, her anger didn’t subside easily.

'Rrrrrr. Rrrrrr.'

On a weekend, who could possibly be calling?

Hastily drying herself, Se-ah answered the phone just before it went to voicemail.

"[Hello?]"

— Hey, Coco! Long time no see. Why did you take so long to answer?

Hearing Marino’s cheerful voice, her lips twitched in irritation.

"I told you not to call me that. I've said it over and over again—my clothes aren’t fake."

When she came to the Philippines, all she had been able to bring were the clothes she used to wear. Despite living without much money, she still wore branded clothing. Yet most people she met assumed they were fake and teased her for it.

Especially since she owned a lot of Chanel clothes, people started calling her Coco for fun.

Even if there was no one around to confirm her clothes were authentic, the unfairness of the assumption still annoyed her. Marino, knowing full well her situation, continued to call her that because he found it amusing.

— I’ve got good news for you. Are you really going to be mad over a nickname?

"What’s the news?"

— That Director Kim who ran off with your family’s money—I found his last known whereabouts.

For a moment, her mind went blank, and her trembling hands felt as unsteady as a broken fan.

"Where is he?"

— Zamboanga.

Zamboanga… that’s an island southwest of Manila, isn’t it?

How could she even get there?

Her mind started racing, recalling ferry and flight schedules.

“Y-you’re saying he’s there right now? A-are you sure?”

Her voice, unwavering even in front of thousands of employees, trembled thinly like a goat’s when asking about the life and death of one person.

And it was understandable—after all, it had been years with no news, and now she finally had a lead.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably at the thought that her three years of endurance and searching might finally bear fruit.

The news Se-ah had long awaited made her restless, as if ready to burst out of her seat and rush outside.

She could never fully describe the betrayal she felt when Director Kim fled overseas with every asset and the funds in various proxy accounts that could have been liquidated before the company completely collapsed.

That betrayal caused her father, who had been hanging on by a thread, to collapse.

Among the stolen items was the account information only her father could access. While she could give up on everything else, she couldn’t let go of that—only her father or an authorized family member could withdraw from it.

He could’ve at least told them about it before running.

— I’m not sure if he’s still there. About a month ago, he got into a drunken fight and was turned over to the police there. He bribed his way out, so there are no records, but he spent money so extravagantly that someone remembered him. It was fortunate someone could recall his name.

“Could he have secretly returned to Korea or taken another route?”

— You might underestimate me, but I’m a competent errand-runner in this field. I’ve checked the immigration records, and he’s still here.

“He could be dead. Or it might not even be him.”

Se-ah voiced her doubts, as she had contemplated such possibilities countless times. If he were dead, there would be no way to recover the lost assets. However, given that he hadn’t been caught so far, it seemed likely he was still alive.

She had half given up on ever finding him.

— No, I don’t think so. If he were, someone would’ve plundered his accounts or his house, but his base in Manila remains untouched.

“Then I’ll have to go there and find out myself.”

— That’s probably the best. I’d go with you, but I have to return to Korea tomorrow to escort an important client.

“No, it’s okay. You’ve done more than enough for me already.”

— I’ll contact someone I know in the local police. Mention my name when you get there.

“Thank you, Marino. I’ll never forget this kindness.”

— I’m the one who should thank you—for saving my mother.

Se-ah remembered the day she arrived in the Philippines and helped Marino’s mother, who had collapsed at the airport. It was pure luck she had been there at the right moment.

The airport was bustling with wheelchair-bound patients, so no one noticed the elderly woman leaning against a wall and collapsing. Se-ah, walking by, had been the one to spot her.

Frantically calling for help, she applied chest compressions as she had learned in basic training. Thankfully, the woman survived. Her connection with Marino began from that moment.

Living in a foreign country was even more daunting than she had anticipated, especially since the hidden assets meant the police couldn’t assist her. Se-ah spent her days searching on her own.

Even when a pickpocket stole all her possessions, including her passport, Marino had been the one to recover them.

When Marino heard that she would likely have to stay for a long time, he introduced her to safe businesses run by Koreans. Thanks to him, she managed to obtain an employment visa and stay in the country for three years.

Without Marino, she wouldn’t have lasted three days before returning to Korea.

Before this, her visits to the Philippines had been limited to luxurious trips, staying at high-end resorts. Living there was a stark contrast and far more dangerous than she had expected.

Thankfully, Marino and his family visited occasionally, and she could ward off unwelcome attention by showing her wedding photo.

‘[I’m married. This is my wedding photo. Handsome husband, right?]’

The reason why her phone wallpaper and wallet still contained her wedding photo with her ex-husband, Do Junhyuk, was to maintain this facade.

She couldn’t declare him dead, so she made up a story that he was a military officer deployed in Africa for three years. She explained she was working in the Philippines to save money and planned to return to Korea after three years.

With so many women living separately from their husbands—long-term language students, expatriates, or 'goose fathers'—no one questioned her story.

Marino was the only one who truly knew her situation.

— I’ll contact you again. Be safe.

“Marino, have a safe trip to Korea.”

Ending the call, Se-ah quickly dried her hair with a towel and hastily brushed her shoulder-length bob.

It didn’t feel appropriate to explain her situation over the phone. She decided to visit her boss directly to request a leave of absence.

Traveling to and from Zamboanga would require at least a week. She also planned to request an advance on her next paycheck.

Her boss, who always complained about money, lived in a rather expensive apartment overlooking Manila Port.

Surely, he could spare her paycheck in advance.

Feeling pressed for time, she took a tricycle—an adapted motorcycle taxi—even though it cost a bit more.

Not long after hitting the road, her body became sticky with sweat. The freshness from her recent shower vanished in an instant.

You’d think three years would be enough to get used to it, but she was certain she would never acclimate to Southeast Asia’s weather, even if she spent a lifetime there.

She felt like she might melt onto the pavement like ice cream, but thankfully, she soon arrived at her destination.

The doorbell had barely finished ringing when her boss came rushing out.

“What brings you here on a weekend? I was just about to call you. Perfect timing.”

Seeing her boss’s excited reaction, Se-ah rolled her eyes slowly.

She had her own request, but it seemed her boss also needed something from her.

Thinking this might make it easier to ask for her favor, Se-ah hid her excitement and asked casually, 

“I was in the area and thought I’d drop by. What’s up with you?”

"An important guest is arriving from Korea today, but the driver I had reserved in advance called to cancel due to illness. When I tried to arrange someone else last minute, they told me it was impossible because it's Sunday. This always happens with these guys. I can't go out and hold a sign waiting for the guest; it would be embarrassing. But I can’t trust just anyone to go, either.”

“And?”

“Coco—I mean, Se-ah, can you go pick them up with my car? I heard you know how to drive.”

He only ever called her 'Se-ah' when he wanted something from her. Hearing him use that name now confirmed how urgent the matter was.

Se-ah cheered internally but maintained a calm exterior. She offered to help, on the condition that he grant her request after she returned. Her boss didn’t even ask what she wanted and agreed immediately, nodding as he sent her off.

Feeling as though things were going her way, Se-ah happily turned on the car’s air conditioning and drove to the airport.

She had no idea whom this road would ultimately lead her to.

🌼; A 'goose father' is a term used in some East Asian cultures, particularly in South Korea and China, to describe a father who stays behind in the home country while his wife and children move abroad for work, study, or other opportunities. The father typically stays behind to continue working and providing for the family, often maintaining the role of the primary breadwinner, while the rest of the family lives abroad.

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