chapter 7 : « Can we talk?»

In the morning, the Seo family always gathered around the table for breakfast. Mr. Seo, Elie's father, frowned and posed a question to his son in a tone that betrayed his concern.

"Where's your wife?" he asked.

Elie, absorbed in his plate, replied distractedly, "She went to the hospital last night."

Mr. Seo raised his eyebrows. "To the hospital? What for?"

"Her family is sick, so she had to go take care of them," Elie replied without really paying attention to the conversation.

At that moment, Mrs. Seo, Elie's mother, intervened with a tenderness tinged with sadness. "I see, poor thing! It must be hard for her!"

Mr. Seo couldn't help but think out loud: "But that's a good reason to enjoy our family time, right? I finally understand why she agreed to this marriage. It reassures me just a little since she won't be spending money for nothing."

Suddenly, Elsa appeared in the room, anger visible on her face. "From what you're saying, it sounds like my family's situation is a good thing for you!" she exclaimed, trying to hide her pain behind a fixed smile. "But without wanting to offend you, dear Sir, it is true that I married your son for money. But don't include my family in this. A relief?" Her grimace was bitter. "You worry about your money while my family suffers? Have a little pity for them so I can respect yours. So can we avoid talking about this subject please? That would humbly reassure me."

Mr. Seo reacted immediately: "Not only are you late for breakfast, but you also dare to answer me?"

Elsa responded confidently: "That's obvious! Unlike you, Sir, I must take care of my family first and foremost. And I've never had a set time for breakfast before so all of this is a bit new to me. But thanks to your son, I no longer worry about money so I'll try to arrive on time next time!" She added with an innocent smile: "After all, this is my workplace!" She took her seat at the table.

Mr. Seo could not contain his indignation: "You only know how to sell your body and your pride! How can you talk back to me like that? What bad manners!"

Elsa retorted with biting irony: "Have you ever seen a whore behave like an angel? No, right?"

Mr. Seo was about to reply when Elsa burst out laughing: "Ha! Ha! My joke was funny wasn't it? Sorry, I'm used to that!" Her smile was provocative.

Mrs. Seo tried to ease the tensions: "What if we stopped all this? Let's eat before the meal gets cold! My dear, would you like some pie?"

"Thank you, mother! You are divine kindness!" Elsa replied in her thoughts: *unlike your husband*.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and everyone finished their meal in silence. After breakfast, Elsa headed to the kitchen to do the dishes.

"Oh my dear! What are you doing here?" Madame Seo asked in surprise.

"I'm doing the dishes. At least I have to clean up a bit," Elsa replied determinedly.

"No, you don't have to do that. The cleaners are here for that," Madame Seo insisted.

"I know, but don't worry about it. I'm not used to doing nothing, so I need to move a bit to stretch my muscles," Elsa explained with a smile.

"You're so funny, you know!?" added Madame Seo while laughing.

At that moment, Élie appeared behind them and politely said, "Excuse me! I wish to speak with her."

"I'm listening!" Elsa replied without hesitation.

"In private!" he ordered while turning his back and gesturing for her to follow him.

"… Okay!" she agreed as she followed him. She cast a worried glance at her mother-in-law before leaving the room without saying a word.