Scarlet Strings.

Projecting Pictures

As Scarlet hurriedly exited the mansion, Mrs. Kang, Ha-joon's aunt, happened to glance out the window. She caught a glimpse of a woman with long black hair stepping into a car, her back turned, making it impossible to discern her attire. Mrs. Kang's eyes narrowed, and she let out a disapproving scoff.

"저런, 저 여자가 바로 하준이의 아내인가?" (Is that woman really Ha-joon's wife?) she muttered to herself in Korean, her tone laced with disdain. "아침 인사도 없이 나가다니, 예의가 없구나." (Leaving without even a morning greeting, how disrespectful.)

Settling into her favorite armchair, Mrs. Kang picked up her knitting needles, the rhythmic click-clack providing a semblance of comfort. As she worked the yarn, her thoughts drifted to Esme, the woman she had once hoped would become part of their family. Esme had married Ha-neul's brother, Jung Seung-il, and had seamlessly embraced the traditional role of a Korean daughter-in-law.

"에스메는 참으로 이상적인 며느리였지," (Esme was truly an ideal daughter-in-law,) Mrs. Kang reflected, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "가족을 최우선으로 생각하고, 집안일도 완벽하게 해냈어." (She always put family first and managed household chores flawlessly.)

Her knitting pace quickened as she continued her internal monologue. "하지만 이 '레드'라는 여자는... 이름부터가 이상하잖아." (But this woman called 'Red'... even her name is strange.) She shook her head disapprovingly. "하준이가 무슨 생각으로 저런 여자를 아내로 맞았는지 이해할 수가 없어." (I can't understand what Ha-joon was thinking, marrying a woman like her.)

Mrs. Kang's traditional upbringing had instilled in her specific expectations for daughters-in-law. Rooted in Confucian ideals, she believed a wife should prioritize her family, manage the household, and support her husband unconditionally.

"요즘 젊은 여자들은 왜 이렇게 가정의 중요성을 모를까?" (Why do young women these days not understand the importance of family?) she pondered aloud, her frustration evident. "일하는 것도 좋지만, 가정이 우선이어야지." (It's fine to work, but family should come first.)

She thought back to the mornings when Esme would wake early, prepare breakfast for the entire family, and ensure the household ran smoothly. "에스메는 항상 새벽에 일어나 아침 식사를 준비했는데," (Esme always woke up at dawn to prepare breakfast,) she reminisced. "그런데 이 여자는 아침 인사도 없이 나가버리니..." (But this woman leaves without even a morning greeting...)

Mrs. Kang sighed deeply, her knitting slowing as her thoughts weighed heavily on her. "하준이가 이런 결혼 생활로 행복할 수 있을까?" (Can Ha-joon be happy in such a marriage?) she wondered, genuine concern for her nephew surfacing amidst her disapproval.

As she completed another row of stitches, Mrs. Kang resolved to speak with Ha-joon about her concerns. "가족의 어른으로서 조언을 해줘야겠어." (As an elder of the family, I should offer some advice.) She nodded to herself, feeling a sense of duty to uphold the family's values and ensure its harmony.

"전통과 가족의 가치를 지키는 것이 얼마나 중요한지 하준이에게 상기시켜줘야겠어." (I need to remind Ha-joon of the importance of preserving our traditions and family values.) With that thought, she continued her knitting, the repetitive motion providing solace as she contemplated the challenges facing her family.

***

As Scarlet settled into her office, she couldn't help but notice her phone's storage was nearing its limit. Discussing this with her assistant, Christine, she expressed her concern.

"Christine, my phone's almost out of space. I think it's all the photos from my trips," Scarlet remarked, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Christine nodded understandingly. "It might be a good idea to transfer those photos to your laptop. That way, you can free up space on your phone and have a backup of your memories."