Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 37. Every Night, By My Side
Chapter 37. Every Night, By My Side
A deep groan escaped Lee Joon’s lips as he felt the soft texture beneath his fingertips.
As if to confirm that this was reality, he gently stroked Eunchae’s hair, wrapping a strand around his fingers and savoring the silky sensation. Only then did he truly realize that Eunchae was right beside him.
Lee Joon’s lips curved into a slow smile. It felt just like he remembered. On nights when they were lost in intense passion, Eunchae would fall asleep, and he would bury his face in her neck, relishing the softness of her hair as he gently touched it throughout the night.
“Mmm…”
Lee Joon’s lips curved into a slow smile. It felt just like he remembered. On nights when they were lost in intense passion, Eunchae would fall asleep, and he would bury his face in her neck, relishing the softness of her hair as he gently touched it throughout the night.
But… he couldn’t fall asleep holding Eunchae like before. He had to let go of the rich, soft strands of hair wrapped around his fingers. As Eunchae had said, they were still… strangers.
“Eunchae. Yoon Eunchae.”
His low, affectionate call dispersed into the air before it could even reach her ears. He longed to touch her face, to savor the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
He didn’t want to disturb her peaceful sleep, and he could easily predict how she would look at him when she woke up.
With eyes filled with contempt, she would probably consider him the most despicable person in the world. It was clear that she would not want to share a bed with him again.
Lee Joon swallowed a sigh of regret as he gently played with the ends of Eunchae’s hair.
“You must hate and resent me a lot.”
He whispered with a bittersweet smile. As he lowered his gaze, his long, thick lashes cast a shadow beneath his eyes.
In the dim light of the mood lamp, Lee Joon appeared both lonely and vulnerable, a stark contrast to his usual cold and sharp demeanor.
“Yet, I willingly chose to be petty and despicable. I had to bring you… back to my side, even if it was like this.”
As he spoke, Lee Joon tightly grasped a handful of Eunchae’s long, flowing hair. This was all he could touch and possess—just this small portion of Yoon Eunchae’s hair, and only while she was sound asleep.
“I can never… let you go.”
His eyes, which had been heavy with sorrow, suddenly hardened, filled with a fierce possessiveness.
“I will have you by my side for not just a year, but for a lifetime. I will make you… love me again.”
The final words were a promise he made to himself.
The twisted jealousy and revenge of others forced both Eunchae and Lee Joon to bear the burden of the consequences. Each suffered in silence, unaware of the other’s pain.
He understood that it wouldn’t be easy to set everything right and that it couldn’t be accomplished all at once.
“So… I have to work hard at this.”
Lee Joon set his jaw with determination. Leaning down, he pressed his lips softly against the top of Eunchae’s head, the gesture gentle and full of care.
“Good night, Yoon Eunchae. Every night, by my side.”
After whispering his goodnight, he slowly released her hair and shifted his body. Moving to the edge of the bed, he lay down while looking at Eunchae’s back.
He hoped that the distance between them would eventually close, and then he too closed his eyes, seeking sleep. It was a comfort he hadn’t felt in a long time.
***
As the soft, bluish light of dawn began to seep through the window, Eunchae woke up to the loud sound of her alarm.
“Euhm…”
Eunchae groaned as she struggled to sit up, the early morning wake-up feeling foreign to her after so long.
As she brushed her disheveled hair away with a groggy gaze, she gradually regained her senses and glanced at the empty space beside her. Just like when she fell asleep, Lee Joon was not there.
A strange emptiness settled in her chest, and her eyes dimmed. Wondering if he had fallen asleep in the study, she checked the pillow, finding an indentation where his head had rested.
“Has he already gotten up?”
Tilting her head, Eunchae got out of bed. Even when they were living together, Lee Joon often woke up first. Because of that, she was always worried about his health, anxious that he might collapse from overwork.
No matter how strong Tae Lee Joon’s physical body was, he did not get enough sleep.
Yet, despite her concerns, he rarely appeared tired or disheveled. His presence was always intense and unwavering.
“He’s not some steelman born in a foundry. Truly impressive.”
After a quick wash and change of clothes, Eunchae shook off her lingering thoughts and made her way downstairs.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Oh my, little madam!”
When Eunchae entered the kitchen and greeted her, the head cook, who was busy preparing breakfast, was surprised and approached her.
“Why are you up so early? You should sleep a little longer.”
“I need to help prepare breakfast,”
Eunchae replied with a polite smile as she searched for an apron, but the cook firmly blocked her path.
“No, you can’t. The honorary chairman specifically asked that you not do anything.”
“What? Grandfather?”
Eunchae’s surprised question was met with a firm nod from the cook.
“Yes. So from now on, you don’t need to worry about preparing breakfast or any household chores.”
“But…”
“Please understand the honorary chairman’s feelings, little madam. After finally getting you back, he must be so happy and grateful to have his beloved granddaughter-in-law with him again. He wants to take care of you and do everything for you.”
The cook conveyed Tae Moo-jin’s sentiments in a calm voice.
“Besides, I hear you are very busy with work. If you overdo it, you might get sick. So please go back and get some more rest.
“I’m already awake. I’ll just help out today,” Eunchae insisted.
“You cannot, little madam.”
His firm refusal left Eunchae at a loss for words, her lips pressed tightly together.
“Chef!”
Even with her bright smile, it was no use. The cook shook his head firmly.
“Fine. I give up.”
Eunchae finally conceded with a sheepish grin, agreeing to the cook’s wishes.
“Then please let me prepare tea for Grandpa.”
“The vice president has already taken the tea with him.”
“Lee Joon did?”
“Yes. Both of them went to the garden for a walk after having tea.”
“They went for a walk…?”
Eunchae’s eyes widened in disbelief at the news.
It was hard to imagine Lee Joon treating his grandfather with such warmth. Sharing tea and going for a walk together was an extremely rare occurrence.
“You must be surprised, little madam. We were quite shocked at first, too.”
The head cook also expressed his understanding and added,
“As soon as he returned, he greeted the Honorary Chairman every morning and ate with him. Sometimes, like today, he even goes for walks with the Honorary Chairman. His dedication is incredible.”
The more she listened, the more Eunchae’s lips twitched in surprise. She started to question if this was the Lee Joon she knew. The head cook’s tone seemed to echo her doubts.
‘Has he injured his head or is there a serious problem? Why has he changed so much?’
Something flashed through Eunchae’s mind as she tilted her head, and her expression stiffened abruptly.
‘Could it be…?’
Eunchae shook her head, silently hoping her suspicions were wrong. Meanwhile, the cook went on with her story.
“By the way, little madam.”
“Yes, Chef?”
Eunchae snapped back to attention, responding promptly.
“Do you happen to know where the vice president’s favorite bakery is?”
“Bakery?”
Eunchae’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.
“Yes. He often asks for bread, but it seems he always leaves more than half when we prepare it. Even though we source from famous bakeries in Seoul and even from hotel bakeries, it appears none of them suit his taste.”
The cook explained the details as he sought information.
“You’ll be staying in the eastern annex from now on, and I can’t help but worry. He doesn’t have a fussy taste when it comes to regular meals, but it’s only when we prepare bread that he’s difficult. He often asks for night bread in particular.
“Night bread?”
Eunchae’s gaze wavered as she repeated the question.
“Yes.”
The cook nodded and asked again for the name of a bakery that would suit Lee Joon’s tastes. Eunchae, blinking slowly, finally composed herself and replied.
“I’ll handle that, so you don’t need to worry about it, Chef.”
“Is that alright?”
When Eunchae assured the cook that she would handle the bakery issue, he couldn’t help but feel relieved.
“Of course.”
With a gentle smile, Eunchae left the kitchen and headed upstairs to the second floor.
***
Lee Joon did not return to the bedroom until Eunchae finished getting ready for work.
“Is he planning to eat right away? What about getting ready for work?”
As Eunchae muttered to herself while brushing her hair, her expression slightly furrowed. Whether Lee Joon was getting ready for work was none of her concern. Yet, she found herself worrying.
“Why am I so curious? It’s not like I’m absorbed in a performance.”
Chiding herself for her unnecessary thoughts, she continued brushing her hair when her phone on the vanity buzzed. Checking the caller ID, she saw it was Woo-sung.
“What’s up with him calling so early?”
Eunchae let out a soft hum as she answered the call.
“Yes, Oppa.”
[Good morning.]
“Good morning to you too, Oppa.”
She smiled in response to his cheerful greeting.
[Are you all ready for work?]
“I’m almost ready.”
[What about breakfast?]
“I’m about to eat now.”
[Perfect. I’m on my way to your house. Come down in a bit. I packed a lunch for you. You mentioned you wanted spicy kimbap the other day, right? I prepared it for you to eat in the car.]
“What? Right now?”
Eunchae’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
[Yeah. I’ll be there in about 10 minutes.]
“O-Oppa, don’t come over. This isn’t my house.”
Eunchae was flustered, unsure of what to do in this unexpected situation.
[Then… where are you?]
Woo-sung’s voice, sounding casual, was actually on edge. But Eunchae didn’t have the presence of mind to notice.
“I’m at a friend’s house.”
As she blurted out the first thing that came to mind, Woo-sung pressed on with his questions.
[Who? Is it Yoo-rim?]
“Yes. I stayed at Yoo-rim’s place last night.”
Eunchae couldn’t believe how easily the lie slipped from her lips. She rubbed her forehead, stifling a groan.
[I see. Got it. I’ll see you at the office.]
“Okay, Oppa. See you at the office.”
When Woo-sung said nothing more, Eunchae let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was able to relax after the call, she heard a chilling voice.
“I told you. No other men are allowed.”