Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 40. Are You Okay?

Chapter 40. Are You Okay?

What… is happening right now…?

Everything happened so quickly that Eunchae was left speechless. Her mind was already struggling to process the bouquet, and now he was hugging her!

Not understanding what was going on, Eunchae could only blink while wrapped in Lee Joon’s arms. The servants, equally stunned, stood frozen in place, not knowing whether they should step away or look away. Instead, they just stared at the two of them in disbelief.

“You have no idea how happy I am that you’re back.”

Lee Joon whispered in a deep, tender voice.

Eunchae’s eyelids quivered. It was the first time she had heard such gentleness in his voice. The sweetness of his tone seemed to flow into her ears and cling to her skin.

She didn’t know what to say or how to react. Her lips moved slightly, but no words came out. This had never happened before, and not understanding the situation left her completely confused. Her mind felt empty as if it had gone completely blank.

“Um, Lee Joon…”

Eunchae, finally snapping back to her senses, squirmed to free herself from his embrace. Just then, Tae Moo-jin came out of his room and into the living room.

“Oh my, it’s like newlyweds.”

Tae Moo-jin beamed with a broad smile, clearly pleased by the sight of the two of them looking so close.

“Oh, Grandfather. I’m back,” Lee Joon said, finally releasing Eunchae and greeting Tae Moo-jin.

‘Ah, so that’s why.’

With Tae Moo-jin’s arrival, Eunchae finally understood Lee Joon’s behavior from a moment ago. He had been acting, putting on a show for Tae Moo-jin to demonstrate how close they were.

‘Clever. He even brought flowers.’

Eunchae couldn’t help but shake her head at Lee Joon’s cunning. He would stop at nothing to secure the company.

“Yes. Did you finish up your afternoon schedule well?”

Tae Moo-jin asked vaguely about what had happened after the lunchtime meeting. Even before the official inauguration, he had mobilized the public relations team to deliberately spread the news everywhere.

As planned, the news of Lee Joon’s appointment as the next president quickly spread to media outlets and political and business circles. Because of this, not only did the company’s stock price fluctuate, but the company atmosphere was also chaotic throughout the afternoon.

“Yes. I managed to take care of the urgent matters first. It looks like I’ll be quite busy for a while.”

“Of course,” Tae Moo-jin nodded in agreement, not forgetting to give his advice.

“But don’t get too caught up in work. Take good care of your wife, too. Don’t do anything you’ll regret again.”

Tae Moo-jin glanced at Eunchae, who was standing awkwardly, with a faint, bitter smile.

“You’re probably dying of curiosity about what we’re talking about, aren’t you?”

“Oh, no, Grandfather,”

Eunchae replied, shaking her hands with an awkward laugh at his teasing.

“I’d tell you myself, but I think Lee Joon would have something to say about that. Go upstairs and hear it directly from him.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Eunchae replied politely and extended her hand toward Lee Joon again, asking for the briefcase. Instead of handing it over, he gives the bouquet.

“Forget the bag; just take this.”

“What?”

Eunchae’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit. They had already put on the show, so why insist on her taking the bouquet now?

But she couldn’t refuse. Tae Moo-jin and the servants were watching her with keen interest. In this situation, how could she possibly decline the flowers?

“Yes… thank… you.”

Eunchae forced a smile as she took the bouquet.

‘Why did it have to be marguerites?’

Her gaze sank heavily as she looked at the flowers.

During their first date, the bouquet she had practically begged Lee Joon for was also made of marguerites. Unintentionally, the memory of that time came flooding back, leaving Eunchae with a swirl of complicated emotions.

‘Come to think of it, even the restaurant we went to last time… it’s all matching up with our first date.’

Frowning at the unwelcome coincidence, Eunchae followed Lee Joon upstairs to the second floor.

***

“Isn’t this acting… a bit too much? At this rate, they might catch on.”

As soon as they entered the bedroom, Eunchae spoke up, watching Lee Joon take off his suit jacket. Her words to keep things moderate made Lee Joon’s fingers, which were reaching for his tie knot, pause for a moment.

“What?”

Lee Joon frowned and stared directly at Eunchae.

“What are you talking about?”

He already understood what she meant, but he wanted to hear her say it out loud.

“Exactly what I said. If a person changes too suddenly, it could raise suspicion.”

“It could also come across as the desperation of someone who’s trying hard.”

Lee Joon’s mouth curved into a slight smirk as he countered. With his habit, he tilted his head slightly and looked at Eunchae with a calm expression.

But inside, he wasn’t calm at all. It felt like gulping down a bowl of cold coffee—bitter and stinging.

What Lee Joon had said was an exact reflection of his feelings. He was desperately trying right now. Trying to make Eunchae love him again, trying to keep her from leaving his side.

Yet Eunchae saw it all as just an act. She believed everything was a lie.

A bitter taste rose in his throat as he swallowed a sigh that felt more like a complaint.

‘Well, considering the pathetic attempts I’ve made to keep her close, it’s no wonder.’

Lee Joon’s self-mocking thoughts were swallowed by the fear that he might lose Eunchae forever.

“It should be within reason. You’re overdoing it. And next time you plan an event like this, give me a heads-up, so I’m not caught off guard.”

“I got promoted. I’m now the CEO of Electronics.”

Tired of Eunchae constantly twisting his intentions, Lee Joon changed the subject. It was easier to talk about objective facts than to deal with the pain.

“Oh, really? So that’s what Grandfather was talking about earlier. Congratulations, Lee Joon. Truly, congratulations.”

Eunchae congratulated her sincerely. Then she looked at the bouquet in her arms and added with a hint of humor.

“The bouquet certainly has multiple uses. It’s used for the role of a loving husband, and now it also celebrates your promotion,”

Eunchae said with a hint of sarcasm, about to add a joke about getting her money’s worth.

But Lee Joon cut her off, revealing the real reason for the flowers in a serious tone.

“I bought them to apologize to you. Not for those other reasons.”

“Apologize? What… apology?”

“I was too harsh with my words this morning. I’m sorry.”

Eunchae’s mouth fell open at the sincerity of his apology.

Tae Lee Joon, of all people, apologizing? It was a shock. Wasn’t he the man who always spoke his mind, even in front of his parents and grandfather, without blinking?

“Are you really… okay?”

Eunchae placed the bouquet on the vanity, not caring where it landed, and studied Lee Joon’s face. Her expression was so serious that Lee Joon laughed and shook his head.

“I’m not sick. I’m perfectly healthy.”

Eunchae narrowed her eyes at Lee Joon, who insisted he was fine.

“You didn’t hit your head, did you?”

“You seem to be hoping something’s wrong with me.”

“I’m just surprised. Why are you acting so out of character? Since when do you ever apologize?”

“Are you unhappy even when I do apologize?”

Eunchae’s disbelief was so strong that Lee Joon responded grumpily. At the same time, he regretted and regretted again the way he had treated her harshly in the past, all to hide his true feelings.

“Yeah, you’re right. Receiving an apology from you is just awkward and uncomfortable,”

Eunchae said, letting out a hollow laugh. She picked up the bouquet from the vanity again. Knowing it was a gift of apology made it feel different—less unpleasant than before.

“Anyway, my point is, just don’t overdo it. It’s weird if a person changes too suddenly. Didn’t you see grandfather’s face earlier? He was practically in shock.”

“I didn’t notice. I was too focused on one thing.”

Lee Joon looked at Eunchae steadily, as if to show exactly what—or rather, who—that “one thing” was.

As his gaze pierced straight into her, Eunchae suddenly felt her heart tighten. The more she looked into those dark eyes, impossible to read, the more an inexplicable flutter stirred within her chest.

‘This is crazy…!’

Alarmed by her reaction, Eunchae quickly put down the bouquet and stepped away from Lee Joon. The allure he possessed was just too dangerous.

“Change your clothes and come out. Let’s have dinner.”

“Alright.”

Lee Joon responded in a low, flat tone. His mood was a mess, having failed to get any of the reactions he had hoped for from Eunchae.

He thought that giving her the bouquet as an apology would make her happy. He had expected her to smile at him, maybe not as brightly as the first time she received flowers, but at least with some warmth.

But it was nothing like that. It was just his wishful thinking. His sincerity was misunderstood, and their relationship remained on parallel tracks.

“Keep your Friday evening free,” he said, trying to encourage himself not to get discouraged and to keep pushing forward.

“Evening? Why?”

Eunchae paused her hand on the bedroom door and asked for a reason.

“Just to have dinner together. Are you free?”

“Why tell me to keep it free and then ask if I’m available?”

Typical. Always deciding and then asking. Eunchae let out a small, incredulous laugh but agreed easily enough.

“Yes, I’ll keep it free.”

“I’ll text you the location before you leave work tomorrow.”

“Alright. Wash up and come down.”

With that, Eunchae headed downstairs.

“Phew… There’s still a long way to go.”

Lee Joon let out a heavy sigh, his eyes drifting to the bouquet sitting alone on the vanity. It seemed abandoned, much like how he felt. His gaze was filled with traces of old wounds and lingering sorrow.

***

When Eunchae woke up, she stared blankly at the spot where Lee Joon should have been. He had probably worked late again, but he was already up and gone.

“When does this man even sleep?”

Eunchae muttered to herself as she got out of bed.

It was true that his late working hours meant she had the bed all to herself, making it more comfortable. Yet, she couldn’t help but worry about his health as he worked around the clock.

“Either way, it’s uncomfortable,”

Eunchae let out a sigh as she made her way to the bathroom. A little while later, just as she was getting ready for work after her shower, Mrs. Kang called.

“Of course. I knew she wouldn’t hold out for long,”

Eunchae muttered, bracing herself for what was to come as she answered the call.

“Yes, Mother.”

“[Come over to the main house right now.]”

Mrs. Kang gave her instructions curtly and warned Eunchae to keep her mouth shut.

“[Don’t even think about running off to Grandfather or Lee Joon. Just come over quietly.]”

“Yes, I understand.”

Ending the call calmly, Eunchae swallowed a sigh and made her way to the main house.

When she arrived and stepped into the living room, Chief Han greeted her with a slightly surprised expression.

“Oh my, young madam. What brings you here so early?”

“Mother asked to see me. Is she in the master bedroom?”

“Oh… yes.”

Chief Han responded with a sigh and then explained the current situation in the house.

“The Chairman went out for an early morning round of golf.”

“Did he?”

Eunchae quickly realized that Mrs. Kang had intentionally called her at this time. With Tae Sung-yeol out of the house, no one in the main house could keep Mrs. Kang in check.

“Understood, Chief Han. I’ll handle it,”

Eunchae said, reassuring the anxious Chief Han, who seemed more worried than she was. Straightening her posture, she prepared herself to face Mrs. Kang alone.