Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 55. Hide and Seek

Chapter 55. Hide and Seek

Despite Lee Joon’s hurry, the Friday evening rush hour was heavy. By the time they reached the beach, the sun was already setting, casting a warm orange glow over the sea. 

Still, Eunchae felt satisfied. The cool breeze and the sound of the waves seemed to lift the weight from her chest, leaving her feeling refreshed. 

“The water is still cold. Won’t your feet freeze?”

Lee Joon asked, concern in his voice, as Eunchae slipped off her shoes and let the foamy waves gently wash over her feet. 

” This much is fine.”

Despite her assurances, Lee Joon couldn’t help but worry that she might catch a cold. Eunchae had weak lungs and was prone to colds, especially when the seasons changed. Mrs Hwang would often send her bundles of remedies, including ginger soaked in honey, to keep her healthy. 

Whether or not Eunchae understood Lee Joon’s concern, she continued to laugh brightly as she played with the waves, her spirits lifted. Every time the waves went out, she would stand on the wet sand and wait. Then, as the waves rolled in again, she’d let out a playful shriek and run back to the shore to escape the water, laughing as if she was playing a game of tag with the sea. 

Eunchae looked so innocent and carefree that a smile naturally spread across Lee Joon’s face as he watched her. He had never seen her laugh so freely before. And because of that, the guilt and regret weighed even heavier on him.

He couldn’t help but think back to Jin-sung’s first birthday. When Eunchae had told him she didn’t want to go home, if only he had taken her to the beach like that, maybe she would have found some relief, a chance to breathe.

The memory of that day haunted him, a constant cycle of regret and self-blame.

It was the first time Eunchae had ever expressed how much she was struggling, and it had frightened him. He feared she would leave him, walk away from everything.

It was then that Lee Joon finally realized his true feelings for her.

The thoughts he had – about letting Eunchae go for her happiness, or preparing himself for the possibility that she would leave him – were all false, nothing more than a facade of selflessness. In reality, it had been a lie.

He had no intention of letting Yoon Eunchae go. What he wanted was for her to stay by his side, even with the uncertainty of his future hanging over them. He selfishly wanted her to endure everything with him, even though he knew how unfair it was.

That selfish wish had only hurt her more. Telling her to leave if she wanted to and opening the car door that day had been nothing more than a cowardly, manipulative test – a way to see if she would leave.

He had tested her, knowing that he had no right to hold her back. After all, he had nothing to offer her, nothing that she wanted. And yet he couldn’t help but hope that she wouldn’t leave.

He couldn’t give her the child she longed for, the open display of affection she deserved, or even a single warm, reassuring word. All he could offer was money and physical pleasure. Yet he desperately hoped that this would be enough to keep Eunchae by his side. 

By some miracle, she had stayed. He couldn’t describe the immense relief he felt when she didn’t leave him that day. Even though deep down he knew she wouldn’t, those few seconds of hesitation – as she considered her choice – made his heart race with fear. 

He often wondered what someone like her saw in someone like him. Despite everything, Eunchae never let go of his hand.

‘You were like air to me. Without you I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t live. I don’t think I can survive without you. So please…’

Her words from the past echoed in his mind, a reminder of the depth of her feelings. She had become so important to him, and he to her, that he couldn’t imagine a life apart.

Her desperate plea for him to come back, even after his affair, had penetrated Lee Joon’s heart. It was her plea that made him decide to divorce her despite everything.

As memories of the past swirled in his mind, his eyes were painted with the fiery hues of the setting sun. He wasn’t sure if the redness in his eyes was from the light or the unshed tears welling up inside.

“Ahh!”

Eunchae’s playful scream as she continued her game of tag with the waves pulled Lee Joon back from his thoughts. He watched her fondly and began to walk towards her.

“I may not be able to swim, but I’m pretty good at running.”

Eunchae shrugged playfully and stuck out her tongue at the receding waves. She knew it was childish, but she couldn’t resist taunting the waves once more.

With a playful gleam in her eyes, she backed away, daring the incoming waves to catch her. Perhaps she was too sure of herself. Her heel sank too deep into the wet sand and she lost her balance.

“Mommy-!” she yelped, flailing her arms as she tried to regain her footing. But it was no use. The problem wasn’t just that her feet were getting wet; she was about to fall flat on her back.

“Ahh-!”

Just as Eunchae squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the inevitable fall, a firm arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Her back was pressed gently against something solid.

“If you fall into the water, you’ll catch a cold.”

Lee Joon said with a playful laugh as he held her.

“Thank God you caught me.”

Eunchae replied with a faint smile, her eyes drifting to the waves receding in the distance and the sea growing darker as night approached.

Just then, Lee Joon kissed her neck, salty from the sea breeze, and took her earlobe between his lips, sending shivers down her spine.

“Lee Joon, your shoes…”

Eunchae’s eyes, slightly dazed by the intimate sensation, finally landed on his shoes and trousers, now soaked with seawater.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a pair of shoes,” he replied casually, his voice calm. Lee Joon gently turned her over and cupped her face in his hands. When the waves rolled in again, they both stood there, their feet completely submerged.

As their eyes met, Eunchae saw something deeper in his gaze. There was another sea in Lee Joon’s eyes – a darker, more devouring sea than the one behind her. It was a sea that threatened to drown not only her body but also her soul, pulling her in completely.

Lee Joon gently tucked Eunchae’s windblown hair behind her ear and gently brushed the tip of his nose against hers. He kissed her lips lightly and tenderly. Then he caressed her cheek.

“What…are we doing?”

Smiling weakly, almost wistful, Lee Joon replied, “What do you think? We’re playing hide and seek.”

“What?”

“You’ve been running away all this time, and I’m the one running after you, begging you to accept me. Isn’t that what this is? A game of hide and seek.”

Eunchae felt a twinge of unease at his expression, recognizing the weight of unspoken feelings that hung between them. She could see the disappointment in Lee Joon’s eyes and it made her heart ache.

“I didn’t mean…” 

“No, it’s OK. It’s the truth, isn’t it? I can’t force you to feel something you don’t.” 

His voice was calm, but the pain behind it was palpable. Eunchae looked away, the waves crashing gently against the shore as if to wash away the tension. 

“But I don’t want to hurt you.” 

“Then be honest with me,” he said, stepping closer, his gaze steady and searching. “Tell me what you want.” 

The question hung in the air, heavy and expectant, as Eunchae felt the weight of her own heart’s desires swirling in her chest. 

“Then at least hold on to my body for safety.” 

Lee Joon calmly accepted the reality and bit down on Eunchae’s lips. The salty taste of her reminded him of the tears she had shed.

***

“Ahhhh!”

Shuddering moans of pleasure and heated breaths filled the hotel room. Eunchae’s body swayed with Lee Joon’s violent thrusts.

She complied with Lee Joon’s request to hold him still. Shivering from the pleasure he was giving her, she absorbed his hot thrusts with her whole body.

Their bodies rolled on the bed, one on top of the other, changing positions. Eunchae moved up and cupped his sweaty, firm chest in her palm. Lee Joon lifted his hips, sending a wave of pleasure through his head.

Eunchae moved seductively, tilting her head. The instinct that filled him reached deep inside him, sending a dizzying sensation through him.

“Eunchae…!”

Lee Joon moaned, clenching his teeth. Her entire body was engulfed in a burning heat and excitement.

Her v*gina refused to let him go for a moment. Even when he bit down slightly to move forward, she sucked him in like a voracious maw.

“Whoa……!”

With a ragged breath, Lee Joon repositioned himself and climbed onto Eunchae, his fragile ankles bound and hoisted onto her shoulders.

“Lee Joon…”

Eunchae’s eyes, wet with tears and heat, fluttered pitifully.

“Don’t yell at me.”

Lee Joon gave a slow laugh, as if to steel himself, then quickly pushed up his waist.

“Ah……! Ah……!”

N*ked sounds and new chants mingled. The temperature of the room rose, as did the temperature of the clashing bodies. The air was salty on their breath, yet the strangely overlapping lips and indulging bodies were sweet.

“Ha, damn.”

Lee Joon cursed under his breath. Every muscle in his body twitched as he moved. Eunchae screamed and raked her nails over his back, shoulders, and arms.

His heart was pounding. Eunchae felt her entire body pounding.

“Eunchae, Yoon Eunchae.”

Lee Joon’s call, his lustful eyes meeting hers, sounded so sweet, so out of place.

Could it be affection? Eunchae lifted her hand and gently stroked Lee Joon’s cheek. This only increased his arousal.

Unable to resist the extreme pleasure, Lee Joon hugged Eunchae tightly and reached his climax.

Eunchae shivered and hugged Lee Joon tightly around the neck.

The afterglow lasted a long time. Lee Joon stroked Eunchae’s back without biting her. He left short kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and lips.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of his gentle touch and behavior.

Her heart was already …… at the tip of his fingers.

*** 

It was a morning. She had been with Lee Joon for about two months.

“Try this.” 

Lee Joon placed some enoki mushroom pancakes in Eunchae’s bowl, where she was picking at her food with a dry mouth. 

“Thank you. I’ll… eat well.” 

Eunchae replied with an awkward smile. Lee Joon had been doing that a lot lately, which made her nervous. While she appreciated the effort and understood his intention to seek acceptance, it was still embarrassing to be treated like this in front of others.

“Ah, how lovely to see you both so affectionate. Since your day at the beach, it seems your relationship has blossomed even more.”

Tae Moo-jin said with a warm smile as he looked at Eunchae and Lee Joon. He felt a sense of relief, believing that Lee Joon had touched Eunchae’s heart.

“Yes. Even though it was only one day, we had a great time.”

Lee Joon replied, a broad smile spreading across his face as he remembered their trip to the beach.

The two had spent the night enjoying each other’s company and greeted the morning with ease. After a simple breakfast, they set out to explore. They walked along the sandy beach and enjoyed coffee in a charming café, chatting as they went. Eunchae, less talkative than before, allowed Lee Joon to steer the conversation with safe topics. She found his confidence in leading their discussions quite fascinating.

They had lunch at a well-known sashimi restaurant and then decided to take another walk by the sea to aid their digestion. The midday sea was a dazzling shade of blue, very different from the dark, seductive depths of the night sea.

“This is beautiful. So refreshing…”

Eunchae said, looking at Lee Joon with a bright, clear smile that reflected the ocean.

Lee Joon couldn’t help but feel a wave of regret wash over him. He wished he had brought her here sooner; it shouldn’t have been so difficult. Seeing Eunchae relax and breathe easily filled him with self-reproach.

Fortunately, their relationship subtly changed after the trip. Eunchae began to sleep soundly next to Lee Joon in the same bed without being too aware of his presence.

Of course, they didn’t just sleep together. They were also intimate, with Lee Joon often holding Eunchae from behind, just like before.

As Lee Joon experienced these moments, a glimmer of hope began to grow within him. Perhaps within a year, Eunchae would forgive him and open her heart again.

“Yawn…”

When Eunchae suddenly yawned in the middle of their meal, Lee Joon noticed her paleness. She had been feeling under the weather since their trip and still wasn’t at her best. The night before, she had barely touched her food, claiming she was not feeling well.

“Are you still not feeling well?”

“Yes. I just feel so tired.”

Lee Joon frowned at her answer as he rubbed her tired body.

“I told you we should go to the hospital, but you won’t listen. You’ve even gotten over your colds before.”

“It wasn’t that serious. I thought a little rest would help…”

Eunchae replied with an embarrassed smile, but her words trailed off. Suddenly a wave of nausea hit her, making her feel like she was going to throw up.