Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 62: I Love You

Chapter 62: I Love You

As the wind gently swayed the chime, a soft ringing sound echoed through the air. Tae Seong-yeol glanced at the chime hanging under the eaves before taking in the peaceful surroundings. The traditional Korean restaurant Sanjeong, which had been renovated from a tile-roofed house, was particularly peaceful today.

Whenever the weather was nice, Tae Seong-yeol would always request to have his meal served on the daecheongmaru—the spacious wooden porch.

Shifting his gaze away from the wind chime, Tae Seong-yeol looked at Lee Joon, who was silently eating. His heart ached for his son. Knowing how prideful Lee Joon was, he showed no signs of vulnerability, even in front of his father.

Lee Joon, unaware of how much his stoic demeanor pained his father, continued eating without showing any signs of distress.

“Lee Joon.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lee Joon responded, immediately placing his chopsticks down and sitting up straight at the gentle call.

“How about we go to the bathhouse together this weekend?”

“What?”

Lee Joon looked back at his father with a puzzled expression, feeling that the suggestion was a bit unexpected.

“I wanted to go hiking with you like we used to, then take a bath together. I know things aren’t easy right now, but we could go early in the morning and you’d still have time to visit Eunchae afterward. Does that work for you?”

“Ah… yes, of course. I’ll make sure to keep my schedule open.”

Tae Seong-yeol gave a bitter smile. That wasn’t the answer he had hoped for.

“You fool. This is the kind of situation where you’re supposed to say ‘no,’ not just go along with it because you feel obligated. Don’t just follow my lead reluctantly.”

“What?”

Lee Joon was caught off guard by the unexpected reprimand.

“Why… is that?”

Tae Seong-yeol downed a small shot of alcohol before answering.

“Because that’s what a real father-son relationship is like. A son should feel comfortable with his father, share his thoughts, and sometimes even act spoiled, hoping the father will understand without words. But at some point, you stopped doing that with me. You started keeping your distance, only showing me your best side.”

“That’s because…”

“I know why.” Tae Seong-yeol interrupted. “I understand why you felt like you had to act that way. But you don’t have to anymore. You don’t need to feel guilty around me, and you certainly don’t have to be perfect all the time.”

“…”

“Lee Joon, I want you to come to me like you did when you were young, especially when you’re struggling and need help. I want you to be honest about your pain, to lean on me and even complain if you need to. Because… I’ll always be here for you.”

Tae Seong-yeol’s eyes welled up with tears, his fatherly love laid bare. Seeing his father on the verge of crying, Lee Joon felt a surge of emotion and guilt wash over him. He realized how focused he had been on his pain, his desperation over losing Eunchae, that he had failed to consider his father’s feelings.

“I’m sorry… Father.”

“What are you apologizing for? You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Tae Seong-yeol gently comforted his son, offering a warm smile as he shared his true wish.

“Lee Joon, what I really want to hear from you is not ‘I’m sorry’… but ‘I love you.'”

“Hah…! That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

Lee Joon laughed instinctively. At his age, telling his father he loved him felt awkward, almost impossible, no matter how hard he tried.

“Stubborn as ever. You didn’t have to inherit that from me,” Tae Seong-yeol laughed, giving his son a lighthearted scolding. Then, with a smile, he offered some valuable advice.

“Remember, it’s not about pride or appearances. In the end, what matters is showing the people you care about how much you love them.”

“Feelings need to be expressed for others to understand. Assuming the other person just knows… that’s a mistake.”

Tae Seong-yeol said, his voice heavy with regret. “I learned that lesson far too late, and it’s why things are the way they are now.”

“Your mother… she might have become more bitter and harsh because of my inability to express myself. I just hope you don’t repeat the mistakes I made.”

“Yes, Father… I promise I won’t let that happen.”

Lee Joon’s eyes were wet with emotion as he made that vow. Seeing the sincerity on his son’s face, Tae Seong-yeol smiled warmly and gently placed a slice of pumpkin pancake into Lee Joon’s rice bowl.

“You have to finish it all since it’s made by your father. If you’re going to go plead your case with Eunchae again, you’ll need your strength.”

“Father…”

Lee Joon groaned, as if he were in pain, at his father’s light-hearted comment. Yet the soft smile on his face was warmer and more genuine than it had been in a long time.

“Now that’s the look I’ve been waiting to see.”

Tae Seong-yeol said, his own face brightening as Lee Joon finally relaxed, a smile spreading across his son’s face.

A cool breeze swept through, gently stirring the wind chime. The clear, melodic sound filled the air, and Tae Seong-yeol looked deeply satisfied.

His cheerful laughter was carried away by the breeze, and for a brief moment, Lee Joon felt his own heart lighten as well.

***

Standing outside Eunchae’s hospital room, Lee Joon dismissed the security guards and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to calm himself.

Eunchae, perhaps too tired of telling him not to come, no longer turned him away. She allowed him to enter but still treated him with cold indifference.

Yet, Lee Joon remained steadfast, visiting her room every day, except when work required his presence. He stayed by her side, caring for her with unwavering devotion, despite her obvious discomfort with his presence.

His efforts were so sincere and constant that even the nurses and doctors were impressed. But the one person who seemed utterly unaffected was Eunchae. She remained indifferent, detached from all his efforts.

“I hope you’ll give me a short answer today.”

Eunchae, who had been staring out the window, turned her head to look at him.

“I heard you couldn’t eat dinner because your morning sickness was bad today. I brought some abalone porridge. Even if you’re not in the mood, just try a little. I had the head chef at Taeseongdang make it, especially for you.”

Lee Joon placed the tray on the bed and lifted a paper bag containing the porridge from one of Eunchae’s favorite Korean restaurants. Her expression remained unimpressed, her face showing no trace of warmth or gratitude.

“Lee Joon”

“What is it?”

When Eunchae finally spoke, Lee Joon’s face brightened with hope as he eagerly responded.

“Aren’t you busy with work these days?”

“I am. But you’re more important,” he replied without hesitation, gently pulling out the porridge bowl from the bag and placing a spoon in her hand.

“Even if it’s just a little, please eat. The doctor told me that it’s not good for the baby if your stomach is empty.

“Lee Joon”

Eunchae said again, her tone a bit heavier this time.

“It’s my baby too, Eunchae. Of course, a father would care about the health of his child.”

“Doesn’t seem like something someone who secretly had a vasectomy should say.”

“Exactly. That’s why this baby is even more precious – because it came despite the vasectomy.”

Eunchae laughed in disbelief at his answer. She was clearly unimpressed. Lee Joon continued with a gentle smile.

“A miracle baby. It’s a real miracle for me.”

He meant it. When he first heard about the baby, he had been shocked and confused and had barely had time to process the situation, let alone feel the weight of fatherhood. But now the child had become a symbol of hope and something truly miraculous.

But now it was different. The moment Lee Joon saw the ultrasound image, an overwhelming sense of awe and emotion washed over him, almost bringing him to tears. That tiny little spot, barely visible, was a life – a miracle.

“My child. No, our child.”

Without realizing it, Lee Joon whispered those words, his heart full of wonder. It truly felt like a miracle, and the small, precious life was the thread that connected him to Eunchae.

“If only your words meant something,” Eunchae muttered, rolling her eyes. But despite her skepticism, she gave in to his gentle urging and reluctantly took a spoonful of the porridge.

“Are you all right? Can you eat it?”

“I’m still… fine.”

“That is a relief. How about we go for a walk after you eat? It can feel stuffy in the hospital room. Professor Choi said it’s okay to walk around now…..”

“I want to go home on the day of my discharge.”

Her sudden request cut Lee Joon off, leaving him speechless for a moment. Although he had expected this outcome, it was still hard for him to accept.

“You don’t still think we have to live together because of the contract, do you?”

When he didn’t answer, Eunchae put down her spoon and looked at him intently.

“Are you really going to bring up the contract at a time like this?”

Lee Joon couldn’t help but smile at her certainty.

“Then are you ready to accept it?”

“Lee Joon.” 

“Of course, we should live together.” 

He nodded and added seriously, “But not just because of the contract—it’s for our child. I will take care of both you and the baby while we live together.” 

As he conveyed his intentions, he raised his hand toward Eunchae, signaling her to wait before she could respond. It was a gesture indicating that he hadn’t finished speaking, and Eunchae closed her mouth for the moment. 

“If you want, you can go back to where you used to live. With me.”

“What? So… you’re saying we should live together in my house?” 

“Yes.” 

Eunchae’s mouth fell open in shock at the immediate response. This was truly an unexpected turn of events. 

“How can we live together in that small place?” 

Even as Eunchae shook her head, insisting that it was impossible, Lee Joon remained firm in his stance.

“It’s not small at all. If you’re really uncomfortable, I’ll squeeze in and sleep and eat in the hallway. So… please, Eunchae, just let me have you by my side. 

His words, ending in a plea, made Eunchae’s eyes waver. Although she had seen it for several days, the sight of Lee Joon begging and clinging to her was still unfamiliar and hard to get used to. 

“I can’t bear to be without you, even for a moment. Right now it’s scarier than when we were divorced and I was half crazy.”

Lee Joon clung to Eunchae with a desperate heart. He would accept her harshness or insults if it meant he could be by her side.

He took her hand, which she turned away, and pressed his lips to each of her fingers. He felt her flinch, but he didn’t let go. The fear of losing her was overwhelming.

Holding her small, delicate hand, Lee Joon brushed his fingers over the corners of Eunchae’s eyes and her cheeks, which were wet with unshed tears. The warmth of her skin made his eyelids feel heavy.

“Eunchae.”

“I love you. I love you so much, Eunchae. Even if it’s just for one day, I want to spend it with you.”

Eunchae was taken aback by the sudden confession and left in a daze. A heavy silence enveloped them as they sat facing each other for what seemed like an eternity.

It was Lee Joon who finally broke the silence.

“And I’m sorry.”

Eunchae blinked in confusion at the apology that followed the confession. Lee Joon gently caressed her cheek as he spoke.

“I’m sorry for loving you so much that I can’t let you go.”

“…”

“I don’t mind if you call me a shameless jerk. When have I ever been a good guy?”

His self-deprecating tone carried a loneliness that tore at her heart.

“The end of this game of cat and mouse has already been decided, Eunchae. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth if I have to; I’ll hold you no matter how long it takes.”