Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 63: The Twist

Chapter 63: The Twist

“Hah…”

A sigh of disbelief escaped Eunchae’s lips. Tae Lee Joon’s possessiveness and obsession had crossed all boundaries she could have imagined. It was maddeningly intense, almost to the point of madness.

“How could you possibly hide those feelings?”

How could someone harbor such a desperate love and still mask it behind a facade of coldness and detachment? Eunchae couldn’t understand.

“I tried so hard it felt like I was dying. I held myself back, keeping my emotions in check, determined never to let them show.

Seeing Lee Joon’s extreme calm, which only made his words more heartbreaking, Eunchae could no longer hold back her tears. Until now, she had thought she was the only one suffering in her solitary love, feeling lonely and abandoned.

But perhaps Lee Joon had been even more alone and struggling.

As she imagined him fighting the love that seeped through the cracks while living in constant fear of his hereditary disease and the uncertainty of when he might die, her heart ached for him.

Knowing his feelings only too well, she found it impossible to reject him any longer.

“Don’t cry, Eunchae. You’ll wear yourself out. You have to think of the baby. I don’t want to be a bad father anymore.”

“Huh…”

The more he tried to comfort her, the more Eunchae cried. He gently wiped away her tears with his lips and pulled her into his embrace. His hands gently stroked the top of her head and her back, offering warmth and tenderness.

“I can’t imagine living without you anymore. Please, accept me. I love you, Eunchae.”

Hearing his confession one more time sent Eunchae into a flood of tears. They wouldn’t stop, soaking through Lee Joon’s shirt.

“I was wrong. I won’t do anything stupid again. I’ll just focus on you and love you.”

As he held Eunchae, Lee Joon continued to whisper his confessions, apologies, and resolutions for the future.

That night, after crying for a long time, Eunchae finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep in Lee Joon’s arms, using his declarations of love as a lullaby.

***

So-hyun stared intently at the strange abstract painting hanging on the wall of Mrs. Kang’s office.

It was a striking creation, with chaotic swirls of red and black, resembling the moment just before a volcanic eruption. It was intense and disordered, capturing a raw emotional energy that was almost palpable.

It felt as if a blazing pillar of fire was rising inside her, and So-hyun couldn’t tear her eyes away. Had she been staring too intently, lost in the moment?

The painting felt like a reflection of So-hyun’s own emotions, a hot pillar of fire rising inside her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away, so lost was she in its chaotic beauty.

“Hey, So-hyun.”

Mrs.Kang called her softly.

“Yes, Mother.”

Seeing her daughter’s blank expression, Mrs Kang couldn’t help but sigh. She wondered how deeply So-hyun had been affected to look so lost, and her heart ached with pity for her.

“I’m truly sorry.”

Mrs. Kang, feeling awkward, repeatedly apologized. She had been determined to bring So-hyun into the family as her daughter-in-law, but the situation had spiraled out of control. She had been practically kicked out of her own home and was now living alone in an apartment, barely able to take care of herself, let alone So-hyun.

“You told me, didn’t you? That you would make sure Lee Joon and I ended up together, no matter what.”

As So-hyun reminded her of the promise while holding her teacup, Mrs. Kang’s face grew tense.

“I did….”

Watching her, So-hyun revisited the conversation they had shared once more in her mind.

“When I expressed concern about what would happen if Yoon Eunchae got pregnant, do you remember what you said? You assured me that such a thing would never happen, didn’t you?”

“So-hyun…”

With every word piercing her heart, Mrs. Kang tightly pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her frustration.

“But what’s the result? You haven’t kept a single promise. You’ve just been handing out empty checks.”

“Hey, isn’t that a bit too harsh? Indeed, I couldn’t follow through on what I said, but you shouldn’t be acting like this. It’s not like I did it on purpose…”

“I have every right to act this way, Mother.”

So-hyun stood tall, her cold gaze locking onto Mrs. Kang’s wide, startled eyes.

“You know very well how much effort my family and I have put in for Lee Joon, Mother. The private fund set up to accumulate shares—most of the capital came from my family, didn’t it? And what about the investment in the art gallery?”

So-hyun glanced briefly at the abstract painting she had been staring at earlier, her lips curling into a cynical smile.

“And as for some of those paintings in the gallery’s underground vault, how do you think they ended up in the hands of politicians? You haven’t forgotten, have you? It was through my maternal family.”

Mentioning the art lobbying, a wicked smile appeared on So-hyun’s lips. Mrs. Kang, having seen this side of So-hyun for the first time, was too shocked to speak. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, unable to find the words.

“And now, after reaping all the benefits, you want to back out? That’s not going to work.”

“What can I do? She’s pregnant! And Father keeps siding with Eunchae—what am I supposed to do?”

“What have you been doing all this time, Mother? You couldn’t even solve this? You failed to sway the heart of the most powerful person in the family, Grandfather, and you just kept feeding me empty promises, telling me not to worry!”

“Oh my, look at you. Who do you think you’re raising your voice at? You’re about to make me hit you.”

Mrs. Kang was so shocked and flustered that her heart raced.

“And what about you? What have you been doing all this time? You couldn’t even win over Lee Joon’s heart! Forget everything else—if he’s not yours, the game is over.”

“Mother!”

So-hyun, stung by the truth, snapped back, her eyes wide with anger. Mrs. Kang was left speechless, her mouth hanging open in disbelief at So-hyun’s defiant behavior. All she could do was let out a dry, incredulous laugh.

“I refuse to have a sharp-tongued and arrogant daughter-in-law like you. I’d much rather have Eunchae, who may not be flashy but is obedient, a hundred times over!”

“Oh, really? Well, that’s great then. Why don’t you spend your life with the daughter-in-law you constantly belittle and treat as useless, if that’s what you prefer.”

With those biting words, So-hyun abruptly stood up. Mrs. Kang, utterly stunned, looked up at her in disbelief.

“I won’t let this slide. My family won’t stay silent either.”

“And if they don’t? Are you threatening to harm Lee Joon?”

“Who knows? You’ll find out soon enough.”

With a cold smile, So-hyun declared her challenge and quickly turned on her heels, heading for the door.

“That… that insolent girl!”

Mrs. Kang clutched the back of her neck, shaking her fist at So-hyun’s retreating figure, who walked away with a chill in the air. So-hyun, however, didn’t even snort acknowledgment and exited the office without a second glance.

“I can’t believe I’ve been humiliated like this… of all things, my pride is shattered. Argh!”

Unable to contain her anger, Mrs. Kang shouted furiously, then immediately ordered her assistant to bring her some cold water.

***

A few days later, on Eunchae’s birthday.

“Wow… this is amazing. Is this the baby?”

“It’s so tiny, like a little bean.”

Seong-ah and Yoo-rim, who had gathered to celebrate Eunchae’s birthday, couldn’t take their eyes off the ultrasound. They had come to visit her, thinking she was in hospital with a cold, only to find out the truth.

“Looks like we’re combining a birthday party with a baby shower!”

“Right?”

The two friends returned the ultrasound photo to Eunchae, beaming with joy. They couldn’t contain their excitement at the thought of becoming aunts next spring.

“By the way, I never thought I’d see that side of Lee Joon. That cold, arrogant guy is a hopeless romantic!”

Yoo-rim couldn’t help but marvel at the revelation, and Seong-ah chimed in.

“I know! This is a plot twist like no other.”

At the mention of Lee Joon, Eunchae swallowed the orange juice she had been sipping, feeling a mixture of emotions surge through her.

After that day, Eunchae gradually allowed Lee Joon to be by her side, bringing them closer together. When she was released from the hospital and living in her two-room apartment, Lee Joon naturally packed his things and moved in with her.

Both Tae Moo-jin and Tae Seong-yeol readily approved, making sure Eunchae felt comfortable and cared for.

They had only visited her in the hospital once, concerned that they might be a burden.

Feeling guilty, Eunchae asked the doctor to share the ultrasound with them. The doctor agreed without hesitation.

As a result, the two gentlemen returned home beaming with pride and holding the ultrasound picture in their hands.

The new life with her ex-husband began in their small room, and it was much simpler and more intimate than before. Their bodies were closer than ever.

Sleeping on a single bed meant that they had to hold each other tightly, and the limited space meant that their paths inevitably crossed often. Whenever they met, Lee Joon would pull Eunchae in to hug and hold her.

Though it sometimes felt a little tedious, Eunchae understood that it was a habit born of his need to reassure himself of their togetherness, born of a kind of fear. So she said nothing.

The serious part of prenatal care began. First, they decided on a name for the baby and, following Lee Joon’s suggestion, they decided on ‘Hope’. Eunchae loved it.

Every morning and evening, Lee Joon would check on Eunchae’s condition, read her books on prenatal education, and listen to music with her.

Whenever Eunchae casually mentioned something she longed for, Lee Joon would rush out in the middle of the night to bring it to her.

Every time she saw that, her heart swelled. Perhaps this was Tae Lee Joon’s true nature, she thought.

The daily chores were done by two housekeepers, who took turns delivering side dishes and helping with the cleaning.

Eunchae had vehemently insisted that it wasn’t necessary, but with Tae Moo-jin’s insistence, she had no choice but to accept her help. Today, even her birthday meal was prepared by the housekeeper at Lee Joon’s request.

“This food is incredible.”

“It melts in my mouth.”

Seong-ah and Yoo-rim marveled at the food throughout the meal. The birthday spread prepared by the housekeeper was delicious, and even Eunchae, who was still suffering from morning sickness, managed to eat quite well.

“This cake was made by Tae Lee Joon, right?”

Yoo-rim asked, pointing to the cream cake piled high with fresh fruit. Eunchae nodded in response.

“Yeah.”

“Wow! This is truly full of surprises.”

“It’s not just that; it tastes great, too.”

Seong-ah and Yoo-rim couldn’t help but comment on the taste and appearance of the cake. It was better than anything you’d find in a bakery.

“I was surprised too.”

Eunchae added, recalling the scene she had witnessed earlier that morning.

She had woken up to noises from the kitchen and found Lee Joon, with flour dusted all over his face, busily making the cake.