Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 70: Strategy (2)
Chapter 70: Strategy (2)
After a long time, Eunchae finally sat down to eat with Woo-sung. It was Woo-sung who first suggested that they meet in person to talk. After giving it some thought, Eunchae readily agreed to his request.
“Is your morning sickness still severe? You barely seem to be eating.”
Woo-sung expressed his concern as he watched Eun-chae pick at her food.
“I’m sorry, oppa. I’m trying to eat, but…”
Eunchae apologized, her words trailing off. Was it because she was nervous? Just when she thought her morning sickness had subsided a little, her stomach felt particularly unsettled.
“So how do you manage? You’re already weak and so thin.”
“I’ve improved a lot since then. Back then, I could barely swallow water. And this isn’t too severe, either.”
Eunchae reassured him that it wasn’t something to worry about, offering a gentle smile. Her graceful presence made Woo-sung’s heartache. He never imagined that he, of all people, would be the one to bring tears to her once-clear eyes.
“Are you happy? You’ve finally confirmed your feelings to the man you love so much and you’re going to have a baby?”
At the sudden question, Eunchae slowly lifted her eyes from her food to look at Woo-sung. Although his words were blunt, his tone was serious. There was no malice in it.
“Yes, I’m happy. I can’t tell you everything, but… finally, we can look at each other fully and love each other.”
“Love, huh…”
Woo-sung laughed softly as he murmured. A heart that has once strayed finds it hard to return to its original place. It only became more twisted and sharper.
He wanted to test Yoon Eunchae’s love. Would she still be able to love a pathetic and miserable Lee Joon who had nothing?
“Okay. If you’re happy… then fine.”
He smiled, one corner of his mouth turned up, and nodded. Eunchae looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Was it just her imagination? He didn’t seem like the Kim Woo-sung she knew.
The atmosphere was nothing like the clear and refreshing essence of the Mediterranean. It was as if she was facing the deep sea, with a swirling current.
“Oppa is something wrong…?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.”
With a brief reply, Woo-sung filleted the sea bream that Eunchae liked and placed it in her bowl.
“Eat up. You’re a mother now, you need to eat well so that the baby in your belly can grow strong.”
“Thank you.”
Eunchae gave him a grateful look before taking a bite of the seasoned sea bream and rice. Woo-sung tilted his head, resting his chin on his hand and silently admiring her. He took in her beautiful face, her clear eyes, button nose, full lips, and graceful movements. He knew that today would be the last time he would see Eunchae with such a pleasant expression.
***
After putting in her best effort to enjoy the meal, it seemed there would be no time to digest properly.
Suppressing a tired sigh, Eunchae stared at the unexpected visitor. After returning to the office following lunch with Woo-sung, she found So-hyun waiting for her.
“The office is… quite small. What did you do with all the money you got from Lee Joon over the years?”
So-hyun glanced around the office with a dismissive look, her words dripping with sarcasm and a mocking smile on her face.
Eunchae responded with a faint smile, refusing to rise to the bait. She didn’t know the reason for So-hyun’s visit, but she had no interest in engaging in such childish provocations.
“The money Lee Joon invested was for research, not for decorating the office.”
“Oh, really?”
So-hyun replied lazily, her tone dripping with condescension. She picked up the simple teacup, frowning at its simplicity.
“At this point, it’s not just simple, it feels rather cheap. Isn’t it a problem if the interior is not developed enough?
“So-hyun, why exactly are you here? Did you come to review my choice of teacups?”
Eunchae placed her hands gently on her belly, signaling her desire to get to the point. She didn’t want to spend much time with So-hyun, especially for the sake of her baby’s well-being.
“I just came to see your face, which is probably dying of happiness right now.
“What did you say?”
Eunchae was stunned by the answer and stared blankly at So-hyun. The way So-hyun’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled only made the situation more confusing, as if she were a spectator enjoying a fascinating show.
“Should I call this a blessing in disguise? Or say the ancestors lent a hand?”
So-hyun’s words, spoken as if to herself, left Eunchae completely confused.
“Whatever happens in the future, remember that every outcome is the result of your own actions. This is the price you pay for flaunting your vulgar body without thinking.”
“Hey, So-hyun.”
Eunchae frowned at the crude and insulting remark, but So-hyun remained calm, her gaze steady.
“Whoa, whoa, don’t get upset. It’s not good for the baby. After all, that child is part of such a precious bloodline, right?”
“If you’ve had your fun seeing me happy, then please leave. Like you said, spending time with you isn’t good for my pregnancy.”
“Oh dear, is that so? Then I suppose I should go.”
As she stood up, Seo-hyun twisted her lips slightly. When Eunchae rose to face her, their eyes met in a fierce clash.
“I was really upset and frustrated about losing Tae Lee Joon, but strangely enough, I thank you for taking him away.”
“To say you lost him is misleading. You never really had him, So-hyun.”
“That’s true. So he’s yours now. The clever and capable Yoon Eunchae.”
So-hyun’s mocking smile suddenly turned cold, and the sinister aura she projected sent a shiver down Eunchae’s spine. Instinctively, Eunchae wrapped her arms around her belly.
So-hyun laughed loudly at Eunchae’s reaction, a sharp, mocking sound.
‘You’re being dramatic when you’re carrying a child who might not have a long life due to a genetic disease. This is what happens when you covet what belongs to others. Punishment. Pure punishment.’
Silently condemning Eunchae, So-hyun bid her farewell.
“I take my leave now. I truly wish you eternal happiness.”
After So-hyun left the office, Eunchae was left in a state of disbelief, blinking in astonishment. She couldn’t even manage a hollow laugh.
“What was that all about? Why did she suddenly come here…?”
Eunchae remained perplexed by So-hyun’s unexpected visit.
***
As July drew to a close, the heat intensified and the morning sun rose earlier than usual. Lee Joon looked at Eunchae’s face. Her smile was as bright as the morning light. Still in disbelief that he was sharing this reality with her, he gently caressed her face.
As always, it was only when he felt the warmth and softness of her skin under his fingertips that Lee Joon could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Touching and holding her was the only way he could fully accept the reality of their being together.
Unable to just watch Eunchae sleep peacefully, he kisses her softly on the lips.
“Mm…”
Eunchae, disturbed from her deep sleep, began to whimper and wriggle. As if anticipating this moment, Lee Joon gently pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. The sweet, fragrant scent of her skin awakened his senses.
“Eunchae…”
Calling her name in a husky voice, Lee Joon slipped his hand under the loose fabric of her shirt. It felt bigger than before; now, it was no longer entirely contained in his hand.
Savoring the fullness and softness, Lee Joon gently pinched the tip of her br*ast with his thumb and index finger.
“Ugh… Lee Joon…”
Eunchae shivered from the strange sensation as she slowly lifted her eyelids.
“No… ugh…”
Eunchae squirmed restlessly and let out a soft moan in response to the more explicit stimulation. Lee Joon, who had been cautious and gentle, was now persistently exploring her body this morning.
“The baby…”
“I know. Who said I’d do anything more? I’ll just touch and taste.”
As Eunchae pressed her hands against his chest, trying to gently push him away, Lee Joon reassured her and lifted her shirt completely. Her skin, bathed in the light, appeared even whiter, and he couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh of admiration.
With a mesmerized look, Lee Joon lowered his face toward her.
Oh, Eunchae twisted her upper body as she lay on her side and her breasts seemed to be pulled into Lee Joon’s mouth. As he rolled it around with his tongue and grazed it with his teeth, the tip gradually hardened.
“Are you planning to feed only our Hope later?”
Eunchae’s face flushed at his suggestive whisper.
“Huh? Answer me, Eunchae.”
As he opened his eyes to meet her gaze, he urged her on. His words were somewhat muffled as he still had her br*ast in his mouth.
Breathing heavily, Eunchae moistened her dry lips with her tongue. Her heated, dilated pupils lost focus and swayed dully. It was not an easy question to answer.
If she said no, Lee Joon would sulk, but it was difficult for her s*xual beliefs to agree.
“Lee Joon, um…”
As her response took longer, Lee Joon’s tongue, lips, and hands grew more insistent. Eunchae felt flustered. Amidst it all, she was surprised by the excitement building within her from the lingering pleasure.
“I’m going to cry at this rate, Yoon Eunchae.”
Lee Joon laughed as he lifted Eunchae onto his body. As her gaze went upward, her long, luscious hair cascaded down like a curtain.
Eunchae looked down at Lee Joon while brushing her palm against his well-defined chest.
“If you don’t want to, just say so. Don’t worry about my feelings. We agreed not to do that anymore.”
Lee Joon smiled as he brushed her flowing hair away. His expression was so teasing that Eunchae rolled her eyes at him.
“Why do you insist on asking when you already know how I’ll answer?”
“Because I think you look cute when you’re flustered.”
“Huh?”
Eunchae’s mouth fell open in surprise. Every time Lee Joon spoke like that, it left her feeling completely confused. No matter what he said, it was always something like “You’re cute” or “You’re beautiful” that caught her off guard.
“Stop saying things like that!”
Eunchae playfully hit his chest, and Lee Joon burst into a hearty laugh.
As the two of them were happily teasing each other, Lee Joon’s phone rang.
“Huh?”
He tilted his head as he checked the caller ID. It was Director Kwon.
“What’s going on on a weekend morning?”
Lee Joon answered the call, feeling puzzled.
“Yes”
As soon as he answered, the urgent voice of Director Kwon hit his eardrums.
“CEO! We have a big problem. Manager So-hyun of Dongyang Textile has filed a lawsuit against you and your wife for marriage fraud.”
“What did you say?”
Lee Joon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. That was just the beginning of the shocking news. Director Kwon reported in an even more frantic tone.
“An emergency general meeting has been called. And the agenda is… your dismissal.”