Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 76

Side Story (02)

Despair filled So-hyun’s tear-streaked eyes. A situation even worse than she had anticipated loomed ahead of her.

“So… are you planning to abandon your mother, Lee Joon?”

At her trembling question, Lee Joon responded in a flat tone.

“If I intended to abandon my mother, I would have cut ties long ago and lived with Eunchae.”

After taking a sip of his tea, he sank deeply into the sofa and let out a cynical laugh.

“I’m giving her a chance to repent and reflect because she is my mother.”

“So you really plan to send Director Kang Hae-young to prison,”

So-hyun replied, a twisted smile on her lips. No matter how cold-hearted he might be, how could he possibly send his own mother to prison with his own hands? The thought sent chills down her spine.

“You truly are an incredible person. Hurting and causing pain to the woman you love, all while condemning your mother.”

“It’s worse to protect someone just because they are family.”

“Hah! You really think highly of yourself.”

She scoffed, bursting into an incredulous laugh. But quickly shifted her focus back to her own safety. She had to find a way to avoid the prosecutor’s investigation at all costs.

“What is it that you want? Just say it. I know you have something to gain since I was the only one excluded when everyone else was taken away at the shareholders’ meeting.”

In her resigned tone, So-hyun spoke, and Lee Joon slowly raised the corners of his mouth. Fortunately, she was perceptive enough to understand that they were on the same wavelength.

“Let me make it clear: even if I help you get what you want, you cannot escape the prosecutor’s investigation. However, I can help mitigate the worst of the situation.”

“What? Are you saying you intend to put me on the prosecutor’s witness stand? In that case…”

“Considering the crimes committed, you should be grateful that you haven’t been dragged away already.”

“Ugh… really.”

At Lee Joon’s cold response, So-hyun bit her lip, trembling slightly. She could see no way out.

However, she knew she had no choice but to comply with his demands. If she couldn’t avoid the prosecutor’s summons, she would have to negotiate to lessen the charges. Lee Joon was controlling everything.

“Fine. Just tell me what I need to do.”

As So-hyun nodded in resignation, Lee Joon’s previously calm gaze sharpened. With his hands clasped together, he spoke with a serious expression.

“I need the list of the lawmakers who were involved in the art fraud with my mother.”

“Ah…”

As soon as she heard Lee Joon’s demands, So-hyun felt all her strength drain away. The paleness of her face reflected how terrifying and relentless Tae Lee Joon could be.

He intended to use this opportunity to manipulate everything to his advantage.

***

Meanwhile, Eunchae also had an uncomfortable but necessary meeting with the one person she needed to confront: Woo-sung.

“Why did Tae Lee Joon allow this meeting with me? Did you beg him?”

Breaking the awkward silence, Woo-sung was the first to speak, taking a sip of his tea as he turned his gaze to Eunchae.

‘I’ll give you exactly 30 minutes. Make sure you finish your meeting with Eunchae at that time.’

As Woo-sung remembered his conversation with Lee Joon just before meeting Eunchae, a bitter smile crossed his face. He could vividly imagine Lee Joon’s expression dripping with arrogance just by hearing his voice on the phone.

“I didn’t plead or beg; I simply asked.”

Eunchae opened her mouth to speak, smiling faintly..

“So he allowed it because you asked nicely?”

“Yeah.”

“Impressive. He seems like a man who wouldn’t spill a drop of blood, yet he’s infinitely kind to the woman he loves.”

Woo-sung let out a hollow laugh as he mentioned Lee Joon’s generosity. It felt like a complete defeat. No matter how hard he tried, he knew he could never be like Tae Lee Joon.

Accepting his defeat stung, but paradoxically it also brought him a sense of relief. The lingering feelings and obsessions he had for Eunchae seemed to disappear.

He now understood why Lee Joon hadn’t tried to suppress or confront him. It was for Eunchae’s sake. He had shown mercy so that Eunchae and her parents wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you blame me? I thought you’d either curse at me or slap me as soon as we met.”

Curious about Eunchae’s lack of reproach, Woo-sung asked. Her response was straightforward and clear.

“I’m pregnant, Woo-sung. I have to be careful with my words and actions; how could I do that? I need to restrain my feelings of resentment towards someone.”

“Ah… right.”

Seeing Woo-sung nod awkwardly, Eunchae lifted her glass of chilled drink. After taking a sip of the refreshing orange juice, she spoke calmly.

“Of course, I hate you. I feel resentful but at the same time… I also feel sorry for you.”

“Me?”

Woo-sung narrowed his eyes in confusion at her response, prompting Eunchae to nod.

“Yeah, you.”

“Why?”

“You probably didn’t know what your father was doing at first, and when you found out later, it must have been a huge shock for you.”

“……”

“But you couldn’t just reveal what your father did. I understand how much you’ve struggled and how much you’ve thought about it. I don’t know what choice I would have made if I were in your position.

“Still, it was cowardly. I pretended to be a good person while hiding behind the excuse of not knowing, lingering around you, trying to get a clean slate by succeeding in technological development”.

Woo-sung’s voice dropped as he honestly admitted his wrongs.

“Since I found out what my father did, I haven’t been innocent for a single moment. But know this: not a day has gone by that I have slept soundly.

“I know. It must have been that way.”

Eunchae quietly expressed her understanding, swallowing a troubled sigh before asking her next question.

“Why did you get involved with So-hyun? The Woo-sung I know wouldn’t do something like that.”

Her question, tinged with resentment, elicited a bitter smile from Woo-sung as he explained his reasoning.

“Although jealousy played a part, I think the real reason was the inferiority complex I felt towards Tae Lee Joon. When I found out that he was a bastard, something inexplicable bubbled up inside me. I think that’s what made me make the wrong decisions.

Woo-sung’s face darkened as he reflected on his self-deprecating thoughts. Looking back now, he realized how foolish and pathetic his actions had been. A wave of shame washed over him, making his cheeks burn.

‘As the seed of infidelity, how dare he act so arrogant when he’s not even part of Geumyeong’s bloodline?’

“ I mocked and ridiculed Tae Lee Joon in my heart, without even bothering to check if it was true.”

As Woo-sung shared his deepest regrets, he saw the unmistakable disappointment on Eunchae’s face. Despite her feelings of shame and embarrassment, the storm of emotions within her started to calm.

Having revealed everything to the woman he had once loved, he felt as though he could finally let go of his foolish obsession.

“I’m sorry, Eunchae. I was wrong.”

“Woo-sung…”

Eunchae sighed as she spoke his name, frustration rising within her for letting things spiral so far out of control.

“I won’t ask for your forgiveness, nor do I expect it. But I’ll atone in the only way I know how. Please, let me finish the technology development, no matter what it takes.”

“That’s something you have to finish anyway, so go ahead. Honestly, Lee Joon didn’t take action against you right away for that reason.”

Eunchae’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she granted her permission. The sense of betrayal from Woo-sung stung, but it hurt far more to think about losing someone she had relied on like a brother.

Knowing this, Woo-sung felt he had no words left to say.

“I’ll also be visiting your parents soon to apologize. Since my father is in jail, I want to apologize on his behalf as well. Please, let me do that.” Woo-sung pleaded earnestly.

Eunchae, after a moment, accepted his request. The shock that she and her parents had endured was overwhelming, leaving them restless and sleepless for days.

In particular, the impact and sense of betrayal felt by their father was beyond comprehension. They are constantly worried that his health will worsen as a result.

Now that they had just begun to regain some stability, a meeting with Woo-sung would surely upset her parents. Nevertheless, Eunchae felt that an apology had to be made.

“I will go overseas quietly as soon as the company’s affairs are settled. I won’t set foot in Korea again. I’ll also cut off all contact with my father.

“You’re really going to cut off all contact?”

Eunchae was taken aback by Woo-sung’s words. Given his character, she had expected him to take at least some responsibility for his father, but she had never imagined that he would go so far as to cut all ties with him.

“It’s not like I’ll have a chance to meet him anyway since he’ll be serving his time in prison. Once I leave… maybe I’ll visit him.

Woo-sung replied sadly, rising from his seat. Having said everything he needed to, he felt he had neither the dignity nor the courage to remain there any longer.

“Take care and stay well.”

“Yeah, you too, Woo-sung.”

The two exchanged wishes for each other’s well-being, locking eyes for a brief moment.

“I’m going now.”

As Woo-sung bid his farewell, he apologized with eyes that glistened with unshed tears.

“Eunchae, be happy. I’m sorry… for loving you.”

With that, Woo-sung turned away without any lingering attachments and left Eunchae’s office.

“Hah…”

Eunchae let out a complicated sigh as she gently rubbed her stomach. Her emotions felt so confused and chaotic.

“At least it’s a relief. It’s good to wrap things up cleanly at this point.”

As she sighed deeply with a troubled expression, the office door swung open, and an unwelcoming voice broke the silence.

“I knew this would happen. If you’re just going to cry, why did you even meet with him?”

Lee Joon’s blunt comment came flying in, and Eunchae couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him, not truly offended.

“But I can’t just smile brightly, can I?”

“Then just say something.”

Lee Joon laughed softly as he pulled Eunchae onto his lap, where she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against him.

“This feels nice, smelling my Lee Joon.”

Eunchae’s affectionate nuzzling of his neck reminded him of a playful kitten, and a warm smile spread across his face.

Eunchae’s actions as she burrowed into his embrace, seeking his touch, were too cute, and Lee Joon couldn’t help but smile as he kissed her forehead.

“What about work? Did you come here on purpose?”

Feeling a pleasant warmth, Eunchae asked in a relaxed tone.

“I left early.”

Lee Joon redirected the conversation and grabbed Eunchae’s chin to bring her lips to his. The kiss was a little more forceful than usual and she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment. She responded eagerly, playfully tangling her tongue with his.

As their lips met and parted, soft, wet sounds and heated sighs escaped between them, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that enveloped them both.

Then Lee Joon’s excited hand naturally clasped Eunchae’s br*ast.