Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 88: Additional Side Story (4)

Additional Side Story (4)

Lee Joon couldn’t hide his mixed emotions as he spoke honestly for the first time. 

“I was deeply disappointed and angry at my mother for many years. The things she did to you… I just couldn’t forgive her.” 

“I understand.” 

Eunchae nestled closer to Lee Joon, as if to say she understood his feelings. She appreciated that he was finally being honest, as he was not one to express his feelings easily. 

“But it’s strange, isn’t it? I hated her to the point of disgust, but even so, she’s my biological mother. Sometimes, I think about her and feel sorry for her, and it bothers me. I even thought about asking my grandfather and father for permission to meet her once.” 

“It was because of me that you couldn’t do that.”

“Not that I couldn’t do it, but that I didn’t do it.”

“Then… starting now, I will. Today, my mother sincerely apologized to me. She even kneeled.”

“What? Is that true?”

Lee Joon was surprised and unexpectedly pulled Eunchae away from him. Eunchae couldn’t help but laugh at his surprised expression, one she rarely saw.

“Yes, it’s true.”

As Eunchae nodded vigorously, this time, Lee Joon’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Is my mother… feeling unwell or something?”

“Huh? No, not at all.”

“Then why…?”

“It seems you have a strong distrust of your mother. Just look at how surprised you are to hear that she apologized.”

Eunchae’s lips curled into a wry smile at Lee Joon’s disbelief, and he didn’t deny it either.

“Wouldn’t you feel the same way if you were in my position? Just look at the things she said and did to you.”

“That’s why I was surprised, too. I thought I was dreaming.”

While expressing her deep understanding, Eunchae subtly defended Mrs. Kang.

“Your mother has aged a lot. She’s not the same as before.”

Then, she gently suggested to Lee Joon.

“Since I’ve forgiven her to some extent, why don’t you start to open your heart a little too? After all, she’s your biological mother, and she’s our Seo-yul’s grandmother.”

“….”

“Later, when some more time has passed, let’s take Seo-yul to meet her. Maybe have a meal together, okay?”

“You really are quite perceptive. There must be a lot built up between you and your mother.”

While grateful for Eunchae’s consideration and kind nature, Lee Joon felt a twinge of guilt and offered a faint smile.

“To be honest, I can’t fully forgive her. But… I also can’t be so heartless as to completely turn my back on her as she ages alone.”

“You’re too kind.”

With a playful jab, Lee Joon embraces Eunchae.

“Is it annoying that I’m kind? It’s because I’m kind that I forgave and accepted you, right?”

“Sigh…”

At her cutting remark, Lee Joon rubbed his forehead in exasperation. Eunchae found his flustered expression amusing and couldn’t help but laughed softly.

“Thank you, Eunchae. I really appreciate it.”

As Lee Joon expressed his sincere gratitude, Eunchae replied with a gentle smile.

“I love you. I love you so much that I’ve decided to accept this as well.”

Lee Joon’s heart swelled with emotion from Eunchae’s boundless love. It felt like an overwhelming amount of affection directed at him.

As they held each other tightly, savoring the moment, Eunchae suddenly sensed something strange and lifted her head to look at Lee Joon.

“Lee Joon.”

“Yes? What is it?”

He responded with a soft gaze.

“Did you just take a shower?”

“How did you know?”

“You smell different. It’s not the scent of your skin or your perfume. It smells like body wash. It’s not the fragrance you use at home.”

“You really are sharp.”

With admiration for Eunchae’s keen sense of smell, Lee Joon laughed.

“Did you really just wash up?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you work out?”

“I did some exercise.”

Lee Joon replied while finishing unbuttoning his shirt.

“Exercise?”

“I need to work hard to avoid disappointing our son, so I should at least practice kicking a ball for the sports day.”

“Huh? So… are you practicing for the kindergarten sports day?”

Eunchae’s eyes widened in surprise, and Lee Joon nodded with an unnecessarily serious expression.

“Yeah right.”

He added, “It turns out I’m not the only one doing this. Director Choi’s grandson goes to the same kindergarten as Seo-yul. Apparently, his son also practices separately after work. Oh, and their grandson is in the infamous giraffe class.”

With a serious look, Lee Joon spoke as if he had gathered intelligence on an adversary. Eunchae stared at him in disbelief, taken aback by the revelation.

“I’m going to be late for a while. I’ll be practicing until the sports day.”

“Where are you practicing?”

Eunchae fired off questions at Lee Joon as he changed into more comfortable clothes. It was just a soccer game, but it sparked Lee Joon’s competitive spirit, which he always hated to lose.

“Kim Do-yeol’s soccer academy.”

“Huh?”

Eunchae’s mouth dropped open at Lee Joon’s answer.

Kim Do-yeol was a former national team player who had been as renowned as Kwon Hee-jun. He had spent many years playing in the German league before retiring and now ran a training academy.

In other words, it meant that Lee Joon was receiving special training from a coach with a soccer background.

“No, Lee Joon.”

Eunchae tried to say that this was a bit over the top, but Lee Joon anticipated her attempt to persuade him and cut her off before she could finish.

“It seems that people all think the same way. I’m not the only one doing this. Director Choi’s son is getting special training directly from Kwon Hee-jun.”

“Oh… I see.”

Realizing she couldn’t talk him out of it, Eunchae nodded with a blank expression.

“I really need to boost my stamina. I barely trained for an hour, and I couldn’t keep up. I was gasping for breath. It’s clear that I’m showing my age.”

Lee Joon rubbed his chin with a serious expression, concerned about his own fitness. Watching him, Eunchae’s face gradually darkened.

‘Weak stamina? He still has more than enough energy to keep me up all night. What more does he need to improve?’

Eunchae sighed internally, feeling a bit upset.

Lee Joon was completely oblivious, but with the body he was building for their son’s sports day, he could easily exhaust his wife.

Yet, she couldn’t exactly tell him to stop practicing for that reason. Eventually, Eunchae resigned herself to the future of their married life that lay ahead.

***

A few days later, the day of the sports day finally arrived.

“Fighting! Dad, fighting!”

“Go, Seo-yul!”

In the car heading to the gym where the sports day event was being held, Tae Lee Joon and his son, Tae Seo-yul, were brimming with energy. Ever since they woke up early in the morning, they had been shouting “fighting” until their ears hurt and running around the house as if they were gearing up for the Olympics.

It was no wonder that at first, Tae Moo-jin had watched them with a smile but soon urged them to hurry up and leave, finding their excitement a bit overwhelming.

However, Eunchae didn’t realize until they arrived at the gym that the enthusiasm of the father and son was just a warm-up compared to what awaited them. Everyone was shouting “fighting!” and vowing to win.

“Wow… I’m surprisingly nervous.”

Eunchae said, shaking her head at the heat and cheers filling the gym. It seemed to grow more intense each year.

“Seo-yul, just do your best in the game. It’s not about winning or losing.”

She reminded him, concerned that he might be disappointed by the outcome.

“I know. My teacher said the same thing.” Seo-yul replied.

Relieved that Seo-yul understood, Eunchae noticed that other parents were telling their kids similar things, encouraging them to enjoy the event rather than focus solely on the results.

As families continued to arrive, the sports day officially began.

The attending families supported their teams, giving their all in the games.

Through the games, the children learned teamwork and strengthened their friendships. They eagerly rushed to help each other when opponents fell, and regardless of winning or losing, they played with joy and laughter.

The problem lay with the fathers participating in the soccer game. Clad in their full uniforms, the dads from both teams had a tense atmosphere even before the match began.

“Come on, dads from both teams! Please lighten up! This is just a friendly game for the kids’ sports day, not the World Cup finals! Ha ha!”

The announcer tried to ease the tension, but it was futile. The dads stood facing each other, their eyes sharp with determination.

The rivalry between Kwon Hee-jun, the captain of the giraffe class, and Lee Joon was especially intense.

“Alright, let’s start the game!”

“Yayyy-!”

With the announcer’s shout, the match began.

The cheers from the fans were just as fervent as the game itself. The children ran around, cheering for their dads, drenched in sweat.

Contrary to expectations that the giraffe class would win easily, the game remained balanced and closely contested.

“Dad! Fight! My dad is the best!”

“Lee Joon! You can do it!”

Eunchae and Seo-yul cheered for Lee Joon until their voices were hoarse. Surprisingly, the effects of his training were remarkable. Lee Joon showcased his boundless stamina, leading his team effectively.

The balance shifted in the second half. Kwon Hee-jun displayed the skills befitting his reputation and scored the first goal.

“Wowww-!”

The giraffe class erupted in cheers, while Seo-yul’s deer class suddenly lost momentum.

Still, Lee Joon didn’t give up. He encouraged his team and pushed through to do their best. Then, with just one minute left in the game, he scored the equalizer.

“Wow! Wowww-! My dad is the best!”

Seo-yul was ecstatic, bouncing with joy. Eunchae found herself falling for Lee Joon all over again, squealing in excitement.

Beep beep-!

As the final whistle blew, families from both teams rushed onto the grassy field used for the match.

“You worked so hard.”

“Dad! I love you!”

The families showered the players with hugs and words of praise and gratitude.

“Lee Joon!”

“Dad!”

Eunchae and Seo-yul rushed into Lee Joon’s open arms.

“Dad, you’re really, really, really awesome!”

“You did great, Lee Joon.”

“Thank you, Eunchae. Thank you, Seo-yul.”

With a proud smile, Lee Joon embraced his beloved wife and son tightly. He had given it his all, feeling no regrets, and the results of the game had brought satisfaction to everyone.

“I love you, Eunchae. I love you, Seo-yul.”

Ignoring the sweat soaking through his clothes, Lee Joon kissed the foreheads of his family, radiating happiness as he expressed his love.

It was a truly wonderful and happy day—a precious moment spent with a family he wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.