Living with an Ex-Husband - Chapter 9. Who Could It Have Been?

Chapter 9. Who Could It Have Been?

“It’s a girl!”

Eunchae, who had been sitting upright in the waiting area, turned her head at the excited voice.

A few steps away, she saw a pregnant woman with a big belly. The woman, who looked about the same age as Eunchae, was on the phone with a happy expression, likely sharing the news of their baby’s gender with her husband.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Something came up suddenly, that’s all. It’s okay. What’s wrong with going to an appointment alone? It’s just this one time, not every time.”

The woman on the phone looked so bright and happy as she spoke.

Eunchae watched the scene with a hint of envy before lowering her gaze to the screen of her phone. She had asked and reminded Lee Joon so many times to come with her to this appointment. Yet, he hadn’t shown up at the hospital, and there had been no word from him.

“Sigh…”

Just as she let out a half-resigned sigh, her phone buzzed briefly. Her face lit up for a moment when she saw the caller ID, but as she read the message, her expression quickly darkened.

[“I just got an important meeting, so I don’t think I can make it.”]

It was a typical message, no different from usual, and it made Eunchae’s shoulders slump. Even though she knew he wouldn’t come, she had still held onto the foolish hope that *maybe* this time he would.

“Stupid, foolish Yoon Eunchae. After all this, you still don’t know him,” she muttered to herself.

Eunchae bitterly scolded herself, feeling a surge of sadness that made her eyes burn. Her nose tingled as she sniffled, but then a sudden determination took over.

With firm determination, she tapped the darkened screen and dialed a number. As the phone began to ring, she took a deep breath and gripped the phone tightly.

Just before the long ringing tone was about to end, Lee Joon picked up the call.

He asked in a sharp voice, [“What is it?”]

His tone suggested he was irritated that she called even after he had already sent a message. Despite knowing his mood, Eunchae still asked why he couldn’t come to the hospital.

“Is it something serious?”

[“A bit.”]

“If it’s just a bit serious… maybe it will be over soon?”

[“What?”]

Surprised by her response, Lee Joon asked again, but Eunchae continued calmly.

“I’ll ask them to push back my appointment. Come if you can.”

[“Eunchae.”]

His tone carried a clear warning, signaling her to drop it and hang up. Normally, she would have done exactly as Lee Joon wanted. But this time, a stubbornness—or perhaps defiance—rose within her.

“I have to make a really important decision today. It’s not something I can decide on my own. So if you can, please come…”

As she spoke, Eunchae’s determined tone began to falter, her face darkening with the realization of how desperate she sounded. Her voice softened, and the brief surge of resistance she had felt began to fade.

Just then, a voice called out in the background, [“Joon! You need to come quickly!”]

The woman’s urgent voice in the background startled Eunchae, making her eyes widen in surprise. Stunned and unable to speak, she managed to ask:

“Is it… from the company?”

[“It’s an external appointment.”]

“Where is the external appointment? Who are you with?”

[“Are you interrogating me, Yoon Eunchae?”]

“No, it’s not like that…”

Lee Joon’s cold voice made Eunchae uneasy, and she fumbled for words. Lee Joon seemed irritated and bothered by her persistence.

[“I’m busy. I’ll call you back later.”]

“Lee Joon…!”

Despite Eunchae’s desperate pleas, Lee Joon abruptly ended the call.

“Haa…”

Eunchae stared blankly at her phone screen, overwhelmed by the surprising turn of events. Her frustration with Lee Joon faded, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

“What’s going on… Who could it be…?”

Eunchae’s eyes were violently shaken, like ripples on a disturbed pond. An unfamiliar fear crept up from her toes, enveloping her.

“Surely… No, it can’t be.”

Shaking her head to deny the thought, Eunchae’s face turned pale. While anxiously chewing her lip, a nurse called her name.

“Yoon Eunchae.”

“Yes.”

Quickly regaining her composure, Eunchae stood up and entered the examination room.

“Welcome. How have you been?”

Dr. Park Sung-kyung, Eunchae’s attending physician, greeted her with an intelligent smile. Dr. Park was the doctor recommended by Joon.

Dr. Park is not only Joon’s best friend Park Tae-kyung’s sister but also a leading infertility specialist, continuing her family’s legacy in the field.

From this perspective, it seems that Lee Joon isn’t entirely uninterested in having a child. However, his lack of action is frustrating and confusing.

“Hello, Doctor.”

Eunchae’s warm greeting was met with a friendly response from Dr. Park.

“Yes, I’ve been well. Is Lee Joon still very busy these days?”

Dr. Park asked indirectly if Eunchae had come alone again today. Eunchae smiled shyly and nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. He suddenly had a meeting, so I came by myself.”

“He’s always handling everything on his own. Even when he’s busy, he’s too busy.”

Dr. Park, feeling sympathetic for Eunchae’s efforts alone, lightly chided Lee Joon. Eunchae, touched by the concern, simply smiled faintly without responding.

“Let’s start with the examination first, shall we?”

As Dr. Park stood up to change the mood, Eunchae cautiously spoke up.

“Um… Dr. Park.”

“Yes, Eunchae?”

Encouraged by Dr. Park’s friendly tone, Eunchae spoke up with some courage.

“We… would like to try artificial insemination…”

“Why? We’re not at that stage yet. You can still get pregnant naturally. Why insist on it now?”

Dr. Park was taken aback and expressed her disagreement.

“It’s only been 2 years since you got married, and you’ve only been actively trying to conceive for a year. It’s too soon to consider artificial insemination. Both artificial insemination and IVF are very demanding on women. There are so many challenges and things to be mindful of.”

“I understand that, but…”

Eunchae trailed off, biting her lip. She knew it wasn’t an easy decision and that it might seem hasty. However, with Joon continuously avoiding ovulation days, she felt she had no other option. She couldn’t bring herself to explain this to Dr. Park.

And then there was the urgent message she had received: [“Joon! You need to come quickly!”]

The voice echoing in Eunchae’s mind made her even more anxious.

“Has Lee Joon agreed to this?”

“No, he doesn’t know yet. It’s just my decision for now.”

“In that case, it’s even more important that you and your partner discuss and decide together.”

With Dr. Park’s firm attitude, Eun-chae’s resolve began to waver.

“Is it possible that your in-laws are pressuring you?”

Understanding Mrs. Kang’s temperament, Dr. Park subtly asked. Eun-chae did not deny it.

“Well… there’s that too.”

“You’re right, but it’s still too hasty. Some couples try for over 10 years and still conceive naturally.”

“You sound a lot like my mom.”

Seeing Eunchae’s forced smile, Dr. Park continued to persuade her.

“Try a little longer. Other couples struggling with infertility would be upset if they heard this, okay?”

As Dr. Park gently persuaded and comforted her like an older sister, Eunchae nodded in agreement. She realized that her decision might have been somewhat impulsive.

“Alright. I’ll reconsider.”

“Okay.”

Dr. Park, who had finally convinced Eunchae, began the examination.

“Try to relax and rest well until your next check-up. Your face looks quite pale.”

After the examination, Dr. Park expressed concern for Eunchae’s health. She looked increasingly worn and depressed.

“Yes, thank you, Doctor.”

After thanking Dr. Park, Eunchae left the examination room. Her steps toward the parking lot felt heavy, and her heart was filled with emptiness.

Stopping in her tracks, Eunchae looked up at the sky with blank eyes. The May sky was very high and clear, with fluffy clouds passing by like soft blankets.

She closed her eyes and let herself be carried away by the gentle spring breeze. May’s spring was special to Eunchae. It was in the spring of May when she first met Lee Joon at his family home, and it was also around this time that they had their first meeting.

So, Eunchae had always believed that May’s spring would always be fresh and invigorating, as it was the season when she connected with the man she loved.

But what was the outcome?

Eunchae’s eyelids slowly lifted as she pondered. Through her half-opened eyes, her moist and sorrowful gaze trembled.

The afternoon sunlight, pouring down like shattered glass, made her teary eyes sparkle with a transparent shine. As she closed her eyes, the teardrops clinging to her lashes trickled down her cheeks.

“Sigh…”

Eunchae took a deep, wet sigh and straightened her head. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and started walking again, her heart filled with hope.

She fervently wished that next year, she could embrace both Lee Joon and their child and enjoy a fresh and beautiful spring day.

***

On a weekend afternoon, Eunchae entered the outdoor banquet hall, a notable feature of ‘H Hotel,’ with Lee Joon.

“Let me show you to your seats.”

The security guard checked their invitation and bowed. The couple followed his lead, passing through a grassy area decorated with flowers and balloons until they reached the banquet hall.

“Bro!”

As they approached the entrance of the banquet hall, a young couple dressed in hanbok, holding a child, welcomed them warmly.

“Welcome, bro! And welcome, sister-in-law!”

The man who greeted them with a hearty laugh was Tae Young-Joon, Lee Joon’s cousin. He is currently the managing director of Geumyoung Construction, a subsidiary of the Geumyoung Group. He had always been suspicious of Lee Joon and watched the company with interest.

“Glad you come.”

Young-Joon’s wife, Kim So-young, also greeted the two. As the second granddaughter of Seoryeong Group, she was just as ambitious as her husband.

“Congratulations, and best wishes to you both.”

“Congratulations.”

Eunchae and Lee Joon responded with congratulatory greetings to the couple.

“Youngseong, say hello to your uncle and aunt. Go on, say ‘hello.’”

With a proud smile, Young Joon lifted his son high, showing him off. Then, he handed the child over to them, inviting them to hold him.

Lee Joon frowned at Young Joon’s deliberate actions. When Lee Joon stood still with his hands in his suit pockets, Eunchae quickly stepped in and took the child.

“Aww, our Youngseong is so handsome. Do you recognize your aunt?”

Eunchae smiled warmly at the child. Despite feeling irritated by Young Joon’s rude behavior, the baby was simply too cute and lovable to resist.

As Eunchae gently cupped the baby’s chubby cheeks and made eye contact, the child giggled with delight.

“Oh my, are you happy?” she asked with a smile.

The baby’s cheerful laughter was more beautiful than any music, and it made Eunchae smile brightly. As she looked at the child with a mix of affection and longing, Kim So-young smiled and asked her a question.

“Sister-in-law, you should have a baby soon too. Still no news yet?”