Chapter 78: A Sweet and Bitter Reunion

Tears streamed down his dry cheeks. My hand, moving faster than my thoughts, reached out to wipe them away, but he turned his head, and I couldn’t reach him.

Turning away from me, he stared out the window for a long time. His shoulders occasionally trembled, but even that subsided quickly.

A heavy silence filled the cramped car. Though I considered it better to leave, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon him, so I remained.

“Let’s go, then.”

Only after some time had passed and he seemed to regain his composure did he restart the car. A quick glance revealed his face was as impassive as ever, yet the tears he hadn’t wiped away had dried into streaks on his cheeks.

I deliberately averted my gaze, trying to erase his presence beside me. It felt like the only way I could endure the suffocating atmosphere of the car, so I simply held on, contemplating the long journey ahead.

My chest felt incredibly tight.

So tight, it was almost suffocating.

****

“Seo-jin.”

The moment I stepped out of the car, my mother, who had been waiting by the front gate, rushed towards me. She started to embrace me but paused upon seeing my noticeably swollen belly, opting instead to pat my shoulder as a greeting.

“Was the journey difficult?”

“No, it was fine.”

Spending an hour and a half in the car was nothing, especially since I’d routinely endured much longer drives when I was Yoo Joon-hee.

As I was reassuring my mother, who continued to worry that I shouldn’t overexert myself, Han Jung-woo, who had followed me out of the car, subtly took a stand beside me.

Honestly, given the lack of conversation and the tense atmosphere during the drive, I had expected him to drop me off and leave immediately. However, when I glanced over, he was smiling kindly, as if nothing untoward had happened.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Madam.”

Han Jung-woo bowed deeply, greeting my mother with deference. My mother’s expression, recognizing him instantly, froze into a frigid mask.

“Mr. Han Jung-woo, I presume?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“It’s taken quite a while to finally see your esteemed face.”

“I deeply apologize for arriving empty-handed due to the rush—”

“It’s quite alright. I have no intention of receiving anything from you, Mr. Han Jung-woo.”

Had Yoo Hae-jung been present, he would have welcomed Han Jung-woo with open arms. But to my mother, Han Jung-woo was nothing more than a scoundrel who had impregnated her unmarried son.

Moreover, this entire affair had driven her only son from their home, making it impossible for her to view Han Jung-woo favorably. Consequently, her voice carried a distinct edge.

“Well, since you’re here, I can’t exactly kick you out. Just come inside for now.”

“Thank you.”

My mother turned first, pulling my arm to widen the distance between me and Han Jung-woo. He hesitated for a moment, unable to immediately follow, before quietly trailing behind my mother and me.

The moment I stepped into the entryway, a comforting aroma greeted me. While my morning sickness had improved, my pheromone aversion persisted, yet thankfully, the pheromones of Yoo Seo-jin’s family seemed to be agreeable.

“Are you feeling alright?”

He drew closer, asking in a low voice. When I nodded, he smiled faintly, a look of relief washing over his face. Amidst his concerned words—telling me to speak up if I felt uncomfortable or nauseous, just in case—a distinct, discomforted cough interrupted.

“Seo-jin, come along now.”

My mother, having called me gently, then shot Han Jung-woo a fierce glare. As he flinched under her imposing gaze, she took my hand and led me towards the living room.

“Just sit for a moment. I’ll bring you something to drink.”

After settling me onto the sofa, my mother headed to the kitchen. He arrived in the living room a moment later, pausing as he instinctively moved to sit beside me, then instead took a seat at a slight distance.

“You probably think you shouldn’t have come, don’t you?”

“Well, even if it’s a bit scary, I’m not thinking that.”

He must have been accustomed to being welcomed everywhere he went; what could possibly be so good about being treated this way? When I turned to question him, he was smiling.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because I enjoy being with you, Yoo Seo-jin.”

His hand had somehow reached out, covering the back of mine. His gaze, meeting mine, was as tender and warm as ever, a Han Jung-woo I had grown utterly accustomed to.

“Earlier, my emotions got the better of me, and I believe I pressured you, Yoo Seo-jin. I shouldn’t have done that… but seeing you struggle recently made me desperate.”

He paused his calm confession, drawing a little closer. Glancing subtly towards the kitchen, he then lifted our clasped hands and gently kissed each of my fingers.

“I’ll wait. Until you’re ready to tell me, Yoo Seo-jin.”

“……”

“I’m actually quite good at waiting, more than you might think.”

As I gazed at his face, smiling despite the pain he tried to conceal, a pang resonated in my chest. It was heartbreaking yet endearing to witness him desperately trying to hold onto me, knowing I would eventually leave.

‘When did he become so ingrained in my life?’

I had merely thought my heart gravitated towards Han Jung-woo because he resembled Seon Woo-jung, believing my lingering attachment hadn’t faded. However, now that I acknowledged their distinctness, this tremor, this undeniable pull, was solely for Han Jung-woo.

Only now did I truly understand. The reason for my unease after that chance encounter with Jung Hee-soo.

My feelings were growing, and I was terrified Han Jung-woo might leave me. I had tried to deny it, but once acknowledged, the truth was startlingly clear.

Perhaps I… loved Han Jung-woo.

Just then, footsteps approached from the kitchen. Frozen, we quickly distanced ourselves, then greeted my mother as if nothing had happened.

“Did you make all of this, Mom?”

“Of course, I made all of it myself.”

The tray my mother carried was laden with homemade cookies and cake. While I knew baking was one of her hobbies, the sheer quantity today was particularly impressive.

She had likely made an assortment of treats because I was visiting, but the biggest problem was my dislike for overly sweet things. Still, given her effort, I had to eat something, so I picked up a cookie that appeared to be the least sweet.

“Mr. Han Jung-woo, you should try some too.”

“Ah, thank you.”

He nodded politely, selecting the closest chocolate chip cookie. Taking a large bite, his eyes widened, and he uncharacteristically exclaimed how delicious it was.

“I’m not just saying this, but it’s genuinely more delicious than anything made by dessert artisans.”

“Oh, really? Well, I suppose I am quite good at it.”

Buoyed by the compliments, my mother began treating Han Jung-woo with noticeably more warmth than before. Unable to refuse her persistent offers to try various items, Han Jung-woo ended up eating half the cookies on the tray.

Despite the sweetness that should have become cloying, he showed no sign of being overwhelmed, continuously showering her with praise. Thanks to him, the atmosphere grew warm and amicable, and watching the two of them converse so easily, I finished my tea.

“Oh, where’s my head? Wait a moment. I was just preparing a new cake, I’ll bring it out shortly.”

My mother sprang up and hurried to the kitchen. Only then did he let his smile-filled expression relax, exhaling a deep sigh. Even his breath seemed heavy with the scent of sweets, making him look utterly exhausted.

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat everything.”

“It’s not exactly ‘forcing myself,’ but it is getting a bit much.”

“Shall I get you some coffee?”

“No, I’m fine.”

He stopped me as I tried to stand, then leaned closer, resting his head on my shoulder. As I stroked his tired-looking hair, he chuckled softly, seemingly pleased.

“Just stay by my side for now. I prefer that.”

“I will.”

Until Han Jung-woo no longer wanted me. I couldn’t voice those words, forced to swallow them instead. Swallowing the rising tide of anxiety once more, I secretly pressed a soft kiss to the crown of Han Jung-woo’s head.

And for the first time, I wished. I wished for this moment to stretch on a little longer. Though destiny dictated he would leave me one day, I hoped that day would come as late as possible.

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