Part 8

Jiwook had never expressed any interest or affection before. 

On her birthdays, it was his secretary who brought the gifts, and he had never once taken her out for dinner. 

Naturally, she thought he didn’t know what she liked or what her preferences were. 

So, today’s events felt particularly strange.

“Don’t I have to know what you like?”

Jiwook responded first before she could finish.

“I did not tell you, how would you know? You never seemed curious.”

Seowoo retorted immediately. 

She knew everything about Jiwook – what he wore, what style of clothes he liked, what watch he often wore, and the expressions he made when his mood changed.

She had been watching Jiwook for years.

But Jiwook had never asked her anything or shown any curiosity about her.

“When we first met again at the bar, that night we reunited when you were 20. Would you believe me if I told you I remembered everything?”

“……”

As she turned her head, Jiwook’s gaze, now deeper, fell upon her.

She wondered if they ever had a conversation like this, asking and sharing things.

Looking back, the time they had spent together seemed so pitiful.

When they were only s*x partners, they were too busy to even see each other properly, their interactions often limited to physical encounters; and after marriage, they were both too caught up in their own lives.

The loneliness that shadowed her past now weighed heavily on her chest.

“You like peonies more than roses, and you prefer comfortable jeans and sneakers over dresses, even though you like them too. You enjoy wearing clothes with beads more than silk.”

Maintaining eye contact with Seowoo, Jiwook listed her preferences. Listening to him, Seowoo’s expression grew more and more stiff. Even as she reacted this way, Jiwook continued.

“You have a habit of sleeping on your left side, and you tend to fiddle with your earlobes when you’re in a good mood.”

She burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all, a scoff escaped her lips involuntarily.

She had expected him to just know her shoe or clothing size, but the things coming out of his mouth were utterly astounding.

“But there’s a lot I’m still curious about. Can you still not drink coffee? I’ve wondered if you regretted our divorce, if you ever thought of me… I’m curious about that too.”

“…”

“And if you’re ever going to try to make things work with me again. That’s what I want to know most.”

“Stop, please.”

“Seowoo.”

Seowoo turned her head quickly, as if tears would fall from her eyes if she heard any more.

If he had ever shown such attention before, perhaps she wouldn’t have felt so compelled to flee their life together, especially not after such a devastating second miscarriage. 

She hadn’t expected grand gestures, just the small signs of caring. Was it too much to have hoped for?

“There’s still so much I want to say.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Please, just listen.”

Even considering the time they had spent together, these were things he couldn’t have known if he didn’t care. He had never shown it, never taken care of her. So she naturally assumed he didn’t know.

“Isn’t it just laughable that you’re doing this now?”

In a way, she felt resentful.

Tears welled up in the corners of Seowoo’s big eyes.

“That’s why I’m pathetically clinging to you without any pride.”

“But there was someone who lived even more pathetically without any pride by your side all those times.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t know. Don’t say you do. You don’t know anything.”

Her heart was scarred, repeatedly soothed with false reassurances, repeatedly telling herself that it was okay, that everyone lived this way. That everything was okay because it was just the rush and responsibilities of life.

It was just because she had suddenly become pregnant, and he was busy, that’s all.

She couldn’t even count how many times she had consoled herself, saying it was all fine because she loved him.

But as time passed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their marriage was based merely on obligation alone. If not, he couldn’t have been so indifferent to her. Now, it felt like he was rubbing salt into wounds that were only just beginning to heal.

“I understand you’re angry.”

“Don’t pretend to understand. You can never understand my feelings.”

Ultimately, Seowoo’s composed expression crumbled.

She felt so pathetic for being shaken by just this single dinner date. 

Tears broke through as she realized she was allowing herself to hope again. 

Her heart is not yet organized. No, her unorganized thoughts continue to shake her. 

Seowoo looked away and wiped her face hastily.

“I’m sorry for leaving you lonely for such a long time.”

Jiwook apologized sincerely.

He knew these words weren’t enough to mend everything, but they were all he could offer at the moment.

“I- I was wrong.”

Jiwook admitted with a pained expression. 

Once again, an awkward silence fell between them, a repetitive cycle that seemed destined to continue.

Just when it seemed to be okay, it would become awkward again.

Jiwook acutely felt that he was the root cause of their strained relationship.

Repairing a once-broken bond would indeed require much time and effort.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you.”

After Jiwook paid the driver, the chauffeur greeted them and exited the car. They were now parked in Seowoo’s home driveway. 

Jiwook should have been going to his house. Seowoo watched the driver leave and wanted to ask why he didn’t stay to wait for Jiwook, but she held her tongue. Instead, she said,

“I’ll go in.”

With those words, Seowoo stepped out of the car. Immediately, Jiwook followed and swiftly grabbed her hand.

“…….”

He looked like he wanted to say something but just gauged her reactions instead. 

It was unusual for Jiwook to be so cautious around anyone. 

When she stared at him, lips pursed tightly, he let out a small sigh, his brow crinkling.

“Let’s go up together.”

His words came out with difficulty. 

Seowoo’s eyebrows drew together sharply.

“Why?”

‘If the shoe size is right, I’ll stay the night here.’

Could it be because of what he had said earlier? 

She had thought it was a joke, but apparently, he was serious.

“I said I would stay the night.”

“Who decided that?”

“We agreed on it.”

“When did I…? No, I don’t want to. Just go.”

Seowoo shook off his hand and turned, walking quickly towards her house. 

The closer he got to her personal space, the more vulnerable she felt.

She had to stop it. 

Though she was already quite shaken.

Just then, Jiwook hurried after her.

“Aah!”

“Seowoo!”

Her right ankle twisted suddenly, causing her to collapse onto the ground. Jiwook, startled, hurried to her side and crouched down.

“Ah…”

Perhaps because of the new shoes or because she had drunk wine. 

Unused to the heels, even though they weren’t that high, she had twisted her ankle. Seowoo gripped her ankle, pain written all over her face.

“That’s why you shouldn’t have walked so fast.”

His reprimanding words caused Seowoo to squint at him.

“Ow! It hurts!”

“How much does it hurt?”

“A lot. Very much. Don’t touch me!”

She blurted out her words in rapid succession, to which Jiwook chuckled involuntarily.

Even in this situation, her glaring eyes seemed adorable. He simply watched her quietly, and she glanced away embarrassedly, trying to stand again.

“Ah…”

It was a mistake to try to walk in heels over 7 cm high.

The pain was intense enough that even standing still was a struggle. 

Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted into the air. Seowoo’s eyes widened as she realized she was now cradled in Jiwook’s arms.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I was going to let you go, but I can’t just leave you like this.”

“No… put me down. I’m fine.”

“I’d like to, but I can’t just walk past someone who’s hurt. Especially since it’s because of the shoes I chose.”

He carried Seowoo, naturally heading towards her apartment. The absurdity of the situation left her speechless.

“And, I did get your shoe size right. Let’s keep that promise.”

Seowoo’s mouth fell open.

When had I ever agreed to any promise?

There was no need to keep a promise she hadn’t made. She tried to wriggle free and kicked her legs, but it made no difference.