CHAPTER 74

Steam filled the bathroom densely. The two of them avoided the construction on the first floor and used the bathroom on the second floor. Inside the tub of warm water, Yeonseo warmed up.

Outside the bathtub, Taeheon gently massaged her hair, creating bubbles, and rinsed it. With his rugged and unskilled touch, she quickly relaxed her body.

He rubbed the back of her neck and up to her shoulders, making sure it wouldn’t hurt. As she entered the later stages of pregnancy, she often experienced stiffness or discomfort. Taeheon’s daily massages were doing wonders for her.

“Mmmmm…….”

As his fingertips pressed somewhere on her lower back, an involuntary moan escaped her lips. Along with the refreshing sensation, a strange and pleasant feeling came over her.

Embarrassed by the sound she unknowingly made, Yeonseo discreetly lowered her gaze and then looked at Taeheon after some time.

He had finished shampooing her and was checking the water temperature. Taeheon, who had only taken off his upper garment, still wore trousers. He was so intent on washing her that he barely had time to look at himself.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“Not really… but Taeheon, your pants are soaked too.”

“Because someone was splashing around.”

“Well… That’s because you suddenly took off my clothes.”

“Your body was like an ice block, so I was in a hurry. If you were cold, you should have said so.”

Taeheon sighed. If she had said she was cold, he would have run a long way to carry Yeonseo.

“Don’t go into the mountains alone again. Just endure it until the baby is born. I can’t compromise on this, so don’t try to convince me.”

“And if I still want to convince you?”

“I’ll not let it slide. So, just don’t do it.”

“Actually, I was a little scared, too. I won’t do it again. I’ll be careful.”

“Good.”

Although it was a dry response, Taeheon was relieved. He had genuinely worried about Yeonseo’s actions, but now he smirked again.

Such a response fascinated her. She felt helpless against Taeheon, who, despite letting her have her way, skillfully handled her.

Thus, Yeonseo’s heart was swayed. She found herself wanting to listen to all of his words as if she were nursing the love he seemed to be suffering from.

Maybe Taeheon was a fox with many tails, after all, he was getting what he wanted.

Taeheon’s fingertips stroked Yeonseo’s forehead and traced her jawline. The touch, drawing the path where the water had passed, was provocative.

“It tickles.”

“Not yet, you didn’t answer.”

Yeonseo blinked her wet lashes slowly.

“Answer?”

“You didn’t answer when I asked you to marry me.”

The proposal brought tears to her eyes, and even though he knew she was going to marry him without having to say it, it was different to hear it in person.

They had decided to be together, and the baby was expected to be born. Since they had shared love, marriage seemed to be the natural conclusion.

She hadn’t had any unnecessary thoughts since meeting Taeheon, such as whether he needed an illegitimate child or to support two families.

It was good. She was thrilled because Taeheon’s sincerity was conveyed, and the inner turmoil captured in the marriage registration he brought made her feel overwhelmed.

“Why don’t you get in here, Taeheon, you’ve been in the snow more than I have.”

Yeonseo tugged gently on the forearm, gripping the edge of the bathtub. Their gazes met, and she felt the abyss of Taeheon’s eyes on the other side of the bathtub become even more intense.

Straightening his back and standing upright, he looked down at Yeonseo while lowering the showerhead.

His lean, muscular thighs were densely packed with fine muscle. The undergarment that contained his solid physique drew attention, but Yeonseo tactfully avoided staring.

She couldn’t look at Taeheon’s naked body yet. It would make her blush to look shamelessly at his body despite having seen each other’s bodies countless times

“Mind your own business.”

Putting his hands on Yeonseo’s sides, he lightly lifted her up. Water droplets from her clear skin splashed on the surface.

The warm water splashed and Taeheon sat down behind her. Sitting between his thighs, Yeonseo crossed her legs over his.

She used the water’s resistance to wiggle her toes.

“Be out in three minutes.”

“Okay.”

Soaking in hot water was not good for pregnant women. Yeonseo didn’t know, but Taeheon was well aware. He was knowledgeable about pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

There were more than a dozen pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting books in his study. There were bookmarks all over the place, so it wasn’t like he was skimming through them. That’s why he knew so much.

As he pressed his nose against her neck, he sighed and said, 

“We should have the wedding after the baby is born.”

“….”

“We don’t want any hasty preparations.”

Yeonseo played with the water, creating ripples on the surface.

“I’ll submit the marriage registration as soon as we get to Seoul.”

“That soon?”

Yeonseo turned her head to look at Taeheon. The proximity of his jawline made her cheeks flush.

“We’re going to have a child soon, so we should be recognized as a married couple.”

“It feels weird to be called a married couple.”

Mom and Dad were names that didn’t quite feel like her own, so saying married couple felt like reaching the summit after crossing mountains.

“Don’t feel comfortable saying it either.”

Yeonseo glanced at him discreetly. Then, she lightly touched his chin, which she found handsome, with her hand.

“Is something bothering you?”

“No.”

“Then why are you holding back your answer? Does the proposal to get married sound awkward now?”

Taeheon asked. Yeonseo lowered her eyes slightly. The bathroom light washed over her cheeks. Everything felt fuzzy.

“If we get married, I’ll also become a member of the Sewon family, right?”

“Is that what you’re worried about?”

“I’m apprehensive about becoming a member of the Sewon family. I don’t want my child to live a life in the spotlight like you, Taeheon.”

“Is it the environment that feels burdensome?”

“Yeah. I hope Banjjak can do what he wants and live the way he wants, I want him to have a choice.”

“You know I can’t force you or the child into anything.”

Yes, he knew. Taeheon doesn’t do anything Yeonseo doesn’t like anymore. It might sound presumptuous, but if Yeonseo were to tell him to give up Sewon, Taeheon would willingly step back.

But he didn’t want to go that far. As much as Taeheon was a part of Sewon, Ywonseo felt burdened by fitting into that puzzle.

Yeonseo had lived a normal life. The inheritance from Mrs. Kang was enough for her.

She had gained more love than she could have imagined in Woo Taeheon. She really doesn’t need anything else.

It felt overwhelming to love Taeheon and raise a child. Being part of Sewon, taking on responsibilities, and meeting expectations felt exhausting.

It wasn’t ordinary to fit in with them from the beginning. There was no way the Sewon family would welcome Yeonseo, and she wanted to avoid them if she could.

Still, she had to give Banjjak the opportunity to choose.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“I know. But you’ll protect me and our child, right?”

“Believe it. Let me relieve your worries so I won’t feel more sorry than I already do.”

Since Yeonseo didn’t blame him, she held onto his arm tightly.

“And let’s keep the wedding simple.”

As expected, Taeheon didn’t seem pleased.

“I don’t like attracting attention. Plus, there won’t be many guests to invite…”

“You’ve already thought about that?”

“Of course.”

She doesn’t have anything, so she’s afraid of being compared to him. Afraid of revealing the lingering poverty that couldn’t escape her thoughts. 

She wanted to be good enough for Taeheon just as much as he did. Yeonseo smiled bitterly, still feeling like an ugly person.

“Sorry for being selfish. I know a wedding is important to you.”

“Han Yeonseo.”

“Huh?”

Yeonseo looked at him quietly.

“As long as you’re there.”

“…….”

 “You’re all I need.”

Yeonseo raised the corners of her mouth and smiled. It felt good. She wanted to be a better person for Taeheon. Someone he needed more.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Taeheon kissed her. As they pressed closer, he put his arms around her waist and supported her pelvis.

Their body heat stimulated sensitive skin and short breaths burst out uncontrollably. Gripping the swollen hills due to hormonal changes, Taeheon contentedly nibbled her neck.

Yeonseo couldn’t help but squirm and moan softly.

“Taeheon, ah…”

“Don’t act cute here when you know it’s not allowed.”

“Taeheon, you started it first… umm…”

“Am I the one who started it? It’s because of your beauty.”

Taeheon embraced her waist, proudly displaying his excited body. Water spilled over the edge of the bathtub.

“Let’s go to the room.”

“But aunt is on the first floor.”

“No, no….”

“You’ve developed bad habits.”

“Taeheon, you made me like this.”

She narrowed her eyes and murmured. It was definitely Taeheon’s fault that she reacted to the slightest touch. Can she not become sensitive after being nibbled and kissed every day?

Taeheon buried his lips in the nape of her neck, rubbing the narrow slit.

“I’ll accept everything, just stay by my side. That’s all. Without you, anything means nothing.”

The uneasy anxiety, like a torch, subsided as if finding a secure haven.

She wanted to be with him and become a family. A family that would protect each other for a lifetime.

***

The warm spring sun made her feel comfortable, so she didn’t bring an outer garment. However, as the evening approached, the wind became quite chilly.

Her round, swollen belly felt unusually heavy. Dressed in a long blue dress, Yeonseo stepped aside to avoid bumping into people before entering the cafe.

Situated on the first floor of the Sewon Motors building, the employees’ cafeteria was quite busy, probably because it was close to the end of the workday.

She ordered cheesecake, waffles, muffins, and juice. Since she skipped lunch, she ordered everything she could see.

With an hour left until Taeheon got off work, she planned to spend the time leisurely enjoying the food.

As she sat in a corner, halfway through her meal, a woman with long hair at the counter recognized her and widened her eyes.

“Oh?”

It was Taeheon’s cousin, Sieun.