CHAPTER 76

After the meal, they decided to go for a drive. It was too late for a date, so they planned to drive around the outskirts of the city to digest.

However, Yeonseo’s attention was drawn to Taeheon, who held the steering wheel, more than the scenery outside.

Taeheon’s right hand intertwined with Yeonseo’s and his left hand was on the steering wheel. On each of his long, straight fingers was a wedding ring, the same shape as hers. A shiver ran down her spine at the realization that she was so firmly linked to him.

Her gaze traveled to his wristwatch, his cuffs, and his firm pecs. Taeheon’s broad chest left her speechless about how magnificent it was.

It shielded her from the harshness of the world and chased away her loneliness. It also beat warmly towards Yeonseo. She wanted to hurry and nestle into that embrace.

Taeheon couldn’t help but notice Yeonseo’s intense gaze.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“I missed you.”

“Do something cute, but that’s it.”

Taeheon grunted and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. It made her impatient to just stare at his side profile after a long time.

She couldn’t wait to make eye contact with him and whisper her love to him. Suddenly, the act of driving down the road seemed futile.

With Taeheon, anything would be enjoyable, but she still wanted to exchange emotions in a closer place, just the two of them.

The baby would be born soon, and then all the time would be devoted to the child. Yeonseo loved the child enough to exchange her life for it, but apart from that, she was sad that she would have less time to spend alone with Taeheon.

It seemed she had become greedy.

Letting out a deep sigh, Yeonseo tossed and turned while looking out the window. A 5-star hotel conveniently caught her eye.

“How long would it take if we go straight home?”

“The downtown area is congested, so about 40, 50 minutes.”

“That’s a long time…….”

Yeonseo muttered, resting her chin on the car window.

“If you’re uncomfortable, recline your chair and lie down. Is your stomach not feeling well?”

“Maybe it’s because I ate a lot; my stomach feels a bit heavy.”

Taeheon’s gaze flew to her. He quickly scanned her complexion.

“If you’re having trouble….”

“Yeah. I think we should take a break.”

“I’ll see if I can find a place to stop for a while, so just lie down.”

Yeonseo laughed softly. Taeheon’s eyebrows rose, not understanding the meaning.

Seconds later, Taeheon understood what she meant, a beat too late. His jaw tightened.

“……Han Yeonseo.”

“Yeah. I want to rest somewhere other than the car.”

Taeheon gently released their intertwined fingers and tugged at his tie. He felt a strange sensation of pleasure as the tie flowed down his back.

“You have no idea how much I’m enduring.”

“I understand a little.”

“Well.”

The car smoothly made a U-turn.

***

From the hotel lobby to the elevator, Taeheon and Yeonseo held hands. Taeheon liked holding hands like this. Even though using only one hand might be inconvenient, he rarely let go of her hand when they were outside.

Sometimes it felt like he was holding on for dear life.

As soon as the key card was inserted, the lights flickered to life. Taeheon’s tongue, digging into Yeonseo’s lips, was rough and passionate. It was hot and fierce, biting down on Yeonseo’s lips, revealing its ferocious nature.

Feeling like she might not even be able to take off her shoes, Yeonseo tapped his chest to create some distance.

“Let’s, um, take a quick shower…”

“Go ahead and wash up. I can’t take it anymore.”

Ten days of traveling had taken its toll. Yeonseo was pinned up against the wall, receiving Taeheon at the entrance.

Her pregnant body didn’t weigh her down, but it was still too much for her to contain the heat of Taeheon’s touch.

Lifting her collapsing waist with his large hand, he lazily circled it, drawing a circle while supporting her swollen belly, moving it flexibly.

She regretted encouraging Taeheon, but she wanted to embrace him, so she pulled her waist away and gestured for more. His low breath made the air dense.

“Han Yeonseo, you might get hurt like this. Let’s just do it in moderation…”

“It’s okay, more… please do more.”

Taeheon’s eyes sparked. His vision shook, the noise rattled, the dampness on the toes. Everything was a mess. His raw, unrefined instincts ran wild.

Yeonseo constantly called out Taeheon’s name. Each time, he groaned as if going crazy, and Yeonseo felt that endless reaction from him.

He picked her up and headed for the bed. He buried his face in the heat from the friction and was insistent.

“Ugh, ah… Taeheon, please.”

He never knew satisfaction, always looking at Yeon-seo with thirsty eyes. Sometimes he would slow down, like a predator with a full stomach.

“Move your hand and spread wider. Don’t cover up.”

“Uh…”

At that moment, Yeonseo surrendered to him helplessly. As he licked his lips and effortlessly changed Yeonseo’s heavy body, his exploration continued.

It was a pleasure as leisurely as it could be, and as intense as it could be. An indefinite rush, like running downhill, followed.

The sensation connected to a deeply entwined ring finger and the touching body temperature, the world that disappeared from view was incredibly blissful.

“I love you.”

“Stop, I’m… wrong, ah!”

“I love you, how can I endure.”

Yeonseo stood with a strained neck as Taeheon passionately kissed her, leaving a deep mark on her neck.

She whimpered that she couldn’t take it anymore, but Taeheon gently reassured Yeonso.

You’re good. It’s okay. It’ll be over soon.

His words were tender, but his actions were skillful and assertive.

“Sorry. I want to make you cry more.”

Unaware of the misery, Yeonso had a man who confessed his love every day with his entire body.

*

There was one week left until the expected due date. Over the past month, with a lot happening all at once, Yeonseo felt numb.

They had moved a month ago. The move was delayed due to extensive renovations to their new home. Everything that didn’t meet Taeheon’s meticulous eye had been ripped apart and reassembled.

Filling the spacious house with furniture and appliances was also a challenge. Taeheon was happy to leave it to the professionals, but Yeonseo wanted to make a home for the three of them

Thanks to Taeheon willingly giving her control over everything related to the house, she managed to enjoy setting up their home, even though it gave her a headache.

In addition to preparing for childbirth, there was also preparation for the wedding. Although they had set the wedding date for 100 days after the expected due date, there was still much to do.

She thought that since it was a small wedding, she could just pick a venue, and buy clothes and food, but she was wrong.

The wedding planner contacted her phone daily. While the expert narrowed down options, the final decision rested with her.

Choosing a wedding dress was also challenging. She tried on dresses before her stomach got bigger, taking into account the changes in her body shape after giving birth.

In the end, a total of five wedding dresses were selected and went into production. While Yeonseo thought one dress would suffice, Taeheon seemed to have different ideas. Despite reducing the number of guests, the expenses for the wedding were still significant.

Taeheon had visited the resort owned by Sewon Group, where the wedding would take place, multiple times alone. Yeonseo had accompanied him once, and it was awkward to see the staff lowering their shoulders and bowing their heads every time Taeheon spoke.

Although he stopped his meticulous inspection when she pulled his arm to signal him to stop, Taeheon was someone who needed everything to be perfect to be satisfied.

Yeonseo also wanted to go along with Taeheon’s wishes as much as possible. Just as he had done for her, she wanted to help him achieve what he desired. As a result, wedding preparations became an elaborate process.

Just as she was about to take a break from all the planning, Hyeonho called to ask her to meet him before the baby was born. The three of them sat down together to see Jiyeong’s face.

“Is this really okay?”

Hyeonho clicked his tongue and flipped the pork belly, the sizzling sound made Jiyeong and Yeonseo’s mouths water.

“Yeah. I really wanted to eat pork belly.”

“Doesn’t your husband buy it for you?”

“My Taeheon?”

“Yeah, yours. Seriously.”

Jiyeong grumbled. She hadn’t seen Taeheon yet. It wasn’t intentional; the timing just hadn’t worked out. Maybe that’s why, or maybe it was because she had only heard bits of Taeheon and Yeonseo’s love story, but Jiyeong didn’t have a favorable opinion of him.

“Do you want some fried rice?”

Yeonseo said with a smile, turning the conversation.

“Of course. Auntie, three bowls here!”

Silver tables and plastic chairs. A lively atmosphere. This was actually the kind of place Yeonseo was more used to.

However, she couldn’t express to Taeheon that she wanted to come to a place like this. She thought he wouldn’t like it due to his clean personality. Of course, if Yeonseo wanted to come, he’d come, but she felt guilty about not considering his preferences and only satisfying her own desires.

Hyeonho laid out the sliced pork belly on the grill, and Jiyeong quickly raised the seasoned ones.

Yeonseo, who had been allotted a portion of the fried rice, clasped her hands together and waited for the meat to cook.

“Preparing for the wedding and childbirth must be challenging, right?”

“Yeah, it’s a bit hectic.”

“Is there anything I can help with?”

Jiyeong asked in a subtly wistful tone. Yeonseo smiled and shook her head.

“It’s okay. I’ve almost got everything ready now.”

“But is your husband treating you well? Why are you getting flabbier by the day?”

Yeonseo chuckled awkwardly. It was embarrassing for her to have such a low efficiency body.

Considering the precious food Taeheon fed her, not to mention the healthy food sent by his family, she should have gained about 20 kilograms by now.

However, Yeonseo’s flesh hasn’t expanded as much as she eats. Even though the doctor advised her to eat more since the baby was on the smaller side, the results were disappointing compared to the effort she put in.

“Your husband seems like he’s missing some humanity. I’m worried he might treat you coldly.”

“He’s affectionate. You wouldn’t say that if you saw him.”

“Even if I do see him, it’s obvious he’ll just pretend. People don’t change that easily.”

“Stop nagging and eat, Jiyeong. They’ll figure things out on their own, even in marriage.”

Hyeonho placed the cooked meat on Yeonseo’s plate for her to eat.

Despite Hyeonho’s teasing, Jiyeong’s skeptical gaze remained. It was awkward to explain Taeheon’s affection in detail just to dispel her doubts.

Partly because she wanted to keep this unexpected side of him to herself, and partly because she knew Jiyeong was worried about her, it wasn’t easy to explain.

For now, she put a piece of meat in her mouth. Yeonseo’s eyes widened as the savory juices spread across her mouth.

Yes, I had almost forgotten this flavor.