Chapter 25
25. Were You Waiting for Me?
Gyeonghye recalled Kangwoo, who rarely touched anything but healthy food, and made an incredulous expression. Then,
"Yes. You wouldn't believe how well they all get along. And now Minho even calls the CEO 'Uncle.'"
Hearing that, Gyeonghye felt a deep wave of emotion swell in her heart.
"Really? That's good news too."
Gyeonghye wanted to ask about the atmosphere between Kangwoo and Naeun but held her tongue. It could lead to unnecessary talk.
There was no way he'd look at a woman like that.
He had never shown interest even when top seats from all sorts of scandalous women came his way. He was ascetic.
"What was it that kid liked again?"
Gyeonghye had raised her children with private tutors and nannies because she was focused on business. Kangwoo too.
She didn't know much about her son's inner thoughts or tastes, even if she knew his character well.
Just then, Gyeonghye's phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. It was her eldest son, Kang
"What's the occasion? Why is it so hard to get a single call from you? You report that the company is doing well, but what about Mom?"
Her voice carried light reproach and disappointment. It was a mother's concern for her son, who always kept a distance.
A low, calm voice came through the phone from Kang Hyuk.
-I'm doing well.
Gyeonghye raised an eyebrow slightly and said,
"I heard the company is doing well."
For a moment, pride welled up in her heart, but his indifferent response left her feeling slighted. Even so, she knew her son was hurt too.
-How's Minho?
Gyeonghye leaned back deeply in her chair, her expression serious as she continued.
"I was just about to talk about Minho."
Her tone became calm and cautious.
-Is he still not speaking?
Kang Hyuk's voice held worry.
Gyeonghye smiled faintly.
"No. Minho seems to be improving little by little."
As she said this, a faint sense of relief passed over Gyeonghye's face. The thought that Minho's condition was gradually getting better eased her mind.
Kang Hyuk asked with anticipation.
Noticing Gyeonghye's expression, Lee Yeosa smiled as if amused and said,
It hurt her pride that he would ask such a thing. A single mom with a child. She had hired her just as Minho's tutor, and Kangwoo, with his personality and apparent dislike for women, was a relief in one way but worrying in another.
Her eldest son abroad had grown up well without major rebellion. As a result, she didn't know much about her children.
A call came from him after a long time. She answered immediately, speaking in a somewhat stern voice.
Isn't it so hard to make one call?"
A slight loneliness tinged her words.
Without ignoring it, Kang Hyuk's voice continued from the other end.
His voice conveyed relief, and Gyeonghye nodded with a soft smile.
"Yes. We hired a new live-in tutor who's quite good. And there's a child the same age as Minho too."
Gyeonghye tapped the table lightly with her fingertips as she added. Sharing the news that Minho was changing thanks to the new tutor and child made her happy and proud too.
-That sounds good.
"Yes. So he even greets adults now. Regardless of anything else, he seems to talk a lot with that Jiho kid and the teacher."
Gyeonghye continued with a pleased expression. She hoped more than anyone for Minho to get better.
Kang Hyuk asked again in disbelief.
-Really?
Gyeonghye nodded firmly and spoke with conviction.
"Yes. So don't worry and come visit sometime to see Minho. And talk to him on the phone more often so he recognizes you as his dad."
Gyeonghye thought her eldest son Kang Hyuk should now return to Korea and settle down properly. It would look good for the company and the shareholders.
But Kang Hyuk still seemed hesitant, speaking calmly.
-My heart isn't ready yet....
Reading his hesitation as he trailed off, Gyeonghye sighed and furrowed her brow slightly.
"How long are you going to be tied to that woman? Especially since she divorced you even though you hated it."
Cynicism laced Gyeonghye's voice, revealing her firm pride that couldn't accept her son's divorce as a failure. It remained a deep wound and regret for her.
Kang Hyuk spoke in a sigh-mixed voice.
-Mother...
Gyeonghye steadied her slightly tense face, took a breath, and pressed her lips firmly. Feeling her son was hurt too, she spoke even more firmly.
"People need to know when to tie and cut ties clearly, and be ruthless when necessary. Never think of Minho's mother again."
Gyeonghye spoke strongly, but the awkward comfort in her words couldn't be hidden. Rather than blindly protecting him, she wanted to help him shake off his pain as a mother advising harshly for his sake.
Gyeonghye felt her heart sink heavily as she uttered the harsh words. Each of Kang Hyuk's words pierced her heart painfully.
A brief silence passed as if catching his breath. Kang Hyuk spoke in a calm but deeply submerged voice.
I knew Mother would say that. But how can people's hearts be so simple?
Gyeonghye grimaced at her son's weak words and sighed.
"Wallowing like that, how long do you plan to wander abroad?"
Gyeonghye disliked her son's fragility. She understood the pain of the divorce and his decision to leave Minho behind, but she thought he needed to come back. People couldn't grow strong by ignoring past failures.
Kang Hyuk's voice continued steadily.
-I told you from the start. It would take three years.
Hearing that, Gyeonghye raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded briefly.
Her voice was still firm, but faint regret tinged it.
After a moment of silence, Kang Hyuk muttered lowly.
-Mother. I'm afraid of affection.
At those words, Gyeonghye held her breath and gripped the phone. Trying to understand her son who had left because he feared affection and longing, her heart shook complexly. Gyeonghye took a deep breath and replied calmly.
"Is life in the world that easy? Especially for someone with a child. Forget what you can forget, do well at the company, and come to Korea often when you can."
Silence flowed for a while, then Kang Hyuk asked.
-How are you, Mother?
"What do you think? I'm getting old. But I'm still healthy enough to take care of myself, so don't worry."
After that, quiet stillness flowed through the phone, and soon Kang Hyuk quietly said goodbye.
-I'll hang up now. I'll make time to visit when I can.
"Still so childish...."
As soon as she hung up, Gyeonghye sighed and set down her phone. Closing her eyes, she recalled her son's voice and muttered to herself quietly.
Somehow, both my grown sons are no easy feat.
Kangwoo, who had been coming home early lately, hadn't returned even late tonight. She was here to take care of Minho anyway, not related to Kangwoo, but his lateness made her keep waiting.
Late at night, Naeun paced in front of the entrance, shoving her empty hands into her pockets.
The night air had grown cold, but her heart pounded somewhere, keeping her from going to bed. She tried convincing herself it wasn't waiting for Kangwoo, just wanting some fresh air, but the truth seemed impossible to fool.
"Is it too late for that?"
Naeun muttered quietly and looked around. Just then, footsteps approaching from afar grew closer. Naeun quickly turned her head, and Kangwoo, returning from work, emerged from the darkness.
Kangwoo spotted her and approached with a smile.
"What are you doing out here at this hour?"
His voice was tired but carried a hint of warmth.
Naeun felt her heart jump suddenly and lowered her head slightly.
"You're back? Just getting some air."
Naeun tried to seem natural, but a slight flustered look showed on her face.
Kangwoo checked the time on his watch as if confirming while breathing the cold night air.
"It's past 11."
His gaze turned to Naeun. Under the subtle suspicious look, Naeun hurriedly averted her eyes.
She tried to speak calmly, but her trembling voice seemed to reveal her true feelings.
Kangwoo tilted his head slightly with a smile.
"Were you waiting for me?"
