Perfect Possession - Episode 35

As Seo-yeon watched Jaehoon’s car approach, she stepped back to a safe spot and continued waving.

“Daddy’s here.”

Seo-yeon smiled, watching Tae-yul stare unblinking at the darkly tinted car window. Every so often, Tae-yul would squint, trying to find Jaehoon.

Just then, the car window rolled down, and Jaehoon leaned out. He widened his eyes, looking at Seo-yeon, his mouth forming an ‘O’ shape.

“That’s Daddy, right?”

Tae-yul nodded vigorously and leaned forward again, trying to get to Jaehoon as he got out of the car.

“Why are you out here? Did you say you were coming?”

Jaehoon quickly picked up Tae-yul as he leaned out. He smiled at his son, then shifted his gaze to Seo-yeon.

Seo-yeon knew what his eyes were asking, but she just smiled brightly. She lightly took Jaehoon’s arm.

Everyone was surprised when Tae-yul recognized Hyun-shik getting out of the car and gently waved. Tae-yul was slowly opening his heart not only to Seo-yeon and Jaehoon but also to the people around him.

Hyun-shik waved back and turned to leave, and the three of them headed to the garden instead of going inside.

“I want to show you something. Oh, I should go change.”

Seo-yeon was so focused on showing Jaehoon how Tae-yul played with the ball that she forgot he had just returned. She looked at Jaehoon’s suit and winked.

At the same time, Tae-yul squeezed his eyes shut, making Jaehoon laugh.

“That expression just now, you two are so alike.”

Jaehoon felt guilty seeing Seo-yeon so excited, not wanting to bring up Mi-ryung’s visit. He was angry at Mi-ryung for ignoring his warning, but now he decided to focus on Seo-yeon and Tae-yul, as she wished.

He had said he wouldn’t hide anything anymore, so he trusted that if she was hurt by Mi-ryung, she wouldn’t keep it to herself.

“Really? What part? Tae-yul, how did you do it just now?”

Seo-yeon showed her face to Tae-yul, her hair swaying as she flipped her ponytail. Seo-yeon laughed, her eyes forming crescents, as Tae-yul understood her and closed his eyes again.

“What is it? He looks like you. Look at his nose. He wrinkles it slightly when he’s surprised, just like you.”

Seo-yeon said, touching Tae-yul’s cute nose. Tae-yul shrugged, raising the corners of his mouth, as if ticklish.

“He’s smiling.”

She whispered happily, and Jaehoon smiled at Tae-yul as well.

“I’m glad he smiles well. Are you okay?”

Jaehoon couldn’t help but ask.

“Of course. You told me, didn’t you? Never give in. Didn’t that mean you’d have my back?”

“It did.”

“So, what are you worried about? More importantly, your clothes?”

“It’s okay.”

“Then play ball with Tae-yul. It’s so much fun.”

Seo-yeon deliberately didn’t mention Tae-yul’s little “oomph” sound. She wanted Jaehoon to experience the same joy she had felt.

“So, that’s why the ball was out here?”

Jaehoon said, pointing to the small ball.

“Yes. The teacher brought it when she came, and he liked it so much that I tried it, and he copied it quickly. But you have to throw it so it lands in Tae-yul’s hands. Should I give you a demonstration?”

“It’s okay. Surely, I’m not worse than you.”

Jaehoon put Tae-yul down on the grass and said cheerfully. Seo-yeon’s bright and cheerful nature always made Jaehoon happy.

It was such a waste that she was born as the daughter of a woman like Sung-hee. Jaehoon stroked Seo-yeon’s cheek and lowered his voice.

“I missed you all day.”

Seo-yeon felt with her whole body that Jaehoon had returned to his old self after they made love. A man who was scary to others but gentle to her. Jaehoon was the kind of man who would touch her face or kiss her forehead and say he missed her.

Her heart fluttered more and more, and her heartbeat grew so loud that she could hear it herself. But Seo-yeon didn’t hide it. She took the hand that was touching her face and pressed it gently against her chest.

“My heart feels like it’s going to explode, so could you please stop?”

“If your heart explodes just because your husband touches your face once, that’s a big problem, isn’t it? What are you going to do in the future?”

“I’ll try to adapt quickly.”

Seo-yeon couldn’t finish her sentence as she looked down at the hand pulling on her clothes. Tae-yul, who had brought the ball, stood between them and held it out.

“I forgot because Mom was seducing me. Sorry.”

Jaehoon quickly took off his jacket and handed it to Seo-yeon, who looked dumbfounded. He picked up Tae-yul and took him to a wide-open space.

“When did I ever seduce you, Jaehoon?”

Seo-yeon said, making sure Jaehoon could hear her, and walked towards where they were standing.

“You put my hand on your chest and seduced me.”

“Are you really going to be like this?”

“What, never mind then.”

Jaehoon winked and took three or four steps back, leaving Tae-yul behind.

“Is this far enough?”

Seo-yeon hugged his jacket tightly to her chest. A tearfully beautiful scene unfolded in her view like a painting.

It was the sight of a father seriously coaching his son, telling him to watch the ball until the end. The way they stood, the way they squinted, were so alike that anyone could tell they were father and son.

‘I’m so glad. I’m so glad the two of you could meet.’

As happy tears welled up, Seo-yeon took a deep breath and said to the two of them.

“Aren’t you going to play ball? Don’t forget to put some oomph into it, son. And Jaehoon, don’t forget to shout ‘Heave-ho’ when you throw the ball.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Seo-yeon said firmly, cheered them on, and stepped back. Jaehoon, muttering, “Why oomph,” rolled up his shirt sleeves and picked up the ball with one hand.

Jaehoon threw the ball, aiming for Tae-yul’s outstretched hand, as Seo-yeon had instructed.

“Heave-ho.”

He didn’t forget the cheer she had told him to say. The moment the ball flew, Jaehoon burst out laughing. Tae-yul, who had immediately reached out his hand, lowered his bottom and raised his arm with all his might.

He couldn’t help but laugh at how adorable he looked. But the next moment, Jaehoon doubted his ears and widened his eyes. His smile froze.

“Umm. Oomph.”

The small sound escaped Tae-yul’s lips as he lifted his bottom. No matter how small, it sounded as clear as if someone was speaking into a megaphone to Jaehoon’s ears.

His surprised gaze turned to Seo-yeon. She nodded, her face filled with tears.

Suddenly, Jaehoon shouted and ran to Tae-yul, picking him up in a hug.

“Wow, my son is good at playing ball? And he puts some oomph into it too. Daddy’s feeling great today. Heave-ho! Feels good.”

“Oomph.”

As if answering Jaehoon, Tae-yul made a small sound again.

“Did you hear that just now?”

“Yes.”

Seo-yeon said, tearfully, and went to hug them both tightly. Jaehoon’s arm immediately wrapped around her waist.

“Is that why you told us to play ball?”

“I’m just so happy… I’m so happy.”

She leaned on Jaehoon’s arm and touched Tae-yul’s flushed face.

He hadn’t called him Daddy, nor had he laughed or cried loudly, but even though it was just a voice in his breath, it felt to the two of them as if they had heard Tae-yul’s chattering voice.

“It’s coming soon.”

“Yes.”

Before he knew it, Jaehoon’s anger towards Mi-ryung slowly disappeared with Tae-yul’s small cry. That didn’t mean he had forgiven Mi-ryung. He was going to take steps to ensure that this wouldn’t happen again, so that Seo-yeon and Tae-yul wouldn’t have to worry.

The three of them played ball a little longer and then went inside.

“Won’t Tae-yul be surprised when all the staff come?”

Jaehoon chuckled at the sight of Tae-yul pulling on his socks. Seo-yeon was so happy to see him laughing so much.

“I think he’ll be okay. Looking at him, I don’t think Tae-yul dislikes people. He seems to be secretly waiting for the teacher, and he even waved at Chief Jung earlier. You two have been working so hard, you need to rest now.”

Seo-yeon wanted to relieve Ms. Kim and Mr. Park of their workload as soon as possible, as they were too busy taking care of the large household and the young master who had suddenly appeared.

“Do as you wish. But does he not like socks?”

The three of them were spending time in Tae-yul’s room after dinner. This room, which Seo-yeon had used before, had become a completely different place. With a new bed and furniture suitable for a child, it had been transformed into Tae-yul’s cozy and comfortable room.

Tae-yul seemed to like it too, as he loved his room full of dolls and toys.

The room was so large that one side was left over after the furniture was put in, and it was decorated as a playroom for Tae-yul to play in. The three of them were now sitting in the playroom, spending a relaxing evening.

“Tae-yul, Mommy will take them off for you. Come here.”

When Seo-yeon called, Tae-yul looked back and forth between the socks and her. He seemed to be wondering what to do. But he soon shook his head and pulled on the socks again.

The moment the socks came off, Tae-yul’s body was about to fall backward, but Jaehoon quickly reached out and supported his back.

“Tae-yul, are you okay?”

“This kid, he’s stubborn.”

Jaehoon helped Tae-yul, who was catching his breath, up. He handed the socks he had taken off to Jaehoon and came to sit on Seo-yeon’s lap.

“The teacher said he’s very stubborn and persistent, just like you. She said he’s even more so than you.”

“She said that, huh? When it comes to being persistent, that guy’s no slouch either.”

“Hey, watch your language. Tae-yul’s here now, so be careful what you say.”

Seo-yeon said sternly and stroked Tae-yul’s hair.

Jaehoon didn’t dislike Seo-yeon’s nagging. On the contrary, he liked hearing it. Her stern words sounded like a sweet song to him.

‘I’m completely crazy.’

When he let out a self-deprecating laugh, Seo-yeon and Tae-yul looked at him at the same time. Jaehoon shrugged at their gazes.

“Does it feel stuffy to wear socks?”

Seo-yeon pointed to the feet of the person who was saying that. He also took off his socks as soon as he got home. Except when he was wearing shoes, he hated wearing socks because his feet got hot easily.

“Are you asking me that now?”

“Can’t I?”

“Tae-yul, Daddy’s being funny when he’s not wearing socks either, right?”

Tae-yul stared at Jaehoon’s bare feet and reached out his hand.

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