Worlds Apart - Taekook - Book 2

Chapter 273 - Progress?

"Shall I give you some space? It's okay if you need time on your own." Emi speaks softly to her husband.

Han-Shik throws his phone and expels a huge sigh with force, clenching his fists. "Fuck sake!"

Emi is always in two minds when her husband is like this. Should she stay to help or leave to give him space? She could see why he used to go out, drink and find some random person to sleep with as a coping mechanism... he'd stopped both of those since they were married but since Ryan died, he hadn't been able to use the punchbag at Smart-Let or have time to go to the gym. Emi vented to her friend, Su-Ah, about Nuri. She needed to release her anger at the supposed mother who had raised a son who was unable to deal with his emotions. Emi didn't want to bother Jara, who was up to her eyes in wedding preparations and it wasn't fair for her to slate Nuri to Han-Shik who couldn't deal with anything when it came to his mother. Su-Ah was her sounding board. A friend who would be honest but kind. A friend who wouldn't judge or ask Emi whether Han-Shik had aimed his aggression at her?! Anyone that knew her would know that she would be filing for divorce with no room for a second chance if he had, so there wasn't any point in asking such a question.

The friendly chat over a chai latte was insightful as Emi gained Su-Ah's opinions on the situation. There was no way that Han-Shik would accept psychological help so that was out of the question and Emi wasn't skilled enough to counsel him. She would focus on learning the possible triggers and all she could do was be there for him if he wanted her to be there. Notable improvements had been witnessed and that gave Emi hope that they could overcome anything, including the past.

The phone call from Jungkook was always going to set Han-Shik off and Emi had sat silently in the lounge while her husband paced and tried not to explode.

"Fuck!!" he exclaims again as if his wife wasn't in the same room.

Emi stands, "I'll be in my office if you need me." She informs him quietly.

Han-Shik looks over at her, "Don't leave..."

Emi's heart sings... it shouldn't because her husband is clearly hurting but he reaches out to her more and more these days and it feels like they are really turning many corners. "Tell me what you need? What can I do?" Most of the time she wanted to hear it from him, a tactic that made him stop and think. It was her way of making it clear that she was there for him whilst encouraging him to accept her help.

Han-Shik still battles with the fight inside him, his own feelings and emotions at war with each other as he tries not to be hostile but not knowing how to be? He does feel closer to Emi and on a day to day basis, affection comes more naturally, sex has become more intimate and so much more than just sex as Emi finds her confidence. The love he has for her grows, he's sure that is what is happening or that's what Kyong said when he quizzed him about his marriage and upon reflection, he agreed.

His face softens as he looks into his wife's beautiful eyes. "I don't know... this... is all too much."

Emi takes a chance and walks closer, arms wide open, offering her physical presence. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Han-Shik opens up his body in response. It's an automatic gesture that appears natural and subconscious. He buries his nose in Emi's hair and breathes in the scent of rosehip and citrus. "It's not being sold but it is, really."

Emi holds her husband tight, "What do you mean?"

"The record company have agreed to pay the monthly amount which is basically like paying a mortgage payment so Kook is still selling it, however you look at it. The deeds will be transferred to the foundation."

"Jungkook was never going to move back here though, was he?"

Han-Shik pulls away sharply and walks to the windows, "No... I know that! I don't even fucking know what I thought he would do with it!! Maybe I thought he would offer it to me? But Ryan didn't want me to have it or he'd have left it to me! There hasn't been any consideration about me and my feelings!! I spent longer in that fucking house than those two! Even when I got the apartment, I spent time in that house with her! Maybe I don't want it turned into a fucking refuge for homeless kids!"