Boundless

제 28 장

"Athena, this is my physical therapist, Woo Sungwon. Sungwon, this is my wife, Athena," Jae Eun said, pride woven into every syllable.

Sungwon bowed politely, and I mirrored the gesture, smiling shyly.
"Hello," he greeted, his voice warm and easy.

Jae Eun stretched out onto the mat, beginning to loosen his legs with careful motions. I crossed my arms over my stomach, feeling his gaze flicker toward me.

"Are you here to train too, or just for moral support?" Sungwon teased with a wink.

I offered a tight smile, my hands protectively circling my growing belly.

"She's pregnant," Jae chuckled from the floor, a soft, affectionate sound.

Sungwon laughed and raised a hand in surrender. "I'm only teasing. Honestly, Jae, I don't even know why you still come here. You're practically healed. If you want to bulk up, you need a real gym — with better equipment."

Jae only shook his head, continuing to stretch, determination etched into every line of his body.
"I'm not trying to get ripped," he said, his voice low and serious. "I want to get stronger. I have a family to protect now — a wife, and a son on the way."

I bit my lip, feeling a well of love rise in my chest.
Even when he was already so strong — lean and defined, his abs hard as stone — he still pushed himself beyond reason.

"That's why you brought your wife? To show off?" Sungwon teased, motioning toward me.

"Actually," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, "I was just curious about what Jae does when he's here."

Sungwon laughed.
"What? You don't get enough of him sweaty and grunting at home?"

Jae erupted into laughter from the mat, and I rolled my eyes, cheeks burning.
"Hey, look," Jae said, standing and taking my hands in his. "We can stretch together, babe."

Before I could protest, he gently lowered me onto the mat beside him.
"Alright, let's get started."

He spread my legs with utmost care, his fingers massaging my knees with tender reverence.

"Let's start with basic head-to-knee crunches," Sungwon called out, getting down beside us.

"Ready?" he asked.

Jae nodded, immediately falling into rhythm. I laid back next to him, breathing in the scent of the clean mat and faint cologne clinging to his skin.

Every so often, his shirt would ride up slightly, giving me tantalizing glimpses of his abs.
It was distracting — achingly so.

At first, I tried to keep up, but the weight of my growing belly made every movement a battle. After a few strained crunches, I huffed and scooted against a nearby machine for support, surrendering with a small laugh.

Meanwhile, Jae was unstoppable — a force of nature.
Even when Sungwon paused to catch his breath, Jae powered through, muscles straining and gleaming with effort.

"Don't overdo it, Jae. You're still human," Sungwon warned. "You'll pass out at this rate."

Concern gnawed at me.

"Jae, take a break. Here." I held out a bottle of water.

Panting heavily, he walked over and took it, only sipping before dramatically pouring the rest over his head.

"Jae!" I gasped.

He smiled, that reckless, boyish smile that always undid me.
"I'm fine, love. I promise."