Fic: Deception 2/2 + Epilogue
“Where's Appa?” A little boy munching on his morning toast asked between mouthfuls. Jaejun continued to pour tea into her cup while answering the curious little boy.
“He left a while ago. He has work in another country.” She explained, using vague terms such that Changmin would not bombard her with more questions. Usually, she would be happy to answer the boy's questions but she had woken up with a sour mood that morning. Perhaps, it was having to wake at 5 a.m to bid farewell to her husband which resulted in the lack of sleep especially when they had arrived home so late last night. Or perhaps it was the bad feeling nagging at the back of her head since she had woken up. Whatever it was, Jaejun did not feel up to anything even at the beginning of a bright new day.
“Do you want another piece of toast, sweetheart?” She asked as she watched her son finishing up his last bit of butter toast. Getting a negative reply in return, Jaejun sat down next to Changmin who had started to drink his milk, probably trying to finish it in one breath. Eating and finishing his food had always been a competition to Changmin whether or not there was someone to compete with. Usually, he ended up competing with himself or sometimes, his appa would playfully challenge him. Either ways, Changmin always won when it came to food.
He heaved out a loud sigh when he finally drank every drop of milk in the glass. Wiping his milk mustache with the back of his hand, he jumped out his chair, rushing up the staircase to wash-up before his school started.
Jaejun was getting around to finish her breakfast as well when the house phone had started to ring. Abandoning her food for the moment, Jaejun stood up to take the call. As soon as she had cradled the phone to her ear, allowing the person at the end to talk, the phone had come crashing down to the floor. Jaejun stood there paralyzed, unable to believe what she had heard yet tears were already streaming down her face.
-
It took about an hour to the international airport. An hour and thirty minutes if there was traffic. Jung Yunho analyzed the report in his hands as the car drove smoothly over the highway. However, instead of thinking about his upcoming meeting in Japan, his thoughts wondered somewhere else. More specifically, they strayed towards a certain somebody, namely his wife, Jung Jaejun.
Sure, he had regrets about his marriage. Rushed and cold. His marriage was a web of lies. The first year had gone unnoticed with a baby coming. Changmin's arrival had effectively distracted them from their shallow bond but as the boy grew older, it was hard to ignore the fact that they were caught in a fake, loveless marriage.
Yunho had often tried to make the best out of the situation. He had tried to warm up to his wife, tried to get a little intimate, tried to squeeze out some love. However, all his attempts were met with a cold glare and a simple brush off.
Jaejun continued to distance herself. She had become a cold, disciplined lady ever since. Long gone was the girl who stirred up mischief, acted a little too childish for her age and who made friends wherever she went. Her world only revolved around her son and her job.
Yunho did not know what he had done to make her act that way. It wasn't even blatant dislike from her. If she had despised Yunho that much, she would have probably had a lover on the side. But she didn't. She rarely socialized. At most, she would invite her cousin, Junsu, over or meet up with a couple of college friends. And that was it. He did not what he had to do to make her like him. Or at least be friends!
His report in hand was long forgotten as he watched the trees at either sides of the road zoom by. The car was going an impressive speed, hardly any traffic. At least he would reach the airport within an hour.
His thoughts were about to go back to his family when the car suddenly swerved. He was thrown completely off his seat. The papers in his hands flew and his briefcase connected painfully with his head. The last thing he heard were tires screeching as he felt blood oozing out from his head.
-
A disheveled Jaejun clutched Changmin to her body as she ran long the corridors of the hospital. She finally arrived at the waiting area outside the ICU where all the family members were gathered. It hurt to know that she had been informed last when rightfully, the news should have reached her first.
Mr. Jung and Mrs. Jung looked up from their seats when Jaejun had arrived while Junsu, who had been calming a distressed Yoochun, stood up together with his husband.
With a cry, Jaejun rushed into her mother-in-law's open arms, needing every comfort she could get. With a motherly warmth enveloping her, Jaejun finally broke down. She unlocked all the dams, allow her emotions to flow freely.
Junsu gently coaxed the confused Changmin into his arms, who had started to struggle in between the two females. He patted the 3 year old's back who had yet to know that his father was in a very dire situation.
-
It was much later on that day when Yunho was finally out of the danger zone and moved into his room. The doctor had said that Yunho had scored a severe head injury and sprained his wrist. The only worry at the moment was when Yunho was going to gain consciousness as the doctor were afraid that he may slip into coma anytime.
Jaejun paced along the room, back and forth, throwing glances at her sleeping husband every now and then. Changmin had long fallen asleep on the bench at the corner of the room, cocooned within is mother’s shawl.
“Jaejun-noona…” Junsu’s head peaked through the door, motioning the woman to come next to him.
“Yoochun said that he will drive you and Minnie back home, I’ll stay here and watch after Hyung,” Junsu said.
“Junsu-yah, thank you but I would want to stay here instead.” Jaejun replied. “I can’t leave my husband alone.”
“Noona, I know that you want to stay but think of Changmin, who will look after him?” Junsu tried to convince his friend but his efforts were in vain as Jaejun instructed him to bring Changmin home while she stayed, looking after her husband.
Not wanting to argue further, Junsu complied.
--
It had been 3 days since Yunho was admitted to the hospital but had yet to open his eyes. Jaejun, looking very much drained and worn out, continued to pray for her husband health without leaving his side at all times.
“Yunho-yah, please wake up,” She whimpered, clutching the unconscious man’s hand in her own. “If not for me then for your son at least. Think of your parents, Yoochun, Junsu…they would want to see you up and well.”
“As for your wife, I know I had never been a good one. I had always been cold and distant. But I’m sorry, Yunho, I’m so sorry. My hate towards this marriage had blinded me such that I could never see your love. How foolish I was! But if you ever have the heart to forgive me, please do though I doubt I deserve your forgiveness. And to let you know, I love you, Yunho, I really do.”
--
Jaejun had been getting some water from the water dispenser when Junsu squealed that Yunho had woken up, announcing it to the entire world. She had dropped her cup of water before rushing towards Yunho’s room, throwing it open to see Changmin’s arms around his now-awakened father.
Gasping, she quickly ran towards her husband’s bed before engulfing him into an embrace, chanting ‘I love yous’ to him.
“I heard you the first time, Jaejun,” Yunho said. “And I forgive you.”
--
Epilogue
“Minnie! Stop sneaking the cake slices out! They are for later!” Jaejun reprimanded her oldest son, who gave her his best puppy eyes and a big pout. It had worked previously but by now, Jaejun was pretty much immune to it.
“But Umma~!” A younger voice whined. “We just want a tiny bite. A real tinnnny bite!”
“Sorry, Moonbin but Umma had to say no,” Jaejun sighed. “Chanhee would be angry if you don’t share the cake with him when he comes later, wouldn’t he?”
Moonbin contemplated for a while before agreeing after realizing that what his Umma had said was true.
“Alright then! Be helpful and good boys and help Umma by taking these outside.” Jaejun said as she handed the boys containers of food to bring outside for their picnic.
Once the boys had gone outside, their father strolled into kitchen, looking for their beautiful mother.
“Hello Umma, what are you doing?” Yunho asked he hugged Jaejun from behind who was still busy preparing the sandwiches.
“Umma is working if Appa hasn’t noticed.” Jaejun replied without pausing.
“Hasn’t Appa told Umma not to overwork herself because it’s not good for the baby?” Yunho asked as he caressed the Jaejun’s 5 month old baby bump.
“Well, someone has to make food for the picnic, yes?” Jaejun said as she turned around in her husband’s embrace to come face to face with him.
Yunho’s hands travelled from her stomach to her face, clutching it closer so that he could bring their lips together and engage in a sweet, sinful kiss.
“I love you, Jung Jaejun.”
“And I love you, Jung Yunho.”
“He left a while ago. He has work in another country.” She explained, using vague terms such that Changmin would not bombard her with more questions. Usually, she would be happy to answer the boy's questions but she had woken up with a sour mood that morning. Perhaps, it was having to wake at 5 a.m to bid farewell to her husband which resulted in the lack of sleep especially when they had arrived home so late last night. Or perhaps it was the bad feeling nagging at the back of her head since she had woken up. Whatever it was, Jaejun did not feel up to anything even at the beginning of a bright new day.
“Do you want another piece of toast, sweetheart?” She asked as she watched her son finishing up his last bit of butter toast. Getting a negative reply in return, Jaejun sat down next to Changmin who had started to drink his milk, probably trying to finish it in one breath. Eating and finishing his food had always been a competition to Changmin whether or not there was someone to compete with. Usually, he ended up competing with himself or sometimes, his appa would playfully challenge him. Either ways, Changmin always won when it came to food.
He heaved out a loud sigh when he finally drank every drop of milk in the glass. Wiping his milk mustache with the back of his hand, he jumped out his chair, rushing up the staircase to wash-up before his school started.
Jaejun was getting around to finish her breakfast as well when the house phone had started to ring. Abandoning her food for the moment, Jaejun stood up to take the call. As soon as she had cradled the phone to her ear, allowing the person at the end to talk, the phone had come crashing down to the floor. Jaejun stood there paralyzed, unable to believe what she had heard yet tears were already streaming down her face.
-
It took about an hour to the international airport. An hour and thirty minutes if there was traffic. Jung Yunho analyzed the report in his hands as the car drove smoothly over the highway. However, instead of thinking about his upcoming meeting in Japan, his thoughts wondered somewhere else. More specifically, they strayed towards a certain somebody, namely his wife, Jung Jaejun.
Sure, he had regrets about his marriage. Rushed and cold. His marriage was a web of lies. The first year had gone unnoticed with a baby coming. Changmin's arrival had effectively distracted them from their shallow bond but as the boy grew older, it was hard to ignore the fact that they were caught in a fake, loveless marriage.
Yunho had often tried to make the best out of the situation. He had tried to warm up to his wife, tried to get a little intimate, tried to squeeze out some love. However, all his attempts were met with a cold glare and a simple brush off.
Jaejun continued to distance herself. She had become a cold, disciplined lady ever since. Long gone was the girl who stirred up mischief, acted a little too childish for her age and who made friends wherever she went. Her world only revolved around her son and her job.
Yunho did not know what he had done to make her act that way. It wasn't even blatant dislike from her. If she had despised Yunho that much, she would have probably had a lover on the side. But she didn't. She rarely socialized. At most, she would invite her cousin, Junsu, over or meet up with a couple of college friends. And that was it. He did not what he had to do to make her like him. Or at least be friends!
His report in hand was long forgotten as he watched the trees at either sides of the road zoom by. The car was going an impressive speed, hardly any traffic. At least he would reach the airport within an hour.
His thoughts were about to go back to his family when the car suddenly swerved. He was thrown completely off his seat. The papers in his hands flew and his briefcase connected painfully with his head. The last thing he heard were tires screeching as he felt blood oozing out from his head.
-
A disheveled Jaejun clutched Changmin to her body as she ran long the corridors of the hospital. She finally arrived at the waiting area outside the ICU where all the family members were gathered. It hurt to know that she had been informed last when rightfully, the news should have reached her first.
Mr. Jung and Mrs. Jung looked up from their seats when Jaejun had arrived while Junsu, who had been calming a distressed Yoochun, stood up together with his husband.
With a cry, Jaejun rushed into her mother-in-law's open arms, needing every comfort she could get. With a motherly warmth enveloping her, Jaejun finally broke down. She unlocked all the dams, allow her emotions to flow freely.
Junsu gently coaxed the confused Changmin into his arms, who had started to struggle in between the two females. He patted the 3 year old's back who had yet to know that his father was in a very dire situation.
-
It was much later on that day when Yunho was finally out of the danger zone and moved into his room. The doctor had said that Yunho had scored a severe head injury and sprained his wrist. The only worry at the moment was when Yunho was going to gain consciousness as the doctor were afraid that he may slip into coma anytime.
Jaejun paced along the room, back and forth, throwing glances at her sleeping husband every now and then. Changmin had long fallen asleep on the bench at the corner of the room, cocooned within is mother’s shawl.
“Jaejun-noona…” Junsu’s head peaked through the door, motioning the woman to come next to him.
“Yoochun said that he will drive you and Minnie back home, I’ll stay here and watch after Hyung,” Junsu said.
“Junsu-yah, thank you but I would want to stay here instead.” Jaejun replied. “I can’t leave my husband alone.”
“Noona, I know that you want to stay but think of Changmin, who will look after him?” Junsu tried to convince his friend but his efforts were in vain as Jaejun instructed him to bring Changmin home while she stayed, looking after her husband.
Not wanting to argue further, Junsu complied.
--
It had been 3 days since Yunho was admitted to the hospital but had yet to open his eyes. Jaejun, looking very much drained and worn out, continued to pray for her husband health without leaving his side at all times.
“Yunho-yah, please wake up,” She whimpered, clutching the unconscious man’s hand in her own. “If not for me then for your son at least. Think of your parents, Yoochun, Junsu…they would want to see you up and well.”
“As for your wife, I know I had never been a good one. I had always been cold and distant. But I’m sorry, Yunho, I’m so sorry. My hate towards this marriage had blinded me such that I could never see your love. How foolish I was! But if you ever have the heart to forgive me, please do though I doubt I deserve your forgiveness. And to let you know, I love you, Yunho, I really do.”
--
Jaejun had been getting some water from the water dispenser when Junsu squealed that Yunho had woken up, announcing it to the entire world. She had dropped her cup of water before rushing towards Yunho’s room, throwing it open to see Changmin’s arms around his now-awakened father.
Gasping, she quickly ran towards her husband’s bed before engulfing him into an embrace, chanting ‘I love yous’ to him.
“I heard you the first time, Jaejun,” Yunho said. “And I forgive you.”
--
Epilogue
“Minnie! Stop sneaking the cake slices out! They are for later!” Jaejun reprimanded her oldest son, who gave her his best puppy eyes and a big pout. It had worked previously but by now, Jaejun was pretty much immune to it.
“But Umma~!” A younger voice whined. “We just want a tiny bite. A real tinnnny bite!”
“Sorry, Moonbin but Umma had to say no,” Jaejun sighed. “Chanhee would be angry if you don’t share the cake with him when he comes later, wouldn’t he?”
Moonbin contemplated for a while before agreeing after realizing that what his Umma had said was true.
“Alright then! Be helpful and good boys and help Umma by taking these outside.” Jaejun said as she handed the boys containers of food to bring outside for their picnic.
Once the boys had gone outside, their father strolled into kitchen, looking for their beautiful mother.
“Hello Umma, what are you doing?” Yunho asked he hugged Jaejun from behind who was still busy preparing the sandwiches.
“Umma is working if Appa hasn’t noticed.” Jaejun replied without pausing.
“Hasn’t Appa told Umma not to overwork herself because it’s not good for the baby?” Yunho asked as he caressed the Jaejun’s 5 month old baby bump.
“Well, someone has to make food for the picnic, yes?” Jaejun said as she turned around in her husband’s embrace to come face to face with him.
Yunho’s hands travelled from her stomach to her face, clutching it closer so that he could bring their lips together and engage in a sweet, sinful kiss.
“I love you, Jung Jaejun.”
“And I love you, Jung Yunho.”