Flowers Are Bait Chapter 258:
Previously on Flowers Are Bait...
As the prosecution delved deeply into the operations of Suguk Pharmaceutical, Kwon Chae-woo created a concealed account within the family and set up a foundation dedicated to children's welfare.
Shady dealings like gambling, usury, and auctions persisted, yet he ended the long-embedded exploitative sponsorship setup, allowing the hunting dogs to pick their own life directions.
He tore down the Kwon family estate, sparing just the underground area where Kwon Ki-seok remained locked away.
The Kwon family, now without form, would slowly fade into mere whispers. The secret heir had turned into the quiet force shaping Hwaido, slipping past most people's notice.
In particular, through his detailed probes into the elementary, middle, and high schools where their child could study, the spread of criminals across Hwai island, and crackdowns on high-risk zones, nothing escaped Kwon Chae-woo's influence.
This formed the hidden side of Kwon Chae-woo that Lee-yeon knew, though she didn't require full details. Such an unseen barrier carried this sort of significance.
Lee-yeon, I am content with how things stand right now.
Even so, if the surroundings shift too drastically, a sense of gloom could creep in.
With pure worry, Lee-yeon's look slowly grew icy.
Situations like that have occurred before. You're spot on, Lee-yeon.
What?!
But it's not me who's downcast—it's my lower half.
Lee-yeon's caring eyes, filled with worry, started to chill.
It longs to weep, yet tears won't come.
Um, no, Chae-woo...
He seized the cello's neck and abruptly let out a wry chuckle, one that echoed like a chilly exhale.
Early in pregnancy, the miscarriage threat held them back; midway, it was infection risks from bacteria; now, it's worries over early delivery. They advise haste and gentle entry without full thrust, but where's the thrill there?
He voiced his frustration directly, yet it struck Lee-yeon as a bit unjust. Even when passion flared and he neared penetration, Kwon Chae-woo, appearing scared, just gripped himself tightly. In annoyance, he resorted to swift, mechanical motions for release. Each time, a knot formed in Lee-yeon's throat.
I can't dodge it entirely, but once underway, stopping promptly proves impossible.
!
Naturally, things might turn intense if passion overtakes me. He added.
He squeezed his eyes shut, swiveling his head side to side like loosening up.
Thus, boredom never strikes me, merely picturing consuming Lee-yeon.
Kwon Chae-woo, spotting the sometimes charming Lee-yeon dozing with a serene face, would shower her cheeks with quick pecks until they turned sticky.
Soon after, as she averted her face, her disheveled locks mashing into the pillow appeared even cuter, prompting him to tweak her cheek.
Before long, he evolved into a deviant who stirred and stiffened routinely, no matter the setting.
Still, as long as he could remain near her, it sufficed. Noticing the man's stare intensifying, Lee-yeon smartly shifted topics.
Oh, have you considered asking those key visitors as well?
Upon catching her odd words, Kwon Chae-woo's features twisted.
Did I catch that right?
Yes?
Who's doing the asking, and whom are we asking?
Well, Chae-woo, you, and your other brothers?
As her tone dropped to match his cunning air, Kwon Chae-woo's face eased instantly.
No, those folks don't exist.
That said, the whole group took keen interest in the youngest brother's new role as the first soon-to-be dad.
After getting no updates, one day Kwon Hee-jun, the sibling who breached Kwon Chae-woo's device, wiped clean every ultrasound image of the niece.
The mere memory bulged veins across Kwon Chae-woo's brow.
My kin are all present here.
He lingered, resting his forehead and nose tip on Lee-yeon's swollen abdomen. Witnessing this, Lee-yeon spoke without pause.
If a child weren't involved...
!
The sudden shift caught Kwon Chae-woo off guard, tensing his frame.
I'd remain by your side, Chae-woo, time after time.
Without warning, both drifted back to moments when fervent heat blazed. Kwon Chae-woo lifted his gaze.
Yes, I likely would have.
Lee-yeon had once believed the baby within anchored her worth. The parent meant to offer firm backing instead rooted herself solidly with the child as base.
The dread of crumbling back to an ungrounded soul should the child vanish formed an unseen void in her. However, enduring the harsh winter alongside Kwon Chae-woo confirmed her resolve.
For your sake, I'll stand firm and endure. Nothing will shake or break me.
No matter the hardship of the day, stepping through the door into Chae-woo's arms lets me...
Begin afresh endless times.
After sharing her sincere thoughts, Lee-yeon glanced down with ease. Kwon Chae-woo's form appeared rigid, breath stalled.
Beneath a gentle spring gust, the man at last freed the tears tucked away in his soul's depths. Someone's winter drew to a close too.
Spring brings ladybugs, butterflies, stag beetles, caterpillars, and blue beetles...
Meanwhile, Gyu-baek, reaching the woods ahead of time, wandered equipped with his bug-hunting gear from head to toe.
To mark spring's coming, he slung a bug trap basket over his shoulder, clutched a dragonfly net in one grip, and poked about. Yet Gyu-baek halted abruptly.
The boy gazed forlornly at Lee-yeon propped against a trunk, and the man who crumbled with a voice deeper than a cello's timbre.
!
In that instant, Gyu-baek settled on a present for the little one. It would be his very first storybook, penned by the nine-year-old insect whiz himself.