YOUR EYES • L.HAECHAN

18 | Forgiveness

Fluttering her eyes open, Y/N found her surroundings to be unfamiliar. But the beeping monitor beside her instantly answered all her questions. She was at the hospital.

She turned to her side noticing Donghyuck sleeping. His back was hunched and bent over the hospital bed as his hand held onto hers tightly.

With her other hand, Y/N reached it over to his hair, stroking it gently. She stared at his face, admiring him. He meant everything to her.

"Hyuck," she whispered patting his shoulder softly. The man sat up, his eyes still shut closed as he stretched with a few bones cracking in the process. Y/N smiled.

Once he opened his eyes, he shot up from his seat, bombarding her with questions.

How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need anything?

"I'm fine," Y/N assured.

"I was so scared." He sat down again. "The doctor said that you weren't eating well, and that you've also been stressed."

"Sorry," the woman sighed. She knew she hadn't been in the best mental or physical state the last few days, but as always, she rather do things on her own.

"Why did you do that all alone? You should've told me and I would've been there for you." Donghyuck asked. "I told you to trust me."

"And I do," Y/N held his hands in hers. "I just didn't want to open up your past's wounds. You've been traumatized since that day, and I just didn't want you to be hurt again."

Donghyuck didn't say anything, instead, he just wrapped his arms tightly around her body. He nestled his head into her neck, wanting to forget about the problems the world provides to them and simply be in her warm embrace.

"I heard you told my mom about everything," he muttered into her hair. Y/N nodded. "It must've been difficult."

"Yeah, I was scared at first. But, just like you, she is so forgiving," the woman smiled, entirely grateful towards the two.

"It wasn't your fault either way," Donghyuck reminded her and she nodded. "We should be thanking you. Even though it hurt you, you put your feelings aside and put them to jail. Thank you, I'm the one that doesn't deserve you."

Y/N shook her head, "I was only doing what was right."

Donghyuck slowly leaned in capturing her lips with his own. He cupped her face rubbing her skin with the pad of his thumb tenderly. Y/N returned the gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself melt away. All her worries and stress seemed to flee her body.

Pulling away, Donghyuck leaned his forehead on hers. Their breathing and heartbeats synched.

"I love you, Y/N," he told her pecking her lips once again.

He meant it, of course, he did. She had brought him hope since the first day he met her. From the very moment in which his eyes met hers, he had found home. He found it in her smile, in her eyes, and the affection they held for him.

The woman smiled with adoration and love evident in her eyes. "I love you, too."

. . .

Y/N held Donghyuck's hand tightly as they neared their destination. "I can go in with you," Donghyuck suggested as he noticed her anxiousness but she shook her head.

"I'll be fine," she takes a deep breath. "I'll be back quickly." She placed a chaste kiss on his lips before walking towards the large metal door.

Once the door opened, she walked inside. Her stomach twisted and turned as she got closer. To say that she was nervous was an understatement.

She was meeting her father after two months. He had requested to see her before he was taken to prison. After much contemplation,
Y/N had agreed. He was her father after all.

Sitting on a stool, the room she was in was divided by a glass window. Her father entered not long after, a soft smile appeared on his face as he saw his daughter.

"I'm so glad you agreed to come to see me," he spoke, his voice was just as soft as the smile he had on. Y/N remained silent, she didn't know what to say. "I know it's hard for you, and I hope you didn't feel pressured to see me."

"I didn't," she assured him.

"I simply wanted to apologize for everything," Jihoon continued. Sincerity was clear in his voice. "Your mother and I, we weren't good parents. And what we did has no excuse. I don't even deserve to have you in front of me right now."

Y/N could feel tears well up in her eyes, a familiar lump formed in her throat as she listened to his voice. The voice that once read fairytale stories to her and sang her to sleep.

"I wanted to assure you that you did the right thing," he smiled at her. "I don't resent you for calling the police. On the contrary, I'm so proud of you, Y/N. Although I can't say the same about your mother right now, I know that deep down in her heart she still adores you."

"Dad-" Y/N could barely utter a word as she felt a number of emotions flooding her.

"You grew up well, darling."

That was it. Y/N could no longer hold her tears back. She lowered her head as tears spilled forth from her eyes like a waterfall. Jihoon's eyes softened as he watched his daughter. He wanted to wrap her in his arms to console her and protect her, as he did before, but the glass that divided them made it impossible.

Wiping away her tears, Y/N looked back up at him. "You were a good father, I was always happy when you were around. You always read stories when I couldn't sleep, you sang, you played with me, and that's what a father does."

It was Jihoon's turn to be emotional. His admiration towards his daughter only grew as he listened to everything she had to say.

"Sunwoo and I were happy. And although I wished you never left, I don't resent you either. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for you as well." She sighed, meeting his soft gaze. "You're a good person that chose to do bad things. But that's why you're here, to learn from those mistakes and better yourself."

The man and daughter spent their remaining time catching up. The father apologized a few more times, and the daughter forgave him. And once their limited meeting time came to an end, both felt like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

final chapter soon :')