Beauty Next Door (vsoo)

[04]

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The room was heavy with tension and the sound of labored breathing. Jisoo’s face was flushed with determination, sweat dripping down her forehead. She was giving everything she had, pushing through each contraction, her body trembling from the effort. The pain wasn’t agony—it was something else, a test of willpower and strength.

Her hands gripped the edge of the bed as she knelt, her body straining with every movement, forcing herself to bring the little life into the world. A rush of breath escaped her as she tried to focus, but it wasn’t enough.

“Do something, son!” the woman beside her cried out, her voice filled with worry. She watched Jisoo, who was doing everything alone, no help, only her determination driving her.

“Calm down, breathe slowly,” the woman instructed, but it did nothing to ease Jisoo. Her face was turning redder by the second, her efforts intensifying. She was pushing with all her might, the contractions coming fast and sharp.

“Breathe easy... gently,” the voice repeated, but Jisoo’s body refused to cooperate. Every ounce of her focus was on the intense contractions, each one making her body clench in protest.

The voice softened, more comforting now. “Take a break, Ji... take a break,” a man’s voice called, the warmth of it cutting through her focus. Jisoo heard it, felt the touch on her head, and instinctively leaned into it, but the pain kept her tethered. The man crouched down beside her, a calming presence in the midst of chaos.

With a deep breath and one last surge of energy, Jisoo gathered every ounce of strength. She pushed with everything she had, her body contorting as the baby’s head began to appear, slowly but surely.

A few more moments, and the baby slid into the man’s gloved hands, the tiny body now outside of her.

“Welcome, little champion,” the man whispered, his voice soft but filled with pride. He carefully handed the newborn to the old lady, who immediately wrapped the tiny bundle in a soft white towel, cradling it with care.

Jisoo, exhausted beyond words, barely managed to lift her head. Her voice was weak but filled with concern. “Oppa... is my baby okay?” Her lids fluttered with exhaustion as she sought reassurance.

The man, his face gentle but filled with a quiet joy, smiled. He placed a hand on her head, soothing her as she began to drift off. “He’s healthy... you did very well, Ji.”

And with that, Jisoo closed her eyes, the weight of the world slipping away as sleep overtook her.

×××××

As usual, KJ Technology was bustling with activity. Employees were moving quickly between meetings, brainstorming sessions, and their various tasks. The office was a hive of focused energy, with only the hum of computers and the occasional murmur of conversation breaking the steady rhythm of productivity.

But something was off in Jisoo's office today.

The usually pristine and minimalistic space had been transformed—flooded with small bouquets of flowers, a few neatly wrapped gifts, and scattered plates of cookies that added an unusual touch to the normally sleek, professional setting.

Jisoo stepped into her office, her steps slowing as her eyes widened in surprise. She blinked a few times, looking around, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. “What is this?” she muttered to herself, utterly confused. Had she walked into the wrong office? Surely, this couldn’t be hers—she wasn’t one for this kind of decoration.