8 Years - ENG VERSION

Chapter 7

HAEIN

I felt terrible. I ended up trading my daughter as if she were an object with a certain value and that gnawed at me and filled me with guilt as I walked back to Jisoo's apartment. She called me anxiously as soon as I left Hyejin's house.

However, the thought that it had been worth it overcame the guilt. Jisoo had the biggest, prettiest, brightest smile I haven't seen in years. Those contagious ones that made your eyes almost close, but without letting the glow of happiness disappear.

"She took the deal!" She said as soon as I entered her apartment. Jisoo came up to me and grabbed my wrist shaking it. "She took the deal, Haein. We're going to get our daughter back!" I smiled and pulled her into a tight hug, smiling and closing my eyes. Jisoo was so happy he was laughing in my arms. We broke apart and stared at each other briefly, until she spoke again. "Nara called us, Hyejin agreed to give custody of the girl, we will have dinner with them tonight so that Haeji can meet us, then we will do the DNA test and go through the court process." The last part of her voice faltered. I held her shoulders.

"It's going to be all right, okay?" She swallowed hard and nodded. "The hard part is already done."

"You're right." She says, getting excited again. "You should go home and get dressed, I'll do the same." She was basically throwing me out, but I understood her excitement and agitation. I was like her.

About two and a half hours later, Jisoo and I were at the restaurant. She stared at the door, averting her gaze from the people entering, waiting for Hyejin and Haeji to arrive.

"Haein... What if they don't come?" I took a deep breath. I don't think Hyejin would do something like that... At least I hoped not. I was going to answer something to reassure Jisoo, but a smile spread across her face and I turned to where she was looking to see Hyejin dragging our daughter by the hand.

"Sorry we're late." She said as she approached the table. "Children..." She rolled her eyes and pulled a chair and sat down. "Sit down, dear." She says in a soft voice and Haeji obeyed her, sitting next to me.

"You're the TV guy too!" She says impressed and I smile.

"Yes I am." I replied in a proud tone.

"I saw you when I was watching her drama, and it took a break." She pointed at Jisoo who smiled.

"Ming Hae-Ji." Hyejin's tone was scolding. "Have manners."

"Ow! I'm sorry. Good evening." She says shyly.

"Good evening." Jisoo and I answered together.

"So, Haeji..." Hyejin says, attracting the girl's attention. "Remember what we talked about?" The girl nodded and looked from Jisoo to me.

"Do you want to adopt me?" She asked. She was confused. I threw a look at her "aunt" and she just shrugged and laughed nervously. Haeji was still staring at us for answers.

"What did you say to her?" asks Jisoo, and Hyejin's expression and posture made it look like she was afraid of Jisoo.

"I said that since I'm so busy, and she lives in an orphanage, I thought it would be better for her to move in with you. She got super excited, right Haeji?" The girl shrugged and again Hyejin laughed nervously. I think she had a script and Haeji wasn't following it. "You're taking her home tonight, right?" I faced Jisoo that she was as confused as I was, that was not talked about and, despite wanting it very much, it was still too early to take her.