8 Years [ENGV]

#7

HAEIN

I felt terrible. I negotiated my daughter as if she were an object with a certain value, and that was eating me up. Jisoo called me anxiously a few minutes after I left Hyejin's house and got in the car. I was punching the steering wheel as I drove to her house, guilt weighing down my lungs.

However, the thought that it had been worth it overcame the guilt. Jisoo was showing the biggest, most beautiful, and brightest smile I hadn't seen in years. One of those contagious ones that made her eyes almost close, but without letting the glow of happiness fade.

"She accepted the deal!" She said as soon as I entered her apartment. Jisoo came to me and grabbed my wrist, shaking it. "She accepted the deal, Haein. We'll have our daughter back!" I smiled and pulled her into a tight hug, smiling and closing my eyes. Jisoo was so happy that she laughed out loud in my arms. We separated and stared at each other briefly, until she spoke again. "Our lawyer called, Hyejin agreed to give up custody, we'll have dinner with them tonight so Haeji can meet us, then we'll do the DNA test and go through the legal process." Her voice wavered at the last part. I held her shoulders.

"It'll all be okay." She swallowed hard and nodded. "We've already done the hard part."

"You're right." She said, becoming agitated again. "You should go home and get dressed for dinner, I'll do the same." She was basically kicking me out, but I understood her excitement and agitation.

♡

About two and a half hours later, Jisoo and I were at the restaurant. She was looking at the door, looking away from the people who were coming in, frustrated, waiting for Hyejin and Haeji to walk through the entrance. When an elderly couple walked in, she turned to me with teary eyes.

"Haein... What if they don't come?" I took a deep breath as she turned to the door again. I don't think Hyejin would do something like that — at least I hoped she wouldn't — she's crazy about money, and what was offered was enough to satisfy her greed, she wouldn't leave that much money for Haeji. Thinking that way makes me sad; my daughter was with someone who didn't care about her, not even a little, who traded her for the first million-dollar offer that came along. I was going to say something to reassure Jisoo — and my anxious heart too —, but a smile spread across her face and I turned to where she was looking, seeing Hyejin bringing our daughter.

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

"You're the guy on TV too!" She said impressed and I smiled.

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

"I saw your commercial when I was watching her, and it was a break." She pointed at Jisoo who smiled.

"Ming Hae-Ji!" Hyejin's tone was reprimanding. "Have some manners."

"Ow! I'm sorry." She asked. "Good night!" She said shyly.

"Good night!" Jisoo and I answered together.

"So, Haeji..." Hyejin said 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 glanced at her 'aunt' who just shrugged and laughed nervously. Haeji was still looking at us for answers.

"What did you say to her?" Jisoo asked, and Hyejin's expression and posture made clear the discomfort — and to some extent, fear — she had of Jisoo.