The Other Woman (HAESOO)[18+]

Not Brave Enough

Each morning felt like a beautiful dream—a serene and joyful start to the day. The sight of the man she adored first thing in the morning, the sight of her healthy baby, and the laughter of her new children, Jeonghun and Seoyeon, brought her immeasurable joy. The last few months had treated them kindly, and despite facing the usual challenges that come with family life, they found a way to thrive. Perfection wasn't a prerequisite for happiness; sometimes, it's the imperfections that make life truly remarkable.

The small moments in their daily lives were what made everything feel lighter and more enchanting. Seoyeon's remarkable ability to help her little brother overcome his illness, Haein's triumph in the lawsuit against Nacor, and Jisoo's smooth pregnancy—all of these events contributed to their shared happiness. Each one was a thread woven into the tapestry of their joyful existence.

Despite the warmth and joy surrounding her, Jisoo found herself puzzled by Haein's unyielding enthusiasm for inviting Seom over for every gathering, celebration, or even casual visit. She couldn't wrap her head around how Haein had forged such a close friendship with someone she had initially thought he didn't care for at all. What baffled her even more was Haein's unwavering acceptance of every invitation Seom extended, never once showing hesitation or making a fuss about it.

Tonight, Jisoo received yet another invitation from Seom to join him for dinner. He had gone to great lengths to prepare a lovely meal just for her. At first, she was reluctant to accept; it felt strange for a man to invite a woman in a committed relationship over for dinner. The situation escalated into a small argument with Haein, as Jisoo expressed her disbelief that he was entirely comfortable with the arrangement. To her, it just didn't sit right.

"Abunim?" Jisoo gasped in disbelief as she spotted her mother seated at the dinner table. It had been months since they last saw each other, following the revelations that had unfolded at Hyuna's house. A wave of hurt washed over Jisoo; it stung that her mother hadn't made any effort to reach out during that time, even after learning that Jisoo wasn't the one who had deceived her for all those years.

"Jisoo!" Hyuna's voice broke the silence, her gaze steady yet filled with emotion. "How are you?!"

Jisoo swallowed hard, trying to steady her nerves in response to her mother's question. Just as she opened her mouth to reply, Seom entered the room, quickly placing his glass of wine down before striding over to Jisoo. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and Jisoo felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation swirling within her.

"Hey! You made it here pretty quickly!" Seom said gently, lightly grasping her arm. Jisoo frowned slightly, feeling a mix of nervousness and warmth at his touch.

"Yeah... I mean, your maid let me in!" she replied, her voice a bit shaky. Seom then leaned in for a brief hug, mindful of Jisoo's growing belly. She felt a twinge of discomfort but decided to push it aside, allowing him to embrace her for a moment.