8 Years [ENGV]

#28

HAEIN

"You're having a baby?"

Haeji's expression was unreadable. I looked at Jisoo, who seemed frozen, not knowing what to do or say.

"Uh... Yes." I said, cautiously approaching her and kneeling in front of her.

"Congratulations!" Jinwoo said awkwardly. I smiled at him in gratitude before turning my eyes back to Haeji. She was staring at me with tired eyes—I noticed she looked pale.

"Isn't that great?" I asked, hoping for a smile or some excitement from her, but I didn't get the reaction I expected.

Haeji just shrugged and lowered her gaze.

"Haeji, go wash your hands so we can have lunch. What do you want to eat today? You get to choose," Jisoo said, stepping forward, trying just as I had.

But Haeji only shrugged again.

"Whatever," she answered quietly and walked away. I stood up, watching her small figure disappear into her room. I took a deep breath.

"She shouldn't have found out like this." Jisoo said to me.

"I'm sorry. If I had known, I would have stalled a little longer before opening the door."

I shook my head at Jinwoo.

"It's okay, Jinwoo," I reassured him sincerely. It wasn't his fault—this had caught all of us off guard."We'll talk to her later."

I looked at Jisoo to comfort her because I knew she was also anxious about Haeji's unexpected discovery of the pregnancy.

I was too.

Haeji was still insecure, and a baby could shake and confuse her emotions.

♡

Haeji was quiet and unenthusiastic all day. She barely ate at lunch and spent most of the day in her room. Jisoo was starting to get nervous, and I knew that wouldn't be good for her or the baby. Her anxiety kept her from approaching Haeji — she was afraid of making things worse — so I took the initiative and decided to talk to her myself.

I knocked lightly on the door twice to announce my presence before opening it. Haeji looked at me, and I gave her a small smile, but she remained serious and turned toward the window, resting her head on her knees like she always did. I took a deep breath and walked closer.

"Hey." She looked at me. "I'm going to be honest with you — we weren't planning to tell you about the baby just yet."

She stared at me, looking startled.

"Why?" Her voice was shaky, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"Because everything is so new. I just found out when I got here, and Jisoo and I wanted to talk to you first, to tell you in a different way." Haeji swallowed hard, still looking at me with wide, fearful eyes. "Jisoo is very nervous, and she can't be like this — it's not good for the baby."

She swallowed again.

"I don't want Unnie to be nervous."

I gave her a gentle smile, hoping to comfort her.

"I know... And I also know that you might be feeling scared and confused. Are you?"

She nodded slowly.

"Do you want to tell me why? Is it because of the baby?"

She took a deep breath.

"Now that you're having your own baby, you're going to send me back."