The Arrangement | Taejin ✔️

Thirty-Five

One month later

*****

"Appa, where we go?"

As Jin locked his oldest son into his car seat, he responded to him, "we are going to the mall and the supermarket if we can go there today."

"Jungkookie and the babies?" Jimin was curious about his other siblings and whether or not they would be accompanying them on their journey. Jin gave a dismissive shake of his head and said, "No, baby, they will not go. But, you are coming with Appa" When Jin ensured his son was secure inside the seat, he gave his son's hair a little fluff and kissed him on the cheek. "Today, let's listen to Appa."

"Today, I listen."

"Good. Timeout will be given if you don't."

Jimin shook his head and waved his tiny hands, "no timeout for Jimin."

Jin smiled, "then you have to listen, okay?"

"Okay."

Once Jin closed the door, he climbed inside to the driver's side. He sighed deeply as he adjusted himself, fastened the seatbelt, and drove off. The last few weeks had been difficult for him to describe; he was still getting used to Taehyung no longer living with them, and that was a change that required some getting used to.

It was a challenge to raise a toddler and four infants at the same time. The triplets were developing far more quickly than he had expected, as were Jimin and Jungkook, who shocked him daily with their growth. On the other hand, to ease some of the stress that he was feeling, he hired a maid in addition to the two nannies that he already had. They were of immense help to him, and he had Jimin attending toddler school four times a week, which was another thing that made his life much easier and allowed him to continue to focus on his studies.

In the last month, Taehyung stayed involved with the kids' lives. He often visited the house and took the kids on the weekends, but not all at once. He took the triplets or Jimin and Jungkook on the weekends, but never all at once, which was fine with Jin. Also, he insisted on driving Jimin to school in the morning, after which Jin was entrusted with picking Jimin up from school.

He had adamantly refused to engage in any talk about divorce and had avoided bringing up the subject. Jin had not changed his position on the issue, but he did acknowledge that it was not something he could do fast. He knew it would take some time and be a challenge, which he had accepted.

There was still no information about whether or not the man's kid was Taehyung's, and Jin was uncertain about what had been going on with it. He had refused to inquire about it since he didn't want Taehyung to feel that it gave hope for their marriage. His choice to part ways went much further than that, and the more time he spent apart from Taehyung, the more he became aware of the numerous things he had stolen from him while they were together.

At the time that Taehyung lived at home, he was not used to the luxury of being able to go to the mall or rush out to the grocery store whenever he pleased. This was a novel experience for him. Most things, particularly those that entailed him stepping outdoors, required his consent.

It was a relief for him to be able to attend his doctor's visits without Taehyung, and he took advantage of this opportunity. Even though he had been used to Taehyung being there at his checkups, it had been difficult for him to go to the doctor on his own for the first time.

In the parking lot, he realized that he had been pressured into dependence and that the independence he had worked so hard to achieve for himself before moving out of his mother's house had been taken away. This realization had caused him to break down in tears.