Twinkle

4.Name?

At the Hospital

Taehyung stood by the hospital window, phone pressed to his ear, instructing his housemaid.

“Make sure to clean every corner of the house thoroughly,” he said firmly. “Sanitize everything. A newborn is coming home, and I won’t take any chances.”

His house was always spotless, but now, with a fragile life entering his space, he was extra cautious. Mid-conversation, a nurse approached him, gently calling his name.

“Sir, excuse me.”

Taehyung ended the call and turned his attention to her.

“All the formalities are complete, but there’s one last thing left: your daughter’s name.”

The words struck him like a gentle wave—your daughter.

For a moment, he stood still, processing those words. There was a strange mix of satisfaction and pride swelling in his chest. His daughter. The thought felt both surreal and comforting.

“Sir? I need to know her name,” the nurse prompted, pulling him back to the present.

Taehyung blinked, realizing he hadn’t given the matter any thought. How could he have? He hadn’t planned on becoming a father overnight.

“Umm...” he hesitated.

“Sir, what’s her—”

“Twinkle Kim,” he interrupted, his voice steady but distant, as though the name had emerged from the depths of his soul.

The nurse smiled warmly. “Thank you, sir. I’ll take care of the paperwork.”

As she walked away, Taehyung remained rooted in place, staring into nothingness, lost in a cascade of memories.

---

Flashback

Two teenagers sat on a park bench, laughing and talking, their faces glowing with youthful innocence.

“Taetae, imagine if we got married one day, just like that ajusshi and ajumma,” the girl said, gesturing toward an elderly couple celebrating their anniversary nearby.

“There’s no ‘if.’ We will get married,” teenage Taehyung declared confidently, flashing his signature boxy smile.

The girl squinted playfully at him. “We’re only 16, and you’re already talking about marriage? Commitment much?”

“Of course! You’re the first girl I’ve loved, and you’ll be the last,” he said with a sincerity that made her heart skip a beat.

She looked at him with softened eyes. “So, if we get married, will we have a big family?”

“Absolutely! You, me, eomma, appa, Soo-Jih, Soo-Rin… and our kids,” he said, grinning brightly.

“Kids?” she asked, her eyes widening in mock disbelief.

“Yes! When we get married, we’ll have kids—lots of them,” he said excitedly.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”

“Of course,” he replied with a proud smile. “I’ve even picked out our daughter’s name.”

“Wait, what?” she asked, crossing her arms. “And what’s her name?”

“Kim Twinkle,” he said, his smile turning shy and tender.

She stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Kim Twinkle? Really, Taehyung?”

“Yah! Don’t laugh! It’s special,” he said, pouting.

Flashback End

Taehyung closed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh. He didn’t know why he had chosen that name in the moment, but it felt right—like it was meant to be. Twinkle had been a dream for the future he once envisioned, a symbol of love and hope. Now, she was here, even if that dream had been shattered by the cruel hands of fate.

Perhaps this was destiny’s way of giving him another chance at love, albeit in a different form.

---

Elsewhere in the Hospital

Meanwhile, Jimin and Percy were finalizing the arrangements for the baby’s mother’s funeral.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Percy said, his tone heavy with sadness. “She gave birth but didn’t even get to hold her child. A beautiful family, gone in an instant.”

Jimin nodded solemnly. “It is tragic. But… maybe this is destiny’s way of rewriting the story. Perhaps these hardships will bring something good, especially for Taehyung.”

Percy hummed thoughtfully. “It’s strange how life can change so suddenly. I just hope everything falls into place for him.”

“Me too,” Jimin said softly, his voice trailing off.

---

The nurse returned, gently placing the baby into Taehyung’s arms. She was fast asleep, her tiny face glowing with peace, a sweet smile tugging at her lips even in slumber.

Taehyung stared down at her, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name.

For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of warmth in his cold, desolate life. Maybe this little girl truly was his second chance. His Twinkle.