a better life // hwang hyunjin ✔️

chapter five

don't be afraid to set boundaries

it had been a week since seulgi and daehyun had lunch with hyunjin. seulgi was surprised that hyunjin hadn't made any effort to contact her, nor had he replied to any messages she sent him. it hurt, but she had a feeling that it would happen, she was mostly just worried about daehyun, and how he would handle not being able to see hyunjin anymore.

he had already been asking about him all week, and seulgi was getting tired of telling him that he was busy. right now, it was time for him to get ready for fourth grade orientation. they were going to meet his teacher for the year, and maybe some classmates. but daehyun was just not working with seulgi, giving her attitude as she attempted to get him ready to leave. and seulgi was at her end.

"daehyun." she calls sternly. "cut it out." she attempts to hand him his shoes once more, but of course he pushes them away.

"i don't wanna go..." he whines. seulgi rolls her eyes.

"why not?" she questions, annoyance laced in her tone.

"all the other kids are mean to me..." he whispers. seulgi's eyes widen for a moment, all anger instantly dissipating.

"what do you mean, baby? how come?" she asks softly, gently placing her hand on his knee.

"all the other kids come with their mom and dad... they think it's weird that i don't have a dad..." he trails off. seulgi felt her heart break, she knew kids could be cruel, but she didn't think things like this mattered that much to them.

"you do have a dad, baby." she tries to comfort him. "and he loves you very much."

"but he'll never be here..." daehyun frowns. tears threatening to spill from seulgi's own eyes. she always hated talking about his dad, of course daehyun knew the truth, she made sure to tell him. but she knew as he grew older, he would have more questions, she just hated how sad it made her feel. "mom? don't cry..." daehyun pouts.

"i'm sorry, baby... i'll talk to the teacher about the other kids. if anyone says anything else you let me know, okay?" she tells him, wiping the tears from her cheek.

"okay." he agrees, finally taking his shoes from her, putting them on. seulgi sniffles, smiling as she watches him expertly tie his shoes. he was a smart kid, and she was always proud of him. "do you think hyunjin could come with us?" he asks hopefully. seulgi frowns once again.

"probably not, we have to leave right now. it'll be too short notice." she gently pats his shoulder as he hops off the chair.

"can you ask him?" seulgi sighs.

"yeah." she tells him, taking her phone out of her pocket. but she had already sent hyunjin multiple messages, and he hadn't responded to a single one. she didn't want to seem desperate, because she wasn't. but for the sake of her son, she pretends to send him another text. she would come up with something to tell him later.

she also pretends to get a text back from him, stating that he was still at work, and he couldn't make it. luckily, daehyun seemed to understand, happily following his mom out to the car, ready to go to orientation. seulgi was thankful that he didn't press it any further.

-

seulgi, along with the other parents, stood back watching the teacher interact with the kids. she was happy that daehyun seemed to be calm, and maybe even a little excited for his fourth grade year to start. she had learned to ignore the confused stares she got from other parents, obviously noticing how young she seemed. it was a yearly occurrence, so she didn't let it bother her any longer.

of course some of the parents would question, wondering if she was his older sister. but she just quickly explained that she was his mother, sparing them any further details, because quite frankly, it wasn't their business. some would give her dirty looks, but she learned to ignore those as well. but it didn't help when her phone suddenly went off. everyone's attention being drawn back to her as she politely excuses herself, answering the call without even checking the ID.

"hello?" she asks once she's stepped out into the hall.

"seulgi, hey..." hyunjin's voice sounds through the phone. seulgi mentally groans.

"hyunjin..." she responds awkwardly. it was a reaction that he had expected.

"i was uh... i was just wondering if you maybe wanted to meet up soon?" he asks, hoping he could ignore the fact that he'd been acting like a dick to her recently. but upon hearing her scoff through the phone, he knew he couldn't.

"i don't think so, hyunjin." she repsonds.

"look, i know you're probably mad at me, but just give me a chance to explain." he begs.

"go on. explain."

"not over the phone, in person." he clarifies. seulgi groans.

"hyunjin..."

"please? then if you never want to see me again, i understand. but just let me explain." seulgi pinches the bridge of her nose. she wasn't one to play games like this, especially with her son. she didn't want to put him through a back-and-fourth relationship. he didn't deserve that. but there was just something about hyunjin, so she reluctantly agrees.

"fine. you can come to my house. daehyun starts school tomorrow, so you can stop by during lunch." hyunjin pumps his fist in excitement, noting that he was busy tomorrow at lunch, but he would cancel it. he knew seulgi wouldn't be interested in rescheduling. this was his only chance.

"okay, i'll be there." he says with a smile.

"i'll text you my address."

"perfect. i'll see you tomorrow."

"yeah. see you tomorrow." she says rather coldly before ending the call. she couldn't allow him to charm his way back in, he needed to earn it. she was worried she would be a little bit biased, noting how easy it would be if hyunjin just stayed in her life. she wouldn't have to explain anything to daehyun, and he wouldn't be sad. but she had to make the right choice, the small bit of hurt now would be better than something like this happening later on down the road, when both herself and daehyun would be closer to hyunjin.

hyunjin on the other hand felt horrible, and he was ready to be open and honest with seulgi. he didn't think it would be a good idea to lie about why he had been ignoring her. lying is no way to start off a relationship, he could only hope that she understood his point of view. though he had high hopes, because she seemed to be a very understanding person.

and he wanted to hold onto that hope.