secret pain | baekyeon (on-going)

Chapter 3

(2017)

The room was dim, with soft rays of sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains. Taeyeon sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of the small object in her hand feeling much heavier than it actually was. Her heart raced as she stared down at the positive pregnancy test, its two pink lines mocking her in their bold certainty.

She remembered the romance she so far shared with Baekhyun, how their careers had brought them close, and their shared passion had brought them even closer. They were the talk of the town, two of Korea's brightest stars caught in a love affair.

Taeyeon had been feeling different for weeks. Her schedule was grueling as always, but the fatigue was different this time. Her missed periods and the bouts of nausea in the mornings had all led her to this moment.

"I'm pregnant," she whispered to herself, the reality of the situation sinking in.

She felt a rush of conflicting emotions – fear, anxiety, and a surprising surge of joy. Yet, the weight of the situation was not lost on her. In the world she lived in, a child out of wedlock, especially given their public profile, would be scandalous.

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. "Taeyeon?" It was Tiffany.

Taeyeon quickly hid the pregnancy test but didn’t need to say a word. Tiffany, always so intuitive, took one look at her and knew. "Oh, Taeyeon…" she murmured, rushing to her side, wrapping her arms around the trembling singer.

Throughout the tumultuous journey of her life, Tiffany had consistently been Taeyeon's anchor. She was the unwavering friend who stood by Taeyeon's side during both her brightest days and her darkest nights. Now, once again, as despair threatened to consume Taeyeon, Tiffany was there. Taeyeon's shoulders shook with sobs as she buried her face into Tiffany's comforting embrace, seeking solace and a momentary escape from the overwhelming reality.

Drawing in a shuddering breath, Taeyeon whispered, her words almost lost amidst her tears, "I'm so lost, Tiffany. I just... I don't know how to handle this."

Tiffany tightened her hold, gently rubbing Taeyeon's back to provide some semblance of comfort. "You can't keep this from Baekhyun," she responded softly, her voice filled with compassion.

"But, Tiffany, he's only 25. He's just starting to soar in his career. How can I burden him with this now?" Taeyeon's eyes, red-rimmed from crying, searched Tiffany's for understanding.

Tiffany cupped Taeyeon's face, forcing her to meet her gaze. "You're assuming he'd see this as a burden. But what if he doesn't? Taeyeon, Baekhyun loves you deeply. If he loves you, he'll love this baby too. You need to have faith in him and in the love you both share."

.

The ambiance of the room was cozy, filled with the soft glow of the evening sun and the subtle aroma of jasmine from the scented candle burning on the bedside table. Taeyeon and Baekhyun were seated close together on the couch, enjoying a rare quiet moment amidst their often chaotic lives.

In her hand, Taeyeon held the positive pregnancy test, concealed from Baekhyun's view. She had been contemplating the right moment to bring up the life-altering news to him.

Before she could begin, Baekhyun excitedly started speaking, "Baby, I have some news. They're considering me for a solo debut! Can you believe it? In no time, I'll be a soloist, just like you."

She looked into his eyes, sparkling with dreams and aspirations, a clear vision of the future he had always wanted. A future that might not have space for an unplanned child.

She swallowed hard, struggling with the weight of her own news, and what it might mean against the backdrop of Baekhyun's burgeoning career. She wanted to be happy for him, she truly did, but the circumstances made her heart heavy.