secret pain | baekyeon (on-going)

Chapter 10

The soft hum of the air conditioner provided a background melody as they settled into the warmth of their apartment. Taeyeon had just begun to unwind, hoping to share a cozy evening with Liam when his question pierced the tranquility.

"Mommy... do I have a daddy?" Liam's eyes, large and searching, met Taeyeon's as he posed the question with genuine innocence.

The weight of his words left a heavy silence in the room. Taeyeon's heart thudded loudly against her chest, a flood of emotions cascading over her. She had hoped to shield him from such questions for a little while longer, wanting to protect his gentle heart from the complex web of their past.

Drawing a deep breath, she hesitated, her voice quivering slightly, "Why do you ask that, Liam? Is mommy not enough?"

Liam's face softened, his eyes glistening with a hint of sadness, "Of course not, mommy. You're the best mom in the world. I love you more than anything. It's just that... the other kids at the park today talked about their daddies. And when they asked about mine, I didn't know what to say. I don't want them to think I'm different or to not want to play with me because of it."

A soft sigh escaped Taeyeon's lips. She moved closer to Liam, pulling him into a gentle embrace, his head nestled against her chest. The rhythmic beat of her heart provided a comforting backdrop as they sat there, enveloped in a moment of vulnerability.

"You are not any less, Liam," she began, her voice filled with a soft conviction. "Every family is unique, and it doesn't make them any less filled with love. Just because our family looks a little different doesn't mean it lacks anything."

Liam shifted, his eyes seeking hers, filled with a myriad of emotions - confusion, curiosity, and a touch of sadness. "But, do I have a daddy, mommy? Did he not want me?"

Taeyeon's heart ached hearing those words. How could she explain the complexities of adult relationships to such a young soul? "Liam," she began, her voice careful, "you do have a father, but circumstances led us down different paths. It's not that he didn't want you. It's just... life is complicated sometimes."

She took a moment, collecting her thoughts, choosing her words wisely. "Think of it this way: the moon and stars are both in the sky. Even if they don't always appear together, they coexist, each shining brightly in their own time and space. Just because you don't see them together doesn't mean they don't acknowledge each other's presence."

Liam seemed to ponder her words, his young mind processing the analogy. "So, my daddy is like a star, and you're my moon?"

Taeyeon smiled, appreciating her son's wit, "Exactly, baby."

Liam looked deep into his mother's eyes, sensing the pain behind her words. "Is he a good man, mommy?"

Taeyeon hesitated for a moment, memories of her time with Baekhyun flooding back. "Yes, he is," she whispered. "A very talented and good man."

Liam seemed to ponder this for a moment, then gave a tiny nod. "Okay, mommy. As long as you're with me, I'm happy."

Taeyeon held Liam tighter, tears streaming down her face. She was reminded once again of the strength and purity of her son's heart. "I promise, Liam," she murmured into his hair, "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

.

As the gentle hum of the city outside provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation, Sooyoung continued, "This is just the beginning, Taeyeon. Expect for something more." She took a contemplative sip of her coffee, her eyes meeting Taeyeon's with understanding.

Taeyeon ran her fingers through her hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "I've been dreading this moment, you know. I knew that eventually, Liam would begin to question his origins."

Tiffany leaned forward, placing her cup on the coffee table. "While it's natural for Liam to be curious, you need to consider how Baekhyun would react when confronted with the truth, especially if it comes from Liam." She paused for emphasis, "Imagine the scene: Liam, with all the innocence of a child, approaches Baekhyun and calls him 'dad'. Baekhyun, without any context, would just be taken aback. The bewilderment and confusion on his face might hurt Liam deeply, making him feel unwanted or rejected."

She looked earnestly at Taeyeon, "You need to control the narrative, Taeyeon. Baekhyun should hear the truth from you first. It's the best way to ensure that Liam isn't inadvertently caught in an emotionally challenging situation."

Taeyeon looked down, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her shirt. The weight of the situation felt overwhelming. "But what if Baekhyun reacts badly? What if he accuses me of keeping Liam away from him? What if he feels betrayed?"

Sooyoung took a deep breath and interjected, "Taeyeon, there's no easy answer here. Yes, Baekhyun might be upset. He might even be angry. But he has a right to know. And if he is the kind of person we know him to be, he'll understand, even if it takes time."

Tiffany added, "Remember, it's not just about you or Baekhyun. It's about Liam. He deserves to know his father. He deserves to have that connection, that bond."

A tear slid down Taeyeon's cheek as she nodded slowly. "I know, you're right. It's just... I've been protecting Liam for so long, and the thought of anything hurting him terrifies me."

.

With a perplexed expression, Taeyeon looked around the room, her gaze settling on each individual from the music production team. "May I ask what's prompting such a rush for this single's release?" she inquired, making a concerted effort to maintain composure and civility, especially after the recent chaotic events she had endured.

Before she could continue, her manager, always vigilant to protect her interests, stepped in. "If I may," he began, carefully removing a document from his briefcase. "Taeyeon had formally filed for a two-month hiatus, which has been approved and endorsed by the President himself." He spread the document out for everyone to see.

In the plush conference room of the SM headquarters, the atmosphere grew tense. The walls, adorned with gold records and accolades, bore silent witness to the confrontation between Taeyeon, her manager, and the assembled production team.

"Yes, we're aware," one of the production executives responded tersely. "However, this song is on a tight schedule and we have looming deadlines."

Raising an eyebrow, Taeyeon shot back, "Then perhaps it would be wise to let another of SM's talented vocalists handle it?" She laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood, "Surely, I'm not the only capable singer under this label."

The room grew quiet until another executive broke the silence. "The urgency is driven by the songwriter's explicit request. That is to be sung by you, Ms. Taeyeon."

Intrigued, Taeyeon pressed, "And who might this mysterious songwriter be?"

The executive hesitated briefly, "He's not only penned the song but will also oversee the vocal direction. The track is set to be a highlight of an upcoming major SM event, hence the rush."

"It's Kevin White."

With a hint of disbelief and amusement, Taeyeon chuckled, fuck.

Upon hearing the name, a conversation from the past echoed throughout her mind.

"Were you with Kevin again? How am I supposed to sleep when I know my girlfriend is out there enjoying her time with that freaking American guy?"

"Baekhyun, that guy is my vocal director. What we  do is just pure work, please let's not fight because of this."