Affection's Facade

In time

Tae-hyung present pov

We stood there for a while, allowing the air around us gather. Minutes felt like hours as I stood with her, finding solace in our shared embrace.

When her sobs began to a soft stop, she pulled back slightly to meet my eyes. There was this deep understanding between us, a silent acknowledgment of shared pain and healing.

Gently, I wiped away her remaining tears, giving her a reassuring smile. "Thank you for trusting me enough to share this," I whispered.

She took a deep, shaky breath, "Thank you for listening. I've been keeping this locked up for so long... it's freeing to finally let it out."

Before much else could be said, from a distance, the sound of Hae-mi's laughter reached us, and we turned to see her playing joyfully in the garden. My mother was setting up a picnic table, as she waved towards us.

"It looks like someone's enjoying herself," I observed, a smile forming on my face.

She chuckled, the twinkle in her eyes impossible to miss. "It's so heartwarming to see her like this."

I watched Elera's face, noting the streaks from her previous tears. She caught me observing and self-consciously tried to wipe them away. "How do I look?" she asked, a touch of vulnerability in her voice.

Pulling her closer, I replied, "Always beautiful. Tears or no tears."

She nudged me playfully, rolling her eyes. "Seriously, Tae. I don't want to look like I've been crying."

Laughing lightly, I teased, "Well, maybe just a tiny bit." I said as I handed her a handkerchief from my pocket.

As we neared the picnic, Hae-mi sprinted towards us, her enthusiasm infectious. "Imo, Appa! You have to see what I made!" she exclaimed, puffing her chest out with pride.

Kneeling down to her level, I asked, "Oh? And what did you make, little chef?"

Before she could reply, my mother interjected with a proud grin, "Almost everything on that table. Believe it or not, I was just her assistant." She winked at Elera and me.

Elera bent down, hugging Hae-mi, "That's incredible! I can't wait to taste everything."

Hae-mi leaned closer to Elera, whispering something secretive into her ear. The two of them broke into a shared giggle, their laughter harmonizing beautifully. "It's a surprise," Hae-mi winked at me, her action eerily reminiscent of my mother's earlier playful gesture.

Catching that, my mother raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips.

She took a moment, her eyes flitting between Elera and me. Without uttering a word, she simply smiled, a gentle, knowing look in her eyes.

As we savored our meal, the peace was shattered by the distinct sound of gravel crunching under tires, indicating an approaching vehicle.

A car halted near the gate, and out stepped my father, followed closely by Mr. Kim. Anger etched on their faces, they motioned for us to approach.

Sensing the impending storm, Elera swiftly took Hae-mi's hand and led her inside the house, ensuring she was shielded from any confrontation.

My father's intense gaze met my mother's.

"Let's talk," he demanded.

"We have nothing to discuss," she retorted.

"You're still here, standing by his side? How could you let him take Hae-mi out without telling anyone?" His voice was accusatory.