Affection's Facade

As it may be

*Choi Tae-hyung's POV*

The world has a peculiar way of moving when reality shifts. Everything slows, yet the heart races. Each detail becomes sharper and more vivid. As I looked at the young girl standing in front of me, I felt strange, as if I was seeing a mural of a reality that wasn't supposed to exist. I loved that it did. Still, I didn't know how to react. The idea that somewhere out in the world there was a child I helped create. Living and outside my ability of protection. Till now.

Her eyes—those innocent eyes that held galaxies of curiosity—were familiar. They were Elera's eyes.

The room was silent. The only sound I could register was the erratic beating of my heart against my ribcage. The weight of the situation settled in, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. How could I have not known? How did life rob me of the years with my flesh and blood?

Her voice pulled me from my tumult of thoughts. "Appa?" she whispered hesitantly. It was a title I'd heard directed at me, still even now it resonated deep within my core.

Taking a cautious step closer, I whispered back, drying her tears. Her name felt foreign, yet achingly familiar in the oddest of ways. " It's nice to meet you," I stated trying to control myself.

Her lower lip trembling ever so slightly. I bent down, closing the space between us, and wrapped my arms around her. The sensation was overwhelming; it was as if a piece of my soul, long lost, had finally returned. An embrace I never thought I needed found itself in my grasp.
Her small arms hesitated at first, then wrapped around my back, holding on as if for dear life. The warm weight of her, the softness of her hair against my cheek, it felt surreal.

Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. The years of fatherhood, of laughter, of lessons, of bedtime stories... all of it lost. But in that embrace, I promised myself that I would make up for every stolen moment. "I've missed you," I whispered into her hair, not even realizing the absurdity of missing someone I'd just met. But deep down, it felt as though I had known her for a lifetime.

She pulled back slightly, those familiar eyes searching mine, and with a soft voice said, "We have a lot to catch up on, Appa."

I couldn't help but smile, at her wittiness.
Indeed, we did. And I was ready to savor every single moment. Hae-mi shyly hung around confused at what was taking place. Despite this, she came over to help me wipe my tears.

The evening passed in a blur, moments filled with shared stories, laughter, and the occasional tears. I recounted stories of how Elera and I first met, the adventures we embarked on, and the dreams we once shared for our future. In return, Mi-Jung told me about her life in the States, the warmth of the Lees, and the shadow of Mr. Chang who always seemed to watch over her from a distance. We sat together, our hearts heavy with the weight of lost years, but hopeful for the future.

There was one question that lingered in my mind, one I wasn't sure if I should ask.

"Do you... Do you resent us?" I finally whispered, bracing myself for her answer. Mi-Jung looked up, her expression thoughtful. "Sometimes, I felt forgotten," she admitted, her voice soft, "But the Lees, love me. And I learned more about you and eomma. I don't understand everything, but Mr.Chang says there was a reason. I believe him."

Her understanding and maturity took me by surprise. It wasn't the reaction of a typical ten-year-old, but then again, Mi-Jung had experienced more in her short life than most.

We were interrupted by a soft knock on the door, and Elera entered, after going into the living room to give herself a moment. She moved closer, slowly, hesitantly, as if afraid the scene before her would vanish if she moved too quickly.