My Best Friend's Secret Baby

Everything's going to be okay, not

In the days that followed the engagement celebration, life settled into a new routine for Chaeyoung, Jungkook, and Mina. The engaged couple was swept up in planning their wedding, and their excitement was contagious. They spent hours choosing venues, picking out flowers, and deciding on the perfect cake flavor, their joy only growing with each decision made.

Mina, on the other hand, continued to play her role as Chaeyoung's steadfast friend. She was there to listen when Chaeyoung needed to vent about wedding stress, and she helped with every bridal task, from addressing invitations to arranging fittings. Each day, she buried her own feelings deeper, determined to keep her promise of supporting Chaeyoung through this happy but challenging time. But aside from that, she always hid herself inside her laboratory, doing no one knows what.

One evening, as Chaeyoung and Mina sat on Chaeyoung's living room couch surrounded by bridal magazines and fabric swatches, Chaeyoung turned to her best friend with a fond smile. "Mina, I don't know what I would do without you. You've been my anchor through all of this."

Mina's heart skipped a beat, and she managed a warm smile in response. "Of course, Chaeyoung. I'm here for you, always."

Chaeyoung leaned in and hugged Mina tightly. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

As they separated from the embrace, Mina replied softly, "I'm the lucky one, Chaeyoung."

In the midst of the wedding planning, Mina found solace in her own interests and hobbies. She often locked herself in her laboratory burning the midnight oil for her research and experiments. But deep down, the unspoken love for Chaeyoung remained a constant ache in her heart.

----

As the weeks turned into months, Mina found herself slowly but inevitably distancing herself from Chaeyoung. The pain of unrequited love had become a constant presence in her life, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the façade of unwavering friendship.

She began making excuses to decline invitations to spend time with Chaeyoung and Jungkook. Mina would claim she had extra work to do, that she was feeling under the weather, or that other commitments were taking up her time. Each excuse weighed on her heart, as she longed to be there for her best friend.

Chaeyoung, though initially understanding of Mina's busy schedule, began to sense a shift in their friendship. They lived in the same house but they barely see each other. She reached out to Mina one evening, her voice filled with concern. "Mina, I feel like we've been drifting apart lately. Is everything okay?"

Mina hesitated, struggling to find the words to explain her pain. "Chaeyoung, I'm just going through a lot right now. I don't want my issues to burden you."

Chaeyoung frowned, her worry deepening. "Mina, you're my best friend. You can always talk to me about anything. I'm here for you, just as you've always been there for me."

Mina managed a weak smile, her heart aching at Chaeyoung's kindness. "I know, Chaeyoung. I appreciate that more than you'll ever know."

Despite Chaeyoung's reassurance, the distance between them continued to grow. Mina couldn't bear to be too close to the love she could never have. She knew that her feelings were unfair to Chaeyoung and Jungkook, and she couldn't stand the thought of being a constant reminder of what might have been.

Their once daily phone calls became weekly check-ins, and their shared meals have long been forgotten. It was a slow, painful withdrawal that Mina believed was necessary to protect her heart and the happiness of the couple she cherished.

One evening, as Mina sat alone in their apartment, tears welled up in her eyes. She knew that distancing herself from Chaeyoung was the only way to cope with her unrequited love, but it didn't make the loneliness any easier to bear.

Mina whispered to herself, "I'm doing this for you, Chaeyoung, because I love you. And even if it means living with this pain, I'll always want what's best for you." With a heavy heart, she continued to keep her distance, hoping that in time, the ache in her heart would begin to fade.