𝔻𝕀𝕊𝕋ℝ𝕀ℂ𝕋 ℕ𝕀ℕ𝔼 «재현»

12

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇʟᴠᴇ

The sun had finally yielded to the warmth of the evening, casting dappled shadows through the leaves of the surrounding trees.

Jaehyun, his brow continued to pace back and forth, his shoes stirring a scattering of fallen leaves that crunched underfoot.

Yuta, perched on a moss-covered rock kept a vigilant watch over the bridge's entrance. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead because of the worry that had nestled in the pit of his stomach.

Hours had passed since they had dropped Trinity off. It was understandable that she needed a moment to reminisce, to confront the heart-wrenching reality that her family had moved on without her.

But the time she had taken had been longer than they expected, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Yuta and Jaehyun to hide their concern.

The auburn-haired teen finally stopped his restless pacing, his frustration and worry reaching a breaking point as he faced Yuta. "It's been hours. She should've been back by now.."

The blonde nodded in agreement, "I know. I also know she's okay, but maybe you should go check on her. I'll stay here in case she comes back."

Jaehyun's protests erupted into a torrent of "what if" scenarios, his voice quivering with genuine concern, but Yuta only responded with an incredulous snicker. He glanced at his friend, his sharp features softened by a reassuring smile as he tried to ease the younger boy's worries.

"Come on," he chided playfully, "go get your girl. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I can handle myself," he added. "I have a feeling she needs you right now."

Reluctantly, the Blue gave in, his shoulders sagging as he turned his back to Yuta and began to walk back toward the road they had just traveled down.

"Okay," he finally mumbled, a sense of helplessness gnawing at him. "If you say so."

Yuta watched his departing figure with worry etched in his facial expression.

He could only hope Trinity was doing fine until Jaehyun reached her.

The air was warm and comforting in the vast field of wheat, with a gentle breeze that rustled the golden stalks, creating a soothing whisper in the background. Her tear-stained cheek glistened as the sun, a fiery orb, slowly descended on the horizon before her. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the landscape.

In that serene moment, she couldn't help but smile through her tears.

Trinity should have been more cautious of her surroundings as she was in a vulnerable state, but the familiarity of the presence beside her, the reassuring weight of his hand on her shoulder, had her shoulders relaxing. Once she felt his intense, yet caring, stare on her, a small, relieved smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice laced with genuine remorse.

His words were like a comforting embrace to her ears. She nodded with a small, understanding smile, her eyes reflecting an appreciation for his apology.

"It's not your fault, Jae," she began, her voice laced with sincerity and understanding. Her smile only widened when she felt his warm hand squeeze hers in a reassuring gesture of support.

"For years, all I wanted was to see them, but I knew that if I went in there, they wouldn't remember me." she began, her gaze still focused on the view in front of her. "It was my fault, and because of me, they lost their daughter. And I lost my family."

The stream of tears began again, flowing down her cheeks like a gentle river, and Jaehyun didn't hesitate for even a second. With a tenderness, he pulled her into his chest, his strong arms enveloping her like a protective shield. His thumb traced soothing circles on her back, providing the much-needed comfort as she cried for what felt like the nth time that day.

Once the sound of her sobs died down, she slowly pulled her tear-streaked face away from his chest, but she remained in his strong and comforting embrace. Her gaze met the deep brown eyes she had grown to adore, and they shimmered with a mixture of emotions - gratitude, realization, and affection.

"I realize now that I don't need to be with them anymore," she confessed, her voice filled with newfound conviction. "Not when I have Yuta, and not when I have you."

Her words touched Jaehyun deeply, and he couldn't help but grin as he pulled her even closer into his arms. With an affection that words could hardly express, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his cheek resting against her head.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with admiration and warmth. His breath tickled her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine as she felt the sincerity of his words. Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions, she buried her face even deeper into the crook of his neck, seeking solace in the safety of his embrace.

"She was pregnant," Trinity revealed in a hushed tone as they strolled back to the car, their fingers interlocked, creating a comforting link between them. Their footsteps created a soft, rhythmic sound on the pavement, in tune with the rhythm of their conversation.

"And how do you feel about that?" Jaehyun inquired, his expressive brown eyes filled with curiosity, his brow furrowed as he absorbed her words.

"I'm happy," she replied, her smile a mix of contentment and melancholy. "Happy that she has another opportunity to be a mother, that they have another shot at being parents. It may have been an accident, but I don't regret what I did." Her voice carried a profound sense of conviction as she continued,

"I just wish I got to tell them how much I loved them one last time."

Jaehyun squeezed her hand once more in reassurance. Then, with a tender smile, he leaned down to place a bold yet gentle kiss on her cheek. The surprise and awe that washed over her face were like the radiant hues of a sunrise, and he couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.

Bringing one of his hands up to cradle her cheek delicately, he held her gaze with a heartfelt sincerity. With a soft, warm voice, he whispered, "I adore you."

His words hung in the air like a promise, reaffirming the depth of his feelings, and her heart swelled with a mixture of joy and gratitude for the mutual connection.