Wonderwall • ℍ𝕒𝕖𝕤𝕠𝕠

𝟞𝟝

The morning light began to spill across the horizon, painting the sky with golden hues. It was just ten minutes to eight, and Jisoo found herself making her way home. An odd sense of urgency gripped her, as if the fragments of her thoughts from the previous night demanded resolution. Among those scattered memories was the image of the man who was the father of her first child. Somehow, she recalled every twist and turn of the roads that led to her doorstep.

As she made a left turn, Jisoo's heart raced, quickening with each passing moment as she neared her old house in the quaint village. Suddenly, memories surged forth, flooding her mind with fresh fragments of the past. It felt as though revisiting that painful chapter was akin to reopening a wound she had thought had healed.

"Is this really it? My house?" Jisoo murmured in disbelief as she brought the car to a gentle stop in the driveway. With a quick flick, she unbuckled her seatbelt and swung open the door, her eyes widening as she took in the front porch. A vibrant array of flowers and a charming picket fence framed the entrance, creating an inviting atmosphere that enveloped her. Potted plants lined the swinging gate, enhancing the symmetry of the two bay windows and the shutters flanking the front door. A small smile crept onto her lips as she gazed at the very home she once inhabited. It felt warm and beautiful, bringing a sense of tranquility to her restless spirit.

Jisoo took a slow, measured step toward the small gate, pushing it open as her gaze fixed on the front door. Before she knew it, her right arm reached out instinctively, and she found herself knocking gently on the door, unaware of how quickly she had crossed that final threshold.

"JONGSUK? DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING?" A loud voice echoed from inside the house, pulling Jisoo back to the moment. She quickly lowered her hand and wrapped her left arm around herself for reassurance. In less than ten seconds, she found herself standing face-to-face with the man who was the father of her first child. His eyes widened in shock, clearly taken aback by her unexpected appearance. His gaze darted nervously toward the outside, as if searching for answers in the world beyond the door.

"She came alone?" he pondered in disbelief.

"Siwon?!" Jisoo called out in a flat tone, instantly capturing his attention. His eyes fell to her small face, a mixture of surprise and concern etched across it.

"Jisoo? When did you get here? JongSuk said you were out of the country!" he exclaimed, bewildered. Jisoo's gaze began to wander as she searched the interior of the house for her son. Siwon noticed her distraction and quickly stepped aside, allowing her to enter.

"Come in," he urged, gesturing for her to step inside. Jisoo hesitated for a moment but then crossed the threshold, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. It truly was her home.

"Where is he?" she asked abruptly, her urgency cutting through the air. Siwon let out a small sigh and headed toward the living room.

"He's not here! He went to his football game—he's competing today for the national cup," he explained, studying her face for any sign of emotion. Meanwhile, Jisoo struggled to absorb the flood of information, her mind racing to catch up with the moment.

"I'm so glad you're finally here! I've been wanting to reach out for ages, but I didn't know how. I... I wanted to talk about our marriage!" Siwon confessed, stepping closer, his gaze locked onto hers.

"I'm sure there's been a mistake with the legal documents because, for some reason, we're not married anymore! I received the divorce papers... and I'm completely confused!" he continued, nervously scratching the back of his head. Jisoo's eyes widened in realization, and her lips pressed into a tight line, grappling with the weight of his words.

"You're confused?" Jisoo echoed, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him. Siwon's concern deepened; he felt the weight of her gaze, which seemed to pierce through him.