Hi Dad! ✔️

Chapter - 20

Jungkook arrives at the resort, carefully carrying Jieun inside while Yoongi holds Bam's leash. After ensuring Jieun is comfortably asleep, Jungkook collapses onto the bed, exhaustion from the long drive washing over him.

Feeling unsettled and unable to sleep, Jungkook decides to take a walk. After checking on Jieun and closing the door behind him, he makes his way to the beach. The resort's proximity to the shore allows him to reach it after a short walk. As he stands on the sandy beach, the sound of waves crashing against the shore fills his ears, mirroring the turmoil he feels inside.

With nothing else to distract him, his mind drifts back to his last conversation with Mr. Kang.

As Jungkook prepares to turn away, Mr. Kang's voice stops him in his tracks. "How far will you run?" the older man asks, his tone weighted with concern. Jungkook lets out a heavy sigh, his frustration palpable. "I don't know," he admits, turning to face Mr. Kang.

The older man meets Jungkook's gaze, sensing the turmoil within him. "Didn't it occur to you to tell me that Taehyung is back in Seoul?" Jungkook's voice carries a hint of accusation, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.

Mr. Kang hesitates, unsure of how Jungkook will react to his next words. "He is getting married in a week," he finally reveals, bracing himself for Jungkook's response, "I didn't know how to tell you,"

For Jungkook, something inside him shatters at the news, the final straw in a series of painful revelations. Despite the turmoil raging within him, he maintains a composed exterior, masking his emotions behind a stoic facade.

With a heavy heart, Jungkook turns to face Mr. Kang once more. "You asked me how far I will run, right?" he says, his voice tinged with resignation. "Just a week. And then our paths will never cross again."

As Jungkook wipes away his tears, his eyes reddened from the emotions swirling within him, he feels his heart constricting painfully in his chest. So this is it, he thinks to himself bitterly. This is how their story is destined to end.

The realization hits him like a wave crashing onto the shore, overwhelming him with a sense of loss and resignation. It hurts, more than he could have imagined, but he knows deep down that it's inevitable. Their paths are diverging once again, leading them to separate destinies.

But despite the pain gnawing at his heart, Jungkook finds a semblance of acceptance within him. He knows that with time, the sharp edges of this ache will soften, just like they did after he walked away from the hospital all those years ago.

Jungkook trudges back to the resort after his solitary walk along the shore. As he enters their room, he finds Jieun peacefully asleep on the bed, her innocent face illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains.

With a heavy heart and tired limbs, Jungkook approaches the bed and gently tugs Jieun closer to him. He cradles her in his arms, finding solace in the warmth and comfort of her presence. Despite the turmoil raging within him, being close to his daughter brings him a sense of calm and reassurance.

He lies down beside her and closes his eyes, seeking refuge in the embrace of sleep. As he drifts off to sleep, his last thoughts are of Taehyung's boxy smile and blonde hair, lingering in his mind despite his weariness.

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

As Taehyung walks into the construction site, his smile feels strained, his nerves jittery. He spots Hoseok ahead, engrossed in conversation with a few workers. As their eyes meet, Hoseok's face lights up with a warm smile, and he strides over to greet Taehyung with a hug.