❛ ━ꜱᴄᴀʀʀᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ━ ❜ After their world went up in smoke following the heartbreaking loss of their child, Choi San and Jung Wooyoung's engagement shattered into pieces. Each day became a battle for survival in a sea of grief. Struggling to c...
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─•~❉ᴡᴏᴏʏᴏᴜɴɢ❉~•─
The intensity of the moment held us captive, with only the sound of our breathing punctuating the silence. San's eyes, deep and earnest, searched mine for an answer I wasn't yet ready to give. The weight of his question, and the potential it carried, demanded more than a hasty response. It had been two years—a long stretch of time filled with changes and growth, and amidst it all was Hwa-Young, whose needs superseded our own.
As I grappled with the surge of emotions, San reached out, his hand gently cradling my cheek. The unexpected touch sent a shiver through me, his palm warm against my skin, grounding yet disarming. His thumb brushed lightly across my cheekbone, a tender gesture that felt too familiar, too comforting. His new subtle beard added a roughness that contrasted with the gentle intention of his touch, giving him a more rugged, mature look that was undeniably attractive.
His closeness, both physical and emotional, momentarily overwhelmed my senses. My breath hitched, and for a fleeting second, I allowed myself to lean into the comfort he offered. It was a reminder of what had once been—an ease between us that had always felt like coming home.
Yet, the reality of our situation anchored my response. "San," I started, my voice soft but firm, pulling back slightly to regain composure. "I—I need a moment. This isn't just about us. There's Hwa-Young to consider."
He nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes as he withdrew his hand, giving me the space I needed. "Of course," he agreed, his voice gentle. "I didn't mean to rush this. You're right. She's the most important part of this equation. I just... I wanted you to know how I feel."
I appreciated his honesty and his quick acknowledgment of Hwa-Young's role in any decisions we might make about our future. "Thank you for understanding," I said, feeling a bit more grounded. "We need to take this slowly. She needs to meet you, get to know you. Whatever happens next... it has to be right for her."
Realizing how quickly time had passed during our conversation, I glanced at my watch and gasped. The moment I saw how late it had gotten, a rush of urgency took over. Hwa-Young would be returning from her nursery trip in just ten minutes, and I needed to ensure someone was there to pick her up on time.
Quickly, I picked up my phone from the table where it lay next to our coffee cups, now gone cold from neglect. My fingers hurried over the screen, tapping out a message to Hongjoong, who had always been reliable in times like these. "Please pick up Hwa-Young; she will be back from her trip in ten minutes," I typed swiftly, my heart rate accelerating with the rush to coordinate everything smoothly.
After sending the message, I looked up at San, apologetically. "I'm sorry, I lost track of time," I said, my voice tinted with a mix of stress and embarrassment. "Hongjoong is going to pick up Hwa-Young. Today's been a bit of a whirlwind."
San nodded understandingly, his expression softening. "It's okay, I understand. These things happen," he reassured me, his calm demeanor helping to soothe my sudden onset of anxiety. "It sounds like you have a good support system with Hongjoong."
