𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥-𝗜𝗡-𝗟𝗔𝗪

part 18 (Desperate Plan:a baby)

Chapter 18: A Desperate Plan

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the quiet village where Jisoo had grown up. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of bees. Jisoo sat on the porch of her family's home, sipping tea as she watched the birds flit from tree to tree. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the chaos and confusion of her life in the city.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Kim, an elderly neighbor who had known Jisoo since she was a child. Mrs. Kim was a kind, wise woman, always ready with advice or a comforting word. Today, her sharp eyes seemed to see right through Jisoo's attempts to appear calm and collected.

"Jisoo, dear," Mrs. Kim began, settling into the chair beside her, "you seem troubled. What's on your mind?"

Jisoo forced a smile, trying to brush off the concern. "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just... work stress."

Mrs. Kim raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Is it really just work? Or is it something else? Something to do with Taehyung, perhaps?"

At the mention of his name, Jisoo's smile faltered. She sighed, looking down at her hands. "It's complicated, Mrs. Kim. Things between us... they're not what they used to be. I don't know if we can get back to the way we were."

Mrs. Kim nodded thoughtfully. "Relationships can be challenging, especially when life gets in the way. But you two have been together for so long. There must be something you can do to fix it."

Jisoo looked away, her mind racing. She hadn't told anyone about the recent tensions between her and Taehyung, about the doubts and insecurities that had been eating away at her. She had always been so sure of their future together, but now everything felt uncertain.

Mrs. Kim's eyes softened with sympathy. "Jisoo, sometimes a relationship just needs a little push, something to bring you closer together. Have you thought about starting a family?"

Jisoo's eyes widened in surprise. "A baby?" she echoed, the idea catching her off guard.

Mrs. Kim nodded. "Yes, a child can bring a couple closer, give them something to focus on together. It can be a blessing, especially when you're going through a rough patch. A baby might be just what you and Taehyung need."

Jisoo's mind whirled at the suggestion. A baby. The thought had never crossed her mind, at least not seriously. She and Taehyung had been so focused on their careers and their company that they had never really talked about starting a family. And yet, the idea had an undeniable appeal. A baby could change everything, could give them a new purpose, a reason to stay together.

But then she remembered something, a conversation she had had with Taehyung about a year ago. They had discussed their future, and he had mentioned that he wasn't ready for children yet. He wanted to focus on their work, on building their company. They had agreed to wait.

Jisoo bit her lip, feeling a pang of anxiety. "Mrs. Kim, we always used protection... I guess it was for the best. But now, maybe... I should see a doctor, make sure everything's okay. Get the best treatment, if needed."

Mrs. Kim patted her hand reassuringly. "It's always good to be prepared, dear. And if you decide this is what you want, you should talk to Taehyung about it. It's a big decision, but it could be the thing that brings you closer."

Jisoo nodded, her mind made up. She would see a doctor, explore all her options. If a baby could save their relationship, she was willing to do whatever it took. She knew Taehyung might have reservations, but she was confident she could convince him. After all, they had been through so much together; surely they could overcome this hurdle too.

As Mrs. Kim left, Jisoo sat back in her chair, lost in thought. A baby. It was a bold plan, a last-ditch effort to save what was left of their relationship. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was the right thing to do. She loved Taehyung, and she was willing to fight for their future, no matter what it took.

The sun was setting by the time Jisoo stood up and went inside. She took out her phone, staring at Taehyung's contact. She knew she needed to talk to him about this, but she also knew she had to tread carefully. Taehyung was already overwhelmed with everything that was happening, and she didn't want to push him away.

She took a deep breath and dialed his number. As the phone rang, she felt a mix of hope and fear. This was a big step, and she knew there were no guarantees. But she had to try. For their future, for their love.

"Hello?" Taehyung's voice came through the line, sounding tired.

"Hi, Tae," Jisoo said softly. "Can we talk? There's something important I want to discuss."

There was a pause, and then Taehyung sighed. "Sure, Jisoo. What is it?"

Jisoo closed her eyes, gathering her courage. "I... I've been thinking a lot about us, about our future. And I think... I think we should consider starting a family. A baby might be just what we need to bring us closer, to help us find our way back to each other."

The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. Jisoo held her breath, waiting for Taehyung's response. She knew this was a lot to take in, but she hoped he would see it as a chance for them to start fresh, to rebuild what they had lost.

After what felt like an eternity, Taehyung finally spoke. "Jisoo, I... I don't know. A baby is a huge responsibility. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Jisoo felt a pang of disappointment at his hesitation, but she pushed it aside. "I know it's a big decision, Tae. But I think it could be the answer to our problems. It could give us a new purpose, a reason to stay together."

Taehyung sighed again, and Jisoo could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "I need some time to think about this, Jisoo. It's not something we can decide on a whim."

"I understand," Jisoo replied, trying to keep the desperation out of her voice. "Take all the time you need. But please, just consider it. For us."

They said their goodbyes, and Jisoo hung up the phone, feeling a mixture of hope and uncertainty. She knew she was taking a big risk, but she was willing to do whatever it took to save their relationship. She had to believe that Taehyung would come around, that he would see the potential in her plan.

As she prepared for bed, Jisoo couldn't shake the feeling that everything was riding on this decision. A baby could be their salvation, their chance to start anew. But it could also be their undoing if Taehyung wasn't on board. She lay down, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with possibilities.

She knew one thing for sure: she wasn't ready to give up on them. Not yet. And she would do whatever it took to make things right. For her, for Taehyung, and for the future they had once dreamed of together.

IN RUSSIA

The cold wind swept through the streets of St. Petersburg, carrying with it the crisp scent of winter. Jennie pulled her coat tighter around her, her breath forming small clouds in the frigid air. She had been in Russia for a few weeks now, and the bustling city, with its rich history and vibrant culture, was both overwhelming and intriguing. But beneath the surface, she still felt a deep emptiness, a void that refused to be filled.

Jennie had rented a small but cozy apartment in a quiet neighborhood. The building was old, with intricate architecture and high ceilings that gave it a timeless charm. It was here that she first met her landlord, Jimin, a young man with a warm smile and an easygoing demeanor. Jimin was a native of South Korea but had been living in Russia for several years, managing the property for his family.

TO BE CONTINUE