THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 15: Negotiations and Terms

Jasmine arrived at a quiet café in Seoul, the place Emil had chosen for their meeting. The ambiance was calm, with soft jazz playing in the background and the gentle clinking of coffee cups. She spotted Emil at a corner table, his posture rigid as he glanced over some papers.

Emil looked up and gave a curt nod as Jasmine approached. "Jasmine. Thanks for meeting me."

"Of course," Jasmine replied, sliding into the seat across from him. "Let's get this over with."

Emil placed a folder on the table, opening it to reveal a set of documents. "I've reviewed your terms and come up with a few of my own."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Go ahead."

Emil took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Firstly, if we're to proceed with this marriage, I'd like to include a term about communication. We need to agree to regular, honest discussions about our situation, especially concerning our child. We can't just be strangers in this arrangement."

Jasmine frowned but nodded slightly. "That's fair. What else?"

Emil continued, "Secondly, I want a clause about visitation rights. If we do end up divorced, I should have the legal right to visit and spend time with our child. I don't want to be completely cut off from her."

Jasmine's face grew serious. "I see. And your other terms?"

Emil leaned forward. "Lastly, I propose that we include a term about conflict resolution. If any issues arise between us, we agree to seek mediation before taking any legal action. This should help us handle disagreements in a constructive manner."

Jasmine considered his terms, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "You know, Emil, these terms of yours might make things more complicated. The communication clause, for instance, could lead to more conflict if we're not careful. And the visitation rights might be difficult to manage, especially if we end up on bad terms."

Emil's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm trying to ensure that we have a clear understanding and that my rights as a father are protected. I don't want to end up in a situation where I'm excluded from my child's life."

Jasmine sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Okay. But there's one more thing. If we're to have this marriage, I want to live in South Korea. I don't want to be constantly moving between two countries. But if I stay here, the house will need to be in my name, and you won't be involved in its day-to-day affairs."

Emil's expression tightened. "I can't agree to that. If we're married, I expect to be part of our living arrangements. I'm willing to settle down in Seoul if it means I can be closer to my child. The house should be in both our names, and I'd like us to live there together. Even if you won't act as a traditional wife, I need to be close to my daughter."

Jasmine's eyes widened. "Are you serious? You want us to live in the same house even if you won't be involved in the day-to-day affairs? That's unreasonable."

Emil's tone grew firm. "It's not unreasonable. I'm willing to make significant sacrifices to be part of my child's life. If we're going to do this, I need to be able to have some role in our living situation. I'm not just going to be a distant father."

Jasmine looked away, her frustration evident. "Fine. But you need to understand that this arrangement will be complicated. We'll have to be very clear about our boundaries."

Emil extended a hand. "Agreed. Let's draft a new agreement with these terms and review it carefully."

Jasmine shook his hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'll have my lawyer review it. Let's hope we can come to an understanding that works for both of us."

As they finalized their discussion, both Emil and Jasmine were aware of the complexities ahead. Their new agreement was not just a legal contract but a reflection of their fractured relationship and the uncertain path they were about to tread.