Should Be You | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 12

It had been a strange, lonely week for Yeri. She felt like a ghost haunting the grand rooms of their mansion, with no one to talk to and nothing to distract her from the ache in her chest. Every day, she watched as Jungkook came home late, spent time with Jungwoo, and then left again without so much as a word to her. She felt invisible, as if she were slowly fading out of the picture of their lives.

The days had blurred together into a haze of boredom and bitterness. Yeri found herself sipping wine earlier and earlier each day, finding solace in the deep red liquid that seemed to numb the sharp edges of her thoughts. Tonight was no different. She sat alone in the dimly lit family room, a half-empty bottle of red wine on the table beside her, and a glass in her hand. The house was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.

Yeri stared blankly at the fireplace, the flames dancing before her eyes. She was lost in her thoughts, replaying the party with Hyungbin over and over in her mind. She had thought flirting with him would make Jungkook jealous, that it would force him to see her again. But instead, it had only pushed him further away. She could still see the look of cold indifference on his face as he watched her with Hyungbin. It haunted her, gnawing at her insides like a relentless, hungry beast.

“Mommy?”

Yeri blinked, pulled from her thoughts by the soft, hesitant voice of her son. She looked down to see Jungwoo standing beside her, holding a piece of paper in his small hands. His big, innocent eyes looked up at her, shining with hope and eagerness. He was tugging at the hem of her nightgown, his little fingers clutching the fabric.

“What is it, Jungwoo?” Yeri asked, her voice sharper than she intended. She was not in the mood for company, not even her son’s. The last thing she wanted was to be reminded of her failures as a wife and mother.

Jungwoo hesitated, sensing his mother’s irritation, but his desire to show her his drawing overcame his apprehension. He held up the paper, a wide smile on his face. “Look, Mommy! I drew a picture of our family! It’s you, and me, and Daddy!” he said, his voice filled with excitement. He pointed to the crayon drawing, where three stick figures stood side by side, holding hands under a bright yellow sun.

Yeri glanced at the drawing, barely seeing it. Her head was buzzing from the wine, her mind still consumed with thoughts of Jungkook. She couldn’t muster the enthusiasm her son wanted. “That’s nice, Jungwoo,” she said flatly, turning her gaze back to the fire. She took another sip of her wine, her eyes glazing over.

Jungwoo’s smile faltered, his eyes clouding with confusion. He tugged at her gown again, trying to get her attention. “Mommy, don’t you like it? I made it for you,” he said, his voice small and uncertain.

Yeri’s patience snapped. She was tired, frustrated, and the last thing she wanted was to deal with a clingy child. “Not now, Jungwoo!” she snapped, jerking her arm away from him. “Can’t you see I’m busy? Go play with your toys or something.”

Jungwoo’s lower lip trembled, his eyes filling with tears. He took a step back, his small frame shrinking in on itself. “But, Mommy... I just wanted to show you...”

Yeri felt a flicker of guilt, but it was quickly smothered by her anger and frustration. She just wanted to be left alone, to drown her sorrows in peace. She couldn’t deal with Jungwoo’s demands right now. “I said not now!” she repeated, her voice rising. “I don’t have time for this!”

Jungwoo’s tears began to fall, his small shoulders shaking with silent sobs. He clutched the drawing to his chest, his tiny heart breaking. All he wanted was a little attention, a little love from his mother. He just wanted to make her happy, to see her smile. But it seemed no matter what he did, he couldn’t reach her.