Should Be You | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 14

Jungwoo rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, looking around the room. The early morning light streamed through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the floor. He could tell that someone had been in his room recently; his favorite plush toy had been tucked under his arm, and a glass of water had been placed on his bedside table. Namjoon had probably checked on him while he was sleeping, but Jungwoo's thoughts were elsewhere.

He slipped out of bed, his small feet padding quietly on the carpeted floor. He made his way down the hallway, calling out softly, “Daddy?” But the house was silent, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floors. He found Namjoon in the kitchen, busy preparing breakfast. The aroma of pancakes filled the air, making Jungwoo’s stomach rumble.

Namjoon turned around and smiled warmly when he saw Jungwoo standing in the doorway. “Good morning, Woonie. You’re up early today. Hungry?”

Jungwoo nodded, but his eyes darted around, still searching for someone. “Where’s Daddy?”

Namjoon’s smile faded slightly as he walked over and crouched down to Jungwoo's level. “Your dad had to go run some errands, but he’ll be back soon. Is everything okay?”

Jungwoo hesitated, fiddling with the hem of his pajama shirt. “I… I wanted to see Mr. Park,” he mumbled, glancing up at Namjoon with wide eyes.

Namjoon raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile forming on his lips. “Why do you want to see Jimin? Did you have a nightmare? What happened?”

Jungwoo shook his head, looking down at his feet. “It’s just… he makes me feel better. When he’s around, I feel… happy. Like… like someone cares about me.” His voice wavered, and Namjoon noticed the sadness in the young boy's eyes.

“What do you mean, Woonie?” Namjoon asked gently, reaching out to rest a reassuring hand on Jungwoo’s shoulder.

Jungwoo sniffed, his eyes welling up with tears. “Except for Daddy and you, no one really cares about me,” he confessed quietly. “Mommy… she’s always busy, or mad, or just… not there. I know she doesn’t care about me like you and Daddy do. I’m not stupid. I know she doesn’t really want to be with me.”

Namjoon felt his heart ache at Jungwoo’s words. He had always suspected that the boy was aware of the tension between his parents, but hearing it confirmed in such an honest and heartbreaking way made his chest tighten with emotion.

“Jungwoo,” Namjoon began softly, “I’m so sorry you feel that way. But you should know that your Daddy loves you more than anything in the world. And I love you too. You’re so important to both of us.”

Jungwoo nodded, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I know… but when Mr. Park came into my life, I felt whole again. Like… like he was a missing piece. It was weird at first,” Jungwoo admitted, his small voice trembling. “Because it felt like… like Mr. Park was more of a mother to me than Mommy. He made me feel safe, like Mommy’s supposed to.”

Namjoon’s heart broke at the raw honesty in Jungwoo’s words. He knew that Yeri’s neglect had affected the boy, but hearing Jungwoo express his feelings so clearly and openly brought a wave of sadness over him. Namjoon pulled Jungwoo into a comforting hug, holding the boy close.

“It’s okay, Woonie,” Namjoon whispered. “It’s okay to feel like that. Jimin is a special person, and it’s alright if he makes you feel safe and loved. You deserve that kind of love, always.”

Jungwoo clung to Namjoon, his small body trembling. “I just want us to be happy,” he said, his voice muffled against Namjoon’s shoulder. “Like other families. I want Daddy to be happy. I want Mr. Park to stay.”