Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 19: Facing the Truth (Jennie 25; Rosé 28)

The days continued to pass, Jennie couldn't ignore the growing tension between her and Minwoo. Their daily routines were filled with the care of Hayoon, but the underlying issues in their relationship were becoming harder to push aside.

One evening, as Jennie and Minwoo prepared dinner, the kitchen—once a lively space filled with laughter and conversation—now felt heavy with an unspoken distance. Jennie stood at the stove, stirring a pot of soup, her mind far from the task at hand. The bright colors of the fresh vegetables she had carefully chosen felt at odds with the darkening mood that had settled over her.

Minwoo stood at the counter, chopping vegetables. His movements were deliberate, almost too precise, lacking the natural ease Jennie had once admired in him. His back was turned to her, and as Jennie watched him, she couldn't help but notice how his shoulders seemed to carry an invisible weight.

The silence between them was thick, punctuated only by the occasional clink of utensils and the gentle simmering of the soup. Jennie took a deep breath, trying to muster the courage to address the growing chasm between them.

"Did you have a good day at work?" she asked, her voice tentative, as though she was treading on fragile ground. The words felt inadequate, a mere formality in the face of the emotions she was grappling with.

Minwoo didn't look up from his task. "It was okay," he replied, his tone neutral, almost dismissive. "Just the same as always. Nothing special."

Jennie's heart sank. She had hoped for more, for a glimpse of the Minwoo she had fallen in love with. The Minwoo who used to light up at the smallest things, who would share his day with her eagerly, who made her feel seen and heard. Now, it was as if they were merely going through the motions, their connection dulled by the pressures of their new reality.

Setting the spoon down, Jennie wiped her hands on a towel, feeling the weight of her sadness. "We should really talk about how things are going. It feels like there's a wall between us."

Minwoo sighed, his shoulders slumping as he finally turned to face her. His eyes, once bright and full of warmth, now held a hint of weariness that Jennie had noticed more often these days. "I didn't realize it was that noticeable," he admitted, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "I guess I've been preoccupied."

"Preoccupied with what?" Jennie asked gently, her concern evident in her eyes. She could see the strain etched on his face, the fine lines that had appeared with the recent challenges. "Is there something bothering you?"

Minwoo's gaze fell to the floor, his expression conflicted. "It's just... everything feels different now. It's hard to adjust. I'm trying, but it's like no matter what I do, it's never enough. I miss when we didn't have to deal with all this."

Jennie's heart ached at his words. She approached him, placing a hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. "I know things have changed. Being parents is a big adjustment. But we're still us, Minwoo. Everything we do is for Hayoon. We make these sacrifices and work hard just for her."

Minwoo's eyes met hers, his expression softening but still tinged with frustration. "I know, Jennie. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining. I love you and Hayoon. I just feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, it's like I can't breathe, and I don't know how to make it better."

Jennie nodded, her mind racing to find the right words to reassure him, to bridge the gap that seemed to be widening between them. "We're in this together. We can figure out how to make things work. We just need to communicate and be patient with each other. Okay?"

Minwoo nodded, though the strain in his features remained. "You're right. I'll try to be more open about how I'm feeling. But it's hard, Jennie. It's hard to admit that I'm struggling when I'm supposed to be strong for you."

Jennie felt guilty. She had been so focused on her own worries that she hadn't fully considered how Minwoo might be feeling. "You don't have to be strong all the time," she said softly. "We're a team. We can lean on each other."

As they finished their meal, the room seemed to hold its breath, the warmth of the food contrasting with the chill of their emotional distance.

That night, as she lay in bed, Jennie stared at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of scrambled thoughts and worries. She turned her head to glance at Minwoo, who was already asleep beside her, his face peaceful in the dim light. Jennie's thoughts drifted to the future, to the hopes she had for her family. She clung to the belief that with patience and effort, they could get through the challenges together.

But as she closed her eyes, trying to push away the thoughts that clouded her mind, the sense of worry remained, a quiet whisper in the back of her mind.

"We'll get through this," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "We have to."