COMING HOME TO YOU | L.HS.

CHAPTER ONE: First Steps

Jieun's pov:

I never thought I'd return to Korea like this—four years older, and with a child by my side. As the plane touched down, my heart raced, the steady hum of the engines not enough to calm the storm inside me. Yeonji shifted in her sleep, her small head resting on my lap, her soft breathing somehow grounding me. She had no idea what awaited us, the secrets we carried across the ocean.

"We're home, Yeonji," I whispered, brushing a stray curl from her face. "We're home."

The announcement over the intercom pulled me back to reality. I glanced out the window as the city came into view. Seoul, It felt both foreign and familiar, a place I used to know but had chosen to leave behind when everything fell apart. Now, I was returning with more than just memories.

I pulled out my phone and saw a message from:

Jungwonie❤️‍🩹:
*Waiting outside. Take your time💕.*

My brother, The only person who had stood by me through all of this. I had told him about Yeonji when she was born, and though he was shocked, he never judged me. He was family, and he understood. I sighed, gently shaking Yeonji awake.

"Sweetie, we're here. Time to go see Uncle Jungwon."

She stirred, her eyes blinking open, still sleepy. "Are we gonna see Grandma too?"

"Yes," I smiled. "Grandma's waiting for us."

Gathering our things, I stood, feeling the weight of everything hit me at once—the years of keeping this secret, of running away from my past, and now stepping back into it. But this time, I wasn't alone.

The airport buzzed with life, and as I stepped into the terminal, the bright lights and distant chatter overwhelmed me. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves that threatened to pull me under.

"Yeonji, hold my hand," I said, bending down to clasp her tiny fingers in mine. She looked up at me, curiosity shining in her eyes.

As we moved through the crowd, I spotted Jungwon standing near the exit, scanning the sea of faces. He He has grown up and become more handsome and manly, tall and sturdy, a comforting presence among the chaos. When his gaze landed on me, his face broke into a wide grin.

"Jieun!"

He shouted, waving enthusiastically. I felt a rush of warmth at the sight of him. It had been too long since I had seen my brother.

"Jungwon!"

I called back, and the moment I stepped closer, he enveloped me in a hug, lifting me off the ground for a moment. "I missed you."

"Me too"

He said, pulling back to look at me. "And you must be Yeonji!" He crouched down to her level, and she beamed at him, clearly charmed by his easy smile.

"Hi!" she chirped, clutching my hand tighter.

Jungwon grinned wider, his eyes shining with delight. "You're even cuter than I imagined! and beautiful as your mother welcome to Korea, little one."

I felt a swell of pride as I watched their exchange. My heart was light, but a shadow of doubt lingered.

How would my mother react? Would she sense that something was different?

"Let's get your bags," Jungwon said, standing up and gesturing for us to follow him.

"Mom's so excited to see you both. She can't wait to meet Yeonji."

As we walked through the airport, I caught glimpses of families reuniting, laughter ringing out, the sound echoing in my heart. I felt a mixture of happiness and trepidation. This was a homecoming, yes, but it was also the beginning of a new chapter one that came with the weight of secrets.

Finally, we stepped outside, and the crisp air enveloped us. Jungwon led us to a sleek black car waiting at the curb.

"After we drop off your things, I thought we could go for dinner. Mom made your favorite dish," he said, glancing back at me with a playful grin.

I nodded, my stomach twisting with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Sounds perfect."

As we settled into the car, I glanced over at Yeonji, who was wide-eyed, taking in the sights of the city. I wanted to protect her from my past but also ensure she felt the warmth of family. My mother would be overjoyed to meet her, and that thought filled me with a sense of hope.

Jungwon's phone buzzed, and he glanced at it, a frown crossing his face for just a moment before he smiled again. "Just a message from Mom. She's at home, pacing the floor like a lioness waiting for her cubs."

I chuckled softly, the image bringing a warmth to my heart. Home. It felt like a distant concept, but as the car drove through familiar streets, I realized that maybe...just maybe I could reclaim that word.

The car pulled up to our family home, an elegant house that stood as a testament to my father's success. It loomed large, filled with memories of laughter, love, and loss.

"Ready?" Jungwon asked, looking between me and Yeonji.

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Let's go."

As we stepped out of the car, I felt the weight of my past pressing down on me, but the sight of my mother's beaming face at the door pushed those shadows away.

"Jieunie!"

She called, her voice thick with emotion. She rushed forward, arms wide open, and I met her halfway.

"Mom!"

I cried, holding her tightly, tears pricking my eyes. I had missed her more than I could express.

When we finally pulled apart, my mother's gaze shifted to Yeonji, who stood shyly by my side. "And who is this little angel?"

I felt the moment stretch, the world around us fading as I took a deep breath, ready to reveal the biggest part of my secret.

"This is Yeonji, Mom," I said softly. "My daughter."

W.c: 995

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