Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

2

The next day felt heavier than usual as Jin stared blankly at the divorce papers laid out on the dining table, a stark reminder of the unraveling of his family. It was an ordinary day outside; the sun streamed through the window, birds chirped, and Jiwoon played happily in the living room. But inside, Jin felt like he was drowning in a sea of confusion and anger.

Mina’s text had arrived early that morning, a short message that made his stomach twist with anxiety. *I sent the papers. Please sign them and return them. I don’t want to see you or Jiwoon again. You can have full custody; I just want to be free.*

The finality of her words struck him like a physical blow. How could she say that so easily? How could she walk away from everything they had built together—their love, their dreams, and most importantly, their son? The thought of Jiwoon growing up without a mother made his heart ache, but he knew he had to think practically.

She had given him full custody, which meant he could provide Jiwoon with a stable environment. Jin had always wanted to be the best father he could be, and if that meant raising his son alone, then he would do it—no matter how painful it was to admit that Mina was no longer a part of their lives.

Jin picked up the pen, his hand trembling slightly as he hovered over the signature line. The anger boiled within him, igniting a fierce determination. If this was what Mina wanted, then he would give it to her. He had no choice but to accept it. With a deep breath, he signed the papers, feeling each stroke of the pen like a dagger in his heart.

“Daddy?” Jiwoon’s small voice cut through Jin’s turmoil, and he looked up to see his son standing in the doorway, a toy dinosaur clutched in his little hand. The sight of Jiwoon, with his bright eyes and innocent smile, was both a balm and a reminder of the pain that lay ahead.

“Hey, buddy!” Jin forced a smile, his heart aching at the thought of the world he had to protect his son from. “Want to come help Daddy with something?”

Jiwoon nodded eagerly, running to his father’s side. Jin couldn’t help but wrap an arm around him, pulling him close. “We’re going to have a fun day, okay? Just you and me.”

“Okay!” Jiwoon beamed, his excitement infectious.

As they spent the morning playing, Jin tried to push aside the heaviness that threatened to overwhelm him. They built towers with blocks, played pretend with dinosaurs, and shared giggles that warmed Jin’s heart. But in the back of his mind, the divorce loomed, casting a shadow over their happiness.

Later that afternoon, Jin knew he had to return the signed papers to Mina. His friends had offered their support, but he felt it was time to handle this on his own. He needed to face her, to put the final pieces of this shattered puzzle into place.

As he drove to her apartment, his mind raced with a mix of emotions—anger, sorrow, and a strange sense of relief. He thought about Jiwoon and how much he would have to adapt to this new life without his mother. He would make sure Jiwoon never felt the absence of a parent; he would fill their home with love, laughter, and stability.

When he arrived at Mina’s building, he took a moment to collect himself before stepping out of the car. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, a beautiful sunset that contrasted starkly with the turmoil inside him.

Walking into the building felt surreal. It was the place where they had once shared dreams and plans, but now it felt foreign, tainted by the weight of betrayal and loss. He walked to her apartment, his heart pounding as he raised his hand to knock on the door.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, the door opened. Mina stood there, looking exactly the same yet somehow different—her expression unreadable, her stance firm.

“Jin,” she said coolly, stepping aside to let him in.

He stepped into the familiar space, memories flooding back. This had been their home, filled with laughter and warmth. Now it felt cold, empty.

“Here,” he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside as he handed her the signed papers. “I signed them. I hope you’re happy now.”

Mina took the papers without a word, her gaze focused on them as if they were the most important thing in the world. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Jin finally said, breaking the silence. “You really want to walk away from everything?”

“It’s what I want, Jin,” Mina replied, her tone firm. “I’ve made my decision, and I don’t want to reconsider. I’m not cut out to be a mother. You deserve someone who can be there for you and Jiwoon.”

“But I didn’t ask you to leave! We could have figured this out!” Jin felt the frustration bubbling over, his voice rising in anger. “You’re just going to abandon your son?”

“Don’t guilt-trip me,” Mina snapped, her eyes flashing with defiance. “This isn’t about guilt; it’s about what I want. I want a life that doesn’t include the responsibilities of motherhood or marriage. I’m done pretending.”

Jin clenched his fists, trying to reign in his anger. “What about Jiwoon? He deserves a mother, even if you don’t want to be one.”

She looked away, her expression softening for a fleeting moment, but it was gone just as quickly. “I can’t be the person you want me to be. I’ll send money for him. I won’t leave him completely abandoned. But I can’t stay in this life.”

“Money isn’t enough!” Jin shot back, his voice laced with frustration. “He needs you, Mina. He needs his mother.”

“But I can’t give him what he needs,” Mina replied, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s better for him to have a stable life without me than to have a mother who doesn’t care. Please understand.”

Jin felt the breath hitch in his throat as reality settled around him like a thick fog. “This isn’t fair,” he said quietly, the anger dissipating into something deeper, more profound—sadness.

“Life isn’t fair,” she replied, her voice steady now. “I’m sorry it has to end this way. I never intended for it to come to this, but I can’t change how I feel.”

Jin looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of the love they once shared, but all he found was resolve. “Then I guess this is it,” he said, feeling the weight of finality in his chest. “You’re choosing to walk away.”

“I am,” Mina confirmed, her voice steady.

With a heavy heart, Jin turned to leave, each step feeling like a goodbye he hadn’t wanted to say. He could hear the rustle of paper as Mina read through the signed divorce settlement behind him, and it made him feel sick. The life they had built together crumbled behind him, leaving nothing but the echo of what once was.

As he stepped outside into the fading light, Jin felt the emptiness settle in his chest. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he had to be strong for Jiwoon. He would do everything in his power to provide his son with the life he deserved, even if that meant doing it alone.

He climbed back into his car, the divorce papers a stark reminder of the new reality he faced. He could feel tears prick at his eyes as he pulled away from the curb, but he swallowed them down, determined to remain strong.

“Daddy?” Jiwoon’s small voice greeted him when he returned home, and Jin smiled down at his son, the light in his life.

“Hey, buddy! Ready for some pizza?” he asked, forcing his voice to sound upbeat.

“Yeah!” Jiwoon cheered, and for a moment, everything felt okay. Jin realized that even though his marriage was over, his love for his son would never fade. They would find a way to navigate this new life together.

As they shared pizza and laughter that night, Jin felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. He would be there for Jiwoon, no matter what. They would create their own family, built on love and resilience, and he would ensure that his son never felt the absence of a mother.

The path ahead was uncertain, but as long as he had Jiwoon by his side, he knew he could face anything.