Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

7

Mia stirred awake, her senses slowly coming to life as the warm morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. She stretched and blinked a few times, looking around the room until her gaze landed on the small figure nestled against her side. Jiwoon was curled up in a ball, his soft hair brushing against her arm as he slept soundly, his little face serene and peaceful.

Mia couldn’t help but smile at the sight. She felt a rush of warmth, a sense of comfort that had been absent for a while. Jiwoon had snuck into her room during the night, and even though it surprised her, it filled her heart with joy. She had always dreamed of being a part of a child’s life, and here she was, sharing a room with a sweet little boy who seemed to have taken a liking to her.

As she gently brushed a strand of hair away from Jiwoon’s forehead, she heard a soft knock followed by the creak of her door opening. Startled, Mia’s head snapped up, and her eyes widened as she saw Jin standing in the doorway, panic evident on his face.

“Mia!” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of surprise and concern.

Mia’s cheeks flushed at the sight of Jin, who stood there momentarily frozen. He was clad in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, tousled hair framing his handsome face. The moment felt surreal; there was something both endearing and awkward about the situation.

Jin's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him: Mia in a fitted tank top and shorts, looking groggy yet beautiful, and Jiwoon nestled against her. For a split second, he felt a pang of panic. Had he barged into her room without knocking? But relief washed over him when he confirmed Jiwoon was safe and sound.

“I—uh—” Jin stammered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks heat up. “I didn’t realize he had come in here.”

“It’s okay, Jin. I think he just wanted some comfort after everything that happened,” Mia replied softly, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Jin took a moment to collect himself, blinking away the embarrassment. He moved closer to the bed, his heart racing as he caught another glimpse of Mia. It was a simple outfit, yet it made her look so effortlessly beautiful that it distracted him for a moment.

“Sorry for barging in like this,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “I was just looking for him.”

Mia smiled warmly, brushing her fingers gently over Jiwoon’s hair. “He seems to have found a new favorite spot. I hope that’s okay.”

Jin’s gaze softened as he looked down at his son, who was still sleeping peacefully. “Of course, it’s fine. I just... I should have knocked,” he said, shifting his weight on his feet as he bent down to scoop Jiwoon into his arms.

As he lifted his son, Jiwoon stirred slightly, rubbing his eyes before a sleepy smile spread across his face. “Daddy!” he exclaimed, snuggling closer to Jin’s shoulder.

“Hey, buddy. Did you sleep well?” Jin asked, his voice full of affection.

“Yeah! I was with Mia,” Jiwoon replied, his excitement bubbling over.

“Mia, huh?” Jin said, looking over at her with a hint of amusement. “I guess you made quite an impression last night.”

Mia chuckled softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “He’s a little snuggler. I didn’t mind at all.”

Jin smiled, feeling grateful for Mia’s understanding. As he turned to leave, a sudden thought struck him. “Do you want to join us for breakfast? I think I owe you a proper morning after that chaotic entrance.”

Mia hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should intrude on their family time. But the way Jiwoon’s face lit up at the idea made her heart melt. “I’d love to,” she replied, rising from the bed and smoothing down her tank top.