Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

8

The late afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of Jin’s home, casting a warm glow across the living room. Jin sat at his desk, papers scattered around him, trying to focus on work while the faint sounds of giggles and chatter floated in from the sofa. Jiwoon, oblivious to his father’s quiet presence, sat comfortably in Mia’s lap, animatedly talking about his favorite toys.

“...and then the dinosaur roared!” Jiwoon exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. “And I made him fight the robot! It was so cool! And I won, of course!” He thrust his small fist into the air in triumph, causing a few crumbs from his snack to tumble onto Mia’s lap.

Mia laughed, her heart swelling with affection for the little boy. “That sounds amazing, Jiwoon! You’re such a brave dinosaur fighter! Do you think you could teach me how to be a dinosaur fighter too?”

“Yeah!” Jiwoon said enthusiastically, bouncing slightly in her lap. “I can show you! You just have to roar really loud!” He demonstrated, letting out a playful roar that made Mia chuckle even more.

From his desk, Jin couldn’t help but glance over at the two of them. The sight warmed his heart in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Jiwoon had a natural ability to connect with people, and seeing him so happy and comfortable with Mia brought a smile to Jin’s face. He watched as Jiwoon snuggled into her, his small body pressing against her as he continued to talk about his toys, completely engrossed in their conversation.

Mia, for her part, was engaging and attentive. She gently wiped the crumbs from Jiwoon’s face and laughed as he wiped his sticky hands on her shirt. “Oh no! I think you’re making me into a dinosaur too with all that snack mess!” she joked, feigning horror.

Jin felt a pang of anxiety at the sight. He was terrified that Mia would become frustrated with Jiwoon’s messiness, worried that she might be too strict or that his son might push her boundaries. He was ready to intervene at a moment's notice, but as he watched, Mia merely smiled, brushing off Jiwoon’s antics as if they were nothing.

“Don’t worry, I can take a little mess for the sake of your epic dinosaur stories,” Mia reassured him, her laughter genuine as she playfully ruffled Jiwoon’s hair. “But let’s try to keep the snacks on the plate next time, okay? Otherwise, the dinosaurs might get jealous!”

Jiwoon giggled, completely captivated by Mia’s playful tone. “Okay! But the dinosaurs like snacks too!” he said, grinning widely.

Jin’s heart swelled with gratitude as he observed this tender moment. It was clear that Mia had a way with Jiwoon, connecting with him on his level without being stern or disapproving. She had a natural warmth that brought out the best in his son, and it made Jin feel a mixture of relief and admiration.

As Jin returned his attention to his work, he couldn’t shake the feeling of contentment that washed over him. The previous weeks had been filled with uncertainty and pain, but witnessing Jiwoon and Mia’s bond flourish in such a short time made him hopeful for the future. Perhaps this new chapter in their lives wouldn’t be so daunting after all.

“Did I ever tell you about the time I had a dinosaur cake for my birthday?” Jiwoon asked Mia, his little voice filled with excitement.

“No, you didn’t!” Mia replied, leaning in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tell me everything! Was it the biggest cake ever?”

“Yes! It was huge! It had green icing and everything!” Jiwoon exclaimed, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. “And there were little dinosaurs on top! And I got to smash it! I smashed the T-Rex first!”

Mia laughed again, clearly enjoying Jiwoon’s storytelling. “That sounds amazing! I wish I could have seen that cake! I would have definitely helped you eat it afterward!”