Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

42

The morning light filtered gently through the curtains, bathing the living room in a soft glow. Jiwoon stirred in his sleep, the warmth of the blanket wrapping around him creating a cocoon of comfort. He blinked slowly, trying to shake off the remnants of his dreams. It took a moment for him to realize that he was alone in his room, a small sense of disappointment creeping in as he remembered that he had fallen asleep beside his dad and Mia the night before.

Curiosity nudged at him, and Jiwoon climbed out of bed, his little feet padding softly against the wooden floor as he made his way downstairs. He could hear the faint sounds of the world waking up outside, and the aroma of something delicious wafted through the air. But what intrigued him most was the unexpected warmth radiating from the living room.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Jiwoon paused, his wide eyes growing even wider as he took in the scene before him. There on the sofa, nestled together, were his dad, Jin, and Mia. They were cuddled up, and Mia appeared to be… naked? Jiwoon squinted, trying to process what he was seeing.

The sight stirred something deep within him—an unexplainable happiness that filled his small heart. He couldn’t quite comprehend why they looked the way they did, but the image of his dad and Mia together made him feel warm and safe.

Jin lay on his back, one arm draped protectively around Mia, while she was turned toward him, her hair cascading over her face. Jiwoon’s innocent mind didn’t grasp the significance of their state; all he understood was that they looked cozy and happy together.

He took a tentative step closer, his little feet making the softest sound on the floorboards, but as he moved, Jin stirred. The first thing he noticed was the weight of another presence beside him, a gentle warmth that felt just right. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep, only to find Jiwoon standing there, staring at them with wide, curious eyes.

“Dad!” Jiwoon exclaimed, his voice a mix of excitement and confusion.

Jin’s heart raced as he quickly sat up, instinctively pulling the blanket closer around Mia to ensure she was covered properly. His mind raced, trying to process how to handle the situation as he looked down at her, relieved to see she was still asleep, her peaceful expression untouched by the morning light.

“Hey, buddy,” Jin said softly, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. “What are you doing up?”

“I woke up and found you!” Jiwoon replied, still staring at them, his baby brain trying to piece together what he had just witnessed. “Why are you and Mia on the sofa?”

Jin glanced at Mia, who remained blissfully unaware of the unfolding conversation. He took a deep breath, realizing that he needed to address Jiwoon’s curiosity gently. “Well, we fell asleep while watching a movie,” he said, attempting to keep his explanation simple. “Sometimes, when people are really tired, they end up sleeping in places that aren’t their beds.”

Jiwoon’s head tilted to the side, his brows furrowed in thought. “But you’re cuddling,” he pointed out, his little finger gesturing toward the scene before him. “Why are you cuddling her?”

The innocent question hit Jin like a freight train. He smiled gently, knowing that Jiwoon didn’t understand the complexities of adult relationships, but he also didn’t want to mislead him. “Because Mia and I care about each other, Jiwoon. Cuddling is something people do when they’re close.”

Jin shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Mia, and patted the sofa beside him. “Why don’t you come sit with me, and we can talk?”

Jiwoon nodded, his curiosity still bright in his eyes, and he climbed onto the sofa beside his dad. As he settled in, Jin made sure the blanket was still covering Mia, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over him.