Bound by Fate

Chapter 66: The Ties That Bind

After their heartfelt conversation, Yoongi and Jimin quietly make their way to the bedroom where Jaemin and Minji are sleeping. Jin is already there, sitting beside Jaemin, watching over him. He smiles softly when he sees Yoongi and Jimin approach, sensing the significance of the moment unfolding.

Yoongi's heart races as they step closer to the bed. His mind is clouded with thoughts—regret, longing, and the overwhelming reality that the small girl lying in front of him is his daughter. The room feels heavy with the weight of everything he has missed. With every step he takes, tears begin to well in his eyes, and by the time he reaches Minji, they're falling freely. His hands tremble as he reaches for her, but he hesitates, afraid to disrupt this fragile moment.

Jimin gently wakes Minji from her nap. "Minji, baby," he whispers, his voice soft yet trembling. "I need to tell you something important."

Minji rubs her eyes sleepily, her voice still groggy as she asks, "What is it, Appa?"

Jimin glances at Yoongi, whose face is etched with nervousness, before turning back to their daughter. He takes a deep breath, his fingers gently brushing a stray curl from her face. "Minji... you have another parent, besides me," Jimin says gently, his voice cracking with emotion.

Minji blinks, her sleepy expression fading into one of confusion. "Another parent? Is it Jin-ma?" she asks, her small face scrunched in curiosity.

Jimin gives a soft, sad smile and shakes his head. "No, sweetheart. Jin-ma is like your big mom. But I'm talking about your father."

Minji tilts her head, her wide eyes looking between Jimin and Yoongi. "Father?" she echoes, the word foreign yet somehow familiar to her.

With a deep breath, Jimin reaches out for Yoongi's hand, which is trembling in his. He pulls him closer, placing Yoongi's hand into Minji's small one. "Minji," Jimin says softly, "this is your father. Yoongi."

For a moment, the world seems to stop for Yoongi. Minji's small hand rests in his, and all the feelings he had kept locked away for so long—fear, regret, guilt—come crashing down. He tries to speak, but the words catch in his throat. His vision blurs with tears as he kneels before her, his chest heavy with emotion.

"You're my father?" Minji asks quietly, her voice filled with a mix of wonder and confusion. "Then... why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Hearing this, Yoongi's tears flow freely. He tries to speak, but his voice cracks with the weight of his guilt. "I'm so sorry, Minji," he whispers, his voice broken. "I... I didn't know how. I missed so much of your life, and I'm so sorry."

Jimin, standing beside them, wipes his own tears as he watches the two people he loves most in the world begin to connect. Jin, standing quietly behind them, steps forward, his voice soft and comforting. "Minji, things were... complicated," Jin explains gently. "That's why we couldn't tell you sooner."

Minji looks between them, her young mind processing everything. She looks at Yoongi, her expression softening as she sees the tears in his eyes. With the innocence only a child can possess, she reaches up from Jimin's arms and wipes away Yoongi's tears. "Why are you crying, Father?"

Yoongi chuckles through his tears, shaking his head as he holds her tiny hand in his. "These are happy tears, Minji," he whispers. "I'm just so happy to finally be here with you. I missed you... so much."

Minji stares at him for a moment before a small smile spreads across her face. Then, without hesitation, she stretches her arms out toward him. "Hug me, Father," she says simply.

And in that moment, Yoongi's heart breaks and heals all at once. He pulls her into his arms, holding her tight as the tears flow once again. Jimin watches, his own tears falling as the bond between father and daughter is finally realized. Jin smiles softly, his heart swelling with warmth at the scene before him.