𝓔𝓾𝓹𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪 » 𝓔𝓷𝓱𝔂𝓹𝓮𝓷

XI

»»————-　♔　————-««

Minji beamed with excitement as Jisoo brushed her hair.

"Are we really going to have a fun day today, Mommy?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

But Jisoo remained quiet, her fingers working methodically through the tangles, the silence stretching uncomfortably between them.

"Mommy?" Minji tilted her head, searching Jisoo's face for a sign of her usual warmth, but Jisoo's expression was distant.

"Are you okay?"

Jisoo paused for a moment, meeting Minji's gaze with a soft but heavy look. "I'm fine, sweetie.

"Just a little tired," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Minji noticed the subtle tremor in her mother's hands as they tied the last braid, but she brushed it off.

Today was meant to be special—her seventh birthday, after all.

"Can we go to the park after this? And maybe get ice cream?" Minji suggested, her excitement bubbling over, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside Jisoo.

"Of course, baby. We'll have the best day ever," Jisoo said, her voice low, almost a whisper. She stood up, brushing invisible dust from her dress, her gaze drifting to the window as if she were searching for something far beyond their little world.

"Mommy, are you going to sing me my favorite song later?" Minji chirped, her heart full of hope.
Jisoo turned her head, her expression momentarily breaking into a tender smile.

"Yes, Minji. Just for you," she said, but there was an edge to her voice, a heaviness that lingered in the air.

Jisoo gently took Minji's hand, guiding her down the hallway. They passed through the familiar rooms of their home, but today, the walls felt different—colder, more oppressive.

Minji squeezed Jisoo's hand, hoping to share in her excitement, but Jisoo remained silent, her grip firm yet distant.

"Are we going to your room, Mommy?" Minji asked, a flutter of curiosity racing through her. "I love your room! It's so pretty!".

Jisoo nodded but said nothing. Her eyes remained focused ahead, and Minji could sense the tension emanating from her mother.

Once they reached Jisoo's room, Jisoo opened the door and stepped inside, leading Minji with her.

The room was filled with soft light, filtering through sheer curtains that danced gently with the breeze.

But as Minji looked around, she noticed something strange—a rope hanging from the ceiling, swaying ever so slightly, as if it were alive.

"What's that, Mommy?" Minji asked, tilting her head in confusion, her excitement beginning to fade into unease.

Jisoo turned to her, a mix of sadness and determination etched on her face. "It's nothing, sweetheart. Just a... reminder," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Minji frowned, feeling a knot of worry tighten in her stomach.

"A reminder of what?"

"Of how important it is to be happy," Jisoo said softly, wiping away a stray tear from her cheek.

Minji couldn't understand why her mother's eyes glistened with tears when she spoke about happiness.

"Mommy, are we going to be happy today? Like we planned?" Minji asked, her voice small as she searched Jisoo's face for reassurance.