Twenty five year old Bae Hyun-sung, a rising young actor in the vibrant world of Korean entertainment, seems to have everything going for him-talent, charm. But his carefully structured life is thrown into disarray during a routine checkup, when he...
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In the days that followed the evaluation, Hyun-sung tried to prepare himself for whatever answers might come. He didn't know what he expected to hear; he only knew that he wanted to be the father she needed, regardless of any diagnosis.
A few weeks after that initial visit and several appointments and assessments, he received the call that would change his perspective in ways he hadn't anticipated.
"Hyun-sung, I'm calling with the results of Mi-young's assessments," the specialist's voice was kind and patient, yet her words held the weight of certainty. "After reviewing everything, we believe that Mi-young is on the autism spectrum. This explains the developmental delays and the patterns you've noticed in her behaviour."
The words settled over him slowly, like the first snowfall of winter. He found himself sitting down, letting the gravity of the news sink in. Yet, instead of a rush of panic or sadness, there was something softer—relief.
When he'd thanked the specialist and hung up the phone, he stayed seated for a moment, processing what this meant. Mi-young was still the same beautiful, curious, loving child she had always been. But now, he had a framework, an answer to understand her world and how she saw it.
That evening, as he prepared Mi-young's bath, he noticed an overwhelming sense of calm. Lifting her into the warm water, he looked at her face, her bright eyes peering up at him with that familiar, unwavering gaze. This was his daughter, exactly as she had been the day before, but now with the clarity to truly support her.
As he gently bathed her, Mi-young let out a rare babble, the sound soft and sweet as it echoed against the bathroom tiles. He felt the urge to share his thoughts with her, even if she couldn't fully understand yet.
"Mi-young, my sweet girl, you're perfect just the way you are," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "We'll figure this out together. I promise."
She blinked, her hand reaching up to grab a handful of bubbles floating by with her tiny hands moving excitedly. He smiled, the weight he'd been carrying for weeks finally lifting. The path ahead might be uncertain, but he knew with unwavering certainty that they would navigate it side by side, as father and daughter.
The air felt lighter that night as he held her close after her bath, her tiny breaths steady against his chest. Bae Hyun-sung felt a newfound clarity, his love for her deepening in ways he hadn't imagined. Together, they would face whatever lay ahead, knowing that their bond would be the guiding light, unwavering and pure as he made his way to the kitchen to prepare her bottle.
As he shook the milk powder and warm water in the bottle, he watched Mi-young from the corner of his eye. She was sitting on the counter, mesmerised by the shadows that danced across the wall as he moved. She was quiet, lost in her little world, but he could feel her contentment. A diagnosis couldn't change how he felt about her, nor could it define who she was. She was Mi-young, his daughter, and she was perfect in her own way.
"Ready for bed, my little one?" he asked, giving her a gentle smile as he tested the bottle's temperature on his wrist.
Mi-young looked up at him with her round, curious eyes, and reached her arms out, fingers opening and closing in that sweet way she had of asking to be held. He picked her up and cradled her in his arms, heading toward his bedroom.
Lying down with Mi-young nestled close, he felt her tiny hand grip his thumb. She often did this as she drank her bottle, a silent reassurance to herself, and to him, that she was safe. Tonight, he could feel the overwhelming tenderness in his heart, the warmth of unconditional love.
"You know, Mi-young," he began, whispering softly so as not to startle her, "Appa loves you just the way you are. Nothing, not a diagnosis or anything else, will ever change that."
Mi-young gazed up at him, her eyes wide and filled with the gentle, unspoken trust she had in him. She couldn't understand his words yet, but she didn't need to. The way she relaxed in his arms, the soft coo she made as she closed her eyes and continued drinking, was all the confirmation he needed.
"Life is going to be different for us," he continued, stroking her soft hair. "But different doesn't mean less beautiful. You're my daughter, and I'm so proud of you. Just like this." He let out a sigh, feeling the weight of his worries dissolve.
As she finished her bottle, he took it from her tiny hands and placed it on the nightstand. Mi-young yawned, her little mouth stretching wide before she snuggled closer to him, her head resting against his chest. He felt her breathing slow, each exhale a small, steady rhythm that calmed his heart.
He looked down at her, feeling the need to speak his heart even if she couldn't understand just yet.
"Some people might say that you're different, Mi-young-ah. But Appa sees how you notice things that others miss, how your world is filled with colors and sounds that are special only to you. Maybe one day, you'll show me what it's like to see the world through your eyes."
Mi-young gave a soft, contented hum, her tiny fingers still holding onto his shirt. Her trust in him was absolute, unshaken. She loved him in her quiet, gentle way, and he felt her love surround him as clearly as if she'd whispered it in his ear.
"I want you to know that you're safe with me," he whispered, his words as much for himself as for her. "No matter what challenges come our way, Appa will be here. We'll face it all together."
The quiet of the room wrapped around them, and Hyun-sung found himself drifting into a calmness he hadn't felt in a long time. He knew there would be tough days ahead, days when he would question himself and worry about her future. But those thoughts could wait. Tonight, all that mattered was this moment—this peaceful, perfect moment with his daughter in his arms.
Mi-young's breathing grew deeper as she fell asleep, her soft cheeks warm against his chest. He held her close, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
"Goodnight, my sweet Mi-young," he murmured. "You'll always be perfect to me. Always."
