This Bond Of Love || Lee Heeseung

🪻 Romance : Untold

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"Sometimes, loving someone means learning to let go of the pieces of yourself you wanted them to hold."

~ Lee Heeseung

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Days had passed since their intense conversation in the therapy room, and Heeseung felt surprisingly lighter. For the first time in years, he was no longer haunted by unresolved regrets and buried secrets. Talking it out had lifted a weight he hadn't realized he was carrying, and now he could finally breathe a little easier. His insomnia, his work stress, and the demands of his music career were still there, but they seemed... manageable. The past no longer held him hostage.

One evening, he took Rowoon to a cozy bookstore café-Rowoon's favorite spot, filled with shelves of picture books and a play area with a soft rug and colorful cushions. Heeseung intended to let Rowoon explore while he sorted through some work emails. But as fate would have it, he glanced up to see Nina, sitting across the room at a small table, a cup of tea in hand and a book resting on her lap. She looked up at the same time and caught his eye.

"Daddy!" Rowoon exclaimed, pointing eagerly in Nina's direction. "It's Miss Nina! Can we say hi?"

Heeseung chuckled. "I think we'd better, buddy. She'd be sad if we didn't." He gave Rowoon a gentle nudge, and the boy eagerly dashed over to Nina.

"Miss Nina!" Rowoon called, his face lighting up with pure joy. He practically threw himself into her arms, and Nina laughed, embracing him.

"Hey there, Rowoon! How are you, my little bookworm?" she asked, ruffling his hair.

"I'm good! Daddy and I came here to read, and I found you!" he chirped, wiggling free to show her a book he'd picked out. "Look, I got the one with the pirate ship."

"Oh, that one's a classic," she replied, nodding with mock seriousness. "Only the bravest adventurers read about pirate ships. Are you ready for the high seas, Captain Rowoon?"

Rowoon puffed up his chest, nodding vigorously. "Yes, and Daddy can be my first mate!"

Heeseung had caught up by then, smiling at the exchange. "First mate, huh? That sounds like a big promotion."

They shared a laugh, and Nina motioned to the empty seats beside her. "Would you both like to join me?"

Heeseung glanced at Rowoon, who was already clambering onto the chair, making himself comfortable beside Nina. "I think that's a yes," he replied, sitting down across from her.

They settled into an easy conversation, exchanging updates on their lives. Rowoon was absorbed in his book, occasionally leaning over to point out exciting bits to Nina, who listened with rapt attention, asking questions as though the story was new to her too.