COMING HOME TO YOU | L.HS.

CHAPTER TWELVE:

The house was quiet, Yeonji lay beside me, her small body warm against mine as she recounted every detail of the day with uncontainable excitement.

"And Mommy, there was a bunny cake! It was so cute! And... Aunt Rumi had a dress that was all shiny, and Uncle Jay did magic tricks!" Her eyes sparkled, her hands waving animatedly as she relived each moment.

I smiled, brushing a stray strand of her hair back. "It sounds like you had the best time, sweetheart."

She nodded, a contented little sigh escaping her as she stared up at the ceiling, her energy finally winding down. But then, a shadow of thought crossed her face, her brows drawing together as if a new question had just bubbled up in her mind.

"Mom?" Her voice was softer, almost hesitant.

"Yes, love?" I replied, my heart beating a bit faster, sensing that she was about to say something that mattered.

She paused, playing with her fingers as she searched for the words. "Seojun has Aunt Rumi and Uncle Jay. Why do I only have you?"

My heart squeezed painfully at her question. I could feel the ache in my chest, a mixture of sadness, guilt, and the weight of the answer I'd always dreaded giving. I had tried to prepare myself for this moment, but now that it was here, I felt utterly unprepared.

Yeonji looked up at me, her innocent eyes wide and searching. "Mom... don't I have a father?"

The room fell silent, her question hanging heavily in the air. I swallowed, feeling an overwhelming urge to gather her into my arms and somehow shield her from the reality of our past. But she was looking at me, waiting, and I knew I couldn't evade the question forever.

"Oh, sweetheart..." I whispered, taking her little hand in mine. I managed a gentle smile, though my heart ached. "You have me, and I love you more than anything in this world. You're my everything."

She nodded, and I could tell she was trying to accept my answer, but I could still see the question lingering in her eyes. "But... a dad is different, isn't it?"

I took a deep breath, willing my voice to stay steady. "Yes, families can look different. Some kids have a mom and a dad, some don't have mom, and some, like us, just have each other. But that doesn't make our family any less special."

Yeonji's fingers traced small patterns on the blanket, her little face thoughtful. "I know, Mommy... but sometimes I just wonder. Like... what would he be like?"

I felt a lump in my throat, emotions swirling inside me. I reached out, pulling her close, letting her head rest against my chest as I held her tight. "One day, if you want to know more, I'll tell you everything, sweetheart. But for now... all you need to know is that you're loved. So, so much, and don't you forget you have grandma and uncle jungwon and uncle jake and all of my friends ."

Yeonji snuggled closer, her soft breath brushing against me as she relaxed in my arms. "Okay, Mommy. I love you, and I love grandma and uncle wonie and uncle Jake."

"I love you too, Yeonji," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her hair.

As her breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep, I lay there awake, feeling the weight of all the things I hadn't yet told her. I wondered when, and if, I would ever be ready to share them.

Heeseung pov:

I leaned back in the driver's seat, staring out at the river, watching how the city lights danced across the water. I looked down at the picture Jay had just sent, the one from the party. Yeonji, right between me and Jieun, her bright smile filling the frame. She looked so much like her mother, it was... surreal.