After his discharge from the military he was welcomed back and settled back into his normal life and routine just as before but one night for Do Hwan that quickly changed. What happens when he is attacked and a few weeks later discovers he is a carr...
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Do Hwan glanced down at the tiny head resting on his chest, her dark hair curling softly beneath her ear. His daughter, Sarang, was fast asleep, her breath light and peaceful. He adjusted her ever so carefully, making sure not to disturb the delicate tube that extended from her nose—a constant reminder of her special needs, though he'd grown so used to it that he barely noticed it now.
Home at last, he thought, letting out a long sigh. It had been a wonderful trip to Thailand, a chance for him to be at the Onitsuka Tiger fashion show and, even more importantly, for him and Sarang to have a bit of time together, just the two of them. A flash of memories flitted through his mind: Sarang splashing her hands at the beach, delighted by the cool waves; her infectious laugh when he dipped her little toes into the water; her delighted squeals in the busy Bangkok markets. Thailand had been a dream, and Sarang had seemed to thrive, her laughter brighter and her smiles even wider than usual.
But he was glad to be back in Seoul. It was now early October, with a crispness in the air that hinted at the winter to come. They'd made it home just in time for Sarang's birthday tomorrow, her third birthday. It felt surreal to think that it had been three years already. Almost three years, he corrected himself, watching as she shifted a little in his arms, her small fingers curling around his shirt. She was still so small, so fragile, and yet somehow, she held his entire heart in her tiny grasp.
"Appa," she mumbled sleepily, her voice muffled but familiar. Even the softest sound from her felt like music. Her voice was slower to develop than most children's, and she struggled with certain words, but Do Hwan cherished each one that she said. Her "Appa" was perfect to him.
"Yes, my little cub," he whispered back, adjusting her carefully as they made their way through the airport. "We're home now. Tomorrow is a big day, hmm? Your birthday."
Sarang's eyes stayed closed, but a small smile spread over her lips, as if she understood. Tomorrow, he thought with a pang of bittersweetness, she'll be three.
When they got back to their apartment, Do Hwan let out a sigh of relief as he set Sarang down in her crib. He carefully arranged her blankets around her, ensuring she was snug and comfortable. The gentle hum of her feeding machine joined the background noise as he went about the room, unpacking their bags and setting up the decorations he'd hidden away before their trip.
The thought of her birthday made his heart squeeze with emotion. When he'd held her for the first time, feeling more vulnerable and powerful than he'd ever felt in his life. Sarang had come into his world as a surprise—a miracle he hadn't known was possible. After his military service, he'd discovered he carried the rare ability to conceive and carry a child, and while he'd initially been overwhelmed, he'd quickly realised that this was his path. Sarang was his destiny. His little cub, his whole heart.
In the kitchen, he began arranging some party supplies. Sarang's best friend from nursery, little Jae-Min, would be coming over, along with his best friend, Lee Sang-Yi, who had been like a brother to him over the years. He chuckled, picturing Sang-Yi's reaction when he saw the array of pink balloons, tiny teddy bears, and glittering streamers. "Hyung's going to have a heart attack with all this," Do Hwan muttered to himself, laughing softly.
