In a parallel universe, Woo Do Hwan is not a South Korean actor but a young man born in North Korea. Do Hwan's life has been a series of escape attempts, survival strategies, and small victories over hardship. Together with his mother, he fled North...
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20 weeks -
Since finding himself in Belgium, survival had been a narrow tightrope, and he hadn't known true rest since he fled North Korea. When he told Elise about the pregnancy, he hadn't been sure how she'd react, but she had surprised him with kindness he hadn't experienced since he lost his mother.
Now, at twenty weeks, the changes in his body were undeniable. He was thin, and his bones seemed to press against his skin, but his belly was rounder, a visible testament to the child growing inside him. He sighed, rubbing a hand gently over the bump, and whispered, "I hope you're strong... just a little longer."
As the early morning light began to seep through the window, Elise bustled into the room, her arms full of clean clothes she had borrowed from a friend.
"Good morning!" she said, laying the clothes at the foot of his bed. "I thought you might need something nice for your first day at the flower market. This one might be a bit loose," she held up a faded blue shirt, "but it should fit."
Do Hwan managed a small smile and accepted the shirt, feeling the cool fabric between his fingers. "Thank you," he said, his voice soft.
When he arrived at the flower market was a sea of colours and fragrances. Do Hwan felt a strange sense of peace as he wandered through the rows of tulips, roses, and lilies, each stall a vibrant burst of life. He breathed in deeply, feeling his shoulders relax for the first time in weeks.
"Hey, new guy!" a stout, older man with a thick Flemish accent called out. "You're with me today, setting up the tulip displays."
Do Hwan nodded, shuffling forward to join him. They worked in companionable silence for a while, placing each tulip pot with care, and Do Hwan found himself lulled by the routine, the sense of order in the rows of bright blooms.
"Where you from?" the man, Michael asked suddenly, glancing over his shoulder.
"Ah, Korea," Do Hwan replied carefully, hoping that would be enough.
"South?" the man asked, eyebrows raised.
Do Hwan paused. "No. North." He braced himself for the man's reaction, but to his surprise, he just grunted and nodded.
"Ah. Must've been hard to get out, then."
Do Hwan managed a tight smile. "Yes, it was."
The man gave him a sympathetic nod before returning to his work. "Well, you're here now. Belgium's not perfect, but it's better than a lot of places. And hey," he said with a grin, "at least we have waffles."
He smiled despite himself, feeling a faint flicker of warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.
Do Hwan got to work, hefting the crates despite the aching strain that tugged at his lower back. He moved quickly, knowing he needed this job more than he could express. Every crate he lifted reminded him of the weight he bore – not just the physical one, but the immense burden of his past and the hope of a future for his child.
During his lunch break, he retreated to a quiet bench, pulling out a small sandwich Elise had packed for him. He forced himself to chew slowly, willing himself to eat for the sake of the baby. But even as he ate, his thoughts raced with worry. He was halfway through his pregnancy now, and each day, the reality set in deeper: he was in a foreign country, carrying a life that depended on him completely.
As he took a sip of water, a familiar voice broke into his thoughts. "Do Hwan!" Elise was walking over, smiling and carrying a small bouquet of daffodils. "Thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing."
He managed a small smile. "I'm okay. It's hard, but... I'll manage."
Elise nodded, then handed him the daffodils. "Here. Consider it a good luck charm," she said lightly. "Something to brighten up your room. And to remind you – that even after a harsh winter, flowers bloom."
The corners of his mouth lifted, and he felt his chest tighten with a bittersweet gratitude. "Thank you. Really... I don't know what I would do without you."
She chuckled. "Let's get you settled here first. One step at a time, right?"
As they chatted, Michel called out, signaling that break time was over. Do Hwan sighed, then took a deep breath. With one last grateful look at Elise, he went back to work, forcing his body through the fatigue.
~
Do Hwan found solace in the quiet hours of the flower market and in the silent support Elise offered him at home. She would sometimes leave little things in his room—a cup of tea, a woolen blanket as the nights grew colder, a book on child care in Flemish. Although he couldn't read it, her gestures reminded him that he wasn't entirely alone.
Still, the worries gnawed at him, especially in the dark hours of the night. He lay awake, one hand on his belly, feeling the baby's faint movements, wondering if he would be able to provide enough. The scant meals he could afford felt insufficient, but he was doing the best he could.
By the time evening rolled around, his muscles ached, and his feet were sore, but he felt a strange satisfaction. It was hard, grueling work – but it was work he could do. As he made his way back to the apartment, the lights of the city casting warm glows along the cobbled streets, he clutched the daffodils tightly, a flicker of hope growing in his heart.
When he entered the apartment, Elise was waiting with a steaming bowl of soup. The aroma made his stomach twist with hunger he hadn't felt in weeks.
"Sit, eat," she instructed, and he obeyed, letting the warmth of the soup soothe his exhausted body. As he ate, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he and his baby would be okay.
The days went on, blending into one another as he worked tirelessly at the flower market. With every crate he lifted, every flower he sorted, his strength grew, and so did his resolve. The little life inside him felt more real with each passing day.
