The CEO's Moon

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jin set up the food in the center table in the couch area.  He sat down across from Taehyung, waiting for him to speak. He held the chopstick, slowly getting food from the boxes.  Then,  Taehyung took another deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on his thighs —a telltale sign of his anxiety.

"I... I've been thinking a lot about us," Taehyung began, his voice heavy with emotion but tinged with the warmth that Jin remembered so well. "About what happened in the past, and about now. Seeing you again has stirred up a lot of memories and feelings I thought I'd buried."

Jin listened intently, his heart aching at the pain in Taehyung's voice. "I understand, Taehyung. I know I hurt you deeply, and I'm truly sorry for everything that happened."

Taehyung nodded slowly, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a somber tone. "I believe you. But I also need to know... why now? Why did you come back after all these years?"

Jin took a deep breath, his eyes earnest. "I came back because I realized what I lost. I left because I thought it was for the best, but I was wrong.  I miss Jaehyun... and you." This made Taehyung's brows raised which made Jin stuttered. "I... I want to be a part of his life, and I want to be with you."

Taehyung's eyes softened, but doubt lingered. "How do I know this isn't just about the money or the status? How do I know your intentions are pure?"

Jin's heart ached at the question, but he understood Taehyung's concerns. "I get it. It's hard to trust after everything that's happened. But I don't care about the money or the status. I just want to be with my family. Its all that matters to me, wealth and status be damned."

Taehyung hesitated before speaking again. "I had a conversation with my parents hours ago. They know you're back, and they have their concerns. They worry that you might be here for the wrong reasons."

Jin was shocked, his face reflecting his hurt. "They think I'm a gold digger?"

Taehyung sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "They remember the pain we all went through. They saw how devastated I was, and they just want to protect me and Jaehyun. My father reminded me how he accepted you despite his doubts when I told him about our secret marriage. My mother is afraid of seeing me hurt again."

Jin's voice was firm as he responded. "I understand their concerns. But did they know that this isn't just my fault too?"

"I told them. Yet, they believed what they believed. I tried to reason. They cannot be dissuaded." Taehyung said matter-of-factly."

Jin kept silent for awhile then he spoke with conviction. "I promise you, Tae, I will prove them wrong. I will prove that I can be a good father to Jaehyun and that my intentions are pure."

Taehyung studied Jin's face, searching for sincerity. A small smile creeping his lips.

Jin hesitated to continue, but then asked the question that had been gnawing at him. "Tae, why did you never think about divorcing me despite all these years apart?"

Taehyung looked down, his expression softening. "Honestly, I thought about it. But every time I tried, I couldn't bring myself to go through with it. A part of me always held on to the hope that you would come back. That we could fix what was broken."

Jin felt a lump in his throat, his eyes misting over. He put his chopsticks down and looked into Taehyung's eyes. " You know what, back then, I was consumed by hatred and anger towards you for what happened that one fateful night. You violated me, Tae. You took something from me that I wanted to protect the most. And it shattered all my dreams. Getting married and getting  pregnant was not something I had planned. I was scared and felt my future was ruined. So, I left for selfish reasons."

Taehyung's eyes filled with regret and a touch of vulnerability. "Did you ever loved me, Jin?"

Jin took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Taehyung's. "I don't know. Maybe I did. I admit at first,  my love turned into anger and resentment because of what happened. I couldn't see past my pain. But now, I'm beginning to see the beauty of what you could give me- love and selflessness. And I want that, Tae. I want us to have a chance at happiness."

Jin paused, his eyes softening. "Despite everything, I'm thankful that Jaehyun is our son. He's the best thing that ever happened to me, to us. I regret not being there in the last ten years". He breathed, preventing tears to drop from his eyes.

Taehyung's eyes glistened with emotion, his protective nature coming to the forefront. "He is a wonderful boy. He grew up strong despite all the things he had to go through because of us. But, Jin, you need to understand that this journey won't be easy. Rebuilding trust and our relationship will be difficult."

There was a long silence as Jin processed Taehyung's  words. He knew it will be a long process for his husband to be healed and start a new. "I want to believe you, Jin. I really do. But it's going to take time."

Jin reached across the table, his hand resting on Taehyung's. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Ten years is not easy for you,Tae. I get that. Take your time. Don't rush. Allowing me to spend time with Jaehyun is for now enough and I want to thank you for that."

Taehyung squeezed his hand gently, a small flicker of hope in his eyes. "Thank you for understanding, Jin. Let's take it slow,hmmm?"

They both smiled and continue to eat. They exchange pleasantries.

Yet, Jin couldn't shake the lingering fear that something or someone might hinder their path towards a new beginning. But for now, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead for as long as he could.