Her Song, His Heart

Bonus: Cookie Crisis and Family Drama

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon at the Hwang mansion. The sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the living room. Mannon was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone, while Hyunjin relaxed beside her, watching the game on TV. Elyse, their energetic six-year-old, was supposed to be in the kitchen, helping the housekeeper with some baking. But when the smell of freshly baked cookies wafted through the house, Mannon knew something was off.

She got up, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floors, following the smell straight to the kitchen. And there she was—Elyse, sitting on the counter with a cookie in each hand, crumbs all over her face.

"Elyse," Mannon said, her voice stern but calm. "What did I tell you about eating cookies without asking first?"

Elyse froze, her big blue eyes wide as she slowly lowered the cookies. "I… I was hungry, Mommy..."

"That’s not the point," Mannon replied, crossing her arms. "You know you’re not supposed to take things without asking first, right?"

Elyse’s lip quivered as she looked up at her mother. "I’m sorry, Mommy... I just really like cookies."

Before Mannon could continue, Hyunjin, hearing the commotion, rushed into the kitchen. "What’s going on in here?" he asked, his tone light, trying to defuse the situation.

Mannon pointed at Elyse, who was now trying to hide behind the cookie jar. "She ate cookies without asking, and now she’s trying to act like she didn’t do anything wrong."

Hyunjin, seeing Elyse’s sad face, bent down to her level, brushing his hand through her hair. "Come on, love, she’s just a kid. Maybe we can let this one slide?" he said, winking at Elyse.

Mannon raised an eyebrow, not impressed. "Hyunjin," she said, looking at him, "this isn’t about letting it slide. It’s about teaching her responsibility."

Hyunjin smiled sheepishly. "Okay, okay. But she's so cute when she pouts."

Elyse looked between her parents, her eyes welling up with tears. "I’m sorry, Mommy, I won’t do it again!" she cried.

Mannon sighed, softening at the sight of her daughter’s teary eyes. "It’s not just about the cookies, sweetie. It’s about respecting the rules we set in this house." She knelt down to Elyse’s level, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "But, I know you didn’t mean any harm. Just promise me next time you’ll ask first, okay?"

Elyse nodded vigorously. "I promise, Mommy!"

Mannon smiled and gave her a big hug. "Good girl," she said, before standing up to address Hyunjin. "And you, Mister, are not off the hook."

Hyunjin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? What did I do?"

"You’re supposed to be the one enforcing the rules around here, and instead, you’re encouraging bad behavior!" Mannon said, a playful but firm smile on her face.

Hyunjin laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist her sad little face!"

Mannon shook her head, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You’re lucky you’re cute," she muttered, before turning back to Elyse. "Now, how about you and I make some cookies together? The right way this time, okay?"

"Yay!" Elyse exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. "Can we add sprinkles?"

"Of course," Mannon said, smiling. "But only if you promise to follow the rules from now on."

Elyse nodded eagerly. "I promise, Mommy!"

As Mannon began gathering the ingredients, Hyunjin leaned against the counter, watching her with a fond smile. "You know," he said, "I’m really glad we’re raising such a sweet little girl together."

Mannon smiled back, her eyes softening as she looked at her family. "Me too," she said. "Even if she eats cookies without asking sometimes."

Hyunjin chuckled and stepped forward to kiss her on the cheek. "Well, if she’s anything like you, I think we’re in trouble."

Mannon laughed, shaking her head. "Let’s just make sure she doesn’t get too much of my mischievous side."