THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

45

ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER

Nayeon finally decided it was time. Time to go home, to face the people she loved but had kept in the dark for so long.

With Haven on her hip and her heart racing in her chest, she boarded the flight from Sicily to South Korea.

And the plane landed at Incheon Airport, Nayeon stared out the window, a mixture of nervousness and relief washing over her.

Haven, now a curious and bubbly toddler, clung to her mother's side, babbling softly as they disembarked.

In the arrivals hall, Nayeon's friends stood anxiously, their eyes scanning every face. Jennie, Jeongyeon, Sana, Momo, Jisoo, Rosé, Mina, and Jihyo clutched each other's hands, a nervous energy pulsing through the group.

When Nayeon finally emerged, carrying Haven in her arms, the group erupted into cheers and tears.

"There she is!" Momo shouted, her voice breaking as she ran toward her best friend.

The others followed, surrounding Nayeon and pulling her into a tight group hug, careful not to crush Haven.

Tears flowed freely as they laughed, cried, and showered Haven with attention.

"She's so big now!" Sana exclaimed, wiping her tears as she reached out to gently pinch Haven's cheek.

"Look at her hair—it's just like Hans'." Jisoo whispered, earning a sharp elbow from Jennie.

"Shh! You really came back... I was starting to think you'd stay in Sicily forever." Jennie hissed, before turning her teary eyes to Nayeon.

"I couldn't stay away forever. I missed you all so much." Nayeon said, her voice trembling.

"And we missed you. You don't have to be alone anymore, okay?" Jihyo said, pulling Nayeon in for another hug.

Later that day, Nayeon stood in front of her parents' house, her heart pounding. She adjusted Haven's little bow and took a deep breath before knocking on the familiar door.

It opened almost immediately, revealing her mother, who froze in place, her eyes wide with shock.

"Nayeon?" Her mother's voice was barely a whisper.

"Hi, Mom, I'm...I'm home." Nayeon said, her voice trembling as she stepped forward.

Tears spilled down her mother's cheeks as she threw her arms around Nayeon, sobbing.

"You're really here! I thought...I thought we lost you!"

"Nayeon? And...who's this?" Her father appeared in the doorway, his expression a mixture of disbelief and relief.

"This is Haven...your granddaughter." Nayeon smiled nervously, stepping back to hold Haven up.

The room fell silent, and her father's eyes filled with tears as he looked at the child. Her mother covered her mouth, her body shaking with sobs.

"She's...she's beautiful." Her father finally said, his voice breaking.

Nayeon's sister, who had just come down the stairs, gasped and rushed forward.

"I have a niece?! Oh my gosh, she's perfect. Look at her little cheeks!" She exclaimed and immediately reaching for Haven, who giggled at the attention.

As her sister cradled Haven, refusing to let go, Nayeon turned to her parents, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm so sorry. For everything. For not reaching out. For avoiding you when I was struggling. I thought I could handle it all on my own, but...I was wrong. I'm so sorry." Nayeon said, her voice breaking.