Arrange Marriage

CHAP 21

Returning from their romantic getaway, Mingyu felt recharged, ready to tackle the final stretch of university. The warmth and tranquility of the cabin seemed to follow him home, but soon, the reality of deadlines and exams set in. Wonwoo, too, dove back into his demanding world of meetings, negotiations, and managing his empire. Their lives quickly fell back into their usual rhythm, though the sweet moments they stole in between kept the spark alive.

But as the weeks passed, Mingyu started to feel… off.

At first, he brushed it aside as stress from exams. His schedule was packed, his nights were sleepless, and his appetite wavered between extremes. But even after submitting his final paper and the pressure eased, the fatigue and nausea lingered. Simple tasks left him winded, and the smell of certain foods made his stomach churn in ways he couldn’t ignore.

One morning, as he leaned against the kitchen counter, pale and queasy, Wonwoo approached him, concern etched deep into his features.

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo said, placing a steadying hand on his back. “This isn’t just exam stress, is it? You’ve been like this for weeks.”

Mingyu tried to wave him off, though his shaky voice betrayed him. “I’m fine. Maybe I just caught a bug or something.”

Wonwoo’s sharp eyes narrowed. “A ‘bug’ doesn’t last this long. We’re going to the doctor.”

Mingyu sat nervously in the sterile, quiet examination room, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Wonwoo sat beside him, unusually quiet, his hand resting on Mingyu’s thigh in a gesture of reassurance. When the doctor returned with a clipboard and a small, unreadable smile, both men straightened in their seats.

“Well,” the doctor began, “the results are in, and congratulations are in order.”

Mingyu blinked, confused. “Congratulations? For what?”

The doctor chuckled softly. “You’re pregnant, Mr. Kim.”

The words seemed to hang in the air, surreal and impossible. Mingyu’s jaw dropped, his mind racing to process what he’d just heard. “Pregnant?”

Wonwoo’s reaction was even more unexpected. His sharp, unshakable composure cracked as his eyes widened. He turned to Mingyu, his lips parting to say something, but no words came. Instead, his breath hitched, and for the first time in Mingyu’s life, he saw tears glistening in Wonwoo’s dark eyes.

“Wonwoo?” Mingyu asked softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

Wonwoo’s gaze dropped to the floor, his shoulders trembling slightly as he struggled to find his voice. When he finally spoke, his tone was thick with emotion. “We’re… we’re having a baby?”

Mingyu nodded slowly, the reality settling over him like a warm blanket. “I guess we are.”

The tears in Wonwoo’s eyes spilled over, streaking silently down his cheeks. He reached out, cupping Mingyu’s face with both hands, his touch gentle but firm. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “You’re giving me a family, Mingyu. I… I didn’t think I could ever feel this kind of happiness.”

Mingyu’s own eyes began to water as he saw the raw vulnerability in Wonwoo’s expression. “Hey,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “You’re going to make me cry, too.”

Wonwoo chuckled through his tears, pulling Mingyu into a careful yet desperate embrace. “Cry all you want. This is worth crying for.”

The drive home was quiet but filled with unspoken emotions. Wonwoo kept stealing glances at Mingyu, his hand never leaving his as they held onto each other tightly.

When they finally stepped into their home, Wonwoo paused in the entryway, turning to face Mingyu fully. “We need to talk about this. I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay? Your health, the baby’s health—those are the only things that matter now. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Mingyu laughed softly, leaning into him. “You’re already in protective mode, huh?”

Wonwoo nodded, his expression serious. “Always. For you. For our child.”

Mingyu rested his head on Wonwoo’s shoulder, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling in his chest. “This is big, Wonwoo. Are we ready for this?”

Wonwoo wrapped an arm around Mingyu, holding him close. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

In that moment, any lingering fears Mingyu had melted away. With Wonwoo by his side, he felt like they could handle anything—especially this new chapter in their lives.