Dear. My Darling | Gongfourz / Taehan

Chapter 46

Weeks after

Taesan closed the door behind him with a heavy sigh, the weight of his conversation with his father still hanging in the air. The cold, sterile office seemed to close in on him, the faint hum of the air conditioning doing little to drown out the chaos inside his head. Every word his father had said was still echoing in his mind, and the pressure on his chest was suffocating.

I don’t have a choice, Taesan thought, rubbing the back of his neck as he made his way down the hallway toward his office. I have to do this... for my family, for the company. There’s no way out of this.

As he walked, his footsteps slow and heavy, his mind replayed the conversation again. His father’s firm, no-nonsense tone. The way he had told Taesan that this marriage wasn’t just about love—it was about securing the future of their business. And the look on his face when Taesan tried to protest, as if Taesan was just another cog in the machine.

Why does it always have to be like this? Taesan thought bitterly. Why can’t I have a choice?

Just as his thoughts darkened, Taesan saw a familiar figure sitting on the couch in the lobby. Woonhak.

Their youngest friend, always full of energy and mischief, was chatting away to himself, seemingly lost in his own world. Taesan’s heart sank a little at the sight of him.

Woonhak was always so carefree, so innocent. He had no idea what Taesan was dealing with.

Taesan paused, watching him for a moment. I wonder what shenanigans he's getting into this time, he thought with a soft, almost affectionate smile. But there was no use in avoiding it; the last thing he needed was to bottle everything up again. He could already feel the knot in his chest tightening.

When Woonhak saw him approach, his face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Hyung!" he cheered, jumping up from the couch with far too much energy for the weight of the world that Taesan was carrying. He bounced over to Taesan and without warning, wrapped his arms around him in a tight, sudden hug.

For a moment, Taesan froze.

Normally, he’d be a bit awkward or stiff in these situations, unsure how to respond. But today, the exhaustion in his bones made him just let it happen. He allowed Woonhak’s warmth to seep into him, even if it was just for a few seconds.

Woonhak pulled back slightly, still grinning, and handed Taesan a small snowman figurine and a plush toy.

“Here,” he said, holding them out with exaggerated care. “I thought you might need something to cheer you up! I made them for you.”

Taesan blinked, surprised. “You... made them?” He looked at the little snowman, its tiny scarf and button eyes, and the stuffed toy that was so round and fluffy it almost looked too cute to be real. “What is this, some kind of joke?”

Woonhak’s grin widened, if possible, and he shrugged innocently. “I mean, it’s not exactly Picasso, but... I thought it might help! You can hug it when you’re feeling down.” His voice softened slightly, but the cheerfulness never left. “I made sure it’s extra fluffy, so you’ll be reminded of me every time you need a little comfort.”

Taesan chuckled, a genuine smile finally making its way to his face despite the storm inside. “Fluffy, huh? Well, it’s definitely... squishy,” he teased, poking the plush toy’s round belly. “But you really think I need to hug a snowman? You know, I’m a grown man, right?”

Woonhak only smiled more, his eyes sparkling with affection. “Come on, hyung. I know you’ve got a lot on your shoulders right now, and I can’t fix everything, but just know that you’ve got me and the hyungs behind you. We’ve got your back, always.” He paused, giving Taesan a knowing look.

“And don’t worry, I gave Leehan hyung one too. He’ll be reminded of me as well, so you’re not the only one stuck with my fluffy creations.”

Taesan’s heart softened as he took in Woonhak’s words. Despite the absurdity of the snowman and the silly stuffed toy, there was something undeniably comforting about the gesture.

It was simple, but it was real. It was a reminder that, no matter how heavy things felt, there were people in his life who cared. People who loved him, even when he couldn’t bear to love himself.

“Thanks, Woonhak,” Taesan said quietly, looking down at the snowman figurine in his hand. It was small, nothing special in the grand scheme of things, but right now, it felt like the most precious thing he’d ever held. “This... this actually helps. You really do know how to brighten up a room, don’t you?”

Woonhak smiled, his eyes shining with pride. “I try my best, hyung. Just don’t forget, if you ever need someone to talk to or if you’re feeling down, I’m always here.”

Taesan’s eyes softened as he looked at his friend. Woonhak, with his youthful energy and unwavering support, had a way of making everything seem a little less heavy.

Despite all the chaos swirling around him, Taesan found solace in the simplicity of the moment. In Woonhak’s genuine care, in the little snowman that made him feel like he wasn’t alone in the world.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Taesan allowed himself to feel something close to peace.

He smiled, a small but real smile, and ruffled Woonhak’s hair. “You’re ridiculous,” he said with fondness. “But... I’m really lucky to have you around.”

Woonhak grinned and shrugged. “I know, hyung. I’m pretty great.”

Taesan couldn’t help but laugh softly, the sound breaking through the tension in his chest. “Yeah, yeah, you’re a real treasure.”

And for a fleeting moment, the weight of the world seemed just a little bit lighter.