SWEETHEART

Chapter-48

HI

The morning sunlight filtered through the tall, arched windows of the Jeon estate, casting golden hues across the marbled flooring.

In the vast dining hall, the clinking of silver against porcelain echoed faintly, a reminder of routine in a house that now felt strangely quiet.

Jeongguk sat at the long table, dressed immaculately in a crisp white shirt and tailored black trousers.

The seat beside him was empty. The absence of his little husband gnawed at him silently.

Hyun-bin, his father, sat at the head of the table, sipping on his morning tea.

The elder Jeon was still sharp, his eyes holding years of wisdom and grace. He observed his son for a moment, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

"Did Taehyung-ah call you?" he finally asked, placing his cup gently on the saucer.

Jeongguk looked up from his untouched toast, his features softening at the mention of his beloved.

"Yes, Abeoji. He's settling in. The professor welcomed him warmly."

Hyun-bin smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "My boy is too gentle for this world, like a drop of sunlight in a room full of shadows."

Jeongguk lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening around the cup. "I miss him. The house feels like a shell without him."

Hyun-bin chuckled lightly. "You sound like me after your mother fell into this state. Love is such, son. It’s not just about presence, it’s the scent on the pillow, the song-hummings across the hallway, the echo of laughter after dinner."

Jeongguk nodded, his chest tightening.

"But your Taehyung is out there doing something extraordinary. You sent him with your own hands, and that’s love too."

He nodded again, more firmly this time.

"Home sure feels the same as it was before you got married to him. Because of Tae, every corner of this mansion bloomed...again."

Jeongguk gulped down the small lump that has formed inside his throat. The life before his marriage?...No! Absolute No.

Just then, Im-sol entered the room with a gentle bow.

Ever since the lil movement Ye-jin showed, they are hopeful...she would get up. Soon.

The elder Jeon rose slowly, and Jeongguk followed him quietly. They walked down the long corridor lined with family portraits until they reached the quiet room where Ye-jin lay.

The soft beeping of machines filled the air. Ye-jin looked like she was simply asleep, her hair neatly tied, a soft shawl covering her frame. Hyun-bin sat beside her and took her hand, whispering sweet nothings.

Jeongguk stepped forward, bending to kiss his mother's forehead. "Eomma, Sweetheart left. But he arranged everything before he did. Your daughter-in-law is amazing. You would love him so much," he whispered.

As he left the room, Jeongguk's jaw clenched. He walked out to the garden and took a deep breath.

There was too much silence in this house.

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At the Golden Enterprises main tower, Woo-young entered the top-floor executive lounge, having just completed filing his department's internship reports. His gaze caught Jeongguk standing at the window of his office, staring at nothing in particular, phone in hand.

"He's checking again," Woo-young whispered, walking toward Dong-yeon, who sat at the desk in his office.

Dong-yeon barely looked up. "The CCTV from Young master’s penthouse? He checks them all the time. Watches the recordings where Tae cooked, cleaned, arranged the flowers. I think he misses him more than he lets on. It's been a week since Tae left to Italy."