SEVEN [ MICHAENG ]

Chapter 16

As soon as Mina left the doctor's room, Chaeyoung sprinted to the car, followed closely by her. He couldn't forget Mina's disappointed glare when she told the doctor they were divorced.

"I need to buy a few things from the grocery store. Chaeyoung, can you accompany Mina to the apartment?"

"Yeah, sure," he replied coldly while parking the car.

Mina entered the apartment, followed by Chaeyoung, who was rubbing his nape nervously. "About what happened earlier—"

"What about it?" Mina interrupted. "No, wait. As always, you'll state your opinion, throw your decision at me, and leave. You decided when we should get married, when I should enroll in university, and when we had to break up! You never asked for my opinion. You never showed me that you actually cared. You never showed me that I mattered. You even decided when we should have sex," she said as tears formed in her eyes. "I have feelings too."

Chaeyoung gritted his teeth as he watched Mina cry in front of him. "I was working on forgiving you. There were solutions when it came to us, but you always put up barricades... Yeah, I heard you that night with Rose. You don't really want us to work out, do you, Chaeyoung?"

Chaeyoung was speechless. Every single word Mina said was true. He frowned and looked down in shame. Unable to face her, he stepped back and left. As he waited for the elevator, he didn't notice Rose approaching. She called out to him, but he entered the elevator without a word.

Rose knew something had happened. She rushed into the apartment, finding Mina sitting on the couch, crying her eyes out. "Mom," Mina choked out, and Rose felt her heart swell. She had been waiting months to hear that word. She took Mina into her arms, caressing her back without saying anything, and cried along with her.

After that night, Chaeyoung distanced himself. He ignored Rose's calls and messages and even prevented himself from attending Mina's doctor appointments.

November 7th, 2023

Chaeyoung spun a pen between his fingers before finally deciding to message Rose.

"How's Mina?"

Rose read the message and chose not to reply. She was too busy getting ready for Mina's final doctor's appointment. Meanwhile, Mina stood frozen in the kitchen, her breath hitching as a sudden gush of warm liquid soaked her sweatpants. Panic flashed across her face as she gripped the counter for support.

"Mom!" she called out, urgency in her voice.

Rose rushed in, her eyes widening at the puddle forming beneath Mina. "Your water broke!" she gasped before springing into action. She grabbed Mina's hospital bag and hesitated only briefly before dialing a familiar number.

Chaeyoung smirked as he answered, "I knew you missed my voice."

"Chaeyoung, it's time," Rose said firmly. "Meet us at the hospital."

"What? Now???" He shot up from his seat, hastily informing his boss before sprinting out of the office.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, Mina was in agony. Her contractions grew sharper with each wave of pain. Nurses wheeled her into the delivery room as she clung to her mother's hand. Hours stretched on, each contraction leaving her breathless.

Chaeyoung arrived, accompanied by his father, Duho, who wanted to be by his son's side on this important day. Chaeyoung's face was tense as he stood beside Mina, offering quiet support. The doctors reassured her, but the delivery dragged on, exhaustion overtaking her body. After what felt like an eternity, their cries finally filled the room. Tears slipped down Mina's cheeks as she beheld her newborns.