Yours (COMPLETED)

chapter twenty-nine: your family

Jungkook burst through the corridor doors, eyes scanning frantically until they landed on his mother, Haesun standing outside the Operating Room. He saw a bandage around her right arm as he rushed towards her.

"Mom!", he called out.

Haesun looked up, startled, and stood just as he reached her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Jungkook..", she whispered shakily. "I’m alright. Just small scrapes on my arm. Nothing serious."

Jungkook stepped back slightly to look at her properly, "Are you sure? Did the doctors check everything?"

She gave a weak smile, "Yes. I’m okay. But your dad..."

"Where is he, mom?", he asked.

"He's in the operation room. He got a bad blow to the head and his right arm. The doctors are doing all they can.", she turned to the door of the Operating Room.

Jungkook did the same, the weight of her words sinking into his chest.

Then, came the soft sound of footsteps behind him.

He turned and there stood Chaeyoung with her daughter.

Chaeyoung held her daughter’s hand gently, the little girl clinging close to her side, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar hallway with quiet curiosity.

Before saying a word, Chaeyoung’s gaze briefly met Jungkook's mother’s. It was only a few seconds, but long enough for a silent exchange—an acknowledgement, a respectful pause between strangers connected by crisis.

Then, Chaeyoung shifted her eyes back to Jungkook. She slowly asked, "How’s your mother doing?"

He blinked, his voice a little steadier this time, "She scraped her arm.”

Chaeyoung nodded, relief passing over her face. She glanced toward the operating room doors. "And your stepfather…?"

His jaw tensed slightly, "Still in surgery."

Chaeyoung shifted her eyes to Haesun for a moment, "Mrs Jeon..I'm...sorry for what happened. I hope Mr Kang pulls through."

Haesun offered a faint, polite smile. "Thank you."

A short pause settled between them.

Chaeyoung gave a quiet nod and moved a little further down the bench with her daughter, giving the family their space. She sat quietly, her daughter leaning gently against her.

Jungkook stood in silence, eyes fixed on the doors, waiting.

The hallway remained quiet, save for the occasional murmur of nurses and the distant beeping of machines. Without realizing it, time passed and almost two hours had already gone by. Jungkook and his mother finally settled onto the bench, their bodies heavy with exhaustion.

Across from them, Chaeyoung sat with Haneul who had fallen asleep, curled up on her lap. Her hand loosely gripping the fabric of Chaeyoung's blouse.

Haesun's eyes wandered to them. She caught Chaeyoung’s gaze for a brief moment, and the two exchanged a glance - calm and quiet. She offered a faint, warm smile, seeing the young mother gently stroking her daughter’s hair.

A few moments passed, and then Haesun turned to ask her son, "Jungkook, could you go to the cafeteria? I need something to eat…maybe a sandwich and tea, if they have."

Jungkook turned to her, hesitating. "Now?"

She nodded, "Yes, please.."

He glanced at Chaeyoung, who clearly heard the request. His hesitation was visible - his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes shifting as if wondering whether he should leave them alone together.