SWEETHEART

Epilogue

HI. Silent readers please don't hold back today. I request you all. Please comment, let me know if i did justice to the story.

Taehyung stood in front of the mirror, one hand on the gentle curve of his belly. Barely visible yet, but there.

He was glowing, not just from pregnancy, but from how fully he was living now. A doctor with his own clients, his own name, his own peace.

Behind him, Jeongguk walked in, buttoning his cufflinks.

"You stood here in that same spot when you were pregnant with Hayeon," he murmured, walking up behind him.

Taehyung smiled. "I was nervous then."

"And now?"

"I'm nervous again," he laughed softly. "But excited."

Jeongguk slid his arms around him from behind, resting his palm gently over the bump.

"I'll protect you," he whispered against his neck. "All of you."

"I know you'll."

Meanwhile, Hayeon had already begun practicing her lullabies, climbing into the crib they hadn't even assembled yet, and bribing Yeontan with cheese slices to act like a "demo baby."

Ye-Jin watched it all unfold from the kitchen, smiling quietly.

Hyun-bin just sipped his tea and said, "It's going to be loud again."

"I missed it," Ye-jin replied.

-----------------

The smell of disinfectant. Calm white lights. The soft hum of Taehyung's private clinic.

He was mid-session with a college student when the wave hit.

Nausea.

Not just morning sickness, this one dropped him. He excused himself gently, locking the bathroom door with shaky fingers, palm bracing the wall.

He'd had this kind of sickness during Hayeon's early weeks too, but this one felt heavier.

Just washed his face, took a breath, and returned. He continued his session as if nothing happened.

Few minutes later, he was relaxing in his private office.

But what he didn't know his mother-in-law had called Jeongguk.

"Just check on him," Ye-jin had said gently over the phone. "He left too pale this morning. Something in my gut says he's not well."

Jeongguk didn't question it.

Didn't finish the call he was on. Didn't change out of his CEO suit. He just walked out of the office with the keys in hand, ignoring three confused interns in his path.

By the time he entered Taehyung's clinic, his sleeves were rolled up, jaw locked, and eyes burning with quiet fear.

"Where is he?" he asked the receptionist.

Ten minutes later, he was sitting beside Taehyung in the private office lounge.

"You should've told me."

"I didn't want to worry you."

Jeongguk just looked at him.

Taehyung sighed. "I'm not fragile."

"You're not, I'm" Jeongguk said, tone low. "That's enough reason."

Taehyung chuckled softly and leaned on him.

When they returned home, Taehyung was tucked into the soft cushions of the living room couch.

Jeongguk's mother, Ye-Jin placed a warm bowl of ginger porridge in front of him.