Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 149

The Long Way Home

​The house felt quieter now, the remnants of the morning rush-the discarded construction paper and half-finished drawings-neatly tucked away in the playroom.

Yoongi found Aen in the kitchen, a bowl of fresh, tart green mangoes and a small dish of bagoong sitting on the counter.

She looked radiant, though a flicker of exhaustion lingered in her eyes-a small, physical reminder of the eight weeks of life growing inside her.

​Yoongi moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his touch grounding.

He placed a heavy, leather-bound folder on the counter.

​"The update from the legal team came in," he said softly, his voice low and steady.

​Aen turned, wiping her hands, her expression hopeful.

"And?"

​Yoongi sighed, his thumb tracing the small curve of her stomach.

"I pushed, Yeobo. I had the firm pull every lever we have. But the system is... the system. It's a slow, bureaucratic grind."

He shook his head.

"It won't be ready by her birthday in December as I planned."

​Aen's shoulders dropped, a shadow of disappointment crossing her face.

"I see. I should have expected that, given how slow things move back home."

She looked down at the folder, the weight of the paperwork suddenly feeling very tangible.

​Yoongi immediately took her hand, his gaze firm and reassuring kiss against her knuckles before holding her gaze.

"But I've made sure that by the time school starts in June, the process will be complete. She won't just be taking my name, Aen-ah. She'll be wearing it like armor. I want her to start that new school year with no more questions about where she belongs. She'll be a Min before she walks through those school gates."

​Aen exhaled, the tension in her chest unspooling.

She knew he was right.

He was building their future with the same meticulous care he applied to everything else-no shortcuts, just solid, immovable foundations.

She reached up, her hand cupping the side of his face, her thumb brushing lightly over his cheekbone.

"Thank you for doing all this, Yoon."

​Yoongi leaned into her touch, his eyes softening as he covered her hand with his own.

"Is there anything I can do to help? Aside from signing papers."

Yoongi offered a faint, reassuring half-smile, shaking his head.

"Just take care of yourself. And maybe finish those mangoes."

"Okay, deal. But only if you feed it to me," she said, a sheepish flush dusting her cheeks.

​Yoongi let out a low chuckle, as they both slid onto the stools at the counter.

He picked up one of the green mango wedges, dipped it generously into the bagoong, and held it out to her.

​"Open," he murmured softly.

​Aen smiled, leaning in to take the bite, the sharp, tart crunch instantly making her eyes crinkle with satisfaction.

​Yoongi watched her chew, leaning his chin in his hand with a fond, quiet gaze.