Second Chance [ON-going]

[14] Folder

[JIYONG'S POV]

Everything has been awful these past few days. I thought I had a plan—everything carefully thought out when I found out Dara had returned. I planned to get her back, to win her heart again, to be with her once more.

But what happened? Everything just... faded. At that moment, all I wanted to do was scream and destroy everything around me. Seeing her... happy. Seeing her smiling at that man, holding his hand, laughing, hearing him whisper sweet words to her—words I once said—hurts more than I can describe. It's unbearable.

I grabbed a glass of alcohol and drank. The bitter taste did nothing to match the bitterness swelling inside me. My chest ached, my thoughts scattered. Hope crashed on that day, all my plans ruined... until I found out something.

[FLASHBACK]

"Sir," Tablo said, stepping into my office.

"Yes, Tablo. Do you have what I asked for?" I said, keeping my eyes sharp. He bowed his head and handed me a folder.

"I searched everything, Sir. It's all in here," he said. Tablo had been trusted by my family for years. He was a private investigator, known for his impeccable work.

I nodded and opened the folder.

Lee Donghae, 27 years old, half-Korean, half-Australian. Son of a businessman... blah, blah... nothing impressive. I moved to the next page. He had known Dara for almost four years... blah, blah... not important.

Then my eyes stopped at a photograph. Donghae holding a boy's hand. My heart skipped. A son?

I turned to Tablo. "He has a son?"

"No, Sir. It's not his son," Tablo replied calmly.

"Then who is it?" I asked, staring at the boy in the picture. He looked... familiar.

"That's Miss Park's son. Park Jino," he said.

I froze. Dara... has a son? How is this possible?

"Yes, Sir. There's a strong possibility that Miss Park's son is indeed your son," Tablo added.

I stared at the photograph again, my mind racing. My son... my own child, living far away for more than six years, and I didn't even know. I should have acted sooner, I should have searched for Dara when she left. I was a coward. Afraid to face her. Afraid she would hate me for what I had done. Afraid she would turn her back on me forever. Afraid of knowing she despised me.

"Sir, are you okay?" Tablo asked.

I shook my head, gripping the folder tightly.

"Y-Yes... I'm fine. You can go now," I said, my voice barely steady. Tablo bowed and left immediately.

I stared at the photo again, memorizing the boy's features. He really looks like Dara... and a little like me. With his eyes, his lips... I can see it. He's my son.

"Yes... my son. I have a son," I whispered, laughing shakily. Tears streamed down my face. He's seven years old now... How tall is he? Is he doing well in school? Does he know me? Does he want to meet me?

"No... no... Jiyong... he'll like you. You're kind. You'll give him everything. You'll be the best father for him," I told myself, my sobs shaking my chest.

How could I let this happen? This is my fault. I should have been there for Dara—when she found out she was pregnant, through her morning sickness, her cravings. I should have been there when she gave birth, for his first steps, his first words. But I wasn't. I was a coward, blind to the possibilities, blind to what I should have done.

I put the folder in the drawer and sank onto my bed. I have to make this right. I have to meet my son. He should know me, and I him. I will make up for lost time. I will be the best father. I will win Dara back, and we will be a happy family. I swear it. I'll do everything.

[END FLASHBACK]

I closed my eyes, haunted by the image I had seen at the mall: Dara holding Jino's hand, Donghae on the other side, laughing with my son. They were a picture of happiness, a family that should have been mine.

No. I will not let this happen. I should be the one taking care of them. I should be the one Jino calls "Daddy."

"I'll take what is mine," I whispered to myself, clenching my fists. "And I'll do everything... to have my family back."

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Oh...thank you @Ssantokki_12 and Saranghaeyo_G-dragon for commenting

#latersbaby