Areum's eyes sparkled like diamonds as she snuggled under the blankets, her small face aglow with excitement. "What's today's story?!" she asked, her voice bubbling with anticipation.

The bed lamp and fairy lights cast a magical ambiance, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Seokmin's smile was infectious, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he settled in beside her.

"A new one!" he announced, flipping through the pages with a flourish. The rustle of paper filled the air, building Areum's excitement.

"Yes! Let's go!" she exclaimed, her small hands clasped together in anticipation. She gazed up at Seokmin, her eyes shining with expectation, as he cleared his throat and began to read.

"Once upon a time, there was a King..." Seokmin began, his voice rich and regal.

But before he could continue, Areum's small hand shot up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wait! Who should I imagine as the king?" she asked, her tiny eyebrows scrunched up in worry, as if the fate of the kingdom depended on her choice.

Seokmin's face lit up with a charming smile. "Of course, me!" he declared, his chest puffing out in mock pride.

Areum squealed with delight, her hands clapping together in excitement. "Ok, okay! Go on!" she urged, her smile radiant, as she snuggled deeper into the blankets, ready to be transported to a world of wonder.

"And the King had a beautiful daughter, named Sarah," Seokmin read, his voice smooth and engaging.

Areum's eyes widened with excitement as she sat up straight, her small chest puffing out with pride. "That's me!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with conviction.

Seokmin's lips twitched into a smile as he shrugged, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Obviously," he said, his tone dry and playful, as if it was only natural that the beautiful princess in the story would be none other than his beloved daughter.

Areum giggled, her eyes sparkling with delight, as Seokmin continued reading, his voice weaving a magical spell around them.

Seokmin's voice flowed smoothly as he continued the story, "One day, the King, his minister, and commander..."

But Areum's curiosity got the better of her, and she interrupted again, her small brow furrowed in concentration. "Dad, wait—" she frowned, her eyes sparkling with thought.

Seokmin's smile was patient and encouraging. "Got it," he said, his voice warm with amusement. "Grandpa is the Minister, Mingyu is the commander."

Areum's face lit up with excitement as she thought for a moment, picturing the characters in her mind. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she excitedly clapped her hands together, her face aglow with delight.

"Continue! Continue!" she urged, bouncing up and down, her small body radiating enthusiasm. Seokmin chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, as he continued the story.

Seokmin's voice wove a gentle spell as he continued the story, "So...they all went out..."

Areum snuggled deeper into his side, her small body relaxing into the warmth of his presence. Seokmin's fingers stroked her hair, the soft caress sending shivers of delight down her spine.

As she gazed up at him, her eyes shone with admiration, her small face aglow with wonder. The soft light of the bed lamp danced across her features, illuminating the tiny nose, the smattering of freckles across her cheeks, and the rosebud lips that curved into a gentle smile.

Seokmin's heart swelled with love and pride as he met her gaze, his eyes locking onto hers in a tender moment of connection. The world outside receded, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of the story, and the warmth of their love for each other.

Seokmin's smile was radiant as he concluded the story, "And that's how Sarah found the wand and saved the King and the Kingdom."

Areum's face scrunched up in disappointment, her brows furrowing. "That's it?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Seokmin's smile faltered for a moment before he shrugged, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's it," he said, his tone light, but his gaze betraying a hint of wistfulness.

As he stood up from the bed, Areum sat up too, her small body unfolding from its cozy position. Her eyes searched Seokmin's face, and her voice dropped to a whisper.

"No mother in this story too?" she asked, her tone tinged with a deep sadness.

Seokmin's smile disappeared, and his expression turned guarded. "No," he replied curtly, his voice a little too sharp. He busied himself placing the book on the shelf, his movements a little too deliberate.

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the bed lamp. Areum's eyes remained fixed on Seokmin's back, her gaze a mixture of curiosity and longing.

The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and the shadows on the wall seemed to grow a little longer, a little darker.

Areum's small face scrunched up in dismay, her eyes welling up with tears.

"You keep doing this!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disappointment. "Do stories exist without a mother!?"

Seokmin's expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep regret. "Some stories do," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Areum's face set in a determined expression, her jaw clenched in a stubborn line. "I want a story with a mother!" she declared, her voice firm.

"Or else, I'm not taking the pills!" she added, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination.

Seokmin's eyes widened, his face pale. "Areum, sweetie, you have to take your pills," he coaxed, his voice gentle.

But Areum was resolute, her arms crossed over her chest. "You always come up with excuses," she accused, her voice cracking.

"I need to hear the story right now! Even my school friends are asking about mother!" she exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Fine, I will," he said, his voice a gentle surrender. His agreement was like a ray of sunshine to Areum. Her face lit up with a bright, expectant smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

But his next words were like a pinprick to her balloon of excitement. "But not now," he added, his tone apologetic but firm.

Areum's smile faltered, her shoulders slumping in disappointment. Her eyes clouded over, a faint pout forming on her lips. She looked up at Seokmin, her gaze searching for a glimmer of hope. "When, then?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of pleading.

Seokmin's words dangled like a tantalizing carrot, enticing Areum to strive for excellence. "When you beat Sunghan and come first in class, then I'll tell you," he said, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

As he opened the drawer and pulled out the box of pills, Areum's excitement reached a fever pitch. "I'll tell you your mom's story," he smiled, his lips curving upward in a gentle, loving smile.

Areum's eyes widened with anticipation, her small face aglow with excitement. "Promise??" she asked, her voice trembling with eagerness, as she extended her pinky in a solemn vow.

Seokmin's smile softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gazed at his daughter's upturned face. "Promise," he replied, his voice filled with conviction, as he interlocked their pinkies in a binding promise.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with the weight of their promise. Then, Seokmin's gaze dropped to the box of pills, and his expression turned serious. "Now, shall we take tablets?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm.

Areum nodded, her eyes still shining with excitement, as she reached for the water bottle on the nightstand.

Seokmin handed her the pills, his eyes watching her with a mixture of love and concern, as she swallowed them down with a determined gulp.

Areum, being the brave and obedient girl she was, took the pills without any fuss, her small face set in a determined expression.

Seokmin's eyes watched her with a mix of pride and concern, his heart swelling with love for his little fighter.

With the pills taken care of, Seokmin gently guided Areum to lie down on the bed, her small body relaxing into the softness of the mattress.

He expertly attached the oxygen tube to her nose, adjusting the level on the cylinder with a precise touch.

As the soft whoosh of oxygen filled the air, Areum's eyelids began to droop, her breathing slowing into a gentle rhythm.

Seokmin's eyes never left her face, his gaze filled with a deep devotion, as he smoothed out her hair, his fingers gentle against her scalp.

Seokmin's hands moved with tender care as he covered Areum with the soft blanket, his fingers brushing against her cheek in a gentle caress. Areum's eyes, heavy with sleep, sparkled with a hint of mischief as she gazed up at him.

"Dad...I want a Ukulele for this birthday," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but her puppy eyes speaking volumes. Seokmin's heart melted at the sight, his resolve crumbling like sandcastles in the tide.

"Sure, sweetheart," he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, as Areum's face lit up like a sunrise. Her smile was a work of art, a masterpiece that filled Seokmin's heart with joy.

"I love you, Dad," she whispered, her voice a soft breeze on a summer day. Seokmin's heart swelled with emotion, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you, Darling," he replied, his lips brushing against her forehead in a gentle kiss.

With one last glance, Seokmin stood up, his eyes scanning the room to ensure Areum's comfort. The soft hum of the oxygen machine, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, reassured him that all was well.

With a quiet smile, he slipped out of the room, leaving Areum to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

As the door creaked shut, Seokmin's smile vanished, leaving behind a mask of concern. He leaned against the door, his eyes drifting towards Byunghan, who sat on the stairs, his presence a silent witness to Seokmin's inner turmoil.

"You're narrating the stories, avoiding her mom," Byunghan spoke, his voice low and measured, his words dripping with a hint of accusation. "But one day, you won't be able to avoid the truth."

Seokmin's gaze remained fixed on the corner of the room, his eyes avoiding Byunghan's piercing stare. The air was heavy with unspoken emotions, the silence between them a palpable, living thing.

"Can you?" Byunghan asked, his voice a gentle prod, as he lifted his gaze to meet Seokmin's. The question hung in the air, a challenge, a gauntlet thrown.

Seokmin's eyes flashed with a cold determination, his voice dripping with frost.

"There's still time for that," he said, his words a clear warning, a boundary drawn. With a quiet resolve, he pushed off from the door and walked away, leaving Byunghan to ponder the weight of his words.

Byunghan's voice was laced with a hint of concern, his words a gentle probe. "She has begun asking me when you're not around. What should I say?" he asked, his tone calm, but his eyes searching for a reaction.

Seokmin's hands moved with a quiet efficiency, scrubbing the dishes with a soothing rhythm. His face remained impassive, his eyes fixed on the suds-filled water. Byunghan's words seemed to wash over him, leaving no visible ripple.

Byunghan's frustration simmered just below the surface, his patience wearing thin. "Do you even know what people are saying?" he asked, his voice rising in exasperation, as he took a step closer to Seokmin.

"They're talking about her mother, about what might've happened. How long do you think you can keep this up?"

Seokmin's hands continued to move with precision, washing and rinsing the dishes with a calm, detached air.

His eyes never left the sink, his gaze fixed on the suds-filled water as if mesmerized. Byunghan's words seemed to bounce right off him, leaving no visible impact.

"I don't care what people think, do, or discuss," Seokmin said, his voice low and even, without a hint of emotion.

"I only care about my daughter." His words were a quiet declaration, a statement of unwavering devotion that left no room for debate.

The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them a palpable, living thing. Byunghan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he searched for a crack in Seokmin's armor.

But Seokmin's expression remained impassive, a mask of calm determination that refused to yield.

Byunghan's words dripped with a hint of warning, his voice low and measured. "She's at a vulnerable age. She can believe anything anyone might say."

Seokmin's eyes seemed to glaze over, his mind slipping into the depths of his thoughts before he shook them off, his expression unreadable.

Byunghan's gaze lingered on Seokmin's face, searching for a crack in his armor. "You can ignore it," he continued, his voice steady. "But you're answerable to—"

Seokmin's interruption was abrupt, his voice slicing through the air like a knife. "What's the update on the doctor's appointment?" he asked, his eyes narrowing into a cold, hard gaze.

He turned around, his movements sharp, his attention snapping back to the present like a rubber band.

The sudden change in topic was jarring, leaving Byunghan momentarily taken aback. He sighed, his eyes locked on Seokmin's, before responding, "I spoke to her and she's an expert in 65 roses. The appointment is scheduled for 2am. You still have few hours." He responded.

Byunghan's parting words hung in the air, a gentle reminder to take care. "Don't stay up too late..." he added, his voice softening. "Good night, son." With one last glance, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of his room, leaving Seokmin to his thoughts.

The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Seokmin's shoulders. But instead of succumbing to the darkness, he sprang into action.

With a quiet determination, he began to clean the house, his movements methodical and precise. Every surface was scrubbed, every corner dusted, every crevice vacuumed.

The soft hum of the vacuum cleaner filled the air, a soothing melody that seemed to calm Seokmin's frazzled nerves.

As he worked, his eyes lingered on the photo frames that adorned the shelves. Each one was a snapshot of Areum's life, a moment captured in time by Seokmin's own hands.

He dusted each frame with tender care, his fingers tracing the outlines of Areum's smile, her laughter, her bright, shining eyes.

The memories came flooding back, a bittersweet reminder of the life they had built together.

And with each passing moment, Seokmin's determination grew, his resolve to protect Areum, to keep her safe, burning brighter than ever before.

As the clock ticked closer to the scheduled meeting with the renowned Spanish doctor, Seokmin settled into the couch, a glass of rich, full-bodied wine cradled in his hand.

The soft glow of the table lamp cast a warm, golden light on his face, illuminating the deep lines of concern etched on his forehead.

He placed his laptop on the coffee table, the screen flickering to life as he joined the online meeting. The doctor's face appeared on the screen, his eyes warm and reassuring despite the distance between them.

Seokmin's eyes locked onto the doctor's, his grip on the wine glass tightening as he listened intently to the discussion.

The words spilled out in a rapid-fire sequence - "gene therapy", "experimental treatment", "clinical trials" - each one a potential lifeline for Areum.

Seokmin's mind raced, his thoughts tumbling over each other as he grasped for every shred of hope.

He scribbled furious notes on his pad, his pen scratching out a staccato beat as he tried to keep pace with the doctor's words.

The wine in his glass remained untouched, forgotten in the face of this desperate quest for a cure. Seokmin's entire being was focused on one thing - saving Areum, no matter the cost.

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