"What happened?" Seokmin asked, his voice low and gentle, as he followed Hana into the kitchen, his eyes scanning her tense posture for clues.

The sudden shift in her mood had caught him off guard, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had unintentionally stirred up a hornet's nest.

"I thought I made it clear how I felt about having kids," she said, her words measured and deliberate. Her voice was laced with a mix of disappointment and frustration as she turned to face Seokomin, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"What did you say when you asked me for marriage?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if daring him to forget.

"You and I, and we won't need anyone else. Didnt you say that?" Seokomin's expression softened, and he nodded, his voice low and gentle. He paused, as if collecting his thoughts, but Hana didn't give him a chance to continue.

Her brow furrowed, and her voice rose, a hint of incredulity creeping in. "Then what's this now?" She gestured sharply, her hand slicing through the air.

Seokmin's voice was resolute, his words infused with a quiet conviction. "Kids aren't outsiders, Hana. They're our extension, a part of us." He stood his ground, his eyes locked onto hers, as if willing her to see things from his perspective.

Hana's laughter was a low, husky sound, devoid of humor. "Wow, that's a good one," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

She pushed herself off the counter, her movements fluid and deliberate, as she closed the distance between them. Her eyes bored into Seokmin's, as if searching for a glimmer of understanding.

Her voice was a soft, velvet-wrapped whisper, but it was laced with a deep-seated frustration. "Do you know how much I love you, Seokmin?" she asked, her words trembling with emotion.

"I was ready to go through what my mom went through in her marriage. But, as their child..i'm not ready to let my Children suffer like i have." Her voice cracked, as she paused, collecting herself before continuing.

Seokmin's voice was low and even, but the tension beneath the surface was palpable. "What are you trying to say? That we won't stick together?" He struggled to keep his irritation in check, but the flicker of anger in his eyes betrayed him.

Hana's shoulders rose in a delicate shrug. "Who knows? We've only been married for three years. That's not even a blink in the grand scheme of things." Her eyes narrowed.

"Can you promise me that we'll always be happy?" she raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with challenge.

Seokmin's jaw clenched, and he looked away, his chest rising and falling with deliberate slowness as he fought to control his temper.

Hana's gaze never wavered, her eyes boring into his profile as if searching for a crack in his resolve.

"See, you're scared to make a promise," she said, her voice soft but laced with a hint of triumph.

Seokmin's eyes snapped back to hers, his frown deepening as anger simmered just below the surface. "I'm not scared to make a promise!" he spat, his teeth gritted.

"I'm scared of your thought process! You're so quick to assume the worst, to expect that our relationship will fail." His voice rose, fueled by frustration.

"No two people will stay together without fights and differences! It's how we work through them that matters!"

"I'm anticipating a beautiful future for us, while you're anticipating troubles!" Seokmin exclaimed, his voice incredulous.

Hana's eyes locked onto his, her expression resolute. "I'm not saying we'll have troubles, Seokmin. I'm saying our kids might suffer because of us." Her words hung in the air, a challenge to his optimism.

Seokmin's anger peaked, his face reddening. "You're crazy!" he thundered, his words echoing off the walls. "You've seriously gone mad!" He spun on his heel, walking away from her, his frustration boiling over. "I...just forget it!" he exclaimed, knowing she wouldn't change her mind. "I made a mistake coming home. I should've just stayed at the studio."

Hana's voice rose, her words dripping with hurt and anger. "Leave then! Who's stopping you? Why did you come if it was so bothersome?" She watched, her eyes blazing, as Seokmin neared the door.

"Yeah, because I was a fool!" he shot back, turning to face her, his eyes flashing with anger.

Hana's face contorted in pain. "Do whatever you want!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking.

Seokmin's hand closed around the door handle, his shoes clutched in his other hand. His eyes locked onto Hana's, and for a moment, they stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

Then, in a moment of unbridled anger, he spoke the words that would shatter the fragile peace between them. "I made a mistake marrying you." The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Hana reeling in shock.

Hana flinched, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She stood there, staring at the door, her mind reeling with the implications of Seokmin's words.

Meanwhile, Seokmin froze, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had arisen. He realized, too late, the hurt he had inflicted. His eyes snapped open, and he turned back to the door, pushing it open with a sense of urgency.

Hana stood a few steps away, her face streaked with tears. For a moment, they stared at each other, regret etched on their faces. Seokmin's eyes pleaded for forgiveness as he rushed to envelop her in a tight hug, throwing his shoes aside.

His hold was fierce, as if he feared she might vanish if he let her go. "Sorry...sorry...sorry," he whispered, his lips buried in her hair, his hands caressing her head.

Hana's voice trembled as she asked the question that had been haunting her. "Was marrying me a mistake?" Her eyes searched Seokmin's face, seeking reassurance.

Seokmin's face contorted in anguish as he shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sorry...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it."

Seokmin's eyes, still shining with regret, locked onto Hana's, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever you say, it's up to you. Even if you want...it's okay, it's up to you." His thumbs stroked her cheeks, a gentle caress, as he referred to the possibility of having children.

Hana's gaze, still wary, searched Seokmin's face, seeking reassurance. Her voice, laced with a hint of vulnerability, spoke of a deep-seated fear.

But as she looked into Seokmin's eyes, she saw the sincerity there, the love and adoration that shone brightly. Slowly, her expression softened, and a hint of a smile played on her lips.

"Let's see if the kid inherits your nose or mine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes locked onto Seokmin's.

The words hung in the air, a tentative truce, a willingness to consider a future together, one that might include the possibility of children.

Seokmin's face lit up with a warm smile, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against Hana's in a gentle, loving kiss.

Seokmin's smile was a gentle, loving encouragement, as he gazed at Hana, his eyes drinking in the vulnerability etched on her face.

Her voice cracked, and her words tumbled out, a heartfelt confession.

"I never believed in love, Seokmin," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But you proved me wrong." Tears brimmed in her eyes, and her voice wavered, but she continued, her words spilling out like a pent-up flood.

"I never believed in marriage either," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But look where you've brought me." Her eyes locked onto his, and she smiled, a soft, tender smile.

"You've shown me that marriage can be a beautiful journey, a partnership that lifts me up, rather than holds me back." Seokmin listened to her, his eyes never leaving hers, his face a picture of rapt attention.

His gaze encouraged her to continue, to bare her soul, and she felt safe, protected, and loved, as she poured out her heart to him.

Hana's voice trembled, and her words came out in a soft, tearful whisper.

"I thought of not having kids, Seokmin. But I know...I know you'll prove me wrong once again." Her sniffling turned into quiet sobs, and tears rolled down her cheeks, her lips quivering as she struggled to contain her emotions.

Seokmin's face was etched with compassion, his eyes filled with understanding and reassurance. He cupped her cheeks, his thumbs gently stroking her skin, as he whispered words of comfort.

"I'm scared, Seokmin," she confessed, her voice barely audible.

Seokmin's gaze held hers, his eyes burning with sincerity. "Trust me," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

"This will be the best decision of our life. We'll face it together, as a team. We'll figure it out, and we'll make it work." His words were a gentle balm to her frazzled nerves, and Hana felt a sense of calm wash over her, as she gazed into Seokmin's reassuring eyes.

Seokmin's smile was a warm, reassuring beacon, and Hana's face mirrored his, her eyes sparkling with a renewed sense of hope.

"I'm sure he or she will bring us a lot of joy," he said, his voice filled with conviction.

Hana's eyes locked onto his, her voice barely above a whisper. "Promise?" she asked, her pinky finger extended, a playful glint in her eye.

Seokmin's chuckle was low and husky, and he wrapped his pinky finger around hers, sealing their promise. "Promise," he whispered, his eyes burning with sincerity.

As they stood there, their fingers intertwined, Seokmin leaned in, his forehead touching Hana's.

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of perfect understanding.

Then, in a whisper that sent shivers down Seokmin's spine, Hana spoke the words that would change their lives forever. "Then let's get pregnant," she said, her smile radiant, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The memory lingered, a warm glow in Seokmin's chest, until Hwayoung's voice pierced the haze, bringing him back to the present.

"And?" Hwayoung prompted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Seokmin's gaze drifted back to Areum, his heart swelling with love and adoration. A soft smile played on his lips as he whispered, "And then...my world has called me Dad."

Hwayoung's eyes widened, and she leaned forward, her voice tinged with excitement. "What about me!?" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out without thought.

Seokmin's eyebrows shot up, his eyes locking onto Hwayoung's, a hint of surprise and amusement dancing in their depths.

"Huh?" he voiced, his tone a gentle inquiry, as if asking her to elaborate on her unintended revelation.

Hwayoung's brow furrowed, her eyes clouded with confusion. "What happened to me?" she asked, still oblivious to the unintended revelation she had just made.

Seokmin's expression turned stern, his voice firm but gentle. "Her," he said, his tone a subtle correction.

Hwayoung's eyes blinked rapidly, her face a picture of innocence, as she struggled to grasp the implication.

And then, like a dawn breaking, realization crept in. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Yeah...sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Her. What happened to her?" she asked again, this time with a softer, more considerate tone, as if aware of the sensitivity of the topic.

Seokmin's eyes glazed over, his mind drifting back to memories of the past. He stood there, suspended in thought, as the silence between them grew thicker. Hwayoung's expectant gaze hung on him, waiting for a response.

Finally, Seokmin's voice broke the stillness, his words barely above a whisper. "Singing." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing.

Hwayoung's frown deepened, her brow furrowed in confusion. She didn't understand the connection, and her eyes searched Seokmin's face for clarification.

Seokmin's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with a mix of sadness and nostalgia. "She was always very passionate about singing," he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness.

"And she left, chasing her passion." The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the choices people make in pursuit of their dreams.

"Wait.." Hwayoung's voice trailed off, her brows furrowing in confusion. Something didn't add up. The story Seokmin had just told her felt off, like a puzzle piece that refused to fit.

"This doesn't make any sense," she said, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Seokmin's face. Her voice was laced with skepticism, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"A girl who despised love and marriage, left everyone for you...and when Areum is born, she just chose her career?" Hwayoung's tone was incredulous, her expression a picture of disbelief.

Her head shook slowly, her eyes boring into Seokmin's, as if searching for a glimmer of truth. "I don't believe it," she said, her voice firm, yet laced with a hint of vulnerability.

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never wavering from Seokmin's face, her expression a mask of skepticism.

As she sat there, a nagging sense of discomfort stirred within her. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she was so invested in this story, why her mind refused to accept the narrative Seokmin had spun.

Was it because, on some subconscious level, she had imagined herself as Hana?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt an inexplicable sense of connection to the mysterious Hana, a connection that went beyond mere curiosity.

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