"It's not a folklore for you to believe it or not," Seokmin said, his voice firm, yet laced with a subtle undertone of desperation. His eyes flashed with a hint of irritation, their sharp edges betraying a deep-seated frustration. "That's what has happened."

Hwayoung's gaze never wavered, her eyes boring into Seokmin's as if searching for a glimmer of truth.

She shook her head, her brow furrowed in skepticism. "It still doesn't add up," she said, her voice firm, yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Seokmin's jaw clenched, his lips compressing into a thin line as he fought to maintain his composure.

Hwayoung's eyes locked onto his, her gaze piercing the armor of his reserve. "You're hiding something," she said, her voice low and even, yet laced with a subtle undertone of accusation.

Seokmin's eyes flashed with a hint of defensiveness, but Hwayoung's gaze held him captive, refusing to let go.

"Tell me the truth," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet infused with a quiet urgency.

The air was heavy with tension, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. Seokmin's eyes searched Hwayoung's face, seeking a glimmer of understanding, yet finding only a deep-seated determination to uncover the truth.

His chest rose and fell with a deep breath, and for a moment, it seemed as though the very fate of their conversation hung in the balance.

Seokmin's voice was laced with a frosty detachment, his words clipped and curt. "Areum, you asked for your mom's story, I told you. Let's leave now."

The finality in his tone was unmistakable, a clear signal that the conversation was at an end.

He called out, his voice firm and commanding, "Pluto!" The sound echoed through the coffee shop, a stark contrast to the tense, emotional atmosphere that had preceded it.

Seokmin's movements were economical and precise as he pulled out his wallet and placed a generous amount of cash on the table, more than enough to cover the cost of his coffee.

The gesture seemed almost...defiant, a subtle rebuke to Hwayoung's probing questions.

Hwayoung's gaze fell upon the cash, and for a moment, her expression was inscrutable. Then, a low, humourless chuckle escaped her lips, the sound sending a shiver down Seokmin's spine.

Her eyes locked onto his, a glint of amusement dancing in their depths, but it was a cold, mirthless humour, one that seemed to mock the very tension that hung in the air.

"There was a time when you struggled to pay the bill," Hwayoung said, her gaze glinting with a knowing light. Her voice was laced with a subtle hint of mockery, her words dripping with insinuation.

"But now, you're paying more than it's needed." Her smirk was a thin, mirthless curve of her lips, a silent commentary on the perceived changes in Seokmin's priorities.

Her eyes narrowed, their sharp edges boring into Seokmin's profile. "So your status might've shifted your priorities," she said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Seokmin's gaze flicked towards Areum, who was busily gathering her belongings, her small hands clutching the straps of her bag.

For a moment, his expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep affection for his daughter.

But as he turned back to face Hwayoung, his mask slipped back into place, his features schooled into a neutral, impassive calm.

"Areum, let's go home!" Seokmin's voice was firmer now, a subtle edge of impatience creeping into his tone. "Pluto, come on!" he called out, his eyes never leaving Hwayoung's face.

"You might've left her like you left the story," Hwayoung said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Her words were a low, provocative whisper, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and something else...something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

For a moment, Seokmin's expression faltered, a flicker of emotion dancing across his face before he regained control. But Hwayoung's gaze never wavered, her eyes boring into his as if searching for a hidden truth.

She wasn't sure why she was pushing him like this, why she felt an overwhelming need to uncover the secrets he kept hidden.

It wasn't just curiosity; it was something deeper, a nagging sense that there was more to Seokmin's story than he was letting on.

Her mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions, her thoughts racing with unanswered questions.

And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the cusp of something important, something that would change everything.

Seokmin's jaw clenched, his gaze sharpening to a razor's edge as he struggled to maintain control. "Areum, let's go!" he growled, his voice low and menacing, a final warning before he turned to walk away.

But Areum's words halted him in his tracks, her small voice piercing the tension like a fragile shard of glass.

"Dad...did you really leave Mom?" she asked, her eyes brimming with a deep sadness as she took a step closer to Hwayoung, her small hand reaching out as if seeking comfort.

Seokmin's back stiffened, his shoulders squaring as he froze, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, refusing to turn around.

The air seemed to vibrate with tension, the silence between them thick and heavy, as if the very fate of their relationship hung precariously in the balance.

Hwayoung's gaze locked onto Seokmin's rigid back, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and compassion.

She felt a pang of regret for pushing him so hard, for forcing him to confront the secrets he kept hidden. But it was too late now; the damage was done, and all she could do was watch as the scene unfolded before her.

Her arm enveloped Areum in a protective embrace, as if she sought to shield the little girl from the pain that threatened to engulf her.

Together, they gazed at Seokmin, their eyes weighing heavily upon him, like a physical force that pressed upon his chest.

Seokmin's words, once a defiant declaration of his devotion to his daughter, now echoed in his mind like a haunting refrain, a stark reminder of the complexity of his emotions.

"I don't care what people do, think, or discuss. I only care about my daughter."

The phrase repeated itself, a relentless loop that underscored the ache in his heart, a heart heavy with the weight of his secrets, his regrets, and his unspoken fears.

Seokmin's eyes, once flashing with defiance, now dimmed with a deep-seated vulnerability. He didn't want to become a bad guy in the eyes of his daughter, to tarnish the image she held of him.

With a heavy heart, he slowly turned around, his footsteps echoing through the silence as he walked back to his seat.

He sank into the chair, his body language sagging under the weight of his emotions. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, a sound that seemed to carry the burden of his secrets.

He looked up at Areum, his eyes trying to mask the hurt and pain that lingered beneath the surface.

"Areum...you heard your mom's story, right?" he asked, his voice low and gentle, a tentative attempt to reconnect with his daughter.

He paused, his gaze searching hers, before continuing. "Should i tell you Dad's?" The question hung in the air, a fragile offer, a plea to understand him, to see beyond the facade he had built.

As Seokmin stepped into their home, he was enveloped by an unsettling silence. The stillness was a palpable thing, a heavy blanket that wrapped around him, suffocating the warmth from his exhaustion.

He felt a shiver run down his spine as he called out, "Hana?" But there was no response.

His footsteps echoed through the quiet as he made his way to their bedroom. The door creaked open, and he was met with a sight that made his heart skip a beat.

Hana was sitting on the bed, her eyes shining with an excitement that was almost palpable. A bright smile spread across her face, illuminating the entire room.

Seokmin's frown deepened as he approached her, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead in a gentle kiss.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, his voice playful, his eyes squinting in mock suspicion. But beneath the teasing tone, a spark of curiosity had ignited, a flame that flickered with anticipation.

Hana's smile grew even brighter, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as she extended her hand, her fingers curled up in a tight fist.

Seokmin's curiosity was piqued, and he gently pried open her fingers, revealing the small, white pregnancy test nestled in her palm.

His eyes widened as he took in the sight, his mind racing with the implications. He turned the test over, his gaze scanning the small window, and his heart skipped a beat as he saw the two distinct lines staring back at him.

The confirmation was unmistakable - the test was positive.

Seokmin's face froze in surprise, his eyes locked on the test as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Hana, on the other hand, was bubbling over with excitement, her face erupting in a radiant smile that seemed to light up the entire room. She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with tears of joy.

As the reality of the situation sunk in, Seokmin's face transformed, his initial shock giving way to unbridled joy.

A radiant smile spread across his face, illuminating his entire being, as he swept Hana into a tight, all-encompassing hug.

They held each other, their hearts beating as one, as they savored the moment, the promise of new life hanging in the air like a sweet, golden mist.

As they pulled away, tears brimmed in their eyes, a testament to the depth of their emotions. Seokmin's hands cradled Hana's face, his thumbs tracing the curves of her cheeks, as he claimed her lips in a tender, passionate kiss.

Hana's response was immediate, her lips moving in perfect sync with his, their love and joy pouring into each other like a sweet, golden nectar.

As they broke apart, gasping softly, Hana's gaze locked onto Seokmin's face, her eyes drinking in the sight of his tears.

They trailed down his cheeks, glistening like diamonds in the soft light, a testament to the depth of his emotions, the sincerity of his love.

Hana's chuckle was music to Seokmin's ears, a melodious sound that harmonized with the joy singing in his heart.

"Stop crying...you're gonna be a Dad!" she teased, her fingers gently brushing away his tears. Seokmin's face contorted, a mixture of laughter and tears, as he struggled to contain his emotions.

"I know...I'm just so happy!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with unbridled joy. "I don't even know how to express it!" The words tumbled out, a heartfelt confession, as he wrapped his arms around Hana, holding her close as if he'd never let her go.

"Thank you," he whispered, his lips grazing her forehead in a tender kiss. "Thank you so much, my love."

The words were a heartfelt prayer, a gratitude that flowed from the very depths of his soul. In that moment, they felt invincible, the happiest people in the world, basking in the warmth of their love and the promise of new life.

From that day on, Seokmin became Hana's shadow, attentive to her every need, lavishing her with care and attention.

He wouldn't even risk anything, his love and concern for her and their unborn child driving him to be more cautious, more protective.

His devotion was a palpable thing, a living, breathing entity that wrapped itself around Hana, enveloping her in a sense of safety and security.

The months blended together in a warm haze of domestic bliss, with Hana nesting comfortably at home and Seokmin devoting himself to her care.

Despite her protests, he insisted on taking time off, determined to be by her side every step of the way. As the weeks turned into months, their little world became a snug, insular bubble, filled with laughter, love, and anticipation.

Eight months flew by in a whirlwind of preparation and excitement, with Hana's due date looming large on the horizon.

She was just a week away from meeting their little one, and the air was electric with expectation. But amidst all the joy and anticipation, a shadow fell across their happy little world.

Hana's eyes widened in dismay as she listened to Seokmin's hesitant explanation. A major client, one he had been courting for months, was on the verge of rejecting him.

The reason?

He had refused to commit to a photoshoot in Incheon, a job that would require him to be away from Hana for a couple of days.

Seokmin's face was etched with worry and uncertainty, his eyes pleading for understanding. Hana's heart went out to him, even as she felt a pang of concern.

Their little family's security depended on Seokmin's success, and this was a setback they could ill afford.

Hana's determination was unwavering, and she took matters into her own hands, literally forcing Seokmin to pack his bags and head out the door.

She bustled around him, efficiently gathering his belongings and stuffing them into his bag, her movements a testament to her resolve.

Seokmin's sulky expression only deepened as he watched her, his eyes narrowing in mock offense. But Hana just smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as she handed him his bag.

"Have a safe trip," she said, her voice dripping with innocence, before rising onto her tiptoes to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

But before she could even step back, Seokmin's arms snaked around her, pulling her close as his lips claimed hers in a fierce, passionate kiss.

Hana's eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching in her throat as she felt herself melting into his embrace.

She was caught off guard, her senses overwhelmed by the intensity of his kiss, leaving her breathless and wanting more.

Seokmin's smug expression was a picture of satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with triumph as he kneeled down to plant a tender kiss on Hana's swollen belly.

The gesture was a poignant reminder of the life growing within her, and Hana's heart swelled with love and emotion.

As he stood up, his reluctance to leave was palpable, his eyes lingering on Hana's face before he finally tore himself away, his footsteps echoing through the silence.

"I'll be back soon," he promised, his voice low and reassuring. "Mingyu will be here to help you with anything you need." Hana nodded, her eyes already misting with tears, as she watched him disappear out the door.

The next day, Hana was in the kitchen, her hands moving with practiced ease as she prepared her morning orange juice.

The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the gentle curve of her belly, a sweet reminder of the precious life growing within her. But in an instant, everything changed.

A sudden, searing pain ripped through her abdomen, leaving her breathless and gasping. Her water broke, the warm gush of fluid soaking her clothes as the pain intensified, becoming a relentless, pounding drumbeat that threatened to consume her.

Hana's hands grasped the counter, her knuckles white with tension, as she struggled to stay upright, the oranges rolling off the counter and onto the floor with a soft, forgotten clatter.

With a Herculean effort, Hana summoned the strength to grab her phone and dial Mingyu's number, her fingers trembling as she struggled to speak through the contractions.

Mingyu's calm, reassuring voice was a lifeline, and he sprang into action, arriving at her side in record time.

Together, they rushed to the hospital, Mingyu's skilled hands guiding her through the chaotic, pain-wracked moments.

As they sped through the streets, Mingyu's phone calls flew back and forth, alerting Seokmin and Byunghan to the unfolding drama.

Seokmin's regret was instantaneous, a crushing weight that settled in his chest as he realized he wasn't there to support Hana during her labor.

He cursed himself for staying away, for not being by her side when she needed him most.

With a fierce determination, Seokmin floored it, his car racing through the streets as he sped towards the hospital.

His mind was a jumble of emotions - anxiety, guilt, and a deep-seated longing to be with Hana, to hold her hand and coach her through the final stages of labor.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd let her down, that he'd missed a precious moment in their journey together.

The hospital loomed ahead, a beacon of hope, and Seokmin's heart racing with anticipation, he screeched to a halt, leapt from the car, and sprinted towards the entrance.

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A/n: i was listening to Habit while writing the flashback part, and was literally in tears while listening to it and imagining!!
I'm just an emotional fool🎀✨