"I wish...Areum hadn't been born to me." The last words fell like a guillotine, severing the fragile thread of hope that had bound them together.

"Don't tell me anymore!" Areum exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush.

With a burst of speed, she launched herself into Seokmin's arms, clinging to him tightly as if seeking refuge from the emotional storm brewing around her.

"Let's go home, Dad!" she pleaded, her voice muffled against Seokmin's chest. She didn't even spare a glance at Hwayoung, her rejection palpable.

Hwayoung's eyes widened in surprise, her face a mask of hurt and confusion. She reached out a tentative hand, trying to reconnect with the little girl who had once been so dear to her.

"Areum!" she called out, her voice soft and coaxing. But Areum was resolute, her small body stiffening as she pushed Hwayoung's hand away.

Tears streamed down her face, her eyes welling up with a deep sadness as she buried her face in Seokmin's chest, seeking solace in his warm, comforting embrace.

Seokmin gently rose to his feet, cradling Areum in his arms as he attempted to soothe her frazzled nerves.

Areum's small body trembled with sobs, her face buried in the warm crook of Seokmin's neck, refusing to acknowledge Hwayoung's presence.

Her tiny hands grasped Seokmin's shirt, clinging to him with a desperate intensity.

"Areum, please look at me.." Hwayoung's eyes brimmed with tears as she reached out, trying to comfort the little girl who had once been the center of her universe.

But Areum was resolute, her small hand pushing Hwayoung's away with a firmness that belied her age.

Her grip on Seokmin's neck tightened, her body molding into his as if seeking protection from the emotional turmoil that surrounded her.

Seokmin's arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he whispered soft words of comfort, his eyes locked on Hwayoung's anguished face.

"One minute..." Seokmin murmured, his voice soft and apologetic, as he gently excused himself and stepped outside with Areum.

The cool evening air enveloped them, a soothing balm to Areum's frazzled nerves. Seokmin's hands moved in slow, gentle circles, rubbing her back as he whispered calming words into her ear.

Through the window, Hwayoung watched them, her heart heavy with a mix of sadness and longing.

She felt a pang of distress at the thought of Areum distancing herself, their budding bond threatened by the turmoil that surrounded them.

Unbeknownst to Areum, Hwayoung's feelings for the little girl had grown, a quiet affection that had taken root in her heart.

As she gazed at them, a deep sense of regret washed over her, and she wondered if she had inadvertently driven a wedge between herself and the one person she was growing to care for.

Seokmin stepped back inside, his footsteps quiet as he cradled the sleeping form of Areum in his arms.

Her small head rested trustingly on his shoulder, her gentle breathing a soothing cadence. He gathered her belongings and walked calmly out of the café, the bell above the door jingling softly as they departed.

Hwayoung followed closely behind him, her eyes fixed on the peaceful scene, while Pluto trotted faithfully by her side.

As they reached the car, Seokmin carefully opened the door and gently placed Areum inside, securing her with the seatbelt to ensure her safety.

His movements were deliberate and slow, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility that had settled over her.

Hwayoung and Pluto stood by, watching as Seokmin tended to Areum with a father's loving care.

With a final check to ensure she was comfortable, he closed the door with a soft click, the sound barely audible as he took pains not to startle her awake.

Seokmin's shoulders sagged, his chest heavy with the weight of his emotions. He turned to Hwayoung, his eyes red-rimmed and weary. Hwayoung's face was etched with concern, her brow furrowed in worry.

"Seokmin, what did I do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why isn't she talking to me?" The questions hung in the air, laden with a deep sadness.

Seokmin's gaze dropped, his eyes fixed on the ground as he struggled to find the words. He took a deep breath, the sound audible in the silence. Finally, he lifted his gaze, his eyes locking onto Hwayoung's.

"She imagined you as her mother, so..." he said, his voice low and husky. The words trailed off, hanging in the air like a challenge.

Hwayoung's eyes clouded with distress, her voice laced with concern. "So...she's upset that I disowned her?" she asked, her words barely above a whisper.

"But tell her that I'm not her real mother..." Her face was etched with a deep sadness, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Seokmin's expression softened, his voice gentle as he offered reassurance. "Don't worry. She'll be fine by tomorrow. She just needs some time to process everything."

His words were a balm to Hwayoung's frazzled nerves, offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of turmoil.

Hwayoung's eyes locked onto Seokmin's, her voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Can you please call me once she's alright? She has my number..." The request hung in the air, a tentative thread of connection that bridged the gap between them.

Hwayoung's voice faltered, her eyes clouding with uncertainty as she hesitated, unsure if she should broach the subject. "Seokmin..." she called, her tone barely above a whisper.

Seokmin turned to her, his expression questioning, inviting her to continue. Hwayoung's eyes locked onto his, her voice soft and tentative.

"I don't know if I should ask you this, but...may I know what happened after?" The words hung in the air, her hesitation palpable, as if she feared stirring up painful memories.

The air seemed to freeze as Hana's harsh words hung like a challenge, piercing the silence between them. Seokmin's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with a deep hurt and pain.

His face contorted in anguish, as if her words had physically wounded him. He looked like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.

His eyes, now dimmed with shock and sorrow, as if he couldn't believe the woman he loved was capable of uttering such cutting words.

The tranquil atmosphere shattered in an instant. A blaring horn pierced the air, followed by the piercing flash of headlights.

Seokmin's heart skipped a beat as he whipped his head around, but it was too late. The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal filled the air as their car careened out of control.

The impact was brutal, sending Hana flying out of the car like a rag doll, her body crashing onto the unforgiving asphalt, blood flowing out from her body.

Seokmin's world went dark as he was thrown forward, his body slamming into the dashboard with bone-jarring force.

Glass shards exploded everywhere, piercing his skin like a thousand knives, as the sound of shattering glass and twisting metal filled his ears.

He felt a searing pain as his head snapped back, his vision blurring at the edges. When his gaze finally cleared, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold – Hana, lying motionless on the road, her body broken and battered.

With a Herculean effort, Seokmin dragged himself out of the mangled car, his body screaming in agony as he crawled through the open door.

His vision blurred, and his head spun, but he forced himself to keep moving, driven by a desperate need to reach Hana's motionless form.

The rain poured down around them, soaking them to the bone, and mixing with the blood that flowed from their wounds.

Seokmin's crawl slowed, his strength ebbing away with each agonizing inch. He stretched out a trembling hand, his fingers brushing against Hana's limp arm, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

A strangled cry escaped his lips as he realized he couldn't reach her, couldn't protect her. The world around him began to fade, and Seokmin's body finally succumbed to the pain, his eyes drifting shut as he collapsed onto the wet asphalt.

Time lost all meaning as Seokmin lay there, unconscious and helpless. It wasn't until the sound of sirens pierced the air, and the flashing lights of an ambulance illuminated the dark night, that Seokmin's ordeal was finally acknowledged.

Passersby, drawn by the commotion, rushed to their aid, and the paramedics quickly took charge, rushing Seokmin and Hana to the hospital, their lives hanging precariously in the balance.

Hwayoung's voice cracked, the words faltering on her lips. "I..." she whispered, but the apology remained suspended, unable to find expression. Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks like a river of regret.

"I'm really sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I had no idea...I didn't know any of this." The words tumbled out, a heartfelt plea for forgiveness.

Seokmin's gaze met hers, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "What can you do?" The question was rhetorical, but it held a profound meaning.

Seokmin's voice drifted off, lost in the weight of memories. "Some stories are like that," he whispered, the words hanging in the air like a poignant lament.

Hwayoung's tears flowed unchecked, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm actually really sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking under the burden of emotions.

The apology was a heartfelt one, a desperate attempt to make amends for the pain she had unwittingly caused.

Seokmin's eyes filled with compassion, his lips curving into a sad smile. "Please don't cry," he said, his voice a gentle whisper.

"It's been years, and we've moved on." His words were a balm to Hwayoung's frayed nerves, a reminder that time could heal even the deepest wounds. "Don't worry," he repeated, his voice a soft reassurance.

Seokmin swung open the car door once more, his voice firm and authoritative. "Pluto, get in!" he commanded, expecting the dog to obey instantly.

However, Pluto remained rooted to the spot, his loyal eyes fixed on Hwayoung as if refusing to leave her side.

Seokmin's voice rose, his tone growing firmer. "Pluto, get in!" he repeated, his patience wearing thin. The dog's hesitation was unprecedented, and Seokmin's surprise was evident in his voice.

"We'll get going then," he added, his eyes flicking towards Hwayoung, who nodded slowly in understanding.

As Seokmin slid into the driver's seat, Hwayoung turned to make her way towards her own car, her footsteps quiet on the pavement.

Pluto, finally obeying Seokmin's command, jumped into the car, his eyes still fixed on Hwayoung as they drove away, leaving her alone in the fading light of evening.

As Hwayoung slipped into the driver's seat, her mind began to wander, replaying the events of the day like a broken record.

The image of Seokmin's pained expression and Areum's stubborn silence lingered, refusing to be shaken. A pang of guilt and sorrow settled in the pit of her stomach, weighing her down like an anchor.

She couldn't explain why, but the thought of Areum avoiding her was almost too much to bear.

It was as if an invisible thread had connected her to the little girl, a bond that had formed without her even realizing it.

The more she thought about it, the more it felt like a natural progression, a sense of belonging she couldn't quite put into words. As she navigated the familiar roads, Hwayoung's thoughts swirled with questions.

How had she grown so attached to Areum?

What was it about the little girl that had captured her heart?

And then, there was Seokmin. The memory of his haunted eyes and weary smile lingered, refusing to be dismissed.

What was it about him that drew her in, like a moth to a flame?

Was it the depth of his pain, the weight of his secrets, or the quiet strength that lay beneath his rugged exterior?

There was a sense of connection, a spark that had ignited the moment their eyes met. It was as if they shared a secret language, one that spoke directly to the heart.

The pull she felt towards him was undeniable, a gentle tug that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

The answers, much like the events of the day, remained shrouded in uncertainty, leaving Hwayoung with only her thoughts to keep her company.

Seokmin stepped into the warm glow of his home, the soft light a comforting respite from the turmoil of the day.

Areum remained nestled in his arms, her gentle breathing a soothing cadence as she slept peacefully. As he entered, Byunghan rose from the couch, his eyes etched with worry, his face a map of concern.

Byunghan trailed behind Seokmin, his footsteps quiet as they made their way to Areum's room. Seokmin carefully laid her down on the bed, his movements deliberate and gentle, as if afraid to disturb her slumber.

Byunghan watched, his eyes never leaving Areum's face, his expression a mix of relief and concern.

As Seokmin straightened up, Byunghan's gaze met his, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is she alright?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with emotion, as Byunghan's eyes searched Seokmin's face for reassurance.

Seokmin's response was a simple nod, his eyes somber, his face a mask of restraint. Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Byunghan to watch over Areum, his presence a silent vigil.

Night descended, casting a warm orange glow over the room, and Seokmin settled into the couch, his laptop open in front of him.

The wine glass on the coffee table seemed to gleam in the soft light, a reminder of the solitude that often accompanied his evenings.

An online meeting was scheduled, but Seokmin's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by a different kind of connection.

With a quiet sense of longing, Seokmin navigated to a folder on his laptop, one that he rarely opened.

The screen flickered to life, revealing the first ever photo he clicked of his wife, standing in the rain, her hand holding an umbrella, and a brightening smile on her lips.

His heart raced in his ribcage as he stared at the picture of Hwayoung, in the rain, her hand holding an umbrella and a brightening smile on her lips.

Seokmin's heart swelled with emotion as he gazed at the image, memories of their life together flooding his mind.

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