Seokmin's voice was low and even, but the frustration simmering beneath the surface was palpable. "How did you know this address?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing as he watched Hwayoung's every move.

Hwayoung's gaze faltered for a moment before she replied, "I got this address from your office..." Her voice trailed off, and she took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what was to come. "How's Areum?" she asked, her tone softening.

Seokmin's response was curt, his words clipped. "She's fine." The tension between them was palpable, and Hwayoung's eyes darted nervously to the side before returning to Seokmin's face.

"I've been researching about her condition since last night," she began, her voice hesitant. "As I read... Areum won't—" Her words were cut off abruptly as he interrupted her. 

The air seemed to vibrate with unspoken emotions, the silence between them heavy with foreboding.

Seokmin's voice was laced with a mix of nostalgia and determination as he began to recount the journey of his daughter's life.

"That's what they exactly said," he echoed, his eyes clouding over with memories. "They put her in the incubator, told us she couldn't leave the hospital." He paused, taking a deep breath as if to steel himself for the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

"But I," he continued, his voice filled with conviction, "I came home and designed her room. I believed strongly that she'd come home."

His gaze drifted to the vibrant flowers in the garden, their beauty a testament to the power of hope and resilience. "In a week, she was home," he said, a soft smile spreading across his face, pride and wonder etched in every line.

Seokmin's eyes sparkled with defiance as he recounted the countless times the odds had been stacked against his daughter.

"They said she can't go to kindergarten," he recalled, his voice dripping with skepticism. "But I took admission till high school, and now she's thriving in elementary school."

His chest swelled with pride as he added, "They said it's a miracle if she lives past three years. Now, that miracle is six years old."

Seokmin's voice cracked with emotion as he exclaimed, "Similarly, I've planned her a beautiful 65 years of life. How will I let her go if she leaves?!"

His words hung in the air, a poignant declaration of a father's unwavering devotion. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he struggled to contain the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

Hwayoung listened intently, her face aglow with a warm, gentle smile. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and as Seokmin's words faded away, she asked the question that had been hovering on her lips.

"Why do you guys call it '65 Roses'?" she asked, her voice soft and inquiring, her gaze locked on Seokmin's face with an unspoken plea to share the story behind the enigmatic phrase.

Seokmin's face softened, and a hint of a smile played on his lips as he recalled the memory. "She once overheard me talking to the doctor," he began, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"But she couldn't pronounce the word properly and said '65 Roses.' We never corrected her and just went along with it." The smile faltered, and his expression turned somber once more.

"Can I see her once?" Hwayoung asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes pleaded with Seokmin, desperation etched on her face.

Seokmin's jaw clenched, his resolve unwavering. "Not now," he said, his tone firm but laced with a hint of sadness.

Hwayoung's hands clasped together, her eyes welling up with tears. "Please... I won't take much time. I promise!" she implored, her voice cracking with emotion.

Seokmin's face twisted in a mixture of pain and regret. "Please try to understand. She's not in the state—" His words were cut off abruptly as a soft, innocent voice called out from behind.

"Dad?" Areum's voice drifted through the air, a gentle, curious tone that sent a shiver down Seokmin's spine.

He froze, his eyes darting towards the sound, a mixture of panic and protectiveness flashing across his face.

Hwayoung's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and longing as she turned to face Areum, who stood a few steps away, her gaze fixed on the ground.

With a gentle smile, Hwayoung quickly closed the distance between them, her knees bending as she sank down to Areum's level.

"Areum... are you still angry with me?" Hwayoung asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she tried to coax Areum into meeting her gaze.

Areum's eyes slowly lifted, and Hwayoung's heart skipped a beat as their gazes connected.

"I'm sorry..." Areum whispered, her small voice filled with contrition. Hwayoung's brows furrowed, her expression puzzled. "Why are you sorry, sweetie?" she asked, her tone playful.

Areum's gaze dropped, and she mumbled, "Because I behaved rudely with you." Hwayoung's face lit up with a warm smile as she reached out to gently tilt Areum's chin upwards.

"Do friends apologize for such a small matter?" she asked, her voice infused with a playful teasing tone, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Areum's face lit up with unbridled joy, her eyes sparkling like diamonds as she exclaimed, "So we're friends?!" Her voice was a melodious blend of excitement and innocence, filling the air with an infectious enthusiasm.

Hwayoung's lips curved into a playful smile as she teased, "Mhhm... I'm not sure. Friends usually hug and kiss each other." Her eyes twinkled with mirth, and Areum's face lit up with understanding.

Without hesitation, Areum flung her tiny arms around Hwayoung, pulling her into a tight hug. The kiss she planted on Hwayoung's cheek was a gentle, sloppy one, but it spoke volumes about the affection and forgiveness that filled her little heart.

Hwayoung's eyes closed, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

Seokmin watched the heartwarming reunion, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions. His eyes, however, told a different story.

They clouded with worry and concern, his brow furrowing as he contemplated the implications of Areum growing closer to Hwayoung.

His mind whispered warnings, urging him to maintain a safe distance, to protect Areum from the potential hurt that Hwayoung's presence could bring. As he stood there, frozen in indecision, his eyes locked onto the duo, his heart heavy with the weight of a father's difficult choices.

Hwayoung's face radiated excitement as she stood up from the ground, brushing off her clothes. "You know what? I have a surprise planned for you," she announced, her bright smile infectious.

Areum's eyes widened with anticipation, and she nodded eagerly.

"We'll meet out later in the evening. We'll have lots of fun!" Hwayoung exclaimed, her enthusiasm drawing a delighted squeal from Areum.

As Hwayoung turned to Seokmin, her smile faltered slightly, sensing the tension emanating from him.

"When will she be back from school?" Hwayoung asked, her voice tinged with a hint of caution. Seokmin's response was curt, his tone clipped. "4 pm.".

Hwayoung's smile returned, and she said, "Then I'll come by five." However, Seokmin's next words made her smile falter once more. "Dentist appointment at five," he stated, his expression unyielding.

Hwayoung's eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowing as she searched for an alternative. "Then..." she began, but Seokmin interrupted her, his words tumbling out in a swift, unyielding sequence.

"Six to eight, homework. Dinner at eight, and nine, her bedtime," he listed, his tone firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Hwayoung's face fell, her smile erased by Seokmin's obvious attempts to thwart her plans.

Hwayoung's voice was tinged with disappointment, her tone dropping as she asked, "Wow... is it not possible at all?" Her smile had faded, and her eyes seemed to cloud over with dismay.

But before Seokmin could respond, Areum's face lit up with a sudden burst of excitement.

"Dad! It's Saturday tomorrow!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with happiness. "Holiday!!" she added, her small voice filled with triumphant glee.

Hwayoung's smile returned, brighter than before, as she bent down to Areum's level, her eyes sparkling with renewed enthusiasm.

"Perfect!" she whispered, her voice conspiratorial. "Then it's fixed at 9 pm," she declared, her smile radiant, illuminating the entire space.

Seokmin's heart skipped a beat as he watched Hwayoung's face light up, her joy infectious, yet unsettling.

He felt a pang of unease, his mind racing with the implications of this newfound connection between Hwayoung and Areum.

"I'll reserve a table at a restaurant and I'll text you the address!" Hwayoung exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. She turned to Areum, her smile warm and affectionate. "Bye, Areum!" she said, her voice gentle.

Areum's face lit up with a bright smile as she waved goodbye. "Bye, Hwayoung!! Love you!" she exclaimed, her small voice filled with sincerity.

Hwayoung's smile grew even wider as she heard the heartfelt declaration, her heart swelling with affection.

"Bye! Love you too!" Hwayoung replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as she blew a gentle kiss in Areum's direction.

With one last glance at the beaming little girl, Hwayoung turned and walked away, her footsteps light, her heart full of joy and anticipation.

Seokmin watched the tender exchange between Hwayoung and Areum, his heart torn between warmth and worry.

A faint smile played on his lips as he saw the genuine affection between the two, but his eyes betrayed a deeper concern.

Seokmin's eyes flicked towards Mingyu, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "Why aren't you saying something?" he teased, his voice laced with a playful jab.

"Dumb charades, huh?" he added, his lips curling into a smirk as he tossed Mingyu's own words back at him.

Mingyu's gaze remained fixed on some point outside the window, his expression a mask of bewilderment. The smirk on Seokmin's face only seemed to grow wider, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he waited for Mingyu to snap out of his daze.

Areum's giggles drifted from the backseat, accompanied by Pluto's excited yips, providing a lively contrast to Mingyu's stunned silence.

Mingyu's eyes snapped back into focus, and he turned to Seokmin, his expression a mixture of exasperation and curiosity.

"What do you want me to say!?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness as he shot Seokmin a sideways glance.

Seokmin's smirk never wavered, but his eyes crinkled at the corners as he replied, "Just your thoughts on the Hwayoung-Areum reunion would be nice."

Mingyu's gaze dropped, and he muttered under his breath before asking, "So, are you taking Areum to meet her in the evening?"

Seokmin's response was immediate and emphatic. "No chance!" he declared, shaking his head firmly as he navigated the car past Areum's school. Areum's voice piped up from the backseat, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Dad, that's my school! Why didn't we stop?" she exclaimed, her small face scrunched up in disappointment.

Areum's voice rose in excitement as she gazed out the window, her eyes fixed on the receding school building. "Dad! We drove past my school!" she exclaimed, her small face scrunched up in confusion.

Seokmin's eyes met Areum's in the rearview mirror, a gentle smile on his lips. "We're not going to school today, sweetie," he explained, his voice soft and reassuring.

Areum's gaze lingered on the school for a moment before she turned her attention back to Seokmin.

"Did you check the schedule?" Seokmin's attention shifted to Mingyu, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "What shoots do we have today?" His voice was low and even.

Mingyu's response was prompt, his voice crisp as he replied, "You have Maxim. Jungmin and I are covering the Incheon shoot." He glanced at Seokmin, his eyes expectant, awaiting further instructions.

Seokmin's gaze drifted off, his mind working overtime as he weighed his options. A moment of silence hung in the air before he spoke up, his voice firm and decisive.

"I'll come with you to Incheon," he announced, his eyes locking onto Mingyu's. "And we're taking Areum with us," he added, his tone brooking no argument.

The atmosphere in the car shifted subtly, Mingyu's eyebrows rising in surprise at the sudden change in plans.

Areum's face fell, her eyes clouding over with disappointment as she exclaimed, "But Dad! What about tomorrow?!"

Her small voice trembled, and her lower lip quivered, as if she was struggling to hold back tears.

Seokmin's smile faltered, and he glanced at Areum through the rearview mirror, his eyes softening. "Saturday, right? It's a holiday," he reminded her, attempting to reassure her.

But Areum's face remained downcast, her voice barely above a whisper as she whispered, "But... Hwayoung..." Her words trailed off, and her eyes dropped, sadness and disappointment etched on her small face.

The mention of Hwayoung's name hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the plans that had been made, and the promise that Seokmin had inadvertently broken.

He immediately took a u-turn to their home, with Areum frowning and sulking in the back seat.

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