Time passed quietly, like the last page of a long story turning on its own.
Hyunwon had already turned one, walking with wobbly steps, babbling the few words he knew best "abba" and "umma."
He had the same smile that could melt anyone's heart, and every time he called out, the entire house seemed to brighten.
Minjoon and Taehyun had shifted abroad, working on new projects together, their lives finally steady after everything.
Taemi was settled in her own home with her husband and their little daughter, Haeun, who had just started to speak.
Taesung buried himself in work as usual, while Jihan, now expecting another baby, was busy running after little Dan, who had just entered kindergarten.
Mrs. Kang spent her days between home and temple, keeping Yumi close.
Harin got engaged to her long-time boyfriend, her smile finally genuine and peaceful.
Wonyoung and Jungwon were always traveling for their work, while Soobin and Liya were abroad, chasing their dreams.
Three months had passed since Mr. Kang's death in jail.
No one really cried loudly or pretended to mourn, but somewhere inside, each of them carried a quiet ache not of love lost, but of what could've been if he had been a better father.
They still gave him a proper funeral because that was what was right, not because anyone felt affection left for him.
Even Mina, the once-famous idol, had been released from prison.
She tried to rebuild her career, but the spark she once had was gone fame didn't return to her the way she hoped.
And in all that, life inside the Taewon's residence remained calm peaceful.
It was a Sunday afternoon.
The light poured through the windows as Taewon sat on the sofa, Hyunwon on his lap, pointing at the colorful toys on the table.
"Abba, abba!" Hyunwon giggled,
Taewon smiled, lowering his head to kiss his son's cheek.
"Yes, abba's here. Always."
Inside the study,
Jihyun was organizing the drawers, humming softly. He was sorting through documents when his hand stopped at a familiar file his hospital report from the time after Hyunwon's birth.
He thought it was something ordinary, maybe vaccination papers, but as his eyes moved down the page, his expression slowly changed.
The words hit like a quiet thunder.
"Can't bear children again…"
he whispered, his throat tightening.
He sat frozen for a moment before searching the terms online, confirming what he already feared.
His hand trembled as he picked up the report again, whispering shakily,
"So this… means I can't…"
He stood up, breathing unevenly, and walked out of the room the report still in his hand.
Taewon looked up, confused, when Jihyun placed the file on the table in front of him. The tremor in Jihyun's voice was enough to make his heart skip.
"Explain this," Jihyun said quietly, eyes glossy.
"You knew, right? Then why did you hide it?"
Taewon looked down at the report, recognizing it instantly. He stayed silent for a moment, then got up and gently took Jihyun's hand.
"Even if I did," he said softly,
"does it matter to you that much?"
Jihyun's voice broke.
"It does. It's my body. I should've known."
Taewon's tone stayed calm, steady.
"Then tell me what does it say?"
Jihyun's lips trembled.
"It says… I can't bear any more children."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then Taewon smiled faintly, brushing his thumb across Jihyun's cheek.
"Then tell me if you can't, is that really a problem?"
Jihyun stared at him, tears gathering in his eyes.
"Isn't it? We won't be able to have more kids…"
Taewon let out a small laugh not mocking, but tender.
"We already have one. The best one. Hyunwon is enough our treasure, our miracle."
He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Jihyun's trembling body.
"Even if you could have more, I wouldn't let you."
Jihyun looked up through tears.
"Why not? You said you wanted a big family."
"I do," Taewon whispered, resting his forehead against Jihyun's.
"But I don't need anything more than you and Hyunwon. That's my family. That's all I want. I can't bear to see you in pain again, not even once."
Jihyun's tears finally spilled over, soaking into Taewon's shirt. His voice was muffled.
"Taewon… you're too kind. Too kind, it hurts sometimes."
Taewon smiled faintly and stroked his hair.
"Then remember this. We're a family of three. We'll raise Hyunwon to be a good man someone who feels, who helps, who sees the world the way we never did when we were young.
That's enough, Jihyun-ah. That's everything."
Jihyun nodded slowly, a teary smile spreading across his face.
"You're… really too kind-hearted."
Taewon tilted his head.
"And you're really too dramatic."
That made Jihyun laugh through his tears, his voice cracking softly.
He buried his face in Taewon's chest for a moment before pulling back, wiping his eyes.
"Alright, enough crying. We have to visit mom tomorrow, remember?
And you have that world tour next week,"
Taewon reminded, brushing a strand of hair from Jihyun's face.
Jihyun nodded. "Right."
Then, with a quiet smile, he leaned forward and kissed him.
The kiss was gentle not rushed, not demanding just filled with everything that didn't need words.
When he finally pulled away, he whispered against Taewon's lips,
"Your kindness… keep it for others. But your tone, your love only for me."
Taewon chuckled, pressing a light kiss back. "Okay, okay… only for you."
But Jihyun wasn't done. He kissed him again, deeper this time, until Taewon's hand moved to his waist, pulling him closer.
"You're daring me," Taewon murmured.
Jihyun only smiled, that playful glint returning to his eyes for the first time in a long while.
Taewon sighed, then called out softly toward the hall.
"Hana take Jin and Hyunwon out for a bit, will you?"
As the door closed and the house grew quiet again, Taewon turned back to Jihyun his expression soft but full of love.
He took Jihyun's hand, leading him toward their room.
"You really want punishment right?"
He whispered, his voice low and teasing.
And before Jihyun could answer, the world around them faded into silence
The warmth of two hearts that had finally found peace in each other.