A month and a half had gone by, and fortunately, everything was going smoothly between Haein and Jisoo. They had settled into a spacious apartment in the heart of New York, their West Village residence becoming a cozy home for their little family. Despite Haein's frequent trips back and forth between the United States and Korea, he managed to carve out quality time with Jisoo. Their original plan to return to Korea was now off the table, especially since Minseok was Daniel's son. Daniel was already taking steps to assert his rights as the child's father, and Jisoo had been summoned to court for an upcoming custody battle over their baby.
As a result, Jisoo couldn't even entertain the idea of leaving the country. She found it hard to grasp that Daniel was already pursuing custody. Deep down, she understood that his actions stemmed from spite; he always sought to exert control over every aspect of his life, and now he was fixated on having authority over their son. Haein felt an immense weight of stress regarding the situation, more so than Jisoo, as he believed her struggles were entirely because of their relationship. He was acutely aware of Daniel's anger and jealousy toward their bond, and it seemed Daniel was determined to make their lives as difficult as possible.
The day was absolutely perfect. The sun beamed down from a clear blue sky, and a gentle breeze caressed her skin. Jisoo felt a surge of vitality and joy as she strolled through the park with her one-month-old baby. It seemed like the ideal opportunity to take Minseok out for some fresh air, especially with the weather being so delightful. Accompanying her on this outing was Andrew, and they found themselves lost in conversation as they meandered through the greenery.
"I can't tell you how excited I am that he's coming back to New York after wrapping things up in Korea... I miss him so much!" Jisoo exclaimed, her face lighting up with a beaming smile.
"Yeah... I have to admit, things just aren't the same when he's not around! He's only been here for six months, but I've come to see him as a brother! He's so genuine... unlike anyone else!" Andrew shared with Jisoo. She smiled warmly and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You're such a great friend to him," she said reassuringly. "You might think that he doesn't see you as a true friend because of your work relationship, but believe me, Haein values you so much more than that! He's mentioned how he can rely on you time and again, and how your presence has brought him comfort and relief throughout all of this."
"He's truly grateful... and I'm thankful too! Without you, I'm sure we wouldn't be as happy and at ease as we are right now. Thank you, Andrew, for looking after me and my son while Haein is away!" Jisoo said, her eyes shining with appreciation. Andrew couldn't help but smile sheepishly, letting out a light chuckle.
"I'm more than happy to be here with you both. Working for Haein has been an incredible experience, especially since he's the only one I'm working for now! I've learned so much that I never knew before, so I'm really grateful that he brought me on board," Andrew replied. Jisoo nodded, feeling the warmth of their friendship.
"You're not just his employee... you're his right-hand man, his confidant. I'm sure that's how he sees you!" Jisoo said, and they continued their leisurely walk.
As their stroll came to an end, Andrew drove them to a nearby supermarket since Jisoo needed to pick up some groceries. He quickly helped her get the baby out of the car, making sure they were both settled before they headed inside.
"I'll head inside and wait for you there..." Jisoo said to Andrew as he attached the carrier to the stroller.
"Alright, I'll park the car quickly," he replied, and Jisoo nodded in acknowledgment. She began pushing the stroller toward the supermarket, eager to get inside. Once she reached the cart corral, she paused to wait for Andrew to catch up, knowing it would be tricky to maneuver both the stroller and a shopping cart at the same time.
However, she noticed Andrew was having a hard time finding a parking spot. With a sigh, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She secured the stroller's wheels and reached for a cart, but it was stuck. She pulled it back, but it wouldn't budge. Glancing back to check on her baby, she felt a pang of concern. The cart remained stubbornly in place, and despite her efforts to pull it free, it wouldn't move. Frustration began to rise as she realized she was getting tired from the effort.
"Come onnnn!!!!" Jisoo exclaimed in frustration, putting all her strength into pulling the cart free. After a moment of struggle, she finally succeeded, stumbling backward with the cart in hand. A smile broke across her face as she caught her breath, but that moment of relief quickly turned to panic when she turned back to her son.
To her horror, the stroller was empty. Her heart raced as she grasped the stroller in disbelief, a wave of terror washing over her. She frantically scanned the area, her eyes darting in every direction, searching for any sign of her baby. The world around her seemed to blur as she fought to keep calm, her mind racing with fear as she called out, "Minseok!"
"MINSEOKKK!!!! HAAHH...MY BABY!!" Jisoo cried out in desperation, her voice filled with panic. She took off running through the parking lot, frantically searching for her child. Andrew, who had just parked the car, heard the frantic wails and screams echoing in the air. He couldn't believe that it was Jisoo in such distress.
Spotting her from a distance, he saw her sprinting around the entrance of the supermarket, tears streaming down her face. Without a second thought, Andrew dashed toward her, worry etched across his features. He reached her side and grasped her arms firmly, trying to steady her.
"WHAT'S WRONG??" he shouted, his voice filled with concern. Jisoo clutched his jacket tightly, her sobs escalating as she struggled to find her words. The fear of losing her baby overwhelmed her, and she could barely articulate what had happened.
"MINSEEOKK.....MINSEOKKK IS MISSING!!" Jisoo cried out desperately.
"I CAN'T FIND MY BABY!!" she shouted, her voice trembling with fear. Andrew's eyes widened in shock, struggling to comprehend how everything had spiraled out of control in just a few minutes.
"I'll call the police... and I'll keep searching the area. You go inside the supermarket and see if someone took him in there!" he instructed urgently. Jisoo felt a lump form in her throat, her heart heavy with despair, but she quickly took off toward the supermarket as Andrew darted off to search the surrounding area.
As she approached the entrance, her gaze fell upon Daniel standing near the cart section where she had left the stroller. Her heart raced, and relief washed over her when she spotted the small figure he was holding. It was Minseok! But that relief was swiftly overshadowed by a surge of anger coursing through her veins. She felt a mix of emotions battling within her as she focused on Daniel, her heart pounding with both joy and frustration.
"HOW COULD YOU!!? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!" Jisoo shouted, her voice filled with anguish as she sprinted toward Daniel.
"Give me my son back!!" she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. Daniel paused, a smile creeping onto his face as he stopped rocking Minseok in his arms. He gazed down at the baby, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, seemingly unfazed by Jisoo's frantic pleas.
"Daniel, give me my son back!!" she repeated, her voice strained and shaky, her body trembling from the overwhelming dread she had just experienced. The sight of her baby in Daniel's arms ignited a fierce determination within her, and she couldn't shake the fear that had gripped her moments ago.
"This should teach you to never take your eyes off our baby, Jisoo! How careless and stupid can you be to let this happen?" Daniel said, his tone dripping with mockery. Jisoo's expression twisted in a mix of anger and anxiety, her heart racing.
"Careless? Stupid?? I only looked away for a few seconds... What are you really trying to say, Daniel?" she replied, her eyes dark with defiance. He let out a small, derisive laugh.
"What does this say about your skills as a mother? Are you really taking good care of Minseok?" he taunted. Jisoo scoffed, finally grasping the underlying accusation he was making. She pressed her lips into a hard line, disappointment flooding her as she met his gaze. She couldn't believe he would stoop so low, using her moment of panic against her.
"You want to take him away from me by making me look like an irresponsible mother? Daniel...?" Jisoo frowned, holding his gaze as he stared back at her unwaveringly.
"He would be ten times safer with me than with you! And certainly not with someone who isn't even his father! Do you have any idea how hard it's been for me to see my son only occasionally? Just for a couple of hours?" His voice grew more intense with each word. "I want full custody... I deserve it. I'm his father, not Haein! He gets to spend so much more time with Mason, and he's nothing to him... NOTHING!" Daniel's eyes blazed with fury as he spoke, his anger palpable in the air between them. Jisoo felt a mix of disbelief and frustration; she couldn't comprehend how he could be so selfish, using their child as a weapon in his battle for control.
"Then tell me... talk to me! If you want more time with our son, just say it! We can make this work for the sake of our child..." Jisoo urged, desperation lacing her voice. Daniel sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. Jisoo watched him with a mix of bewilderment and apprehension, unsure of what he would say next.
"I've already told you... for the sake of our child, you should consider coming back to me! I want you back! That's the only way I won't try to take Minseok away from you!" he declared, his eyes steady and unwavering. Jisoo let out a scoff, disbelief washing over her. The audacity of his proposition left her stunned; how could he expect her to return to a relationship built on such shaky ground, all while using their child as leverage?
"So you're admitting that you're doing all this to take him away from me... if I don't come back to you??" Jisoo asked, disbelief and anger mingling in her voice. Daniel carefully placed Minseok back in the stroller, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek before turning his attention back to Jisoo.
"You have the final say in this matter, Jisoo! It all depends on what you choose! Trust me... if I don't get what I want, you'll face the consequences!" he warned, the tension in his voice palpable. Jisoo's expression darkened as she stepped closer to him, her heart racing with a mix of fear and fury. She couldn't believe the lengths he was willing to go to, and she felt a surge of determination rising within her.
"You want me as in me coming back to you and being your damn prisoner again! So this is really all about me being with Haein and not about our son at all! Daniel, GROW UP! This is the real world... when will you understand that your family's name won't get you everything in life? Did you really think I would stay by your side forever after you isolated me for four months? You can go ahead and tell the court that I'm irresponsible, make up all the lies you want to try to tear me away from my son!"
"But know this... I will reveal all the abuse I endured with you. I will tell them that Minseok was conceived through rape! I will lay it all out in detail... and you'll see who comes out on top!" she declared firmly, pushing the stroller away from Daniel with determination.
His hands clenched into fists, the fury boiling within him as she walked away. He was seething, realizing she had hit him where it hurt. As Jisoo's figure faded into the distance, he struggled to control the rage that threatened to overwhelm him.
~
Days after the confrontation with Daniel, Haein returned to New York, greeted by the warm embrace of Jisoo. She had prepared a lovely dinner for him, a meal made with care and love. Haein cherished these moments with her, especially knowing how busy she was taking care of Minseok.
Seeing her dedicate her time and energy to make him feel special filled him with gratitude. Jisoo had transformed their home into a haven, ensuring that he ate well and felt cared for. In his eyes, she was flawless, embodying everything he had ever dreamed of. Haein felt like the luckiest man alive, grateful for the chance to have her back in his life after all the waiting and uncertainty. Each moment spent with her reaffirmed just how deeply he loved her, and he couldn't help but appreciate the happiness she brought into his life.
"Ha... Haein... love... mmm... wait..." Jisoo murmured between their stolen kisses, momentarily caught off guard. She had been trying to clear the leftover plates from the table and load them into the dishwasher when Haein pulled her back with a spontaneous kiss.
"Mhh?? Why wait... I really want... to... kiss... you... right... now!" he replied, planting soft kisses on her lips one after another, his enthusiasm evident. Jisoo couldn't help but chuckle at his eagerness. With a smile, she set the plates down on the countertop and gently cupped his face in her hands, drawing him in closer as she kissed him back, savoring the warmth and affection between them.
"You really can't wait, can you?" she teased playfully, her eyes sparkling as she looked at his dazed expression. Haein grinned widely, his hands firmly clasping her hips.
"To be honest, baby... I really missed you these last two weeks. Especially at night! I missed you so... so much... you have no idea," he confessed, his voice soft as he rubbed her hips gently with his large hands. Jisoo felt warmth spread through her at his heartfelt words, and without hesitation, she lifted herself onto her toes, leaning in to meet his lips once more. The kiss was tender yet filled with the longing that had built up during their time apart.
"I missed you too... but... but... you must be tired from the long flight?!" she stammered, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice. Haein frowned at her words, sensing the underlying tension. He had noticed how she had been trying to distance herself from him since giving birth, especially when he wanted more than just a kiss.
He gently cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes for answers. "Jisoo? Baby... don't tell me you don't want me right now. Come on, I'm not tired... not when it comes to you! Please. Can't we just... be together for a while? I really miss you," Haein pleaded, a note of desperation creeping into his voice. He couldn't fathom the idea of her rejecting him once more.
Jisoo bit her lower lip, her nerves taking over as she instinctively backed away from him. Clearing her throat, she tried to gather her thoughts, feeling a mixture of emotions swirling within her.
"I... just don't feel good right now! Please understand!" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she adjusted the cardigan draped over her shoulders. Haein continued to gaze at her, his brow furrowing in concern and confusion. The rejection stung once again, and he struggled to process the emotional distance that seemed to be widening between them.
He could see that she was uncomfortable, and it broke his heart to witness her retreat. "Jisoo, are you sure it's just that?" he asked gently, longing to bridge the gap that had formed. He wanted nothing more than to support her, but each rejection felt like a wall being built between them, and he couldn't help but feel frustrated and helpless in the face of her resistance.