A week had passed since the night their baby was born.
But Jihyun hadn't opened his eyes yet.
Every day,
Taewon came to the hospital without fail. He'd sit beside Jihyun's bed, holding his cold hand and talking to him like he could still hear everything.
He'd feed Hyunwon, change him, and return to the quiet room the silence pressing on his chest like a weight.
The doctors said his condition was stable, but his consciousness needed time.
Those words repeated like a prayer Taewon didn't know how to stop saying.
That Monday evening, after spending an hour with baby Hyunwon in the nursery, Taewon finally stepped out to get coffee.
His eyes were tired, dark circles marking the sleepless nights he'd spent waiting.
He had just lifted the cup to his lips when a nurse came rushing down the corridor.
"Sir... sir, Kang Jihyun he's gaining consciousness!"
The cup fell from his hand, spilling over his shoes, but he didn't care.
He ran.
Every step felt like his heart was slamming against his ribs.
When he entered the room, the sound of the monitor was the only thing breaking the stillness.
Jihyun's eyes were half-open, blinking slowly at the bright ceiling.
His lips parted faintly, dry and trembling.
"Taewon…" his voice was weak, almost a whisper.
Taewon froze for a second. Then he moved closer, grabbing his hand.
"I'm here Jihyun, I'm right here."
Jihyun's fingers barely curled around his. He blinked again, eyes glassy, confused and tired.
"Did we… lose?" he murmured faintly.
Taewon's throat closed up as he shook his head quickly.
"No. We didn't lose anything. You did it, Jihyun-ah. You gave birth to our son."
Jihyun's lips trembled, his gaze turning distant like he was still piecing things together.
Then slowly, he whispered, "Our… son"
Taewon nodded, unable to speak .
He knelt beside the bed, resting his forehead on Jihyun's hand.
"I really missed you," he said quietly.
"All this time, I was scared to death."
Jihyun's weak smile formed slowly,
Days passed, and Jihyun recovered little by little.
The first time he held Hyunwon, his eyes filled instantly. His trembling fingers brushed the baby's tiny hands, and Taewon placed a hand gently over his shoulder.
"His name?" Taemi had asked when everyone gathered to see them.
Jihyun smiled softly and looked at Taewon. "Hyunwon. From Jihyun and Taewon."
"Han Jihyun, Kang Taewon Kang Hyunwon," Taewon said proudly, brushing a kiss on his son's forehead.
When they returned to the villa, Mrs. Kang stayed for a while, helping with the baby.
Jihyun was still weak, learning slowly about diapers, feeding, and sleepless nights.
But every time Hyunwon cried, Taewon was there first.
That first night when the baby slept in their room, both of them were terrified to close their eyes.
Jihyun held Hyunwon awkwardly, staring at him like he might break.
Taewon stood nearby with a baby bottle in one hand and a blanket in the other, pretending to know what he was doing.
That night, Hyunwon cried for hours.
Taewon didn't let Jihyun move once.
He stayed up the entire night, walking around the room with Hyunwon in his arms, whispering softly.
He changed diapers twice, fed him every hour, and by the time dawn arrived, Taewon looked ready to collapse but smiled anyway.
This routine continued for days.
Taewon went to the office in the morning, came back in the evening to help Jihyun, and stayed awake through the night for the baby.
He barely ate. He'd lost weight, his cheeks hollowed slightly, but he never complained.
One night, Jihyun noticed him swaying slightly while holding the bottle.
"Taewon," Jihyun said, frowning.
"Go to sleep. I'll handle him tonight."
"No," Taewon replied quietly.
"You rest."
"I said sleep," Jihyun said sharply, grabbing the bottle and the baby from his hands.
"You can't even stand straight. Get on the bed."
"Jihyun"
"I said, sleep."
Taewon looked at him for a moment, then gave up.
"Fine," he said softly, and laid down.
The moment his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep deeply for the first time in weeks.
Jihyun looked at him, then down at their baby, who was blinking up at him curiously.
He smiled, patting his back gently.
"You're just like your father," he whispered. "Can't sleep when someone else needs you."
Hyunwon soon fell asleep too, his small chest rising peacefully.
Jihyun tucked the blanket around him and leaned close, whispering,
"You're my family, both of you."
He looked back at Taewon, sleeping deeply, and smiled.
"Sleep well, Taewon-ah," he murmured before brushing a soft kiss on his lips.
Taewon's eyes opened faintly, a small smile forming as he pulled Jihyun closer, wrapping him in his arms.
"Don't move," he mumbled, half-asleep.
Jihyun laughed quietly, kissing his forehead.
For the first time, peace filled the room.
[Two Months Later]
The evening was calm and filled with the soft laughter of family.
The dining table was full Mrs. Kang, Taesung, Jihan, Taemi, and the couple with their baby.
Jihan was feeding her son Dan, while Jihyun had Hyunwon in his arms, who was busy playing with his tiny hands
Mrs. Kang looked happy, her eyes glowing as she watched the little ones.
After dinner, when everyone was relaxed, Taesung suddenly said,
"Mom, Taewon has something to tell you."
Mrs. Kang smiled softly
"Oh? What is it?"
Taewon hesitated.
"Mom…" He looked at Jihyun for a second, then back at her.
"We've been thinking. About going back to Seoul."
The table fell silent.
Mrs. Kang's smile faded slightly.
"Seoul? So soon?"
Jihyun spoke gently.
"We've thought a lot about it, Mother. The villa's been peaceful, but Taewon's work needs him there. And… I think we're ready."
Mrs. Kang frowned, setting her chopsticks down.
"I just worry. You've both gone through too much. The city isn't always kind, especially after"
Taewon interrupted softly,
"I know. But Seoul is our home, Mom. We'll manage."
Mrs. Kang shook her head.
"Manage?I can't see either of you hurt."
"Mother," Jihyun said gently, placing Hyunwon in her arms.
"We'll be careful this time. It's not about running anymore. We want to build something there, for him."
Mrs. Kang looked down at the baby.
"You think I can argue when you use him as a shield?"
Jihyun smiled faintly. "It always works."
Taesung laughed.
"Mom, you can visit them anytime. It's not like they're leaving the country."
"I know," she sighed.
"But it's not easy watching your children go through life again. You two barely survived the last storm."
Taewon looked at her with calm eyes. "Maybe that's why we can face it now."
Mrs. Kang exhaled slowly.
"You've changed, Taewon. The old you would've stayed quiet."
He smiled faintly.
"The old me didn't have someone worth speaking for."
Her eyes softened.
"And you, Jihyun… are you ready? Seoul won't let you rest easily."
Jihyun nodded.
"Maybe. But I don't want to live scared anymore. I want Hyunwon to see us standing, not hiding."
For a moment,
Mrs. Kang didn't reply. She looked at them both the quiet pride in Taewon's eyes, the fragile but firm strength in Jihyun's and finally smiled.
"Then go," she said softly.
"But promise me no matter what happens, don't lose each other again."
"We promise," Taewon said.
"And when you reach Seoul," she continued, "don't forget take care of yourselves before the world. Taewon, stop skipping meals. Jihyun, don't overthink things.
If you argue, settle before the day ends. And if you miss home… you know where it is."
"Yes, Mother," Jihyun said warmly.
She smiled, holding Hyunwon close.
"He's lucky. Both of you are."
Taewon looked at Jihyun quietly, his heart light for the first time in months.
This time, it wasn't just survival anymore.
It was a new beginning.