[Seoul Grand Amusement Park | 5:00 PM]
The amusement park buzzed with laughter and cheerful music.
Children ran from one attraction to another while colorful balloons floated through the warm evening air.
The scent of popcorn, cotton candy, and freshly baked snacks filled the atmosphere.
Near the center of the park, beneath the shade of a large tree, Taekyun sat quietly on a wooden bench.
His calm eyes followed the small roller coaster circling along its colorful track.
It wasn't a fast ride.
The miniature train twisted through gentle hills, passed beneath tiny tunnels, and circled a small castle before returning to the station.
It was perfect for both children and older kids.
Inside one of the front carts...
Taeha sat excitedly, waving both hands every time the train passed by.
Beside him sat Haru.
Unlike Taeha's excitement, she remained composed, though the faint smile on her face revealed she was enjoying herself.
Standing nearby, Lihan returned carrying a paper cup.
He handed it to Taekyun.
"Your coffee, Sir."
Taekyun accepted it with a small nod.
"Thank you."
Lihan smiled politely.
"I'll go wait near the exit."
"Hm."
Taekyun quietly sipped his coffee while occasionally checking the schedule on his phone.
A few minutes later...
The little roller coaster came to a stop.
Children climbed off one after another.
Taeha happily skipped toward Lihan.
Haru, however, walked straight toward Taekyun.
She quietly sat beside him.
Her expression remained unusually serious.
Taekyun looked at her before offering a tissue.
"Tired?"
Haru gently shook her head.
"No."
Then she pointed toward one of the larger attractions in the distance.
"Abbuji."
"These rides are for children."
"I want to try that sky Cyclone."
Taekyun followed her gaze.
It wasn't dangerous.
But it certainly wasn't meant for small children.
He looked back at Haru.
"You know....."
"If you go."
"Taeha will want to go too."
Haru nodded immediately.
"I know."
"Please, Abbuji."
"You stay with Taeha."
"I'll go with Uncle Lihan."
Taekyun studied her quietly for a few seconds.
Then he gave a small nod.
"Alright."
Just then.....
Lihan returned carrying Taeha in his arms.
Taeha happily held a huge pink cloud of cotton candy.
Lihan smiled before handing another one to Haru.
"Here."
"This one's yours."
"Thank you."
Before Haru could leave.....
Taekyun called calmly,
"Lihan."
"Yes, Sir?"
"Take Haru."
"I'll stay with Taeha."
Lihan nodded immediately.
"Understood."
He carefully placed Taeha back on the ground.
Then looked toward Haru.
"Let's go."
Before they could leave....
Taeha hurried over to Taekyun, holding his cotton candy tightly.
His curious golden eyes followed Haru.
"Abba...."
"They're going where?"
Taekyun smiled faintly before taking his small hand.
"You come with me."
"I'll show you something over there."
Taeha immediately began bouncing.
"But Abba."
"I wanna go with Noona!"
He pointed toward Haru.
Taekyun chuckled quietly.
"Not this time."
"She'll will be back soon."
The little boy puffed his cheeks.
"Okay...."
Meanwhile.
Lihan and Haru arrived in front of the Sky Cyclone.
Lihan suddenly stopped walking.
"Oh...."
He stared up at the enormous spinning ride.
"Here?"
Haru turned toward him.
She noticed his face had become noticeably pale.
Even his smile looked forced.
She blinked.
"You're scared?"
Lihan straightened immediately.
"W-What?"
"No."
"Not at all."
He forced an awkward laugh.
"Let's go."
Haru looked at him for another second.
Then....
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
She didn't say anything.
After purchasing their tickets, they walked toward the boarding platform.
The closer they got.
The weaker Lihan's legs seemed to become.
He looked at the spinning seats above them and swallowed hard.
"Oh, heavens....."
He quietly muttered to himself.
"Please save me today."
"I don't know what kind of bravery exists in the women of this family."
"First Bora."
"And now her..."
He sighed dramatically.
"If I survive this."
"I'll never come to an amusement park again."
A female ride attendant looked at him with an amused smile.
"Sir."
"Please get inside."
"The ride is about to begin."
Lihan immediately straightened.
"Y-Yes."
"Coming."
Haru quietly covered her mouth.
Trying very hard not to laugh.
Meanwhile.....
Taekyun led Taeha toward another section of the amusement park.
Unlike the rides.....
This area resembled a small animal garden designed for children.
There were white rabbits hopping around a fenced meadow.
Tiny goats happily nibbling leaves from visitors' hands.
Colorful parrots perched on wooden branches.
A pair of gentle alpacas stood quietly while children fed them carrots.
Taeha's eyes sparkled.
"Abba!"
"Rabbit!"
Taekyun lifted him into his arms so he could see better.
"Hm."
"It's a rabbit."
Taeha pointed excitedly at another enclosure.
"Why goat have beard?"
Taekyun smiled.
"That's how goats grow."
"Just like your hair grows."
Taeha gasped dramatically.
"It become like uncle bego in supers (cartoon character)beard?"
Taekyun let out a quiet chuckle.
"Yes maybe."
The little boy nodded seriously before pointing toward the colorful parrots.
"They talking?"
"They can."
Taekyun answered calmly.
"If someone teaches them."
Taeha blinked in amazement.
"Can they say....."
"'Abba'?"
Taekyun looked at Taeha in his arms and smiled.
"Maybe."
"If you teach them patiently."
Taeha immediately waved enthusiastically at one of the parrots.
"Hello!"
"I'm Taeha!"
"Say Abba!"
"Abba can you buy me one too?"
"Parrot?"
"Yes this one."
"Not this one I'll tell uncle to buy you one from market."
(After sometime)
Almost an hour had passed since they had arrived at the amusement park.
After finishing the thrilling ride with Lihan, Haru finally returned to where Taekyun and Taeha were waiting.
Taekyun had just come back after walking around the park with Taeha.
Taeha happily was holding a balloon in one hand and a small plush toy in the other.
The moment Taekyun saw Haru, he asked,
"Where's Lihan?"
Haru pressed her lips together, trying desperately not to laugh.
Taekyun narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What happened?"
Before Haru could answer,
Lihan slowly appeared from behind them.
Lihan looked absolutely miserable.
His face had turned pale yellow, and his usually neat hair was slightly messy.
He walked with unsteady steps, looking as though he had just survived a life-threatening experience.
Taekyun immediately walked toward him.
"Lihan."
"Are you alright?"
Lihan forced a weak smile while trying very hard not to cry.
"I'm..... fine, Sir."
"Totally fine. "
"I'm just...."
"not used to rides."
His voice sounded completely drained.
Haru finally burst into laughter.
She quickly covered her mouth, but her shoulders continued shaking.
Taekyun glanced at her.
She immediately tried to stop laughing.
"Sorry, Abbuji."
Taekyun sighed quietly before picking up a bottle of water from a nearby table and handing it to Lihan.
"Drink."
Lihan accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you, Sir....."
After resting for several minutes and drinking the water, the color slowly began returning to his face.
It was already 6:30 pm
The sky had begun turning shades of orange and pink.
Haru and Taeha sat together on a nearby bench, each enjoying an ice cream.
Lihan excused himself to bring the car from the parking area.
As Taeha eagerly took another huge bite, vanilla ice cream spread around his lips.
Haru sighed.
"Taeha."
"Eat slowly."
She reached over with a tissue and carefully wiped his mouth.
"If you keep eating like this....."
"People will think you're dirty."
Taeha immediately frowned.
"I'm not dirty."
"I'm clean."
Haru couldn't help.
"Then prove it."
"Eat properly."
The little boy nodded seriously before taking a much smaller bite.
Just then.....
A woman approached Taekyun.
She appeared to be in her early thirties and was holding the hand of a little girl who looked about Taeha's age.
Another woman stood beside her.
"Hello."
Taekyun looked up from his phone and gave a polite nod.
"Hello."
The woman smiled.
"I think I know you."
Taekyun answered calmly,
"I don't believe we've met before."
She laughed softly.
"You're Director Kim Taekyun, aren't you?"
"I've seen you on television."
"One of the directors of Korea's largest pharmaceutical group."
Taekyun gave a small nod.
"Yes."
"How can I help you?"
The woman hesitated before speaking.
"Could I have your number?"
"I'm divorced."
"I have only my daughter."
"And I think you're really handsome."
She gently stroked the little girl's hair while looking hopefully at him.
Meanwhile.....
Haru noticed someone standing near her father.
She looked at Taeha.
"Stay here."
"I'll be right back."
The little boy nodded while continuing to eat his ice cream.
Haru quietly walked toward them.
Taekyun answered the woman politely.
"I'm sorry."
"I already have a partner."
"And I have children."
The woman smiled as though it didn't matter.
"I don't mind."
"I have a child too."
"See?"
She gently nudged the little girl forward.
At that moment.
Haru arrived beside Taekyun.
"Abba."
"What happened?"
Her eyes immediately shifted toward the unfamiliar woman.
The woman smiled brightly.
"Oh!"
"You're his daughter?"
"You're so pretty."
"I'm Seo Yul."
She extended her hand politely.
Haru simply stared at her without moving.
Her expression remained completely blank.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Taekyun looked at the woman once more.
"I'm sorry."
"We have to leave now."
He turned toward Haru.
"Let's go."
Then he started walking back toward Taeha.
For a brief second.....
Haru remained standing where she was.
She looked directly at the woman.
Her voice was calm.
But every word was perfectly clear.
"Please stay away from my father."
"I already have a mother."
"And I already have a sibling."
Without waiting for a response.....
She turned around and walked away.
"Haru."
Taekyun called quietly.
She immediately followed him without another word.
By the time Lihan arrived with the car, everyone got in and left the amusement park.
The ride was unusually quiet.
Haru sat beside Taeha, looking out the window.
Although she didn't say anything.....
Her mood had clearly been ruined by what had happened.
[Restaurant 7pm]
The restaurant was warm and lively.
The aroma of grilled meat and freshly prepared dishes filled the private dining room.
Taekyun sat at the head of the table while Taeha sat beside him, happily swinging his little legs.
Lihan quietly occupied the seat across from them.
Haru sat beside Taeha.
Throughout dinner, Taekyun patiently cut Taeha's food into smaller pieces while occasionally reminding him,
"Chew first."
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
Taeha obediently nodded before taking another bite.
Unlike him....
Haru was unusually quiet.
She only picked at her food, eating very little.
Taekyun noticed.
But he said nothing.
After dinner, they stopped by a shopping mall before heading home.
Taekyun bought several new outfits for both Haru and Taeha.
Taeha excitedly ran from one toy store to another, eventually leaving with several boxes of his favorite Galaxy Ranger figures, building robots, and miniature racing cars.
His laughter echoed throughout the store.
Haru, however.....
Barely looked at anything.
Although Taekyun picked out several dresses, jackets, books, and accessories for her, she simply accepted them quietly without showing much interest.
She never once asked for anything herself.
By the time they returned home.
It was already ten o'clock at night.
The residence had become quiet.
Bora had already finished her work and gone home.
Inside the car, Taeha had fallen asleep halfway through the drive, clutching one of his new toy boxes tightly against his chest.
Taekyun carefully carried the sleeping little boy upstairs.
He gently changed Taeha into his pajamas, tucked him beneath the blanket, brushed the soft hair away from his forehead, and switched off the bedroom light before quietly leaving the room.
After closing the door....
He walked downstairs.
The living room lights were still on.
Haru sat alone on the sofa, staring quietly at nothing.
She hadn't gone to bed.
Taekyun walked over and sat beside her.
For a while.
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"You didn't enjoy today?"
Haru kept her eyes forward.
"I did."
"A lot."
Her answer was quiet.
Almost emotionless.
Taekyun looked at her for several seconds before sighing softly.
"Haru-ah...."
"You know better than anyone."
"There isn't any place for someone else in my heart."
"Then why are you reacting like this?"
Haru slowly turned toward him.
"I know, Abba."
"I really know."
She lowered her head.
"But...."
"I don't want anyone getting close to you."
"I just....."
Her voice gradually disappeared.
Taekyun gently reached out and cupped her cheek.
Then he held both of her hands inside his own.
"I know."
His voice remained calm.
"And I promise you....."
"I'll never allow anyone to come close to me."
"No matter what happens."
"There will never be anyone else."
He smiled faintly.
"I don't need anyone."
"I already have you."
"And Taeha."
"That's enough for me."
The moment those words reached her.
Haru's eyes slowly filled with tears
After holding everything in for so long.
The tears finally slipped down her cheeks.
She looked up at her father.
"Will he."
Her voice trembled.
"not come back?"
"Did Umma...."
"really leave us forever?"
Taekyun quietly inhaled.
His own heart tightened.
He gently wiped away the tears from Haru's cheeks.
"Honestly...."
"I don't know."
His gaze drifted somewhere far away.
"But"
"I still believe"
"One day....."
"He'll come back."
Haru looked at him with trembling eyes.
"What if."
"He never does?"
"Will I....."
"never see Umma again?"
She swallowed painfully.
"Will Taeha....."
"never get to meet his Umma?"
For several long seconds.
Taekyun couldn't answer.
Instead.....
He slowly pulled Haru into his arms.
Holding her tightly against his chest.
He closed his eyes.
"I don't know."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"But."
"I still hope."
"I still believe."
"One day....."
"Your Umma will come back."
"I know him."
"He isn't someone who would let everything end this easily."
"He loves you."
"He loves Taeha."
"He endured so much pain."
"For our sake."
His grip around Haru tightened.
"Maybe...."
"He's only away from us."
"For now."
Haru slowly looked up at him.
"Don't you."
"miss Umma?"
Before she could finish.
Taekyun quietly smiled.
"I don't."
Haru blinked.
Taekyun looked toward the entrance of the residence.
His eyes softened.
"Because."
"He's always with me."
"Even if he isn't standing beside me."
"He never left my heart."
"And."
"He never left my mind."
"So....."
"I don't feel like he's gone."
Unable to hold herself back any longer.
Haru wrapped both arms around her father.
Resting her head gently against his lap.
"I hope....."
"Umma comes back."
"For us."
Taekyun silently rested one hand on her head.
Holding her close.
The living room fell into a peaceful silence.
His eyes slowly drifted toward the entrance of the residence.
For a long moment....
He simply stared.
Then, one memory after another quietly resurfaced.
He remembered the day he had scolded Haru.
Before he could say another word, Haneul had hurriedly stepped in front of her, shielding the little girl with his own body despite being terrified of him.
"Don't scold her.... It wasn't her fault...."
The timid omega had been trembling from head to toe, yet he had still chosen to stand between him and Haru.
A faint smile unknowingly touched Taekyun's lips.
The day he had coldly thrown Haneul out of the residence.
He had believed the omega would never come back.
Yet only hours later.
Haneul had returned during his heat.
His entire body had been burning with fever, his cheeks flushed deep red, tears streaming endlessly down his face.
He had stumbled straight into Taekyun's study without even knocking.
Standing on his laptop like a stubborn child.
He had grabbed Taekyun tightly by the collar of his shirt with both trembling hands.
His beautiful eyes had been overflowing with tears while his entire body shook from the overwhelming heat.
Even then....
Instead of asking for help.
He had cried as he confessed.
"I.... I like you...."
"I really.... really like you...."
Naive.
Clumsy.
So unbelievably brave despite being frightened.
Remembering that confession now.
Taekyun quietly lowered his eyes.
His hand instinctively tightened around Haru's small shoulder.
"You really were an idiot, Haneul."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Yet...
The corners of his lips curved into the faintest smile as he continued staring silently at the entrance, as though half expecting that small omega to suddenly walk back through the door again.