She stood on the tip of her toes and reached for the upper shelf of the cabinet. Carefully, she grabbed the nearest suitcases her fingers could find. She then hurriedly headed to the bedroom, mentally listing down the things she would need to get and where she could find them.
Little Jung Hyun was confused upon seeing his mom so frantic. Standing by the door frame, he watched Eun Young as she gathered her clothes only to stuff them messily inside the suitcase. She then ran into the bathroom and emerged with many bottles of shampoos and body wash in her arms. Afterwards, she dashed to the bedside table, rummaging through the contents until she finally retrieved an envelope.
"Mommy?" The little one worriedly asked. For some reason, something didn't feel right. His mother was panicking and she was close to clearing out her things in the room!
Eun Young didn't hear little Jung Hyun. She was still occupied in making sure that she got everything packed. When she began to hear someone sobbing, that was the only time she turned to see her son bawling his eyes out. "Oh dear." She guiltily murmured as she immediately went to his side.
"M-mommy, why... why are you l-leaving?" Little Jung Hyun wailed. He tightly hugged Eun Young by her neck. No matter what her reasons were, he won't let her go! Little Jung Hyun and baby Hye Soo will be sad if she goes away... Daddy will also be sad if she leaves...
"Oh no, baby. Mommy's not leaving." 'The three of us will.' She wanted to say but she focused on consoling the heartbroken child. "Don't cry. Mommy will never leave you. It's just that... our house will be fixed and we need to find another home in the meantime while it's messy in here. Mommy will be with you so you don't have to be afraid. Okay?" She lied.
Eun Young patted little Jung Hyun's back. He was still crying and she could feel his warm tears dampening her shirt. Eun Young helplessly sighed. She certainly has to remain strong at times like this. She may be hurting, but she'll do everything in her power to protect her children. A few moments later, he finally let her go. Little Jung Hyun wiped his tears away and with innocence and sincerity in his eyes, he asked. "Y-you really won't leave?"
She gently shook her head and flashed him a small smile. "How could I leave you when I love you so much?" She said. Eun Young kissed little Jung Hyun's forehead. When the little one was finally assured, he voluntarily helped his mother by putting his own things in his suitcase too.
After arranging her luggage, Eun Young went to assist little Jung Hyun and Hye Soo. The kids were more concerned with bringing their toys than their clothes that Eun Young had to prepare a separate bag for them. A little while later, they had already prepared everything they would need. Eun Young wasted no more time as one by one, she began transferring the luggage to the back of the car.
On her second return, she was carrying the children's suitcases. "Little Jung Hyun, please be a dear and bring your sister to the car please. We'll leave shortly!" She called out. She dragged the heavy materials down the stairs. However, just as she was about to exit the house, she noticed that a man was now standing by the main threshold.
A familiar pair of brown eyes found hers. It was the pair that always had her heart skipping a beat. But the moment their gazes met, there was only pain and hurting. She doesn't want that for the kids. She doesn't want that kind of feeling anymore.
"The kids and I..." She began to declare. Her hands balled into fists. If Min Jae was thinking of stopping her... If he's planning on taking custody of the children... she'll definitely put up a fight.
Eun Young glared at the man in front of her. But the man, in return, simply looked at her with a defeated expression. Is this a trick? Is he still trying to prove his innocence? Eun Young rolled her eyes. He never cared about them before, what would've changed now?
Min Jae let out a sigh. "I know." He calmly said.
Eun Young was about to grab the luggage again when suddenly, little footsteps came rushing down the stairs. "Daddy!" Little Jung Hyun screamed in excitement. Behind him, baby Hye Soo was rushing to greet her father too! She wasn't as fast and as tall as little Jung Hyun yet so she still had to grab onto the railings for support. Nevertheless, they were both very ecstatic to finally see their father again.
As soon as little Jung Hyun approached Min Jae, the child held onto the hem of his suit and began tugging. "Daddy, you have to pack your stuffs too! Quickly! Mommy said our house needs fixing and we're gonna stay somewhere really nice!" His eyes glowed as he spoke. "Let's go! I'll help you!" Little Jung Hyun even offered.
"Lee Jung Hyun!" Eun Young called but her son was too distracted. He can't come! He can't! Eun Young panicked as she immediately searched her mind for an excuse. "Little Jung Hyun," She called again. Fortunately, her son heard her this time. "Your father can't come with us. He... he needs to focus on his work somewhere." She lied again.
Little Jung Hyun blinked in response after hearing this. 'Daddy won't be coming?' He thought. He then turned to look at Min Jae. Inwardly, he was telling him to say it's not true. He misses his father so much. He misses their play times... Their father-son bondings... He has to come with them!
Seeing the look on his son's face, Min Jae stooped lower so that he was now face to face with him. "Daddy, come with us please." Little Jung Hyun pleaded when their eyes met. In that moment, Min Jae's heart squeezed. His son was really expecting him to say yes, but Min Jae knew that the answer he would have to give is the opposite. He also knew that little Jung Hyun would be very disappointed. And that thought made his heart tighten once more.
Min Jae took his little hands and held it with his. He gave them a light press before looking at him in the eye. Hopefully, this wouldn't be the last time that he would see them. Because as he stared at little Jung Hyun's eyes, regret began to fill him. He wished that he never made that mistake. He wished he could've been a better father. He wished... he wished he could've tried harder. Forcing a smile, he spoke.
"Little Jung Hyun, do you remember what I said? About that thing you should do so that I wouldn't worry anymore?"