Sooah had begun to show signs of improvement. The road to recovery was still rocky, but she had started to reclaim parts of herself that had seemed lost forever. Her laughter, though infrequent, was a melody that warmed Jaemin's heart. There were still moments of isolation, days when the weight of everything seemed unbearable, but overall, she was better—slowly but surely.
Jaemin, too, had made strides in his own healing. His therapy sessions were no longer just about managing the stress of his role as CEO; they had become an essential part of his life. The weight he had carried alone for so long was beginning to lift. But as much as he had started to feel better, there was one thing that Jaemin had never anticipated—something that would disrupt the fragile balance they had worked so hard to establish.
It was a warm evening when Sooah came to him, her face pale, her hands trembling slightly as she held the small test in front of him. The realization hit Jaemin instantly, but he kept his composure, not wanting to overwhelm her further. He had learned over the past few months that sometimes the only thing he could do was be steady, be present.
"Sooah…" he started, his voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty.
"I'm pregnant," she said softly, the words barely above a whisper, but they echoed loudly in the silence of the room.
Jaemin stood there for a moment, processing the information. He had always imagined that, if they ever had children, it would come at a time when both of them were ready. But life, as it often did, had thrown them a curveball. He had seen Sooah struggle so much—her battle with her own mental health had been the focus of their lives for months. How could she possibly be ready for something like this now?
Sooah looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. "I don't know what to do, Jaemin. I'm not ready for this. I can't… I can't bring a child into all of this. Not yet. Not with everything that's still so uncertain."
Jaemin stepped toward her, his expression gentle but firm. "We don't have to make any decisions right away," he said, reaching for her hand, his thumb lightly brushing against her trembling fingers. "Take your time. But whatever you decide, I'll be here. I'll support you in whatever choice you make. You don't have to carry this alone."
Sooah's eyes filled with tears, a flood of emotions she had kept hidden behind her fragile composure finally breaking through. "I'm scared, Jaemin. I thought I was getting better, but now… this is too much. I don't know if I can do it."
Jaemin moved closer, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into the embrace she had been avoiding for so long. The feeling of her against him, the weight of her uncertainty, the fear that radiated from her—it all cut through him like a sharp knife. He knew she wasn't just afraid of the pregnancy; she was afraid of everything—the future, her mental health, their relationship.
"You don't have to do this alone, Sooah. I'm not going anywhere. Whatever decision you make, I'll be right here with you," Jaemin whispered, his voice steady but filled with a deep affection for the woman in his arms.
Sooah held on to him tightly, as if his presence alone could offer some comfort. "But what if I'm not ready? What if I can't do this? I can't even take care of myself right now, let alone a baby."
Jaemin pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes soft but resolute. "Then we'll take it one step at a time. Together. I know it's scary, but you don't have to carry this weight on your own. You never have to face anything alone again, Sooah. Not while I'm here."
Sooah closed her eyes, her breath shaky, trying to calm the storm that raged inside her. Jaemin's words were a lifeline, but they didn't take away the overwhelming fear she felt. This was her decision to make, and it was a decision that would change everything. The uncertainty of the future weighed on her like a mountain, and she wasn't sure she was ready to climb it.
"I… I just don't know," she whispered again, her voice barely audible.
Jaemin cupped her face gently, lifting her chin so that she could meet his gaze. "It's okay not to know. It's okay to be scared. What matters is that you don't have to make this decision alone. I'll be with you no matter what you choose. You'll have my support, my love, my everything, Sooah."
Sooah looked up at him, her tears slowly subsiding, and for the first time in a long while, there was a flicker of relief in her eyes. She didn't have all the answers, and she didn't know what the right choice was, but she knew that Jaemin was not going to let her fall.
"Thank you," she whispered, the weight of her emotions still present but slightly lighter now.
Jaemin nodded, his hands still resting gently on her face. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you. Always."
The following days were a blur of appointments, consultations, and long, quiet nights spent reflecting on the decision Sooah had to make. Jaemin continued to work, his usual impeccable performance as CEO never faltering, but his mind was often with Sooah. He made sure she had everything she needed, encouraging her to take her time and seek answers in her own way.
Sooah, on the other hand, was torn. She spent hours grappling with the reality of what was ahead—her fears, her uncertainty, her past struggles. She wasn't ready to become a mother, not in the state she was in. But at the same time, the thought of giving up a child, of ending something that was already a part of her, was equally terrifying.
One night, as Jaemin sat beside her, his presence a constant reassurance, she made the decision. It wasn't an easy choice, and she didn't feel like she had all the answers. But with Jaemin beside her, she knew she wasn't facing this alone.
"I've made my decision," Sooah said, her voice quiet but filled with a newfound resolve. "I'm not ready to have a baby. Not now. Not like this."
Jaemin's heart ached at her words, but he didn't hesitate. "Whatever you choose, Sooah. I'll be here. I'll support you. You don't have to carry this burden alone."
Sooah nodded, tears brimming in her eyes, but a weight lifted off her shoulders as she realized that, no matter what, Jaemin would stand by her. The road ahead was uncertain, but together, they could face anything.
In the weeks that followed, Sooah's recovery continued, and so did Jaemin's own journey of healing. They moved forward, both changed by the choices they had made and the challenges they had faced together. Jaemin had learned that, in order to help Sooah, he had to be there for her, but he also had to take care of himself. He had to find balance, to make sure he was strong enough to face whatever came next.
And in that strength, Sooah found a sense of peace—knowing that no matter what happened, she wouldn't have to face it alone. With Jaemin by her side, she had the chance to rebuild, to grow, and to become the person she once dreamed she could be.
And for the first time in a long time, Sooah truly believed that maybe, just maybe, they could create a future together—a future of healing, love, and the promise of new beginnings.