The day had arrived, the day that Sooah had been both fearful and hopeful for. The labor pains had started early in the morning, sharp and relentless, but this time, unlike the first pregnancy, Sooah was determined to see it through. She had made her choice, and she was ready to give everything for the life that was growing inside her. Jaemin had stayed by her side through every contraction, never leaving her hand, his presence a constant source of strength for her.
The hospital room was filled with the sound of her labored breathing, the scent of antiseptic heavy in the air. Jaemin stood beside her, watching her face, the sweat glistening on her forehead, his heart pounding in his chest. Every time she cried out in pain, it felt like a dagger to his soul. But he knew this was the moment. They had made it this far together. There was no turning back.
"Stay with me, Sooah," he whispered, his voice cracking. "You're doing great. Just a little longer, okay?"
She squeezed his hand, a small, tired smile on her lips despite the pain. "I'm so scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm here," Jaemin said, brushing the hair from her face, his own tears threatening to fall. "I won't leave you. We're in this together."
Sooah nodded, her eyes closing briefly before they fluttered open again. She could feel the end approaching, the exhaustion of the past hours taking its toll. Her body was tired, but her heart was full. Jaemin had been her rock, her guiding light through everything—through the darkest days, the hardest decisions, and the most painful moments. He had loved her when she couldn't love herself, had helped her find her strength again when she thought she had none left.
And now, as the final moments of her labor approached, she knew that her journey was nearing its end.
The doctor's voice broke through the fog of exhaustion. "Sooah, just one more push. You're almost there."
Sooah's breath hitched, her body trembling with the effort. Jaemin's hand was gripping hers so tightly, his face etched with worry and desperation.
"You're so strong," he whispered. "Just a little more, Sooah. We can do this."
With one final, desperate push, the cry of a newborn pierced the air. Jaemin's heart raced, but the moment of joy was short-lived. As soon as the baby's cries echoed in the room, Sooah's body gave out, and her breathing faltered.
"Sooah?" Jaemin called, his voice hoarse, but there was no answer.
His hands, shaking with fear, reached for her. "Sooah, stay with me," he begged, his voice breaking. But she was slipping away, her eyelids fluttering as the life drained from her.
The doctor rushed to her side, but Jaemin barely registered what was happening. His world was collapsing around him, his mind a blur of panic and sorrow.
"Stay with me," he whispered, his hand on her face, his tears falling freely. "Please, don't leave me. We're a family now."
Her fingers twitched in his hand, and she opened her eyes just slightly. "Jaemin…" Her voice was a faint whisper, barely audible over the beeping monitors. "I always… I always loved you."
Jaemin's heart shattered. "I love you too, Sooah. Please, stay with me. We've made it this far, don't give up now."
She smiled weakly, her eyes full of both love and sorrow. "I'm sorry. For everything. For the pain I caused… for the years… I wasn't strong enough to fix it all. But I love you… I always did."
Jaemin's tears flowed freely now, but he tried to hold it together. He couldn't lose her. Not after everything they had been through. "Sooah, don't say that. You're going to be okay. We're going to be okay."
But Sooah's smile faded, and the life left her eyes. The heart monitor flatlined, and the room fell into a heavy silence.
Jaemin remained frozen, his hand still clutching hers, unwilling to believe what had just happened. "No, no, no…" he whispered, his voice cracking. "Sooah…"
But it was too late. She was gone.
The next few hours were a blur of grief and shock. Jaemin could barely comprehend what had just happened. He had stood by her side through it all, and now, he was left with nothing but the tiny, fragile lives that Sooah had given birth to. Twins. A boy and a girl. They cried in the bassinet, unaware of the storm that had just swept through their world.
Jaemin took a deep breath, his chest tight with sorrow. He wasn't sure how he was going to get through this. But one thing he knew for certain—he would not let Sooah's death be in vain. He would raise their children. He would do whatever it took to give them the love and care they deserved.
Over the next few days, Jaemin threw himself into the role of fatherhood. The grief was overwhelming, but he had little time to focus on his pain. He had two tiny lives to care for now, and he would not fail them. He hired the best caregivers to help with the twins, but it was clear from the moment he held them in his arms that they were his responsibility.
Even in the midst of his sorrow, he found himself doting on them. He had never imagined that he could love anything this much, but as he held his son and daughter, he knew he would do whatever it took to raise them right.
His family, surprisingly, rallied around him. His parents, who had always been distant, came to his side, helping with the twins and providing support. Even Ji-Na and Ji-Ho, who had once been so indifferent, came around in their own way. Ji-Na, with her hard exterior, offered him practical advice and occasionally held the babies when Jaemin needed a break. Ji-Ho, though still distant, showed up to help whenever Jaemin asked, his efforts sincere but silent.
And Sooah's family—her parents and siblings—came to support him as well. Her mother, though devastated by the loss, expressed her gratitude that Jaemin had been there for Sooah in her final moments, and her father insisted that he would help in any way he could. Even though their grief was just as deep, they had no choice but to lean on each other, to be a family in the face of tragedy.
Jaemin's life had changed in an instant. He was no longer just the CEO of Mirae Group; he was now a single father, raising his children with the same devotion he had once given to Sooah. Every day was a struggle, but with each passing moment, he became more determined. He would not let the pain of losing Sooah define him. He would raise their children with the love they deserved, and he would make sure they knew the truth—that their mother had loved them with all her heart, even until the very end.
The twins, still too young to understand the gravity of what had happened, brought him a sense of purpose he never thought he would find again. They were his everything now.
And as the days went by, Jaemin couldn't help but feel that, in some strange way, Sooah's love was still with him—through the laughter of his children, through the warmth in their eyes. He would carry her memory with him always, and he would make sure that their children would know her love.
It was the only way he could honor her.