┍━━━━━━━★━━━━━━━┑
CHAPTER 36
⸻ RESET
┕━━━━━━━★━━━━━━━┙

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

T H R E E Y E A R S L A T E R

"THE CEO OF KIM'S holding and the daughter of former chief prosecutor Kang was reported to be expecting a second child,"

I groan and immediately click onto the remote to skip the channel, eyes rolling back in annoyance.

I thought I was over this — over him.

After three years, I would go as far to say that I hated him but — deep inside, it was the opposite. I knew it was my fault for leaving but my mind still troubled by the fact that he didn't seek or look for me after I disappeared. I thought he would fight for us but I was wrong. He didn't love me anymore. Or maybe he never did.

The sound of my ringtone brings me back into reality as I immediately slide to answer without looking at the screen.

"Hello?"

"Eunbyul's mother? Hello, this is Han Soyeon, your daughter's caretaker. Are you on your way? Your daughter is waiting for you," A female voice blares from across the phone.

"Oh, I'll be right there," I reply before ending the phone call.

I push myself off the couch and walk into my room to drape in an appropriate attire. After changing, I grab my car keys and switch on the ignition before driving onto the street.

I finally arrived in front of a daycare centre and hop out from my car. That is when I instantly spot my precious little girl running to my direction.

"Mummy!" she wobbles and jumps into my arms in which I gladly catch her right in time.

"Hi, pretty baby," I laugh, pecking her soft, squishy cheek. "How was your first day?"

"I have a friend, mummy," she mumbles in a tiny voice. "She is a girl.. like me,"

"Oh, really?" I chuckle. "Is she pretty like you?"

Her smile lingers for a moment as she pauses to form a sentence. "No, she is prettier,"

"Aw, you're the prettiest in mummy's eyes," I grin fondly at her response and I couldn't help but give her another peck on the cheek.

I was about to say something until someone interrupted. I turn to see a tall, young beautiful woman approaching us.

"Hello, ma'am. I'm Han Soyeon, the one who gave you a call," she introduces herself politely with a quick bow.

"Oh, it's you. Ah, hello," I reply flatly. "How was she on her first day? Was she okay?"

With a wide smile plastered on her face, she replies, "You have got nothing to worry about. She's doing great. In fact, she has a new friend, isn't that right, Eunbyul?"

"Eung," Eunbyul hums affirmatively and nods, flashing a soft grin.

"I'm so proud of you, baby girl," I pat and stroke her hair. "I hope you can continue to take good care of her, Miss Han,"

"Oh, yes, of course! It's my job," she alludes meekly. "See you tomorrow, Eunbyul. Be a good girl, okay?"

"Nae!" she quips, still lingering the cutest smile on her lips. Aish, so cute.

The woman nods her head in acknowledgment as a sign of departure before walking away the other direction.

With Eunbyul traps in between my arms, I scamper to the car and place her in the passenger seat before fastening her seatbelt around her tiny figure.

"Mummy, I'm hungry," she whines suddenly while rubbing her belly.

I chuckle at her. "Eo? What do you want to eat?"

"Strawberries!" she requests, the word slipping off her tongue smoothly.

"Strawberry? You already eat strawberries yesterday, sweetie. Let's eat dumplings, hm?"

"No, I want strawberries. Please, mummy?" she pleads as she pouts out her bottom lip.

I sigh in defeat. "Alright, this is only because I love you but no more strawberries for tomorrow, okay?"

"Nae!"

•••

"Uncle Jungkook! Aunt Ryujin!" Eunbyul's cheerful voice echoes around the apartment after the sight of Jungkook and Ryujin appears before us.

"Hi, pretty girl. Come here," Jungkook greets, stretching out his arms to Eunbyul.

Eunbyul quickly engulfs into his embrace, snuggling closer to his buff chest.

I only grin at the adorable sight before I drag Ryujin to the kitchen, leaving both of them to spend time in the living room. Ryujin and Jungkook decided to give us a visit for lunch since it had been a while we have seen each other.

"How are you doing, ma'am?" Ryujin nudges my arm with a smile on her features.

I lift up an eyebrow. "Good. How are you after being promoted as a prosecutor?"

A quiet sigh eclipses from her lips. "Honestly, being a prosecutor is a lot less difficult than a attorney. I don't even need to feel guilty about the defendant anymore. Phew,"

"That's great! I'm so happy that you got promoted,"

She only smiles before she waves it off. "Enough about me. Let's talk about you. Okay, I know you're going to turn this down but please, please, go on a blind date,"

"Again? No, Ryujin. It's not going to work out," I refuse her offer.

The last time she forced me to go on a blind date, it ended up me being stood up. It was such a waste of time.

"Eunbyul needs a father figure. You have to go on a blind date. I promise, this man is perfect for you," she persuades again.

"Don't worry about that. I can take care of Eunbyul just fine. I don't need no man,"

Ryujin intakes a sharp breath. "I know but who's going to take care of you? Because you're not getting any younger. So please, just listen to me,"

"I'm sorry. I can't,"

"Are you going to let Eunbyul lives without no father for the rest of her life? She needs a father, Mia. Or perhaps, maybe she needs her real father," she taunts as she looks at me carefully to study my reaction.

"No, absolutely not. That man practically cheated on me. Eunbyul doesn't deserve a father like him,"

"I know, I'm so sorry but you have to at least let him know. It's his daughter. You can't separate a daughter and a father,"

I press my lips together in a thin line, wondering over her statement. "You think I should tell him?"

"Yes, and I think you should win him back,"

"Win him back?" I queer, staring at her with utter confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you think it's bizarre that he's marrying Haera? He hates her. I'm sure she did something to him, which is why he's marrying her,"

"I don't care, Ryujin. Let them be happy," I mutter the words out in a soft whisper.

"Now, that's a lie. You wouldn't even look at another man because you still love him,"

"I'm not going on a blind date nor winning him back. End of discussion," I huff and turn to the fridge to get ready the ingredients to cook. "Let's just make lunch, alright?"

"Fine, but it's your fault for not fighting for him. You clearly know that Haera is obsessed with him. And now, she got Taehyung. Are you just going to let her have him?"

"I don't want to hear any of this, Ryujin. I'm trying to forget about him," I seethe in anger but my eyes are brimming with tears. "So please.. don't make this even harder,"

Ryujin's eyes soften as she wanders and brings me closer to her body. "Shhh, I'm sorry,"

The emotions come rushing in and soon, my longing tears are trickling down my cheeks heavily.

It was so hard to compose myself after all these years of suffer and torment but I never regretted of loving him — and a part of my heart wants him back but it is too late. He's happy with his first love and I don't want to be entitled as someone ruining the other's marriage.

•••

A/N: I apologise for this long wait but here I am! I'm so sorry that this was poorly written but thank you for your love and supports for this fanfiction! I really appreciate it. Stay tuned for the upcoming chapters. I love you guys <33