Min Arin

As I stepped out of the examination room, I felt like I was floating, detached from everything around me. My mind was a blur, but I kept walking, trying to piece together what had just happened. There was a weight pressing on me, but I couldn't quite identify if it was from shock, disbelief, or...something else. I had no idea what to feel.

Miso and the doctor were waiting for me , both wearing expressions of curiosity. As soon as Miso spotted me, she rushed over, her hand on her baby bump, eyes full of concern.

"So? What did the test say?" Miso's voice was a mixture of excitement and worry. She seemed ready to burst with anticipation.

I took a slow breath and answered in a calm voice, trying to sound steady, "It’s…positive."

For a second, there was silence. Miso’s eyes widened in pure shock, and then a huge smile spread across her face as she let out a squeal of joy. “Arin! Oh my god, this is amazing!” She threw her arms around me, almost jumping up and down with excitement. “We’re going to have babies at the same time!”

The doctor smiled softly, not quite catching the layers of emotion that Miso’s excitement was stirring inside me. I forced a faint smile, still trying to process what this news meant.

Then the doctor, in a kindly, professional tone, spoke up. "Well, congratulations. But just to be certain, you should see a gynecologist for an official examination. This isn’t my field, so it’d be best to confirm everything properly."

Miso's face lit up even more, a spark in her eyes as she spoke, "Oh, let’s go to my gynecologist! Dr. Lee is amazing, and she’s here at the hospital too." She barely waited for me to nod before taking my arm, leading me down the hall with an energy that was almost contagious.

We walked into Dr. Lee’s office, where Miso explained the situation with all the excitement of a child opening gifts on Christmas morning. The doctor chuckled at Miso’s enthusiasm, then led me to the examination table, where the ultrasound machine stood ready. I lay back, feeling a bit numb but curious as the ultrasound began.

The screen flickered to life, and soon, there it was—a small, faint flickering.

“That’s your baby,” Dr. Lee said softly, smiling as she pointed to the tiny heartbeat on the screen. “Congratulations, Arin. It looks like you’re almost two months along.”

Miso let out another squeal, grabbing my hand, her face alight with tears of joy. “Arin, can you believe it? You’re going to be a mom! Oh, this is just—” She cut herself off, wiping at her tears with a laugh. “Sorry, pregnancy hormones. They’re making me so emotional lately.”

I tried to smile, feeling an odd mixture of warmth and confusion. “Thank you, Dr. Lee,” I said quietly, my voice softer than usual.

Dr. Lee glanced at me kindly and then asked for my contact information. “If you could give me your email, we can set up future appointments and share any results as they come in.”

I nodded, giving her the email, and then we wrapped things up. Miso stayed by my side, practically buzzing with excitement. As we stepped out of the doctor’s office and made our way through the hospital lobby, I caught sight of Taehyung waiting near the entrance, checking his watch every few moments. His gaze snapped up when he saw us, and he walked over, his expression calm but tinged with concern.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, looking between us.

Miso's face immediately crumpled, and she sniffled as tears filled her eyes. "Yes… but it’s just… it’s just…" She started crying in earnest, the tears flowing freely now, her emotions swinging wildly. Taehyung’s face shifted to worry, his hand reaching for her shoulder in a steadying gesture.

“Miso?” he asked gently, his eyes flicking between her and me, clearly unsettled. “What’s going on?”

Just then, Miso’s tears stopped abruptly, and she broke into a huge, beaming smile. “You’re going to be an uncle soon!” she blurted out, practically bouncing with joy.

Taehyung blinked, processing her words with a blank expression. His gaze shifted to me, as if trying to make sense of it. I felt a rush of warmth color my cheeks, feeling oddly vulnerable under his unreadable stare.

It took him a moment, but then his eyes widened slightly, realization dawning on him. "Oh…" He cleared his throat, his usual stoic mask slipping just enough to show a flicker of surprise. “Congratulations, Arin,” he said, a faint but genuine smile tugging at his lips. “That’s… good news.”

“Thank you, Taehyung,” I murmured, a small smile breaking through my own confusion.

Miso, ever the planner, wasted no time in grabbing my hand again, her determination returning full force. “Alright, since you’re expecting too, we’re going to take care of you properly. No more running around the office without eating. You’re coming with us today, and we’re going to pamper you.”

I raised a hand in gentle protest. “Miso, I’m fine. I can manage, really.”

She narrowed her eyes, her expression a mixture of playful stubbornness and genuine care. “Nope. I’m not letting you step foot in that office today. You’re coming with us, and that’s final. You’ve got a whole nine months to be stubborn, but today, you’re resting.”

Knowing there was no winning against a pregnant Miso and not wanting to make a scene, I sighed in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll come with you.”

Miso beamed, triumphant. “Perfect! And don’t worry, we’re going to have the best day. You need to get used to this kind of treatment—this is just the beginning.”

I glanced at Taehyung, who gave me a small nod of understanding. “It’s probably best you take it easy,” he added, his tone as calm as ever. But there was a subtle warmth in his gaze that I hadn’t noticed before—a gentle reassurance that somehow made me feel a little more at ease.

With that, the three of us headed out of the hospital together, As we made our way to the car, Miso looped her arm through mine, already rattling off a list of things she planned to do to pamper me, from herbal teas to a shopping spree for “mommy essentials.” I leaned back in the car seat, letting her chatter wash over me, trying to process the gravity of everything that had just happened.

In that moment, with Miso's infectious energy beside me and the weight of the news settling in, I felt a small spark of hope flicker. Maybe—just maybe—things would turn out okay.

And for the first time since I heard the news, I felt a sliver of calm settle within me. Maybe everything was about to change, but for now, I had people around me who cared. And, for the first time, that felt like enough.

As Taehyung’s car glided smoothly through the city streets, Miso turned to me, her excitement palpable. Her hand rested lightly on my arm, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Arin, just think of how amazing this announcement will be. They’re all going to be so thrilled! We should plan a family dinner or something—make it memorable.”

I tried to mirror her enthusiasm, but my own emotions felt tangled. It was a strange mix of excitement and apprehension, my mind already drifting to the reactions waiting for me at home. “Do you really think it’s okay to tell everyone now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “I mean, it’s still so early… And I’m not even sure how… how they’ll react.”

Taehyung, ever the steady presence, glanced back at me from the rearview mirror. “It’s fine, Arin. They’ll want to know, and they’ll be happy for you. As for Jungkook…” He hesitated slightly before adding, “You can tell him in your own time, in private. He’ll appreciate hearing it directly from you.”

I nodded, biting my lip as I stared out the window, my thoughts whirling. Jungkook. I could already picture his reserved expression, his face giving away so little. We weren’t like other couples; the warmth, the ease, the openness that most people shared—it wasn’t there between us. Our marriage was… different, built on silent agreements and quiet respect rather than love or familiarity. I wasn’t sure how to handle telling him something so monumental.

“Yeah I mean yes.. it's just…” I trailed off, my voice barely audible, not wanting to voice my own fears. What if he was indifferent? What if he saw it as another obligation? The thought stung in a way I hadn’t expected.

Miso, noticing my silence, squeezed my hand gently. “Arin,” she said softly, her eyes full of understanding. “Jungkook might not show his feelings openly, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. He’s not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but I’m sure he’ll come around. This is big news. He’ll need time, just like you do.”

I forced a small smile, nodding at her words. Miso had a way of calming my fears, grounding me even when I felt unsteady. “I just… I don’t know what to expect. I mean yes you are right.”

Taehyung chimed in, his voice steady and reassuring. “Whatever his initial reaction is, he’ll do what’s right. Jungkook may be reserved, but he’s also responsible. He won’t take this lightly, Arin. And if he needs time to process, that’s okay. Just give him that space.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. Maybe Taehyung was right. Maybe Jungkook just needed time. Still, the uncertainty gnawed at me. How was I supposed to tell him that our lives were about to change forever?

Miso leaned closer, her voice softening as she spoke. “And don’t forget, Arin. You’re not alone in this. We’re all here for you, no matter what happens. You’ll have me, and you’ll have Taehyung. You’ll even have Yoongi pestering you every step of the way.” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood, and I found myself smiling despite the tension twisting in my chest.

“Thanks, Miso,” I whispered, grateful for her presence beside me. Her support felt like a lifeline, steadying me amidst my own swirling thoughts.

As we continued driving, my mind drifted back to Jungkook's upcoming transfer. The thought sent a wave of anxiety rippling through me. He’d leave for Busan soon, maybe even for months. The timing was... difficult, to say the least. Here I was, grappling with the news of a baby—a life-changing revelation—and the one person who should know, the father, was preparing to leave.

My thoughts grew heavier. Would he even want to stay once he found out? Jungkook had always been so focused on his work, almost as if it were a shield that kept him at arm’s length from everyone, including me. This transfer was his chance to get even further away, to immerse himself in the job he loved. A part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d be relieved to escape the complexities of our relationship—and now, the added complexity of a child.

I glanced out the window, trying to steady myself. Would I be prepared to handle this alone if he chose work over us? Could I? A soft sigh escaped my lips, and Miso glanced over with a curious look. I shook my head slightly, trying to reassure her without words, but the worry gnawed at me.

I knew I couldn’t stand in the way of his career. That wasn’t the kind of relationship I wanted to build. And yet, deep down, I hoped this baby could be the reason he might reconsider, that he might choose to stay, if only to be here for us.

But that was a lot to hope for.

As we neared the house, Miso squeezed my hand one last time. “Just remember, Arin—you don’t have to have all the answers right now. Take things one step at a time.”

I nodded, her words echoing in my mind. One step at a time. I’d tell Jungkook soon enough. For now, all I could do was brace myself and hope that, somehow, things would work out.

As we arrived at the mansion, Taehyung gave us a brief nod before heading back to the car, already half-immersed in work mode. I watched him drive off, wondering how he managed to switch between roles so effortlessly. Miso tugged at my arm, bringing me back to the present, and we headed inside together.

In the living room, our mother-in-law, Mrs. Jeon, was sitting elegantly with a few of her friends, all of them with perfectly styled hair and jewelry that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. They were mid-conversation but turned to us as we walked in, their expressions lighting up when they saw Miso.

“Oh, look at her!” one of the women gushed. “She’s positively glowing! Miso, darling, pregnancy truly suits you.”

Another friend chimed in, “Yes, you’re radiant! And how far along are you now?”

Miso beamed, one hand cradling her baby bump proudly. “Six months,” she said, her eyes sparkling. The attention and affection in the room were all directed at her, and for a moment, I felt like a shadow standing beside her.

My mind drifted, wondering how things might change once they found out about my pregnancy. Would I be met with the same warmth, the same excited smiles? Or would my news be met with silence, questions, perhaps even judgment?

Sensing my awkwardness, Mrs. Jeon turned her gaze toward me. “Arin,” she began, her voice softening, “I was just telling my friends here how ambitious you are. Not only does the family feel proud, but you’ve brought fresh energy to the company.”

One of the other women nodded. “Yes, we heard about your presentation. It’s impressive to see someone so dedicated and capable.”

I offered a polite smile, feeling my cheeks warm under the sudden shift in attention. “Thank you. I just… want to do my best for the family.”

As the conversation continued, the women gradually began to gather their things, saying their goodbyes. Once they had left, Miso immediately let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes in that playful way she had when she was truly unfiltered.

“Oh, thank heavens they’re gone,” she groaned, flopping back onto the couch. “The amount of fake smiles in that room could light up Seoul.”

Mrs. Jeon chuckled, shaking her head. “I’ll never understand why they insist on stopping by. It’s like they only come to gossip.”

Miso leaned in with a grin. “You should have heard them last time. One of them actually suggested I should ‘watch my figure’ even though I’m six months pregnant. Can you imagine?”

I found myself laughing, the tension slowly easing as their playful jabs continued.

Mrs. Jeon nudged me gently, her eyes warm. “You should laugh more often, Arin. It suits you.”

I returned her smile, my worries momentarily forgotten as we laughed together. In that moment, everything felt simpler, lighter—like maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out fine.

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Author’s Note

Hey, lovely readers!

Thank you so much for diving into another chapter with me! I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit more of Arin's journey as she navigates the complexity of family, ambition, and the unexpected path that lies ahead. I tried to bring out the contrasting dynamics between Miso and Arin’s lives—especially in how each handles love, relationships, and family expectations. Their friendship is growing in ways I didn’t anticipate, and it’s exciting to explore how they balance each other’s personalities, especially with all these emotions and changes they’re going through!

I’m really curious to know what you think about Arin’s evolving story and her uncertainties about Jungkook, as well as Miso’s supportive (yet playful) spirit. Let me know your thoughts, theories, or anything you’d like to see in the upcoming chapters. Your comments always inspire me and bring this story to life!

As always, thank you for your incredible support. Every read, vote, and comment means the world to me, and I couldn’t do this without you all. So grab your tea, coffee, or favorite snack, because things are about to get even more interesting!

Much love,
StarlitWings