Suho had been working in his study for hours, eyes fixed on the laptop screen, mind tangled in reports and data. The sound of the keyboard clicks had become the only rhythm in the silent house. Bora had gone out to buy groceries, leaving just him and Hauen at home. Somewhere between his notes and sighs, the quiet began to feel a little too still.
Stretching lazily like a cat, Suho leaned back in his chair before finally deciding to take a break. As he stepped out of the study, he noticed how calm everything was, no footsteps, no humming, just the faint sizzling sound coming from the kitchen. Curious, he followed it, his steps soft against the floor.
And then he saw her.
Hauen stood by the counter, hair tied up in a loose high bun, a few soft strands falling near her face. She wore her regular pajamas and an apron tied around her waist, moving gently as she cooked. Through her Bluetooth earphones, he could faintly hear the beat of a song; she was quietly humming along, lost in her own world.
Suho stopped at the doorway, his lips curving into a smile. The scene felt warm, domestic, almost too beautiful to disturb. His eyes lingered on her, the way she moved so naturally, the light bounce of her shoulders to the rhythm, the little crease on her nose when she tasted the soup, and then... his eyes darted to that small mole on the nape of her neck.
God, that mole. One of his softest, yet biggest weaknesses.
He found himself smiling wider, heart swelling with a familiar ache. Even like this, in simple clothes, no makeup, just her, she managed to steal his breath away without even trying.
He couldn't resist her. Something about that quiet warmth pulled him in. He walked toward her quietly, each step slow and deliberate. She didn't notice; music played softly in her earphones as she stirred the pot, completely unaware of his presence.
Suho stopped right behind her, close enough to catch the faint scent of her shampoo. Slowly, he slipped his arms around her waist.
She gasped, body tensing for a second before she turned, only to see his familiar smile waiting for her. Her shoulders relaxed instantly, a soft laugh leaving her lips as she removed her earphones.
"What's up, Teddy? Done with your work already?" she asked, her focus half on the dish she was preparing.
"Mmm," he hummed lazily, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
The sudden affection made her cheeks warm. He rarely initiated it first, and that small change was enough to make her smile shyly. His arms tightened around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice low against her skin.
"Why's the house so quiet? Where did everyone go?"
"Bora went to get groceries, Mr. Lee had some personal work, and the housekeeper finished and left hours ago," she said, still stirring.
He hummed again, a faint grin forming near her ear. "Hmm… so it's just us then," he murmured, his lips brushing her cheek as he spoke.
Her heart began to race, his breath, his warmth, the soft pressure of his arms, it all sent goosebumps to her skin.
"Mmm," that's the only sound she could manage, because her throat felt tight and her mind had gone blank from his nearness.
He smiled at her quiet response and nuzzled against her cheek, planting a faint kiss there that made her pulse skip again.
She tried to focus on chopping vegetables, but his closeness made her knees weak. Still, she tried to stay steady, pretending to focus on the knife when all she could really feel was him, his breath on her cheeks, his chin on her shoulder, his fingers brushing against her waist.
He stayed like that for a while, just holding her, his chin resting on her shoulder, quietly breathing her in. It felt peaceful, intimate in a way that didn't need words.
After a few minutes, he finally pulled back a little. "Let me help you," he said suddenly, moving beside her. "It's been a while since I cooked anything."
She raised a brow, hiding her smile. "You sure about that?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm a good cook. Back then, I used to cook… mostly when Ye—"
He stopped mid-sentence. The name hung in the air between them, unfinished, but understood.
She looked at him quietly, then reached out and held his hand. His eyes flicked to hers, guilty, hesitant, but her expression was calm, kind.
"It's okay," she said softly. "She was part of your life. You can't undo that. I know you have shared some precious moments of your life with her."
He looked at her for a moment, his heart aching, then a small, genuine smile curved his lips. "Never mind… let me cook something for you now. Something delicious."
The warmth returned to his eyes as he picked up the cutting board and knife, eager to impress her.
Her smile matched his warmth. "What are you going to cook for me, Teddy?"
"Teddy special Dak-galbi," he said, flashing that playful grin of his.
"Ohhh…" she laughed. "Then tell me, what are the special ingredients for Teddy's version?"
"Everything's the same," he said, already reaching for the pan. "The only special ingredient is… teddy's love."
She giggled, shaking her head. "That's so cheesy."
"Maybe," he said with a grin, "but it works."
Still smiling, she opened the refrigerator and began handing him what he needed: chicken, gochujang, sauces, sweet potato, and everything else. The kitchen filled with light movement and laughter as she helped him wash the ingredients.
When she turned to look at him, her eyes softened again. "You sure you can stand for too long?" she asked.
"Yes," he said proudly, lifting the pan with a mock flex of his arm. "I'm stronger now, after all those exhausting workouts and stretches you put me through."
She glared and gave his arm a light slap. He just smiled and pulled her closer.
"You should thank me for making you strong," she murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He chuckled. "That's why I'm making dak-galbi for you, with extra love."
Her pout melted into a smile. He began cooking with easy confidence, his movements smooth and practiced. She stayed close, her arms loosely around his waist as they chatted, about the food, the taste, the silly little things that filled their days.
The rest of the world went on as usual, but for them, time slowed. They were simply there, cooking, laughing, and quietly weaving another beautiful memory into their story.
Kim Private Villa, Hannam-dong
The evening sun poured softly through the tall glass windows, across the living room floor. Yuna sat gracefully on the couch, her posture as composed as ever, a delicate teacup resting between her fingers.
Across from her, Sora, Minho's wife, her beloved daughter-in-law, sat with an unmistakable glow on her face. Her hands were clasped in her lap, eyes bright, as though she were holding in a beautiful secret.
"How are you, Ommoni?" Sora asked gently, her tone respectful but full of warmth.
"I'm good," Yuna replied with a small smile. "How about you two? Where's Minho?"
Sora's smile widened. "He's on his way home."
Yuna tilted her head slightly, studying her. "And what's the matter? You called me so suddenly."
Sora bit her lip, her excitement barely contained. "Actually… there's something we wanted to share with you, Ommoni."
Yuna's brows lifted curiously. "What is it?"
Before Sora could speak, the doorbell rang.
"Oh, just a second, Ommoni. That must be Minho," she said, rising quickly from her seat.
Yuna nodded, setting her cup down as Sora hurried to open the door.
The moment she did, Minho stepped inside, his face lighting up the second he saw her. "Hey, baby," he murmured, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss on her lips.
Sora blushed and whispered, "Ommoni is here."
Minho froze mid-motion, then looked past her shoulder. There, seated elegantly on the couch, still as poised as ever, her expression calm but eyes twinkling knowingly.
"Omma," he greeted, a boyish smile spreading across his face.
Yuna stood, her smile softening. "How are you, my baby?"
He walked up to her, pulling her into a gentle hug. For a moment, he was no longer the accomplished man everyone respected, just her son, the same boy she once tucked into bed. He kissed her cheek lightly, and she chuckled, cupping his face with motherly affection.
"How's work going on these days?" she asked.
"Fine, omma," he replied, his tone relaxed and easy.
"Good." She kissed his forehead, the gesture full of quiet tenderness.
Then Sora, still smiling, took a small breath and spoke softly. "I called Ommoni here to tell her the news, baby."
Minho turned to her, and she gave him a small nod of encouragement.
"What news?" Yuna asked, curious now. "What are you two hiding from me?"
Minho rubbed the back of his neck, biting his lower lip, then looked up at her with a shy grin."Actually… omma… we're expecting a baby."
Yuna blinked, for a moment, speechless. "What…?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as joy began bubbling in her chest.
Sora nodded quickly, her eyes shining.
"Yes, omma," Minho said softly, smiling widely now. "After so much waiting and effort… we finally got the good news."
Yuna's hand flew to her mouth, disbelief and happiness washing over her at once. "Are you… Are you serious?"
Minho nodded again, lowering his gaze with a bashful smile.
"Oh my god…" she gasped, her voice thick with emotion. "Finally!"
She abruptly went straight to Sora, pulling her into a heartfelt embrace. "Thank you, my darling… thank you so much," she whispered, kissing the top of her head.
Sora smiled against her shoulder, hugging her back tightly.
"How long has it been?" Yuna asked, pulling back just enough to look at her.
"It's the third month, Ommoni," Sora replied softly. "We wanted to tell you earlier, but… we were scared. There's been so much happening lately, and we didn't want to say anything too soon."
Yuna nodded slowly, understanding. Her expression shifted slightly, still warm, but more cautious now.
"That's wise," she said quietly. "And don't reveal it to anyone yet. I don't trust the world these days, not after what happened to Suho and Hauen. Whether it was an accident or something intentional… we still don't know."
Sora's smile faded slightly, and she nodded. "Yes, ommoni. We understand."
"Keep it private until the baby comes," Yuna said firmly.
Minho frowned a little. "But omma… haraboji—"
"I'll handle the rest," she cut in gently but firmly. "You just take care of your wife and child. That's your only focus now."
Minho exchanged a glance with Sora, then both nodded. "Okay."
Yuna looked between them with quiet authority. "And listen carefully, don't consult any family doctors. Get someone from outside, someone trusted. Everything about this pregnancy must remain private for the next six months. Understood?"
"Yes, Ommoni," they both said together.
Yuna's expression softened again as she looked at her son and daughter-in-law, a quiet pride flickering in her eyes. The family had seen enough pain and loss. For once, she wanted nothing to disturb this fragile, beautiful beginning.