Chapter 299: NOT FOR EVERYONE
CHO EUNTAK’s mind about staying child-free hadn’t changed.It was the same for Baek Jeho.
The two of them had been dating for a long time now, and they never once brought up having a kid because they were content with just the two of them.
And I know being child-free is really the choice for us.
But if Baek Jeho turned out to be Kwon Miho’s biological father, then...
"Of course, Jeho has to take responsibility and provide for the child if he’s the father," Cho Euntak said. He wasn’t sobbing anymore as he had already calmed down. But his voice was hoarse from all the crying he did. "But I’m not confident that I can act like a good stepdad to her. And it sucks since I like children in general. I’m awful for not accepting the child just because she’s the daughter of Jeho’s ex-girlfriend."
"No, you’re not awful for feeling that way, Euntak-ah," Park Sohee said, consoling him while rubbing his back. "Even if you like children in general, you’re not obliged to accept a kid you’ve just met as your own, just because she’s your partner’s daughter. It’s not wrong to put boundaries."
"Make sure to tell Baek Jeho how you truly feel," Hong Sera said firmly while massaging Cho Euntak’s cold hand. "Remember this, Euntak-ah: your feelings are valid."
Ah, that reminded Cho Euntak...
"I wish I could be like you, Sera Noona. You were able to accept someone else’s kid. Unlike you, I’m a monster..."
"You’re not a monster for not liking or wanting to be around someone else’s kid," Hong Sera scolded Cho Euntak. "And don’t compare your situation with mine. I’ve always wanted a kid, that’s why it was easy for me to accept Seowon. Plus, you know that Semin Oppa’s complicated situation, right?"
Ah, yes.
Cho Euntak remembered.
"Euntak-ah, kids are not for you and that’s okay," Hong Sera assured him. "But, knowing you, there’s no way you’ll mistreat the child. You don’t have to think of her as Jeho’s daughter or as your stepdaughter— just look at her as an ordinary child. Don’t pressure yourself into giving yourself a label that you’re not prepared for."
Oh, right.
Cho Euntak had been too focused on being ’stepdad,’ and that scared the hell out of him.
Which was silly because Baek Jeho and Kwon Miho hadn’t taken the paternity test yet.
He was scaring himself for no reason.
"I’m really glad that you’re here for me, Sohee Hyung and Sera Noona," Cho Euntak said, relieved. "Thank you. I mean it."
Park Sohee and Hong Sera higged Cho Euntak tight in response.
***
"I GUESS the child is really tired."
Baek Jeho nodded in agreement with what his mother said.
Since Kwon Miho was sleeping deeply, they didn’t wake the child for dinner.
"I’ll sleep here in case she wakes up hungry later," his mother said. "Go to your room and sleep, Jeho-ya."
"Are you sure, Eomma? I can stay..."
"No, I’ll take care of the child," his mother said, crossing his arms over her chest. "Jeho-ya, I want you to focus on consoling Euntak. I know that none of this is your fault. But we can’t also blame him for feeling hurt and betrayed. You may think that he’s overreacting when you haven’t done the test yet, but he’s not. Please understand him."
"Eomma, I’m not and will never be upset with Euntak for how he reacted. And I don’t think he overreacted. His feelings are valid," Baek Jeho said. "I’m just glad that he didn’t dump me on the spot."
His mother looked relieved. "You and Euntak will make this through."
"Of course, Eomma. I have no intention of letting Euntak go," Baek Jeho said determinedly. "He’s the person I want to marry and spend my life with forever."
***
CHO EUNTAK, after taking a shower, checked his phone.
As expected, he got several text messages from Baek Jeho.
Haaah.
Cho Euntak didn’t want to call Baek Jeho because his voice was still hoarse.
It will only make him worry more.
So, he just sent a text message to his boyfriend.
As if waiting for his message, Baek Jeho’s reply came fast.
Tomorrow, huh?
Cho Euntak was about to go to sleep when he got another text message from Baek Jeho.
***
THIS KID really eats well.
Baek Jeho watched Kwon Miho in amusement while the child was eating breakfast with so much gusto.
His mother personally cooked their breakfast, so each dish was guaranteed good.
"Are you possessed by a starving ghost or something?"
Baek Jeho only meant that as a joke.
So, he didn’t expect Kwon Miho to answer.
"Eomma often forgets to feed me. I eat whenever there’s food because I don’t know when I’m going to eat again."
Aigoo.
Baek Jeho didn’t know what to say because he didn’t expect that from the child.
I barely remember Kwon Chaewon, but I’m pretty sure her family wasn’t struggling financially back then.
But, then again, it had already been years since they were in high school.
Many things could have happened during that time.
"You don’t have to worry about food while you’re living with us," Baek Jeho’s mother said while putting more meat on the child’s plate. "Slow down, child. No one is going to steal your food."
"Yes, Grandma."
"I’m not your grandmother, but sure, you can call me that. It’s not like I can ask you to call me ’ahjumma.’ I’m past that age."
Kwon Miho just nodded politely, her cheeks full.
"Eomma, you’re not that old yet to be a grandmother."
"For children, anyone who doesn’t look like an oppa or unnie is a grandfather or a grandmother to them," his mother explained, and then she looked at him. "Have you talked to Euntak? Is he going with you to the hospital?"
Baek Jeho was about to tell his mother that Cho Euntak had left him on read, but he stopped when his phone started ringing.
The caller ID showed Cho Euntak’s name, causing his eyes to widen a bit.
"Eomma, Euntak is calling— let me just answer this quickly."
"Go," his mother said encouragingly. "Remember not to make Euntak more upset that he already is."
Baek Jeho just nodded politely before running outside the dining hall to answer the call.
Kwon Miho was a detached, unemotional child.
But Baek Jeho could tell that the little girl was quick-witted.
She doesn’t ask me anything, but I can tell that she understands the situation.
"Yes, Euntak-ah?" Baek Jeho answered the call when he reached the garden. "Have you had breakfast?"
"I’m having breakfast right now. How about you and the kid?"
"We’re having breakfast with Eomma."
"I see. How did Mother-in-law react?"
"She wasn’t happy. And she scolded me. Ah, Eomma also wanted me to have the paternity test as soon as possible. In fact, she was the one who scheduled the test. She reached out to one of her colleagues who’s a doctor."
"You’re going today, right?"
"Yes. Do you want to go with us?"
Cho Euntak didn’t respond as if he was in deep thought.
That made Baek Jeho feel a bit hopeful.
"I can pick you up before heading to the hospital, Euntak-ah."
"No."
Baek Jeho almost got his heart broken.
Almost.
"Let’s just meet at the hospital."
Whew.
***
BAEK JEHO arrived at the hospital with Kwon Miho.
Cho Euntak said he was near, so they decided to wait in the café in the hospital lobby.
He got himself and Cho Euntak a cup of iced coffee, while he got a milk smoothie for Kwon Miho.
As usual, the kid drank her drink with gusto.
She really eats well.
Plus, Kwon Miho knew how to take care of herself.
She politely turned down Baek Jeho’s mother help when taking a bath and changing her clothes earlier.
Thankfully, Kwon Chaewon packed a few clothes in the child’s backpack.
"Appa, is the pretty oppa with you before your boyfriend?"
Oho?
That was the first time Kwon Miho showed interest in anything.
"Yes, he’s my pretty boyfriend," Baek Jeho answered proudly. "His name is Cho Euntak."
"Then is he going to be my new mommy?"
"No, he’s not going to be your new mom," Baek Jeho said sternly. "Don’t even mention that to him."
He didn’t want to be harsh to the child.
But he needed to protect Cho Euntak’s feelings.
It’s clear that Euntak feels pressured by Kwon Miho’s existence.
"Kwon Miho, do you understand what’s happening?" Baek Jeho asked carefully. He tried to be as calm as possible to not scare the child. "We’re here at the hospital to know whether you’re my daughter or not. If you’re not my daughter, then you’re going back to your mother."
"But Eomma already abandoned me."
Aigoo.
It hurt to hear a child say that she was abandoned by her mother.
No child deserves to experience that kind of hell.
"I’m doing my best to look for your mother," Baek Jeho promised the child. "Whether you’re my daughter or not, I promise I’ll bring your mother back."
"Can you find her, Appa?"
"I have the means to do that, so yes."
"Do you have a lot of money, Appa?"
"Uh, yeah."
Kwon Miho looked up at Baek Jeho with a hopeful look on her face. "Then, instead of my mother, can you find my grandfather instead?"
Baek Jeho knitted his eyebrows. "You want to see your grandfather more than your own mother?"
Things suddenly got suspicious.
***
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