CHAPTER : 3
1011 Words
Yuhan's Hospital Room
The room fell into silence, broken only by the sound of Yuhan's soft sobs.
"I'm sorry, Mommy..." he cried, wiping his tears with the back of his tiny hands. "I'm sorry for always being naughty. I won't do it again."
His voice trembled.
"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect you."
Lydian's heart ached.
She sat beside him, gently stroking his hair until he slowly calmed down.
"No, sweetheart," she whispered. "None of this is your fault."
She smiled warmly despite the sadness in her eyes.
"I know you only want a daddy."
"I understand."
She cupped his little face.
"But promise me something."
Yuhan looked up at her with watery eyes.
"Don't be too quick to trust people."
"Not everyone you meet can become your father."
Yuhan silently nodded.
Mark, who had been standing by the window, was still visibly furious.
"I swear..." he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "That arrogant jerk thinks the whole world belongs to him just because he's rich."
His jaw tightened.
"He acts like he owns this hospital."
"If those security guards hadn't shown up..."
He clenched his fists.
"I would've—"
Before he could finish, Lydian quickly covered his mouth.
"Mark."
She shot him a warning look.
"Calm down."
She glanced toward Yuhan.
"There's a child here."
Mark sighed in frustration before forcing himself to calm down.
Lydian turned back to her son.
"But seriously, Yuhan."
"If you ever see that man again..."
"...don't go near him anymore."
"Do you understand?"
"...Yes, Mommy."
---
Liam's Office
CRASH!
A glass shattered against the wall.
Then came another loud bang.
Folders flew across the office.
Papers scattered everywhere.
Even Liam's laptop wasn't spared as he hurled it across the room, sending it crashing onto the marble floor.
The luxurious office had become a complete mess.
Cedric stood frozen near the door, too terrified to move.
Liam's chest rose and fell violently.
"So that's why..." he growled through clenched teeth.
"So that's why she left me."
His eyes burned with anger.
"She was already pregnant with another man's child."
He grabbed his phone and slammed it onto the desk.
"Damn it!"
Cedric cautiously took a step forward.
"S-Sir..."
"Please calm down."
"Your heart—"
"If Madam finds out I let you get this worked up again, she'll kill me."
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP?!"
Liam's thunderous voice echoed throughout the office.
Cedric immediately raised both hands in surrender.
"...Yes, Sir."
He quietly stepped back.
He's definitely going to give himself another heart attack... Cedric thought.
---
The Next Day
A Convenience Store Near St. Luke's Medical Center
Lydian pushed a shopping basket while Yuhan happily skipped beside her.
"So..."
She smiled at him.
"Uncle Mark allowed you to come with me."
"But what did he tell you?"
Yuhan immediately answered like a well-trained student.
"I shouldn't run."
"I shouldn't get tired."
"And I should stay beside you."
"Good boy."
Lydian smiled proudly before continuing to pick fruits and groceries.
The moment her attention shifted elsewhere...
Yuhan quietly wandered toward the toy section.
His eyes suddenly widened.
"Wooow..."
A toy pistol.
He immediately grabbed it with sparkling eyes.
Just then...
The automatic doors slid open.
Liam and Cedric walked inside.
Liam looked annoyed as usual.
"I'm warning you, Cedric."
"If you ever forget to bring our lunch again..."
"I'll make you walk all the way along EDSA."
Cedric scratched his head awkwardly.
"...Noted, Sir."
The moment Yuhan spotted Liam...
A mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.
Bad guy...
He quietly aimed the toy gun.
Pew!
A tiny foam dart flew straight toward Liam.
Thud.
"Ow!"
Liam stopped walking.
"What the hell?"
He picked up the harmless foam dart from his shoulder.
His sharp eyes scanned the store.
Then...
He spotted a familiar little head hiding behind one of the shelves.
"...You."
Yuhan immediately giggled before ducking back into hiding.
Liam smirked.
"Oh..."
"So you're challenging me now?"
He walked toward the cashier's counter.
"Excuse me."
Without hesitation, he picked up one of the display water guns.
Filled it.
Aimed.
Splash!
"Aaaah!"
Cold water hit Yuhan from head to toe.
The little boy gasped before bursting into laughter.
"Hey!"
He quickly grabbed another water gun from the display.
"Oh, so that's how you want to play?"
Splash!
"Pew!"
Splash!
Within seconds...
A full-scale water fight erupted inside the convenience store.
Customers quickly moved out of the way while Cedric simply covered his face in embarrassment.
"Oh no..."
"I don't get paid enough for this."
The store owner finally rushed over.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Stop it!"
"Those are display items!"
"You're making a mess!"
At the same time, Lydian hurried over and immediately took the toy gun from Yuhan.
"Yuhan."
"What did I tell you?"
Before Yuhan could answer...
Liam walked over, still dripping wet.
"Lydian."
He folded his arms.
"Would you mind teaching your son some manners?"
"He shot me with that toy gun."
Yuhan crossed his tiny arms.
"So what?"
"You're the bad guy."
"You deserved it."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You're talking back now?"
Lydian immediately stepped in front of her son.
"And what are you going to do?"
She glared at Liam.
"Push him again?"
"You really enjoy picking fights with children, don't you?"
For the first time...
Liam found himself speechless.
Cedric immediately grabbed his boss by the arm.
"Boss."
"Let's go."
"We're already losing this argument."
"You always manage to find trouble wherever you go."
Without another word, Cedric dragged Liam out of the store.
---
Inside the car...
Liam slammed the door shut.
"Damn it!"
He punched the dashboard.
"Why did you stop me?!"
"I swear..."
"One day I'll make Lydian pay for everything she did."
"If not today..."
"Then someday."
"I'll make her life a living hell."
Cedric quietly fastened his seatbelt before muttering under his breath.
"...Well..."
"You really do sound like Satan."
Liam slowly turned his head.
"...What did you just say?"
Cedric froze.
"...Nothing, Boss."
"I was just... praising your determination."
Liam narrowed his eyes.
"...You're lucky I didn't hear that clearly."
- Writer
