THE SECRET THAT COULDN'T STAY SECRET
Jonghyun had learned that happiness could be frightening.
Not because happiness itself was dangerous.
But because once you finally had something precious, you suddenly realized exactly how much you had to lose.
For four years, he hadn’t known Min-Jun existed.
Four years of birthdays.
Four years of scraped knees.
Four years of first words, first steps, favorite toys, nightmares, laughter, and bedtime stories.
Four years that could never be returned.
So now Jonghyun was determined not to waste another moment.
That morning, he sat at the kitchen table watching his son eat cereal.
Min-Jun had his blond hair sticking up in several directions.
Jonghyun smiled.
“You know your hair looks exactly like mine when I wake up.”
Min-Jun looked at him seriously.
“Your hair looks funny.”
“Excuse me?”
Y/N laughed from the kitchen.
“He’s not wrong.”
Jonghyun placed a hand over his heart.
“My own family is bullying me.”
Min-Jun giggled.
“You love me.”
Jonghyun smiled.
“More than anything.”
He reached over and gently wiped a spot of milk from Min-Jun’s cheek.
Then he noticed Y/N had become unusually quiet.
She stood near the kitchen counter with one hand resting against it.
Jonghyun immediately noticed.
“Y/N?”
She looked at him.
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
She hesitated.
Then she walked toward him.
“I need to tell you something.”
Jonghyun’s expression changed.
“What?”
She sat beside him.
Min-Jun continued eating, completely unaware.
Y/N reached into her bag.
She placed a pregnancy test on the table.
Jonghyun stared.
His eyes widened.
He looked at her.
Then back at the test.
“Y/N...”
She smiled nervously.
“I’m pregnant.”
For several seconds, Jonghyun didn’t move.
Then he whispered:
“We’re having another baby?”
Y/N nodded.
A huge smile slowly spread across his face.
He stood, walked around the table, and wrapped his arms around her.
“Oh my God.”
She laughed against his chest.
“You aren’t upset?”
“Upset?”
He pulled back.
“I’m going to be a dad again!”
Min-Jun looked up.
“A dad again?”
Jonghyun crouched beside him.
“You’re going to be a big brother.”
Min-Jun dropped his spoon.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Is it a boy?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Min-Jun thought for a moment.
“I want a sister.”
Y/N smiled.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll protect her.”
Jonghyun’s heart nearly broke from how sweet his son sounded.
He hugged Min-Jun.
“You’re going to be a great big brother.”
Min-Jun grinned.
Then he placed his tiny hand against Y/N’s stomach.
“Hello, baby.”
Jonghyun watched.
His entire world was sitting in front of him.
And for the first time, the fear that had accompanied his happiness disappeared.
He wasn’t looking backward anymore.
He was looking forward.
