It was around eleven that night.
The hospital room was quiet.
Only the steady beeping of the monitor broke the silence.
For the past two hours, Taekyun had remained seated beside Haneul's bed.
The baby had been taken for a thorough newborn examination shortly after birth.
Lin had already taken Haru home so she could finally get some rest.
Now.....
Only Taekyun remained.
Waiting for Haneul to open his eyes.
Haneul lay motionless beneath the white blanket.
An IV was connected to one hand.
His face looked frighteningly pale beneath the dim hospital lights.
And fragile.
As though every bit of strength had been drained from him.
The surgery was over.
But his body still carried the weight of everything it had endured.
Taekyun gently held Haneul's hand between both of his.
Every so often, he would brush a few loose strands of hair away from his face.
Several minutes passed.
Then Haneul's eyebrows suddenly knitted together.
A quiet sob escaped his lips.
Another tear rolled down the corner of his closed eye.
Even unconscious.....
He was crying.
As though he were trapped inside another endless nightmare.
Taekyun's heart clenched painfully.
He immediately leaned closer.
"Haneul."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
His thumb gently brushed away the tear before it reached Haneul's ear.
"It's okay."
He slowly rubbed the back of Haneul's hand.
Trying to soothe him.
Trying to comfort someone who couldn't even hear him.
Another small sob escaped Haneul's lips.
Taekyun lowered his head.
He didn't know what Haneul was dreaming about.
He didn't know why he kept crying.
And because Haneul was still recovering from the anesthesia, he knew he shouldn't try to force him awake.
All he could do.....
Was stay beside him.
And wait.
Minutes slipped by.
Eventually, Taekyun slowly stood from the chair.
Thinking perhaps he should ask the nurse how much longer the anesthesia would take to wear off.
Just as he took a step.
He felt it.
A weak squeeze.
His hand froze.
Slowly.
He turned back.
Haneul's fingers were barely wrapped around his own.
His eyelids trembled.
Then..... very slowly.
They opened.
His vision was unfocused.
Everything looked blurry.
The lights above him seemed too bright.
His head felt unbearably heavy.
The entire room spun around him.
He blinked several times, struggling to make out the figure standing beside him.
Only one face slowly became clear.
"Ta...ekyun...."
The weak whisper barely reached the room.
Taekyun's eyes widened.
He immediately returned to the bedside.
Both hands gently holding Haneul's trembling one.
"I'm here."
His voice carried unmistakable relief.
"I'm here."
He carefully placed his free hand against Haneul's cool cheek.
"Can you hear me?"
"Are you okay?"
Haneul's lips moved again.
But no sound came out.
His throat felt dry.
His body refused to cooperate.
Only a faint breath escaped him.
Taekyun gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't try to talk."
Taekyun immediately stood.
"I'll call the doctor."
Haneul tried to nod, but even that small movement made his head spin.
"I'll be right back."
Reluctantly letting go of Haneul's hand, Taekyun hurried out of the room.
He found a nurse at the station just outside.
"Excuse me."
His voice carried both relief and urgency.
"He just woke up."
The nurse immediately smiled.
"I'll let the doctor know."
Within a minute, the doctor entered the room with the nurse following behind.
"There you are."
The doctor smiled warmly as he walked over to the bedside.
"Welcome back, Haneul."
Haneul's eyes were only half open.
He looked toward the doctor but couldn't focus properly.
Everything still seemed blurred.
The doctor gently checked his pupils with a small light before feeling his pulse.
"Can you hear me clearly?"
Haneul gave the faintest nod.
"Good."
The doctor checked the monitor beside the bed before placing a hand lightly over Haneul's wrist.
"Can you tell me your name?"
"Ha....neul...."
His voice was barely audible.
"And do you know where you are?"
"Hos....pital."
The doctor smiled with satisfaction.
"Very good."
He gently examined the surgical dressing across Haneul's abdomen before checking the IV line.
"Your vital signs are stable."
"You've just come out of anesthesia, so it's completely normal to feel dizzy, weak, and confused."
"You'll probably feel sleepy for several more hours."
Taekyun stood beside the bed, listening carefully.
"Is he.... alright?"
The doctor nodded reassuringly.
"The surgery went well."
"His blood pressure is improving, and there are no signs of concerning bleeding."
"He is still very weak from the delivery and the operation, but that's expected."
"He'll need plenty of rest."
Taekyun let out a quiet breath.
The doctor looked back at Haneul.
"For now, don't try to sit up by yourself."
"Don't force yourself to talk."
"If you're in pain or feel nauseous, let us know immediately."
Haneul gave another weak nod.
His eyelids already looked as though they wanted to close again.
The doctor then turned to the nurse.
"You can start him with a few small sips of water now that he's awake."
"Only a little at a time."
"If he tolerates that well, we'll gradually begin clear liquids later."
"Yes, doctor,"
the nurse replied.
She poured a small amount of water into a cup and placed a straw near Haneul's lips.
Taekyun immediately slipped one arm carefully behind Haneul's shoulders, supporting him just enough to lift his head.
"Slowly."
His voice was almost a whisper.
Haneul took one tiny sip.
His throat burned from the dryness, making him swallow with visible effort.
"That's enough for now,"
the nurse said gently.
"Don't rush it."
She lowered him back onto the pillow.
The doctor gave one final glance at the monitor before looking at Taekyun.
"He needs quiet."
"Try not to let him talk too much tonight."
"The more he rests, the better his recovery will be."
Taekyun nodded immediately.
"I understand."
The doctor offered them both a reassuring smile.
"If anything changes, press the call button."
"We'll be nearby."
After the doctor and nurse left, the room became quiet once again.
Only the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence.
Taekyun slowly pulled the chair closer to the bed before sitting beside Haneul once more.
Without saying anything, he reached for Haneul's hand.
Holding it gently between both of his own.
A small smile found its way onto his face.
His eyes never left Haneul.
He simply sat there.....
Looking at him.
At that small face that had somehow become the center of his entire world.
His pale cheeks.
His slightly messy hair.
The tired eyes that were struggling to stay open.
Even after everything he had endured.....
Haneul still looked unbelievably beautiful to him.
Those delicate features had always made Taekyun's heart soften.
Today.....
They only made him love him even more.
Slowly, Haneul lifted his free hand.
The movement was weak.
Almost trembling.
His fingertips barely reached Taekyun's cheek.
The gentle touch made Taekyun's breathing hitch.
He immediately covered Haneul's hand with his own.
Carefully lifting it to his lips.
He pressed a soft kiss against his knuckles.
Then rested Haneul's hand against his own cheek.
Keeping it there.
Haneul watched him quietly.
After a long pause, his dry lips finally moved.
"The.... baby."
Taekyun smiled.
"He's healthy."
His thumb gently stroked the back of Haneul's hand.
"It's a boy."
Haneul blinked slowly.
Taekyun continued softly,
"A Golden Alpha."
For a brief moment.....
Surprise appeared across Haneul's face.
His tired eyes widened slightly.
Taekyun chuckled quietly.
"He surprised everyone."
"They said he's incredibly healthy."
He leaned a little closer.
"Really strong."
His smile softened.
"Just like you."
A faint smile appeared on Haneul's lips.
He gave the smallest nod.
Then.....
Without another word.
He slowly turned his face away.
Toward the opposite side of the bed.
Taekyun frowned slightly.
Something about that movement.
Didn't feel right.
"I'll bring him to you after they've finished his examination."
He spoke gently.
"I know you'll want to see him."
Haneul remained silent for a few seconds.
Then another weak whisper escaped him.
"Ha....ru...."
Taekyun nodded.
"She went home with Lin."
"They'll come back tomorrow morning."
"You don't have to worry."
Haneul nodded faintly.
But he never turned back.
Something inside Taekyun tightened.
He quietly stood and walked around the bed until he was standing on the side Haneul was facing.
The moment he saw Haneul's face.
His heart sank.
Silent tears were slipping from the corners of Haneul's eyes.
Rolling slowly across the pillow.
One after another.
Without a sound.
"Haneul."
Taekyun immediately sat beside him again.
His voice filled with concern.
"What's wrong?"
He gently brushed away the tears.
"Are you hurting somewhere?"
"Does your incision hurt?"
"Are you uncomfortable?"
Haneul didn't answer.
Instead....
He lowered his eyes.
His hand slowly came to rest over his now-empty stomach.
His fingers curled weakly against the blanket.
Seeing that, Taekyun's worry only deepened.
"I'll call the doctor."
He quickly began to stand.
"They can give you something if"
Before he could finish.....
A weak hand caught the fabric of his shirt.
Taekyun stopped immediately.
He turned back.
Haneul was looking at him.
His fingers barely had enough strength to hold on.
"Don't...."
His voice was barely audible.
"Go."
"Don't..... leave me...
alone."
Taekyun's expression softened instantly.
He sat back down without another thought.
"I'm not leaving."
He gently held Haneul's hand again.
"I'm just going to call the doctor."
"But I'm here."
"I'm not going anywhere."
Haneul looked at him through tear-filled eyes.
His lips trembled.
Then he whispered words that made Taekyun's heartbeat falter.
"I'll.... be leaving."
Another tear escaped.
"Umma."
"She's here....."
"To take me....."
For a brief second.
Taekyun couldn't understand what he had heard.
His mind simply refused to process it.
He quickly moved closer.
One hand wrapped around Haneul's trembling fingers.
The other gently cupped his cheek.
"No....."
His voice remained calm.
Almost too calm.
"Don't talk like that."
"There isn't anyone here."
"You've just woken up."
"The anesthesia is still making you confused."
He gave Haneul's hand another reassuring squeeze.
"I'm here."
"No one is taking you away."
"No one."
His thumb slowly brushed away another tear.
"Until you decide to leave."
He smiled gently.
"No one can force you anywhere."
"So don't think about things like that."
"You need to rest."
He carefully brushed a few strands of hair away from Haneul's forehead.
Then gently stroked his temples.
Trying to soothe him.
Trying to lull him back into sleep.
Haneul slowly closed his eyes.
But another whisper escaped before silence returned.
"I..... really want..... to meet them."
His breathing trembled.
"I want.... to see.... Haru...."
"and.... the baby."
Taekyun smiled softly.
"You will."
"I'll bring them to you."
"You'll see both of them."
His hand continued gently rubbing Haneul's temple.
"But not now."
"You've been through too much today."
"So don't force yourself."
"Close your eyes."
"Get some rest."
"I'm right here."
"And I'll still be here when you wake up again."
Haneul didn't answer.
He simply kept his eyes closed.
While silent tears continued slipping down the side of his face....
As if somewhere deep inside....
He already knew
That it's not possible.
[3 am]
The hospital room was wrapped in silence.
Only the quiet hum of the monitors and the soft rhythm of Haneul's heartbeat echoed through the darkness.
The lights had been dimmed.
Moonlight slipped through the small gap between the curtains, bathing the room in a pale silver glow.
Taekyun had finally fallen asleep.
The exhaustion of the past several days had finally caught up with him.
He remained seated beside the bed, one hand still tightly holding Haneul's.
His head rested carefully against the edge of the mattress.
Even in sleep.....
He hadn't let go.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
His face carried every ounce of worry, every sleepless night, every fear he had buried behind reassuring smiles.
Haneul quietly watched him.
His anesthesia had completely worn off hours ago.
The dull ache from the surgery spread through his entire body.
Every small movement pulled painfully against the stitches.
But compared to the pain inside his heart.
It felt insignificant.
He hadn't slept.
Not even for a moment.
Because somehow.....
He felt that if he closed his eyes now.
He might never open them again.
Every few minutes, tears slipped silently from the corners of his eyes.
Each time.....
He hurriedly wiped them away with trembling fingers.
Careful not to let them fall onto Taekyun's hand.
Careful not to wake him.
His gaze remained fixed on Taekyun's sleeping face.
Then, almost in a whisper.
"Taekyun."
A weak smile appeared on his lips.
"I.... wasn't even aware.... what love really meant."
His voice trembled.
"But somehow...."
"From the very first time....."
"I kept.... having these strange feelings.... toward you...."
His fingers tightened weakly around Taekyun's hand.
"I thought.... maybe."
"I had finally..... found everything....."
His eyes slowly filled again.
"Everything I lost....."
"When I lost Umma....."
"Abba..."
"And Hyung....."
His breathing shook.
"You."
"Haru."
"Bora."
"Everyone."
"Made me realize...."
"This world....."
"Isn't as cruel....."
"As everyone believes...."
A tear rolled slowly across his cheek.
"I really....."
"Don't want to leave...."
The words barely escaped his lips.
"So.... so much...."
"I don't want to."
His shoulders trembled.
"I want...."
"To stay here...."
"With all of you...."
He looked toward the ceiling, blinking rapidly as more tears blurred his vision.
"But....."
"Taekyun....."
"My Umma...."
"My Abba....."
"My Hyung...."
"They're suffering....."
"Because of me...."
His breathing hitched.
"I know."
"If I stay."
"They'll continue suffering."
"And..."
"What if...."
"One day."
"The karma meant for me."
"Finds all of you instead."
"What if."
"Because of me."
"Haru gets hurt again."
"Or our son."
His voice completely broke.
"Pays the price."
"I can't."
"I can't let that happen."
His hand slowly moved toward his stomach.
It was empty now.
His baby was no longer there.
Another sob escaped him.
"I wanted....."
"To hold him."
"Just once."
"I wanted....."
"To see his tiny face."
"Hear him....."
"Call me...."
His lips trembled uncontrollably.
"I wanted...."
"To watch him grow...."
"Teach him to walk...."
"Celebrate his and Haru's birthdays."
"Protect him."
A faint, broken smile appeared through the tears.
"I even."
"Wanted to discuss with you."
"About his name."
"You'd definitely."
"Choose something simple."
"That belonged to both of us."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
Only for another sob to replace it.
"I wanted...."
"To become."
"A real family."
"With you".
His voice faded into another sob.
"I don't...."
"Want you."
"To go through."
"The same pain."
"You went through with Haru."
"I don't want..."
"Our son and haru."
"Growing up....without me."
He shut his eyes tightly.
"But...."
"I don't have a choice."
"If staying."
"Only brings everyone pain."
"Then....."
"I have to leave...."
Another tear slipped down his face.
"I just.... hope ...one day ...you'll forget me....and forgive me. "
Silence filled the room once more.
Haneul's breathing gradually slowed.
Still holding Taekyun's hand, he slowly closed his eyes.
Completely unaware.....
That Taekyun's own eyes had opened several moments ago.
He hadn't moved.
Not once.
His head remained resting against the bed exactly as before.
Only now....
His eyes were open.
Red.
Filled with tears he was desperately trying to hold back.
Every single word.....
He had heard.
Every confession.
Every fear.
Every dream Haneul believed he would never get to live.
Taekyun's fingers tightened around Haneul's hand.
So tightly.....
As though he was terrified that even loosening his grip for a second....
Would let Haneul slip away from him forever.
Yet he remained completely silent.
Because he knew.
If he spoke now.
He would break.
[It was eight o'clock in the morning]
The tiny baby lay quietly in the transparent bassinet while a nurse carefully prepared his bottle.
Taekyun stood beside him.
For the first time.....
He was finally able to hold his son properly.
The little boy looked impossibly small in his arms.
Wrapped tightly in a pale blue blanket.
His tiny fingers instinctively curled around one of Taekyun's.
The nurse smiled softly.
"Support his head like this."
Taekyun nodded quietly.
"I've got him."
The nurse handed him the bottle.
The baby immediately began drinking.
His tiny lips moved slowly while his little hands rested against the blanket.
Taekyun couldn't take his eyes off him.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The nurse smiled as she watched Taekyun carefully cradle the newborn in his arms.
"You know, sir....."
She chuckled softly.
"He's almost your exact copy."
Taekyun looked down at his son again.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
It was true.
The baby's sharp eyes, straight nose, and delicate facial structure looked remarkably like his own.
Yet there were traces of Haneul everywhere too.
His face was much smaller.
His tiny lips were soft and delicate.
His fine eyebrows looked just like Haneul's.
It was as if someone had taken Taekyun's features and softened them with Haneul's gentle appearance.
A perfect little blend of both of them.
Taekyun's thumb lightly brushed against the baby's tiny hand.
"He really does."
he whispered with a smile.
"He looks like both of us."
The baby continued drinking peacefully.
Completely unaware of the storm surrounding his family.
A few minutes later, Lin entered the nursery carrying Haru.
Haru immediately hurried toward the bassinet.
Her eyes became round with amazement.
"Baby...."
"Abba....baby."
Taekyun nodded with a smile as he showed the baby to Haru.
"Here."
"Your brother. "
Lin smiled.
"He looks just like Haru."
Haru carefully reached one finger toward the baby's tiny hand.
The baby wrapped his little fingers around hers.
Haru gasped softly.
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
Taekyun quietly watched them.
For a brief moment.....
Everything felt peaceful.
Like the family Haneul had dreamed of.
After the baby finished feeding, Taekyun carefully handed him back to Lin.
"Can you stay with them for a few minutes?"
Lin nodded.
"Of course."
"I'll take care of them."
Taekyun gave one last glance toward his son before quietly stepping into the hallway.
He took out his phone.
There was only one person left he hadn't spoken to.
Jackson.
The call connected after only a few rings.
"Hey."
Jackson's cheerful voice came through.
"Congratulations, man."
"I just found out."
"Nayeon shared the announcement through the company page."
Taekyun lowered his eyes.
"Thank you."
Jackson's voice softened immediately.
"How's Haneul?"
Taekyun leaned against the wall.
"Not good."
A long silence followed.
"He's still....."
Taekyun struggled to finish the sentence.
"Still planning to leave."
Jackson sighed quietly.
"I was afraid you'd say that."
"We've gone through every record we've collected about Eunoia."
"So fa"
"There hasn't been a single documented case of someone permanently remaining in another universe."
He paused.
"And we've confirmed something else."
"It's not actually his mother forcing him back."
Taekyun slowly closed his eyes.
"I know."
Jackson continued.
"It's the law of his world."
"The system itself."
"It uses the people he loves."
"his parents."
"His family."
"and those nightmares."
"to pull him back."
Taekyun's fingers tightened around the phone.
"I know.... "
"But even if I explain that...."
"He won't believe me."
"He still blames himself for everything."
Jackson remained silent for a moment.
Then spoke again.
"Our research team still hasn't found a stable entrance into Eunoia."
"The project is continuing."
"And maybe....."
"in a few years."
"we'll finally succeed."
Taekyun quietly listened.
"But...."
Jackson continued carefully.
"There is still one method."
"We could try forcing the connection before it completely breaks by"
"No."
Taekyun interrupted immediately.
His answer came without even a second of hesitation.
"I won't do that."
Silence.
Jackson sighed.
"I figured you'd say that."
"I've never seen you like this before."
His voice became gentler.
"As your friend."
"Once again...."
"I think you should let him go."
Taekyun didn't answer.
Jackson continued.
"Neither of you belongs to the other's world."
"He came here without permission."
"He already broke the laws of Eunoia."
"If we interfere again...."
"We don't know what those consequences will be."
He paused.
"I promise you this."
"The day our project succeeds....."
"We'll bring him back."
"No matter what it takes."
"But right now....."
"The safest thing for Haneul...."
....is to let him return."
Taekyun lowered his head.
His grip around the phone slowly weakened.
Before he could answer.
Rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway.
A nurse came running toward him.
Completely out of breath.
"Mr. Taekyun!"
She almost stumbled to a stop.
Her face had gone pale.
"We....."
"We can't find Mr. Haneul!"
Taekyun frowned.
"What?"
The nurse's breathing shook.
"We searched his room."
"The ward."
"The recovery unit."
"The nearby corridors."
"He's....."
"He's gone."
The phone slipped from Taekyun's hand.
It struck the floor with a sharp crack.
For several long seconds.....
He couldn't hear anything.
The hallway.
The nurse.
Jackson's distant voice still coming from the fallen phone.
Everything became silent.
His mind went completely blank.
Doctors rushed out of nearby rooms.
Security guards were called immediately.
More nurses hurried through the corridor.
One doctor approached him quickly.
"We're terribly sorry, Mr. Taekyun."
"We've already begun searching every floor."
"We're reviewing the security cameras."
"We'll find him."
He immediately turned toward one of the guards.
"Lock every exit."
"Search the stairwells."
"The rooftop."
"Every ward."
"Move!"
The entire floor erupted into chaos.
Footsteps.
Voices.
Running.
Orders being shouted.
Yet.....
Taekyun never moved.
He remained standing exactly where he was.
Like a statue.
His eyes stared forward.
Empty.
His world had stopped turning.
Then.....
From inside the nursery.....
A baby's cry echoed through the hallway.
Loud and fragile.
Heartbreaking.
It was his son.
Crying for the first time since Taekyun had left him.
The sound echoed endlessly through the corridor.
But Taekyun....
Still couldn't move.
Before Taekyun could move.
The nursery door slowly opened.
Little footsteps echoed across the hallway.
Haru walked out, completely unaware of the chaos surrounding her.
She looked up at Taekyun with innocent eyes.
Then quietly reached for his hand, wrapping her tiny fingers around his.
"Abba....."
she mumbled softly.
"Baby... cyyy...."
(Cry.)
She looked back toward the nursery.
"The baby.. .. cyying....."
Her small voice was filled with concern, not understanding why her little brother wouldn't stop crying.