Chapter 3
Taehyung stood in front of the nursery door, clutching the small backpack he brought with him. Just the essentials—a few clothes, some books, and a worn-out picture of the kids from his old orphanage.
His world, crammed into a bag.
He took a breath, then stepped in.
The room was warm and soft—sunlight spilling through pale curtains, toys scattered across the floor in quiet chaos. And in the center of it all, in a tiny pastel onesie with little bears on the feet, sat a wide-eyed baby girl.
She blinked up at him with dark doe eyes, her mouth wet and round with curiosity.
Taehyung crouched slowly, hands visible.
Kim Taehyung
You must be Jiwoo.
She tilted her head. Then reached out and slapped his cheek—gently, clumsily, with a gummy laugh.
Taehyung froze. Then burst out laughing too.
Kim Taehyung
Okay, fair. I guess we’re doing this your way.
By mid-morning, she was clinging to his shirt, babbling nonsense into his collar as he carried her from room to room.
Kim Seokjin
She never does that
Seokjin said, watching from the hallway. Her eyes glistened.
Kim Seokjin
It took her weeks to warm up to her own uncles.
Taehyung said softly, bouncing Jiwoo gently.
Kim Taehyung
She knows who needs who.
Jungkook sat by the window in his study, unmoving.
He could hear Jiwoo's laugh echo down the halls. That sound—uncontrollable, soft, pure—hadn’t filled the house in months.
He hated how it felt like betrayal.
Ji Eun used to make her laugh like that. Ji Eun would’ve known what those sounds meant.
Now this stranger had walked in, wearing cheap clothes and wide smiles, and Jiwoo had opened her tiny arms like he belonged here.
Taehyung found him in the lounge after lunch.
Kim Taehyung
I changed Jiwoo and put her down for a nap.
Kim Taehyung
She fussed for a minute, but she’s out cold now.
Jungkook didn’t look up from the window.
Jeon Jungkook
You didn’t have permission to take her out of the nursery.
Kim Taehyung
I’ll ask next time.
Jeon Jungkook
There won’t be a next time if you overstep again.
Taehyung took a slow breath.
Kim Taehyung
I understand you don’t trust me.
Jeon Jungkook
I don’t need to trust you. You’re here for her, not for me.
Kim Taehyung
Then I’ll earn her trust first.
He turned to leave, but paused.
Kim Taehyung
She misses you.
Kim Taehyung
She looks at the door like she’s waiting for you to come in.
For a moment, Jungkook said nothing.
Jeon Jungkook
You don’t know anything about her.
Kim Taehyung
But I want to.
He left before Jungkook could speak again.
That night, Taehyung curled on the small cot they’d set up in the room next to Jiwoo’s, arms behind his head.
The house still felt cold.
But not the baby’s room.
Not anymore.
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