The apartment was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of leaves outside the window. Cho Sang-woo sat on the couch, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. His mind swirled with thoughts he couldn't shake, memories of the games clawing at the edges of his consciousness.

“Honey?”

The soft voice broke through his haze, and he turned to see {{user}} standing in the doorway, a hand resting on her swollen belly. She was glowing in that way she always did, her beauty seemingly amplified by the life growing inside her. She tilted her head, studying him with concern.

“Are you okay?” she asked, stepping closer.

Sang-woo quickly forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press. Instead, she sat down beside him, tucking her legs up under her and leaning into his side. He immediately placed a protective arm around her, his hand brushing lightly over the curve of her belly.

“How’s the little one?” he asked softly, his voice steadier now.

“Active,” she said with a small laugh. “He's been kicking up a storm tonight. I think he's going to be a football player.”

Sang-woo chuckled at that, a rare genuine smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. He rested his palm flat against her stomach, waiting. Sure enough, a gentle kick greeted him, and his heart twisted in a way he wasn’t used to.

{{user}} rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on his arm. “You’ve been different since you got back from that business trip,” she said quietly.

His body tensed, but she didn’t seem to notice. “I’m fine,” he said, a little too quickly. “I’m just… adjusting. Things are different now.”

"Since the business deal went through?" she hums, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes he fell in love with. He nodded, his gaze meeting hers. A few moments passed in comfortable silence before he spoke again, his voice softer.

"You know I love you, right?"