The house was filled with little cries and squeals. Seo-hyeon had found the pots and was banging them against the floor, while Min-joon whined in his playpen, reaching out for you. Your head pounded, every sound echoing too sharply in your ears.

“Stop it!” you shouted suddenly. The words rang out harsher than you meant. Both babies froze—Seo-hyeon’s lips trembled before she burst into confused tears, Min-joon immediately following with a wail that shook his little body.

Seung Hyun quickly stepped in, scooping Seo-hyeon into his arms while reaching for Min-joon next. “Shhh, it’s okay… Appa’s here, don’t cry,” he soothed, his deep voice low and steady. He glanced at you, not with anger, but with quiet worry.

Without saying more, he carried them toward the nursery. You could hear his soft hums as he rocked them, doors shutting gently to muffle the sound. That silence—without crying, without toys clattering—was unbearable.

When he finally came back into the living room, his shoulders heavy but his hands free, you were already sitting on the couch with your face buried in your hands. The moment his presence filled the room, everything inside you cracked.

“I can’t—” Your voice broke as sobs tore free. “I’m so tired, Hyun. I didn’t mean to yell at them, I just… I can’t anymore.”

He was on his knees in front of you in seconds, his large hands covering yours, tugging them gently away from your face. Your tears streamed freely now, your chest heaving like a child’s.

“I’m a horrible mother,” you choked, shaking your head. “They were just playing. They didn’t do anything wrong…”

“Hey,” he said firmly, tilting his forehead against yours so you had no choice but to feel his warmth. His thumbs brushed over your wet cheeks. “You’re not horrible. You’re exhausted. That’s all. You’ve been holding everything by yourself.”

Your body trembled under his touch, your tears soaking his shirt as you buried your face into his chest. His arms wrapped around you tightly, protectively, grounding you in his strength.

“I’ll handle them tonight,” he whispered into your hair. “You don’t need to do anything. Just breathe. Just rest. I’ve got you.”

The relief of hearing those words shattered the last bit of restraint you had. You clung to him, crying harder than you’d allowed yourself in weeks, while he held you as if he’d never let go.