"I want your help to understand my son better."
Jeonghan raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why do you think I can help you with that?"
Seungcheol gulps the lump in his throat as he opens his mouth to speak again. "Cause I feel like you are more close to him in this short time even more than I have spent my life with him, I feel useless. Please help me, I want to be a better father to him"
Seungcheol's words hung heavy in the air, his vulnerability shining through. He looked at Jeonghan before him, hoping for guidance and understanding. He knew that admitting his shortcomings was the first step towards change, but he needed support to navigate this new path.
Jeonghan looks at seungcheol with suspicious eyes. Was seungcheol finally realising his mistake? Should he help him? Well if seungcheol has taken the first step of trying to be a better father, then Jeonghan will be more than glad to help me. Hanuel deserves this, a better seungcheol who will be a better father to him.
"Seungcheol, what's going on? Why are you suddenly interested in being a better father?" Jeonghan asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"How do you know my name--"
"That should the last of your concern Choi" Jeonghan utters annoyed. Literally the whole Seoul knows who this man is. How can Jeonghan not know his name then?
Seungcheol took a deep breath before answering. "I've been thinking a lot lately, and I realized that I haven't been the best father to Hanuel. I've been so focused on work and my own problems that I haven't been there for him like I should be. I want to change that."
Jeonghan nodded, impressed by Seungcheol's honesty. "That's a good first step. But it's not going to be easy. Being a good father takes time and effort. Are you willing to put in the work?"
Seungcheol nodded resolutely. "Yes, I am. I know I have a lot to make up for, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be a better father to Hanuel."
Jeonghan continues, trying to see if seungcheol might hesitate for this or not. "Being a better father doesn't mean trying to be someone else or replicating their relationship. It means finding your own unique way to connect with your child, to understand their needs, and to support them in their journey."
Seungcheol nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "But how do I do that? How do I become a better father?"
Ofc he is, Jeonghan smiles internally as he takes a deep breath before gesturing seungcheol to the couch.
"Come, let's sit and talk.." Jeonghan says as he moves aside to let seungcheol sit on the couch. "Do you need anything? Coffee, tea? Drinks?" Jeonghan asks out of hospitality but seungcheol shakes his head.
"Nothing, thankyou so much" he says and rubs his palms nervously. Jeonghan nods as he walks in the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for seungcheol. The latter surely does needs one. "Here" he says pushing the glass of water in the direction of seungcheol who gulps it down within a go.
"Can we start now?" Seungcheol says placing the glass down the table and Jeonghan nods. "Ofcourse we can," he says.
"Start by spending quality time with your child, getting to know their interests, and actively participating in their life. Show them that you're there for them, that you're willing to listen and understand. Be patient, Seungcheol, building a strong bond takes time." Jeonghan starts.
"Being a better father doesn't mean trying to be someone else or replicating their relationship. It means finding your own unique way to connect with your child, to understand their needs, and to support them in their journey." Jeonghan ends and glances at seungcheol who seems to be staring into a void space.
YOU ARE READING
Enlighten | JC
Romance"I think Daddy hates me," Jeonghan frowns looking at the ten-year-old child sitting beside him on the swing. The child tightly held a crumpled white paper in his hand, trying to wipe away the tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why?" Jeonghan asked. "...
