Boundless

제 16 장

I smiled.
I shouldn't have been this happy.
But I was.

Draping a sheer negligee of violet and midnight over my skin,
I checked the clock.

One hour.
Jae would be home in one hour.

My heart twisted.
What if he noticed?
What if he knew?
What if he insisted I go to the hospital tonight?

What if his father found out?
What if they didn't accept our baby?
What if... what if... what if...

I shook the thoughts loose.

No matter what, I would love this child.
Fiercely.
Wholly.
I would raise them with my whole soul.

And still—
I wanted time.
Just a little.

⸻

The door opened.

"You're home," I said shyly, like the secret was already stitched into my voice.

He smiled and scooped me into his arms, kissing me like I was air after drowning.

"I missed you so much," he whispered, carrying me to the couch.

I perched on his lap, fingers laced together.

"I missed you too," I whispered, avoiding his gaze, my chest blooming with nerves.

"What are you hungry for? Let's order in. Sushi?" he grinned.

Immediately, I gagged.

"I can't... I can't do raw fish right now," I winced.

His brows rose playfully.

"You? Miss 'Sushi-Three-Times-A-Week'? What happened to my fearless queen?"

"She's just not feeling sushi," I smiled thinly.
"What about pork belly and kimchi stew?" I offered, wiggling slightly in his lap.

He chuckled.

"It'll take 30 minutes to get here from the good place."

"That's fine. Just no fish. I can't stomach it."

His smile faltered slightly.

"Still feeling off? Let's relax tonight. Just us. Movie, food, cuddles."

I nodded quickly and rose from his lap, his eyes trailing the curve of my body in the satin slip.

He tugged gently at the hem, eyes twinkling.

"You've become quite the tease," he grinned.

"You've become quite the pervert," I shot back, laughing as he disappeared into the bathroom.

The sound of the shower echoed softly.
Then his voice—calling through the steam.

"When are you bringing your things over?"

"Maybe this week," I called back, settling into the bed and turning on the TV.

Silence.
Then—

"What do you want to watch? Hurry so we can order."
No response.

"Do you hear me?"

Suddenly, the shower cut off.
Footsteps.
Then—

The door opened.

He stepped out—shirtless, slacks hanging low on his hips.
Hair damp.
Expression unreadable.

"What?" I asked.

He held up a box.
The test's box.

"Are you pregnant?"

The question struck like lightning.

I choked.
Coughed.
Pounded my chest as if it would restart my breath.

He stared, unmoving.
His chest rising and falling, heavy and slow.

"I don't know for sure," I whispered.

He ran his hands through his wet hair, pacing slightly.

Then he moved to the dresser.

"Wait—Jae, that's the wrong drawer—"

But it was too late.

The test fell out, landing at his feet like a secret that refused to stay buried.

He picked it up slowly.
Read it.

Turned to me.

Eyes wide.
Shaken.

"You don't know for sure? This isn't for sure?"

I bit my lip, but no answer came.

He sighed, loud and full of fire.

Then—calmly, without looking at me—

He pulled on a white T-shirt.

"Get dressed," he said quietly.
"We're going to the hospital."

⸻