"Go, go, go, go...Mine's down!" Jeong Eun whooped, raising his hand the minute the raindrop he picked had slid down the edge of the car window.
In the backseat, Ki Rai and Eun Ae protested over their brother's win, although that didn't last long since the children decided to play another round of their little raindrop race. Ye Jin laughed at their children's competitiveness over the single drop of rain. There was no doubt that they were all their precious children, for they had inherited their will to win from Ye Jin.
It was endearing how into the game their children were, but Ye Jin wasn't complaining. To a mother, having children who knew how to entertain themselves was extremely helpful especially when she was focused on driving them to the hospital.
Throughout the drive, the family had a good laugh together despite the occasional groans when one of them would lose their little game. Beyond that, there was no better way to start a rainy morning like this one than their children making the best out of it.
Soon, Ye Jin pulled up at the hospital, where they would be spending the morning with some of the inpatients as part of the paediatric department's Booster Playtime. Since the new RiRi series had just been published, Ye Jin thought it was an appropriate time to visit the children again and read to them.
She and Hyun Bin occasionally visited them as an age-old promise that they would do so every month, having had a good experience together the first time.
It wasn't so much as it was for VAST's publicity as the earnest joy they felt whenever they could personally make someone's day. It didn't take a genius to know that they adored children and had a soft spot for them either.
In recent years, they started to bring their children along for these visits, seeing many benefits in exposing them to a world outside the protective cocoon they had built around them as a loving family. Their legacy would continue and they were always surprised by their children's boundless capacity to learn to empathise and be kind.
Every single day, they were teaching them to love just a little bit more and hate just a little bit less. That was their job as parents and so far, they have been doing well.
Director Lee met them at the lobby with that ever-familiar fatherly smile of his. The man was absolutely jovial over their visit especially when the children ran up to him to embrace him.
"Halabeoji!" They chorused in unison, eliciting a chortle of hearty laughter from the man who was like a second father to Ye Jin.
"It's good to see you again, Director Lee." Ye Jin greeted him with a bright smile.
"You should visit more, my dear." Director Lee lifted Ki Rai into his arms when the little one had demanded upsies. "Come along now, the children are waiting."
Naturally, Ye Jin greeted the children who were more than happy to see her again. Some of them ran up to give her a hug whereas the newer additions stayed shyly behind the group before Ye Jin had offered them a few finger hearts. The smile on her face exudes warmth, for it came from deep within, straight from her sincere heart.
It was no wonder the children adored Ye Jin.
When Ye Jin had settled down to read to the children, the Hyun children found themselves sitting among the group, using that opportunity to make new friends.
It wasn't surprising that the children had instantly become enthralled by Ye Jin's expressiveness when she started reading to them. Once upon a time, Hyun Bin had been equally enchanted by his beautiful angel when they had that reading session at the orphanage. It was the same for their children even if they experienced it daily back home.
Wide-eyed starry gazes stared back at Ye Jin as she drew them into the tale of RiRi and the monkey prince. Even after the tale concluded, the children's imaginations were still running wild with some of their favourite characters in the cartoon universe.
With Ye Jin supervising the children, the little munchkins slowly broke into their little playgroups. Inspired by their mother, Jeong Eun and Eun Ae were each huddled up in a corner with a book in their hands, reading to some of the younger children.
Ye Jin couldn't help but smile as Eun Ae took special care to enunciate the words clearly to her new friends, whereas Jeong Eun was dramatic as always as he read a comic aloud. Their little man looked up proudly when Ye Jin took a photo of them, sitting perfectly tall like the charming prince he was.
As for their littlest princess? She had gotten her hands on a fashion magazine.
Their cheeky little one was flipping the pages of the kids' magazine, giggling whenever she would come across a photo that was amusing to her pretty little mind. Ki Rai scrunched her nose up adorably as a few of the older children entertained their darling 2-year-old.
It was a major improvement on Ki Rai's part. To Ye Jin, she was incredibly heartened to see Ki Rai mingling with the rest of the children, considering how she stuck to her throughout their past visits.
During that time, Director Lee approached Ye Jin again with the full intention of checking up on his friend's daughter in light of the Hyuns' new living arrangement.
"How have you been holding up, my dear? I know long-distance relationships are incredibly draining at times."
"We've been good, Director Lee. What can I say? We just have to appreciate the time we do have together. It's only for a few more months."
Ye Jin was just as optimistic as he remembered and the bright smile on her face never once faltered. That itself was telling of Ye Jin's strength as a mother, a wife, and a person who genuinely had a beautiful soul.
Although the playroom was brimming with wondrous imagination and lively chatter, Director Lee couldn't help but feel emotional as he looked over at his best friend's daughter.
"Have I ever told you how proud I am of you, Ye Jin? You've truly grown to become an amazingly brave woman."
"I owe some of that to you, Director Lee. Thank you for taking care of me when appa passed away."
"Ani, I miss my old man. It was the least I could do for him and for you."
Ye Jin's eye smiles only deepened as she acknowledged Director Lee's sincerity and care for her family. He saw her when she was at the lowest points of her life and helped her through that without expecting anything in return. He rejoiced with her whenever she accomplished a task bigger than herself, just like her father would have if he was still by her side.
In every sense possible, Ye Jin was forever indebted to the man for taking her under his wing when she was never his responsibility, to begin with.
Now, she was passing on that same love to their next generation, and her capacity to love couldn't get any deeper than it already was.
Lost in contemplation, Ye Jin noticed a new girl watching the rest of the children from a lonesome corner of the playroom. The child looked much older than the rest and was seated completely away from everyone. Yet, it was clear she wished to join them.
Turning to Director Lee again, Ye Jin subtly tilted her head towards the girl. "Say...who's the new girl?"
"Ah, her parents recently brought her to our hospital." Director Lee explained.
"I hope it's not too much to ask, but what does she have?"
"Wilms tumour."
A fresh wave of concern hit Ye Jin straight in the chest as she looked over at the little girl. As much as she was here to make their day, she would be lying if she said she wasn't affected by the pain most of them were going through that warranted a life of hospital visits. That twinge of pain in her heart said it all as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Ottoke? Poor dear, she must be in pain."
"We can only imagine...We've been trying to get her to open up but she seems rather withdrawn."
"Let me talk to her." Ye Jin volunteered.
This time, determination shone in her eyes since she had made it her personal mission to get the girl to speak, even if it was over the most mundane of things.
Approaching the girl cautiously, Ye Jin smiled kindly at the girl as she pulled out a chair.
"Annyeong, I'm Ye Jin. " Ye Jin took a seat whereas the girl had acknowledged her with an imperceptible nod.
As she expected, the child stayed silent, choosing to shrink back into herself as she rubbed the painful swelling of her abdomen.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" Ye Jin tried again.
"Ae Ri." She spoke so softly that Ye Jin had to strain her ears to catch her name.
"Ae Ri." Ye Jin smiled. "That's a beautiful name. Did you have fun today?"
"I'm not allowed to have fun." Ae Ri frowned, startling Ye Jin.
The dark turn that their conversation was taking on alarmed the mother greatly, for no child should ever think that they weren't allowed to have fun.
It wasn't the first time Ye Jin had dealt with what was often classified as a difficult case. From abuse to trauma, Ye Jin had seen it all during her time as a caregiver. But that didn't make it any easier, for each case was vastly different from the next.
Tentatively, Ye Jin broached the topic, trying her best to ease the child into the conversation in the most innocent way possible. It was a push and pull, for she didn't wish to make the child uncomfortable. Yet, such conversation was necessary at times.
"Look over there, Ae Ri dear. What are they all doing?"
"Playing."
"And?" Ye Jin prompted her gently.
"Laughing." Ae Ri observed.
"That's right. They are all laughing because they are having fun." Ye Jin explained. "Ae Ri-ah, fun isn't something you can control. It's human. It's like how when you're happy, you smile. Everyone deserves to have fun every now and then."
"But I don't think I deserve fun."
"Why do you think that, Ae Ri?"
They lapsed back into contemplative silence momentarily as little Ae Ri bit her lips nervously, unsure whether she should trust the kind lady before her.
Eventually, Ae Ri decided to take the leap of faith, for something about Ye Jin made her feel comfortable.
"It won't make the bills cheaper." Ae Ri stated calmly. "When I'm here, I should try my best to get better faster so that eomma and appa won't be burdened by the hospital bills. What if by jumping around and having fun, I get sicker? Then I'd have to stay here even longer..."
Ae Ri paused then as she looked over at the children who were running around the playroom. Because of that, she was unaware of the tears brimming in Ye Jin's eyes when Ae Ri had shared that part of her sorrow with her.
No child should ever have to worry about any of that, especially a child whose days were spent fighting to live, bordering the line between life and death.
And that wasn't all...
"Eomma and appa already did enough by adopting me. I don't want to burden them any further."
It took Ye Jin a few minutes to calm herself such that she could offer some guidance to Ae Ri. It required a certain level of maturity for a child to be able to comprehend the realities of life in the way Ae Ri did.
In that sense, Ae Ri reminded Ye Jin of Jeong Eun. Both were too considerate of their parents to a point it became a fault, a hindrance to their childhood. It would take a loving adult to remind them to simply live as a child rather than the mini adult they naturally gravitated towards.
"Sweetie, that's not for you to worry about. Your parents love you just like any other parents out there. Even if they aren't your birth parents, I'm sure they care for you just as much. And when you love someone, you would do anything to protect them. You are far from a burden to them, trust me. I would know." Ye Jin took Ae Ri's hand gently to reassure the child.
"Besides, having fun and smiling is one of the best medicines in the world. You should try it, Ae Ri."
Before Ae Ri could answer her, Jeong Eun picked that opportune time to approach them, holding a few LEGO pieces in his hands.
"What do you need, monkey?" Ye Jin asked their son lovingly.
"I wanted to ask noona if she could help us! The LEGO pieces keep getting stuck together...Noona, can you help us?" Jeong Eun waved the LEGO block happily.
Their little man's invitation only lifted Ye Jin's spirits even more, for she knew exactly what Jeong Eun was planning. Back home, he had already taught them a neat trick to pick the LEGO pieces apart. Ye Jin knew for a fact that Jeong Eun wasn't truly struggling with them and only wanted Ae Ri to join them and have fun.
Nodding encouragingly at Ae Ri who still looked a little unsure, Ye Jin was immensely relieved when she smiled and took Jeong Eun's hand, leading him back to the center of the playroom. The mother of three sat back in the chair, simply watching the kindness unfolding in front of her very eyes.
Such kindness didn't just exist in the Hyun children, it exists in all of the children, surrounding them with the purest form of love.
Beneath the thoughts about love, Ye Jin couldn't help but wonder how Jeong Eun would react when they do have that conversation with him. Would he feel like he was a burden to them too? Would their little man grow distant from them?
What was going to happen if Jeong Eun lost a part of himself? What would happen if they lost him?
Ye Jin knew that they still had some time to mentally prepare themselves for that conversation. After all, she wouldn't ever dream of speaking to him about it until Hyun Bin was home for good. She was simply shaken by witnessing first-hand how reality could potentially leave a child emotionally scarred.
It was against her innate instinct to protect their children to be the one to deliver a fresh blow of reality to Jeong Eun, but as Hyun Bin said, they had to.
They had to be honest with him.
Watching Jeong Eun piece the LEGO bricks together with Ae Ri while grinning cheekily at everyone, Ye Jin could only pray that somehow, everything would be alright in the end.
For now, they bask in this temporary bliss.
After the session, Ye Jin took the children to a water park nearby with the full intention of letting them expend some of their energy before nap time. The children were especially excited to play with the bubbles they had brought along and Ki Rai was delirious with happiness as she tried to pop the bubbles.
The rest of their afternoon consisted of Ye Jin splashing water at the children from the edge of the pool, whereas their little ones were more than happy paddling in the brilliant blue waters.
"Cannonball!" Jeong Eun shouted, launching himself into the pool.
Eun Ae and Ki Rai squealed when their brother made an ultra-big splash on them before Eun Ae threw a doughnut floatie at him. Jeong Eun slipped himself into the doughnut hole easily, his mouth agape in a cheeky smile as he posed for Ye Jin's camera.
Meanwhile, Ki Rai and Eun Ae were floating around with their Frozen floatie. Just like Anna and Elsa, they were the most loving pair of sisters through and through. Ye Jin took a photo of them, knowing Hyun Bin's heart would melt the minute he saw his princesses.
"Oppa, floatie race!" Eun Ae challenged. "Ki Rai and I against you!"
Without missing a beat, Eun Ae paddled off, dragging Ki Rai along with her floatie – giving them a head start. Jeong Eun did the same, bent on beating his sisters to their game.
When the children had reached the other end of the pool, they waved excitedly at Ye Jin with matching joyous grins on their faces.
"Eomma!" They shouted in unison, prompting Ye Jin to wave back at them.
Laughing as their little ones paddled back to her side, the mother didn't even mind when their children had launched themselves at her, causing her top to get drenched by the waters clinging onto them.
The only thing that could make their moment even better was if Hyun Bin had been there with them. For now, he could only be present in their memories through photographs and video calls.
That night, while the children were preparing for bed, their father was in his office going through some additional paperwork at VASTeam. Ever since he had landed in Singapore, there has been an endless chain of work lined up for him which explained why he was still working like a cow at such an ungodly hour.
Although the man was tired, he pressed on, for the last thing he wanted was to be held back in Singapore when he could be with his family back in Seoul. It helped that his daily serotonin booster came in the form of his lovely wife and children.
That night, every time he felt as though the life was being drained right out of him, he would look through the photographs that Ye Jin had sent that day.
Each time he looked at them, he would notice something new. Like how Ki Rai's fringe was now past her eyebrows and how their little tyke's crescent smiles were growing more distinct by the day. He noticed how Eun Ae's nose was scrunched slightly as she read to the children and his wife's peanut heart that was only accentuated by her white pullover.
As a father, he couldn't be prouder of his children.
As a husband, he couldn't help but be thankful for the angel that crash-landed in his life.
Hyun Bin loves his family, deeply and irrevocably. Nobody could take that away from him. Ever.
Smiling down at the photographs, Hyun Bin kept them close to his heart even as he buried himself in the paperwork once again. No one should look this happy working overtime, but alas, that was the effect his family had on him.
The smile never once left his face until his Secretary stumbled into his office in her court heels and evening dress.
"Chairman Hyun." She slurred.
"Secretary Park, is there something wrong?" The chairman frowned.
Instead of answering, his secretary smiled coyly at him and rounded his desk, much to Hyun Bin's astonishment.
"What is the meaning of-Mrs Park!" Hyun Bin raised his voice out of shock and anger when Secretary Park had circled her arms around his neck boldly, pressing her body against his side.
She was drunk, simple as that, but that doesn't mean she had the right to flirt with a married man especially when that man was her boss too.
Before she could lean down to kiss him, Hyun Bin had removed her hands from him, pushing her away roughly in his haste to widen the gap between them. His secretary stumbled back in shock, glaring at him accusingly when she almost lost her balance.
"Wae? Can't we have fun tonight? Don't you know how long I have waited for this moment?" Secretary Park wagged her finger blindly at Hyun Bin.
"This is highly inappropriate, Mrs Park." Hyun Bin warned her.
"Don't lie, Hyun Bin ssi. I know you feel it too." The woman was advancing on him again with that coquettish smile on her face.
"Enough!" Hyun Bin shouted, his nostrils flaring in the heat of his anger. "Remove yourself from the office immediately before I call the cops."
"Now that's no fun..."
"Get out." Hyun Bin's voice took on a dangerously low edge before he barked darkly. "Now!"
The man truly didn't know whether he should be relieved when Secretary Park finally left his office, after throwing him another glare.
Beyond that, worry churned angrily in his stomach, coupled with his anxiety over how his wife would react. The man couldn't help but pace in front of his desk, gnawing anxiously at his bottom lip as he contemplated over the next course of action.
He didn't do anything wrong, but...
She touched him. Secretary Park tried to flirt with him, a married man, a thousand miles away from home. Even if it wasn't his fault, he couldn't expect Ye Jin to be completely comfortable nor accepting of the whole situation.
Oh god, what should he tell his angel now?
What if she took it the wrong way?
With shaky hands, Hyun Bin dialled home despite the nervousness clouding his mind. He knew that he had to explain the situation to Ye Jin even if it may potentially upset her.
He couldn't hide this from Ye Jin. They promised that there would be no more secrets between them.
But why did he feel like a criminal as he waited for the call to get through?
"Yeoboseyo?"