CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35

Yu Jin’s POV

I froze as the doctor walked in, Rin was half-asleep and blinking slowly, curled in my arms, his tiny chest rising and falling with every shallow breath.

"Mr. Yu Jin," the doctor said, looking between me and Woo Min.

"Rin is stable. He can be discharged today."

I blinked at him. Blinked again. My throat went dry.

"Dis... discharged?" I whispered, gripping Rin a little tighter.

"Yes," he said. "He’s medically cleared, but he’s still weak. Be careful with exposure to stress. And... make sure he continues his medication and follow-ups."

Woo Min stiffened beside me, his hand brushing my arm before I could even think about moving. "You’re not leaving," he said, voice almost growl-like. " He needs rest. He’s fragile."

I looked down at Rin, his eyes half-closed, a soft whine escaping his lips. I felt my chest tighten, that instinct to protect, to keep him close no matter what, roaring through me.

"I can’t stay here," I said, shaking my head. "He needs his home."

Woo Min’s eyes narrowed. "Home? You think taking him out now is normal? You think dragging him through with Park Min is... okay?"

"I don’t care," I snapped, my voice cracking. "I’ve dealt with chaos my whole life. He needs stability, and I’m the only one who can give him that right now. Not you, not Park Min, not anyone."

Woo Min exhaled sharply, jaw tight, but didn’t push further. I felt his gaze burn into me as I walked toward the door, Rin wrapped securely in my arms.

***

" Do you even realize what you’re doing?"

"I realize exactly what I’m doing," I said, not looking at him. "I’m taking care of my child. I’m making sure he’s not left in a hospital bed wondering why everyone hates him or... or what’s going on."

His eyes flicked to mine, sharp, frustrated. "And you think dragging him into Park Min’s house is care? That’s what you think is stable?"

Woo Min’s jaw clenched. "I have to," I said, voice low. "He needs to know... he needs to know the truth. I can’t hide it forever."

When we pulled up to Park Min’s house, I could already feel the tension in the air. I didn’t want to go inside. My stomach twisted, my throat closed. But Rin needed this, needed some sense of family, some answers, even if the answers were messy.

Park Min was waiting at the door, arms crossed.

"You need to explain," he said flatly as I stepped inside. "Everything. To Rin. Who he is. Who I am. What... all of this is."

I froze, my body stiffening. "I’m not explaining anything to him right now," I said firmly. "He’s sick. He doesn’t need... this."

"You think hiding the truth will make it better?" Park Min snapped, voice rising. "He deserves to know. I’m his father. He deserves to know his father!"

I shook my head, anger flaring despite the exhaustion and fear curling in my chest. "No. You’re not his father. Not to him."

Park Min stepped closer, his jaw tight, but then he froze. Rin’s tiny voice cracked from my arms.

"Papa..." I picked Rin up.

I swallowed. My heart twisted, raw.

"You’re not helping," I said, voice low, exhaling slowly. "You’re going to scare him more than he already is."

Park Min’s shoulders dropped slightly. He glanced at Woo Min, who had followed us inside silently, observing, quiet and deadly calm.

"I’m you fa...."

"Let him be! Min"

"Don’t use my abbreviation on him !" Woo min screamed back.

" Oh please don’t be petty!"

I turned my head, feeling Rin stir. His tiny hand reached for Woo Min instinctively, gripping the edge of his shirt. Woo Min froze, then slowly crouched, letting Rin crawl into his lap. Rin’s eyes opened, watery, and he clung to Woo Min.

I pressed my lips together, holding back a laugh that tasted bitter and desperate. Woo Min’s expression softened, almost unrecognizable. He whispered to Rin, voice low and calm.

"Hey, little man... it’s okay. I’m here."

I glanced at Park Min. His face was pale, jaw tight. His fists clenched. I could see the frustration, the rejection cutting deep.

Park Min froze, mouth opening and closing. He looked at Woo Min, then at me, then at Rin, who was now nestled against Woo Min’s chest like he’d found home.

"I... I’ll... explain... later," I muttered, voice cracking. "Not now. He’s sick. He needs rest."

Woo Min’s hand rested lightly on Rin’s back. "We’ll make sure he’s okay," he said quietly.

Park Min’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight in my chest lighten just a fraction. But then Woo Min leaned slightly toward Park Min, voice soft, almost a whisper.

"You’ll never be enough," he said.

Park Min’s fists unclenched slowly. I could see him struggling, trying to swallow the pain and anger, trying to find a foothold.