alternate ending to the single mum series because forced pregnancies are not okay for the mother and even the child's future.

i hope you like the chapter ❤️✨

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"no, sana..." jungkook shakes his head, pushing his wife's hands subtly when she tries to cup his cheek, leaning forward for a kiss, "i'm not in the mood," he sighs deeply, standing in the balcony of his apartment, eyes staring at the lights of seoul glistening below the night sky, brighter than the stars above.

it's been only a few hours since he came back after seeing aera and has already lost the ability to think of anything other than her. the way she cried, the way she was ready to fight everyone, the confession she made and most importantly how she looked exhausted. her eyes begged jungkook to understand and help her, which makes sense for all jungkook had ever said with complete honesty was that he would be there with his sister no matter what.

and he promises he's still on her side, yet feels his heart sinking for he knew too, that aera's far from being happy with this. she doesn't want the child obviously and jungkook wouldn't lie, that this pregnancy has only brought her enormous amount of emotional pain only so far despite it just being a few hours since the reports confirmed it.

raking a hand through his hair, he leans against the rail, too busy convincing himself that jimin's right, that aera's only scared right now and would eventually get the hang of it. however, his heart says otherwise, especially after she hugged him last. the last words she said to him and aera's tears. it all makes jungkook groan in frustration, cursing under his breath as his heart aches, screaming for him to go and talk to her one last time rather than making a decision for her.

"jungkook, are you okay?" sana's voice rings in his ears, but it doesn't budge him from loosening his grip on the rail, eyes glaring at the pretty skyline of the city. he stays firm, aera's voice never leaving him alone while his wife's does, wondering how she's okay with all this.

his head turns to the side for a brief moment, studying sana precisely, questioning within his head why she doesn't look as disturbed as him. does it not hurt her to see a girl in such a vulnerable solution? is she really thinking that aera will 'get over' it? the thoughts make jungkook sigh deeply and he pulls himself back, shaking his head as he sighs deeply before heading towards the front door.

"where are you going, kook? it's almost eleven—"

"i'll be out for a while," he mutters, grabbing the keys from the holder and puts on his shoes about to open the door when sana's hands wrap around his biceps again. jungkook heaves out an annoyed breath, pulling his arm gently and opens the door.

"jungkook, what's wrong? are you mad at me?"

jungkook's jaw ticks in anger, turning to face sana with a serious gaze, making her hesitate a little as she lets go of him, "what's wrong you ask? how long have you known me,  sana? how long have you known my sister?"

"wha— what are you saying?" she frowns in confusion and jungkook chuckles dryly, shaking his head, "i don't get you..."

"i don't get you either," he mutters, "how are you okay with all that happened today? i understand you're not that close to aera, you've known her for barely two months... but at least you're a woman too... pregnant even... don't you feel bad seeing my aera like that? it's okay if you don't, but i do. it's killing me, so please don't expect me to act like nothing happened," he states and sana looks down, not saying anything, "i feel like a jerk for even falling for your words, for hyung's words. really an asshole for not listening to my sister first,"

"it's not—"

"we should talk later, sana. i don't wanna argue with you," he sighs, stroking her cheek gently before he steps out of the door, blinking away his tears. his hand presses the button for the elevator a few times together at the end of the hallway.

the doors slide open soon, letting him in, releasing a sigh of relief as he fishes out his phone and dials jimin's number, ignoring the heartbeat thumping everywhere in his body, especially in the back of his throat, repeatedly cursing at himself for letting aera go like that. jimin answers soon and the elevator reaches the parking lot as well. he jogs outside, towards his car and speaks, "where's aera?"

"in her room," jimin sighs softly, "she isn't letting anyone in. just alone inside,"

jungkook closes his eyes at that, pinching the bridge of his nose, "i fucking hate myself..." jungkook groans, "i shouldn't have listened to you guys! i can't afford losing her, hyung— i can't! i don't care what you do. talk to her or whatever, just let her know that i'm coming to take her," jungkook's words sound more serious and convincing since he slams the door of his car shut, igniting the engine the next second.

"what are you saying?" jimin's confused for an obvious reason but jungkook feels his anger only growing, not finding it necessary at all to answer the elder and keeps his attention on the front. "jungkook, where are you?"

"i'm coming to get aera. she'll stay at my place," jungkook mutters, "i can't stand this— i don't know how you're okay with seeing her in so much pain,"

"stop making it sound like i don't care of her," jimin warns, "you agreed with everything back at the hospital, what happened now?"

jungkook doesn't answer again, knowing that he's going to lose it if he starts explaining how his behaviour along with his hyung, noona and wife's blind eye suffocates him. he's not even the one who's being forced to carry a child, yet he feels like choking on those words wrapped around him, unable to imagine what aera might be ging through.

"hello? jungkook? can you hear me?"

the drive is barely fifteen minutes through the empty streets and over speeding at night, until jungkook makes his way to the elevator, pressing the number eight to select the floor where aera lives and waits. jimin never hung up, so jungkook does now, cracking his neck as he calls another number and clears his throat.

"yoongi hyung?"

•••

"what happened?" haewon asks, getting an unsure look from jimin as he shrugs his shoulders, "he must be worried, jimin. you said that he can't see aera hurting, right? it must be hard for him too—"

"as if i'm enjoying all this," jimin massages his temples, leaving his phone aside, about to say something more when the doorbell interrupts him. he takes the door, not surprised to see the younger brother standing there with a hard expression.

jungkook doesn't utter a word, entering past jimin and walks straight inside towards aera's room, gulping before he brings his fist up, hitting the wooden door with his knuckles, "ri? open the door, please. i have some news for you,"

"jungkook, what—"

"don't," jungkook mutters against the elder, shaking his head, "i'm not in the mood to justify or argue with anyone. so please don't,"

jimin's pissed with the tone, although hw doesn't get to react for haewon holds his arm, shaking her head as though telling him to keep calm for the betterment of everyone, especially their sister. aera doesn't respond from inside, so jungkook tries again, knocking a bit louder than before, "aera? open door, champ," he calls, "i know you're listening, baby. i've got us an appointment fixed with a doctor. we'll start with procedures for abortion tomorrow," he speaks softly, palm on the door for he knows deep down that aera must be wide awake thinking of ways to terminate this pregnancy or maybe trying her best to convince herself that she has to live with it.

when he lets out his words, jimin frowns at him, but most importantly the door clicks open and aera stares at him with teary eyes, "really?" she asks, making jungkook smile as he nods, opening his arms. aera nibbles on her lip, throwing herself in jungkook's arms, sobbing in his chest while he rubs her back, hugging her tightly in his embrace. "thank you... thank you so much, oppa. i'm sorry for being like this, but— but i really can't take this pregnancy,"

"it's okay," jungkook whispers into her hair, placing a kiss on the crown of her head, "it's me who's supposed to be sorry. you're all what matters to me, your health, your well being, your happiness and most importantly your life," he cups her face, kissing her forehead, "my little girl, i'm really very sorry for saying all that crazy stuff. it kills me inside knowing that you need me right now and i wasn't supportive. pregnancy might be great, but not when the woman doesn't want it. and if you don't want it, no one has the right to tell you otherwise,"

aera hugs him tightly, thanking him over and over again and kisses his cheek too. jungkook wipes the tears off her face, holding her hand as he brings her out to front, "have you eaten anything?"

aera shakes her head, although jimin glares at the brother, "do you wanna explain anything?" he grits out, "i get you're worried but—"

"but nothing, hyung. no buts, it's just aera. you've being trying to console her, preparing her for the pregnancy even when she kept begging you to take her for abortion," jungkook says, facing the elders and shakes his head, "do you remember how we reacted when we came to know that her in-laws were forcing her for a child? when we came to know that kevin cheated on her because they were having disagreements... mostly due to aera's wish of not wanting a child yet. funny how everyone else in the world has a say in such a personal and sensitive matter, other than the one whose body will be carrying the baby...

"you didn't like kevin's family for pressuring our aera for giving them a child, right? what are you guys doing now, hyung? she's still crying, begging you to listen to her and understand her for once... if someone isn't confident about having a child, then they better not have a child! why bringing a life in the world only for it to suffer? even the parent gets their life messed up, what's the point?

"i think i know where you're coming from, and sorry to say but maybe you don't get it, hyung. maybe you don't get us... your kids are yours because you and noona wanted them. i wasn't going to get married, or didn't even plan on dating, but all through the years the hyungs and even all the noonas were up my ass to find a girl for me. love is life, yes it is. but people forget that love doesn't always mean romantic..." jungkook rubs his eyes,

"luckily for me i found sana. but please, don't force aera into anything. not into motherhood for god's sake... she'll be fine and still be a good person just like anyone else, even if she aborts this child. technically, she's saving her life and the misery her child might have to face later. if you still don't get what i'm saying, try to remember how mom used to struggle with me, hurted me, and hurted herself in the process too. she wasn't ready for either of us... but fortunately for her she had dad too.

"what are you gonna tell aera's child assuming that she gives birth— what will you tell that child when they ask you about their father? who's gonna take care of the kid when she's working? me and you might be with aera, but we won't be able to provide the love and care like that of a mother or a father. and do you think between all this, aera will be able to live peacefully? it's just been a few hours today since the news of pregnancy broke... but look at her, she's been bawling her eyes out ever since. i don't understand why you can't see that she needs support of her family, her brothers, not a new born to take care of,"

jimin stays quiet, unable to deny any of jungkook's words that depicts the pain as a tear drops from jungkook's eyes as well, turning to aera, he cups her face, "i'm sorry for falling into their words... for listening to them over you," he hushes out and rubs his eyes, sighing deeply, "but not anymore. if anyone gets you, great. and if they don't, i'm sorry for them,"

aera glances at jimin, feeling bad that jimin out of all people couldn't see through her tears. he usually does, he understands the tiniest issues, and could read through her silence, but unfortunately this once he couldn't even manage to hear her screams. it breaks her heart to see that. she sighs softly, wiping off her tears, lowering her head as she secures her hold around jungkook's hand, ready to leave with him.

jimin doesn't stop them, probably busy replaying jungkook's words in his head, staring at the younger siblings heading out. walking to the elevator, aera glances at jungkook, hugging him from the side, "i knew you'd understand," she mumbles, "thank you so much,"

"don't thank me. it's what's right, and something i should've done earlier,"

aera nods slowly, "where are we going?"

"mansion for now," jungkook replies, "i talked to yoongi hyung and told him everything. he said we should explain everything to the doctor and they can guide us through the procedure,"

the sister hums softly, sitting in the car with jungkook and secures the seatbelt. she turns to him and asks, "what mde you think that i should abort the baby...? you were with jimin oppa, weren't you?"

"not entirely. i could see what he was saying— and how he said everything it was... i don't know, but it wasn't all right. i couldn't stop thinking about it, about you and it was killing me, knowing that you need help and i'm not doing anything to make it better,"

"you're helping me now," aera says softly, giving him an assuring look.

"and that's why you don't need to worry about anything," he says, pulling over in front of a 24/7 convenience store. "now let's go eat something. i bet you must be hungry,"

"i'm starving," aera lets out, following him inside the store, heading straight to the aisle where a lot of snacks are arranged. jungkook takes two packs of instant cup noodles, while aera picks up a tub of vanilla sundae, virtually asking jungkook if she can take it. "i didn't bring my wallet," she makes clear, making jungkook chuckle.

"you're not going to pay when i'm here anyway," jungkook says, handing his card to the cashier billing all the items they got.

the two, then find a place at one of the tables near the window, sitting down with their meal and aera fills their cups with hot water, taking the moment to talk a while as jungkook explains how yoongi was worried on knowing everytime and said that he'd be visiting soon. the thought of having yoongi around at such a hard time, makes aera happy in a heartbeat, flashing her best smiles to jungkook, not minding his fond gaze for she knew that jungkook misses his little aera.

as the night passed in the jeon mansion with aera falling asleep in her room whereas jungkook spent the night time having a quiet drink alone, relieved that aera's fine now, not entirely yet, and he honestly wouldn't expect her to wake up all happy and bubbly after so much happened. he's willing to walk her through the process of healing, encouraging the baby steps like he has always done and watch aera have her time eventually.

yoongi would be the biggest help in that and jungkook feels proud of himself for calling the elder at the right time, asking for help. maybe yoongi becomes the one to talk to jimin and make him see things differently? who knows what will happen, but one thing that jungkook is sure of is that yoongi's presence will certainly be like a hug of assurance for his sister and a fatherly finger to hold.

in the morning jungkook woke up on the couch, swarmed up by some fresh, delicious smelling sausages and sandwiches. he thought it was one of the housekeeping, but it surprised him to see aera standing in front of the counter, getting the sausages on a common dish and sets it beside the sandwiches. a small smile plays on her lips as she fills the glasses with juice and covers them with a flat glass lid, stepping back with a proud look.

"hey, 'morning," jungkook lets out in a heavy voice, clearing his throat a little as he makes his way beside aera, getting a smile from her. "you should've asked the staff to cook, or woke me up, aera,"

"no, it's okay," she says, nodding at the chair and jungkook takes the seat, "i wanted to cook for you. you've done a lot for me, still doing... this is the least i can do,"

"oh yeah?" jungkook arches a brow at her, "so now we're gonna return favours huh? fine, i'm gonna need a lot of good food and videogame matches for everything i've done for you so far," aera giggles at that, nodding her head quickly and serves the food on his plate and sits beside him, taking her own portion.

"so, how's everything between you and sana unnie?" aera asks, taking a bite of her sandwich.

jungkook nods casually, not saying anything for he's busy eating the sandwich as well, humming at the taste when he realises that aera did put a generous amount of cheese inside, "this is life," he groans, licking the cheese off his lips and takes a sip of the juice that turns out to be of mango rather than orange.

"uh is she okay with you being here?" aera looks at him, cautious of her words that grab jungkook's attention. "i mean... i'm sorry i shouldn't interfere in your married life, but i just happened to see her missed calls on your phone. is everything okay, oppa?"

"yeah, i might've missed the ring," he says, "and nobody has any problem with me being here,"

"she's your wife, not nobody,"

jungkook stops eating when he feels aera's gaze on him, making him sigh, cursing under his breath, "yeah, sorry. i'm just out of it right now. i'll talk to her later,"

"please do. bad husbands suck,"

jungkook thinks it's heavy but aera takes him by surprise as she lets out a chuckle, letting him know that's nothing more than dark humour. the breakfast stays light with frequent talks and discussion of the doctor's appointment. calling yoongi again, jungkook confirms that they should be at the clinic by eleven for the procedures could take long.

after eating aera gets straight to her room, getting ready in some comfortable clothes that won't bother her too much at the doctor's. in the mean time, jungkook drives back home, not hoping to find his brother and his wife there, the three of them sitting with serious expressions with the man, jungkook thought would take at least the whole day to show up. min yoongi. he's sitting across jimin, speaking while jimin nods slowly once in a while. yoongi doesn't look happy and that explains why the scene looks like jimin is being talked by someone of higher authority. of course yoongi held a higher position by age, maturity experience and respect.

"yoongi hyung? you're here," jungkook's more than just relieved, entering the living room with open arms and hugs him right away, "aera's gonna be so happy to see you,"

"i know," yoongi nods, his eyes moving from jungkook to the rest, then back to jungkook, "y'all be messing with my kid a lot. of course, i had to come," jungkook looks down, nodding slowly and yoongi pats his shoulder assuringly.

"i'll just take a shower and get changed real quick. then we can go," he says.

"sure, take your time," yoongi nods, sitting back down on the single sofa while sana follows jungkook inside.

"jungkook," sana holds his arm, eyes fixed on his face while his eyes are busy scanning through his wardrobe, "i'm sorry, i get why you're mad. i shouldn't have been that impulsive. i understand how you feel about your sister, kook, and i would never in my entire life question that. your relationship with your sister is one of the reasons many people look up to you guys. and i know you don't need to hear this from me. you know it way better what aera is to you. i'm sorry that i couldn't show similar concern y—"

jungkook closes his eyes for a brief second, shaking his head as he lets out a low chuckle, turning to look at sana, "i never expected you to show similar concern for aera. you only know her for two months, sana. i don't blame you for not being that close to her, she hasn't been herself lately either. what i actually wanted from you was support... just support, a little bit of understanding maybe? because you're a woman, and because you're pregnant as well? but nevermind, i can't say anything about it, when even jimin hyung didn't get aera, haewon noona didn't get her. you're still new,"

"jungkook, i'm sorry," sana says with teary eyes, stepping closer to him and wraps her arms around him, "please don't be mad. i understand what you mean, i realised i was wrong last night and i wanted to talk to you ever since. i didn't sleep at all— i couldn't, knowing that you stepped out of home mad at me..." she hushes out and jungkook sighs, hugging her back in a breath, rubbing her back. "i do understand how aera might be feeling, it's hell of emotions, and we should've thought rationally than forcefully preparing her for this pregnancy. i feel awful for being like that,"

jungkook presses a kiss on top of her head, keeping her still in his embrace, "don't cry," he whispers, "we're good, okay? i didn't answer your calls because i didn't see them. i was with aera, we were talking and then i needed a drink... well, because it was too much for one day to take in. and then i fell asleep. aera told me about your calls in the morning. she was worried we had a fight or something," he confesses, "i'm sorry for not listening to you last night. i shouldn't have left you alone like that. that was very jerk-ish of me,"

sana breaks into a soft chuckle hearing that and jungkook smiles, pressing his lips on hers, kissing her slowly before pulling away, "i love you, and i promise i'd never walk away like i did last night. we're gonna talk our way out of disagreements and misunderstandings okay?"

"yeah," she kisses him again, "i love you so much, jungkook,"

"perfect," he whispers, hugging her and swiftly lifts her in his arms, "let's go wash up and get ready,"

"wha— there are your hyungs waiting in the living room!"

"they won't know a thing. besides, i promise we're just gonna shower. save time and water, y'know?"

•••

"yeah," jimin hums, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees as he shakes his head in frustration, "how can i be so fucking dumb? i always said i wanted the best for aera but was going to force her into something that could ruin the rest of her life... she said she wanted to kill herself, hyung. i would never be able to forgive myself if anything happened to my aera because of me... i've been such a dick. fuck, i'm so sorry,"

"you've been," yoongi doesn't disagree, getting a hesitant look from haewon as well, although she doesn't dare to say anything for she too, has spent enough time in the family to know that min yoongi isn't to be messed with especially when he's unhappy. he is unhappy right now. "i still don't get how you out of all people couldn't see her hurting. it's disappointing, jimin. jungkook called me last night, around midnight and told me everything. i couldn't believe you didn't support aera for an abortion. you're married, jungkook is married, you both have your own families, so i'm not gonna say everything out loud, but you do know for yourself that your reaction would've been different if it were you or him in aera's place,"

jimin keeps his eyes down, not uttering a word and yoongi glances at haewon too, "i'm sorry, but i expected something better. not this. never this," he says briefly before standing up and pats jimin's shoulder, "apologize to aera and let her know that you support her. we'll be going to see the doctor now,"

"right— right now?" jimin asks, getting a nod from yoongi.

"i talked to chae's gynec and made an appointment. jungkook talked to her too and explained everything. she said getting the abortion done will be the best for aera's mental health especially when has shown suicidal tendancies,"

"my child," jimin whispers, sighing deeply and looks at yoongi with urgency, "do you think she must be mad at me? she must be hating me right now for not understanding her... i've been the worst brother..."

"jimin, relax. just say sorry and she'd understand you. we know our ri isn't the type to hold grudges,"

"but i almost messed up her life,"

"you made it worth living everyday before this. trust me with this, she loves you and would never hate you,"

jimin nods, his attention shifting to the side from where jungkook walks back, dressed in different set of clothes, looking much more fresh than before. jimin doesn't waste any time, hugging the younger brother and apologizes for his impulsive and ignorant self from the previous day. jungkook forgives quickly, assuring the elder that it's still not late to have the right vision and take the right decision.

as soon as sana joins them, jungkook leaves the apartment, telling them that he'll pick aera up and meet everyone straight at the doctor's.

•••

"it'll be fine, just relax your body, okay?" the doctor assures aera with a subtle smile which calms aera down even if it was merely for a second because the next moment she was in yoongi's arms, bawling her eyes out just as soon as she saw him enter the room.

"appa..." she looks up at him, finding yoongi smiling softly.

"don't cry, honey. everything's fine,"

"thank you for coming," aera mumbles, rubbing her eyes and yoongi chuckles, kissing her forehead.

"don't thank me. just relax and let the doctor do their work. it's what you wanted, didn't you?"

"yeah," she nods, taking a deep breath and glances back at jimin, who steps forward with open arms. aera looks confused for a split second, then sees the smile playing on jungkook and yoongi's lips, making her smile as well. she hugs jimin quickly, closing her eyes as jimin apologizes to her and kisses her forehead.

"my child, i'm so sorry for not listening to you. i have no excuse for the way i acted... it was wrong and really disheartening, especially when i always say that i love you so much,"

"it's okay," aera hushes out quickly, "i'm not mad at you, oppa. it did hurt me a little, but i'm fine. it didn't even feel that much, i was more emotional when jungkookie came up to me. i wasn't crying a lot, but i felt like i could breathe after a long time. it was like i could feel something after a long time,"

"i'm really sorry... but i promise now that whatever life might bring on, oppa's always gonna listen to you and be supportive,"

"i know that, but thanks for saying it again," she says, kissing his cheek and then hugs haewon, who apologizes as well, "it's fine unnie. at least no one is mad at me for doing this. i would never have the courage to come up for the abortion alone... i'm just happy that you guys are here with me,"

"we will always be with you," haewon promises, "you grew up before my eyes and i love you so much, aera. you're still that young fourteen-year-old riri i met for the first time,"

aera smiles at that, hugging her again, then smiles at sana too, "thank you for coming, unnie. and i'm sorry if you and oppa had a fight because of me,"

"it's fine, we're good," sana says, "i'm happy that you're doing what's right for you. and know that we support you with all our hearts,"

in a few minutes the doctor says that they're ready, stretching the time to a few hours until aera finally wakes up, much relieved when the nurses asked her how she was feeling. honestly, she felt much lighter thanks to the weight of pregnancy being lifted off her mind and the guilt that came along with having unprotected sexual intercourse with a stranger. she could breathe fine and hugged jungkook tightly, thanking him the most for his presence at the right time.

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a/n- heyy did you like the chapter? i wrote it in in four hours last night because i realised how important this is. ❤️✨ vote and comment to show your support and take care of yourself! love you guys 💜💜💜💜💜

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