"I'd set the world on fire before I'll let anything hurt you again."
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Accurate song for the chapter: But Daddy, I love him by Taylor Swift.

Next update after: 180 votes and 80 comments.

Jeon Jungkook, son of the CEO of Jeon enterprises, to be head of the Blue Stones. 

I read the details of my beloved daughter's boyfriend on the screen of my phone. The detail are sent by my PA. Doesn't matter he is working overtime 'cause of it. It's about my angel, so i need every damn detail.

I hate this guy.

I hate the way he reminds me of me in his age. This asshole. I so badly want to kick his ass out.

Before he arrived here with my daughter, i was so ready. I knew how to kick him out because i know no man out there is a good match for my daughter. 

I've always protected her like she's my soul. I've always said that Hari, my dear wife, is my heart and Hana has been my soul since the minute she was born. I knew i was going to move mountains to protect her from any fucking one.

Having a daughter, i knew that one day there is going to be someone who'll be special for her. It's the human nature and i was prepared for it, to let someone else become special for her.

But hell fucking no, the guy she presented in front of me wasn't something i even imagined she'd go after.

This young man reeks of nothing but bad news. I can tell by a simple glance at him that he has blood on his hands. His knuckles look way too rough for some decent guy my dear daughter wanted me to believe in.

Right when i looked at him by the entrance of my house, he looked like someone my hands would love punching the shit out of but instead they had to shake them with his. An ethical father.

And the way he shook my hand, it was assertive. A strong stance that this meeting is not the first and the only. I knew i wanted such a man out of my daughter's life for her sake.

I've been here before and the result might put Hana in danger, and i'd burn the world down to ashes if any wrong thing happens to her.

But this guy, Jeon Jungkook, is a tough fight. I briefly remember the talk we had in my study.

"Leave my daughter alone", i assert.

"As much as i respect you, Mr. Kim, this is never happening," Jungkook asserts back, the glass of champagne in his hand finds its way to his mouth.

Right now sitting on the sofa of my study, he's looking at me like he knows what he wants to do and he knows it fully well that he'll achieve it.

The reason i didn't talk with him in front of Hana is because i know she fears the truth of him. The real part of him which is as red and dark as my blood. She might've made it clear for him to not spill his secrets right in front of me but little does she know that a predator always recognise another predator.

"You're too dangerous for her and you know it," i say as i look back at him. I'm standing by the window, looking up at the moon remembering the crazy rabbit on the moon story i'd tell Hana when she was little and found it difficult to sleep.

With my hands in the pocket of my pants, i turn around to face him. He already has a knowing look on his face. He's thinking of Hana. So badly i want to kill him right now.

"I know and i also know how to protect her," Jungkook counters.

He's looking at me with determination and i know he means every single word he just uttered. He is serious about Hana, i might be glad but there's this uneasy feeling inside my chest. 

I was too sure about my future too when i was his age, part of a famous gang. I wasn't obliged to be part of it, I wanted to be one. I wanted to feel the thrill. I don't have anything against people, but certain twisted part of me thought that this all was just some adventure.

I knew my future was set. Considering how good i was because of my fighting and shooting skills, i was at good position in there. I would be helped by the authorities in my business. Life felt like it was a bath in endless money and beautiful women in arms.

That's what these gangs taught men to be. That's what i became too.

Until i met Hari, the love of my life, my lovely wife. She changed me, my heart, my whole damn world. She became the only ray of light in my endless ocean of sorrow and greed.

I knew i needed her in my life, till my last breathe, but i also knew that it's not possible if i'm part of the gang, where there's no value of emotions. Where having emotions means you're weak.

Threat lingered upon her when the word of Hari being my girl flow out. The gang became too deadly for me and her, rivals were on my tail and every damn thing turned against me.

We don't die for bitches. Fuck and forget.

Hari was too important for me. My business was in danger but i chose her.

And it's been more than twenty two years since i left everything with her, and i have zero ounce of regret. I never had it, even when i hit rock bottom, had to see her cry for hours, had to start all over again, I never regretted choosing Hari over the gang. 

She made me who i am today and in that young age, i knew what i wanted. It was nothing but Hari and she sticked with me in my highs and lows. 

I fall in love even more when i think of everything she's done for me, with me. She's the reason i exist and then she blessed me with her best creation- our daughter, Hana. She came into our life with luck and prosperity. Her little self made our life live-able and i knew i'd take any fucking life i wanted to in order to protect her.

Jungkook is at the state where i was. I know he must be hearing things about letting her go. I've no idea if Hana had been in any threat like situation, but if she was, i'm going to murder this guy so that he has no way to come back into my daughter's life.

And on the other situation, if he's here using my daughter, manipulating her for some ulterior motive, he's again dead meat. But that seems unlikely.

Years of being in the gang and roaming around the world doing business, i've gotten quite better in reading intentions of people. Jungkook's intentions towards Hana doesn't seem pure but they aren't malicious either. That's what i believe or this guy wants me to believe.

"It's all talks, kid. When the time comes, what will you do? I'm sure they threaten you about her, don't they?" i ask him as i walk to the chair of my desk.

"You know it all, Mr. Kim, but i know my truth. It remains Hana. Until i'm breathing, no one would dare to touch her. Even if they do, i'm going to do not some ethical things to erase them from her life," he tells me.

I squint my eyes at him. What does he think, i don't take care of my daughter properly?

"She's still too young to be intertwined into such nasty shits," i say, my voice audibly low. Nineteen years is still a baby age, isn't it?

Jungkook sighs, i know he's judging me but do i give a damn? Not one.

I can do whatever it takes to protect my daughter, especially from a man like Jungkook. Because i know this path and in no way, i'd want my baby to through it. It's too harsh.

"She's an adult, Mr. Kim. She can take her own decisions now, she is taking a few too. It might be bitter for you too but you have to accept it," Jungkook explains.

I glare at him mansplaining me about my own daughter. I'm a father, he doesn't need to tell me what i need to do or fucking be in a position like this. The assertion and confidence with which he speaks makes the metal of the pistol inserted inside my pants' waistband on my back itch my skin. I so badly want to paint the walls of this room with his brain.

"Listen, kid, you don't get to explain things like these to me when you're not in my shoes. The only reason i'm tolerating your presence is because of Hana, otherwise your name wouldn't even be resonated by this moment," i warn him.

Jungkook looks down at his lap and smirks slightly. His mouth looking way more punchable. 

I wish my daughter had brought a better man home, not some kill-able lizard like gangster.

 "Hana's been going to therapy again," he speaks and my heart stops for a moment.

"What?" i ask, terrified.

It's been long since she went for therapy, like a year. She was better, was taking her medications and everything. What the fuck happened?

I look at Jungkook. I swear to everything holy out there if he's the reason for her relapse then i'm going to erase the whole family he belongs to.

"She didn't tell you," he says. The tone wasn't mocking. It's as if he realised what he's been thinking was right.

"What the fuck do you mean? It's been a year since she last went to therapy, she was better. She said she was, that's why we let her live alone... Did she hurt herself? Were you the fucking reason-"

Jungkook stops me before i could jump on him and snatch his eyes out. Usually when it comes to my family, i don't think much rationally. I do things before i could even think.

"She's fine now. She did try to hurt herself, but she's getting better now. And no, i wasn't the one who did anything," he answers.

"Why didn't she tell us?" i whisper under my breath as my forehead creases.

I've always tried to be an easy going father for Hana, considering she's my only child. There has been a great gender gap between us considering she's a girl but i've always tried to make her as comfortable as she can get when she's with me, so that i am easy to talk to when she needs me.

I've seen her grow up in front of my eyes, seen her go through every little change in her body and found myself being successful in being a girl dad when she'd show me her dresses and her bows and pins as a little girl and when she'd tell me what she felt awkward about herself when she was growing.

In her mental turmoil, i've been her pillar along with her loving mother. I've known every detail about her mental health. Then why hadn't she told us about this? She has been very positive to us ever since she went away for her university.

When we talk to her, she's always like she's fine, she's studying.

Fuck, why didn't i go and see her often at her place. I should've been more protective, right?

Does she feel like we'll be feeling tired for having a daughter like her? Does she feels like a burden? Someone who doesn't deserve to be cared for?

My heart aches as i question myself. Was i not a good parent?

"The reason why i'm telling you this right now is to make you understand this, Mr. Kim," Jungkook speaks, his voice doesn't hold the dominance anymore.

I look up at him with a hope that my aching chest isn't reflecting through my eyes, though my feet itch to stand up and run to my baby, ask her if she's ok and why did she feel the need to hide this from us.

"She's an adult, she can take her own decisions. It may be hard to accept but it is the truth. I'm not here to ridicule you, i just want you to accept her for every decision she takes in life," he continues.

If he was talking this smartly before, i wouldn't have the urge to kick his gut out.

But he's right. Yes, I do feel ridiculous for being in oblivion about this. But it's also true that Hana is an adult, I should be proud of her for being able to take her decisions. That's what a good father should do, right?

I'm always overprotective about her, considering she's my only blood, my only girl.

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It has been half an hour since our conversation and I'm still thinking of it. Jungkook is in the kitchen helping my wife and the girls with dinner. He's too complicated to understand, or maybe too misunderstood?

I sigh as I shift slightly on the sofa of the living room, staring out at the night sky through the closed window. It's getting colder. It'll snow in few weeks. Hana loves snow. I still remember the memory of her first playing in snow. Her tiny face and tiny hands making even little snowballs. I remember it all.

It's so good to see her grow up into such beautiful young woman who's brave, smart and still filled with kindness. I'm proud of her. No matter what decision she takes, but it will take some time for me to get on terms with this for sure.

"Jiho," a sweet voice courses through air around me before reaching my ear. Before I could recognise the source, I smell jasmine. The crazy hypnotizing scent of my beautiful wife.

I look at my side as I see Hari as she approaches me with a bright smile.

" Come on, dinner's ready," she cheers up.

I look at her with shining eyes. She's insanely beautiful and the fact that she made a whole carbon copy of hers as our daughter, makes me adore Hana even more. They both have the same eyes. It's crazy how I can never say no to them when they show me those eyes.

"Hm," I hum as I stand up, straightening my shirt.

Hari smiles and comes closer. She sets my rolled up cuffs down to cover my tatted arms.

"It's not needed. Jungkook probably has more tattoos than me," I tell her.

While getting ready today, she made it really assertive to keep my tattoos hidden for the whole evening because she didn't want me to scare the poor boyfriend of Hana's away.

Little did we know, our daughter would actually bring a devil home.

"I know but they keep me distracted," Hari mumbles, her cheeks reddening as her smaller body sets my cuffs nicely, buttoning them.

I smirk at her blushing state. All these years of being together and she's still a mess in front of me. Don't even ask me what I become every time I see her, or smell her jasmine scent. We both drive each other crazy and that's what keeps our love young.

Right now, being this shy and delicate in front of me, I have the urge to carry her to bedroom and make her forget about every little thing that's occupying her mind right now but I resist it. I have to be a civil fucking husband and a father.

I chose to stay silent because if I open my mouth, it's going to find it's way to hers and right now, isn't just the time.

"OK, should we go?" she asks me, looking up into my eyes with pink glow.

"Sure, my love," I say, a small smile still curled on my lips.

Seeing her, being with her keeps me sane. My mind which was thinking and probably overthinking just now has shut down. I feel at ease.

Hari grabs my bulky hand in her smaller one as she drags me with her. I follow in her footsteps.

As we reach the dining table, I see the eatables in place. The delicious aura of the food fills the whole room. I can taste it on my tongue even. Hari is a great cook, she loves cooking. She isn't obliged to cook though, there are cooks for that but on special occasions she loves to take the credit. She puts all her love into the dishes she makes and we all devour it like our last meal. Her busy schedule gives her less time to cook for us more often.

Hana and her friends, along with the gangster boyfriend, settle the dishes. I have just entered the room and I completely despise the way Jungkook is stealing glances with my daughter.

No Jiho, civil father. Be a normal dad for once and keep the over protectiveness away. Tolerate it.

As we all settle down on the table, i find my wife sitting on my one side while the other side remained empty. Usually Hana would take that place but right now she's sitting across me with Da Eun at her one side and that gangster on her other side. Jae is sitting next to Da eun.

Seeing me glaring deep holes into the lizard like man in front of me, my wife keeps her hand on my thigh to bring my attention to her. She has a soft smile on her face but her eyes softly glare at me too, warning me.

I'm sure she likes the guy too the way she's been adamant about him, but then again she's way more smarter than me. She thinks and i'm just impulsive.

Just a night.

"You should totally try the chicken. Mom cooks the best one, trust me," Hana instructs her boyfriend and her friends agree with her.

"I know she'd be a great cook, she looks passionate about cooking," Jungkook compliments Hari and i feel pride in it. 

Hari giggles at the compliment, thanking him as everyone starts eating what they want to from the kept choices on the table. Hana and Jungkook talks to each other in whispers and not for my liking, i'm not seeing Jungkook's one hand on the table.

My jaw clenches but i suppress. Hana is an adult, she has the right to do whatever she wants. I can only protect her.

"Don't you wanna talk about something?" my wife whispers to me seeing my awkward frustrated state.

"I don't want to lose the appetite, my love," i answer and she sighs out.

So instead she brings the conversation up.

"So how old are you, Jungkook?" she asks.

I know all the answers to this already but for the sake of the conversation, i don't pass any weird look. I just concentrate on food instead of focusing on stupid details on why my daughter's cheeks are redder than before and i can't see where Jungkook's hand is.

"I'm twenty one," Jungkook answers.

"Oh, so you're not in same year with Hana, i suppose," Hari says, as she puts another small spoon of rice in her mouth.

"Right. I'm doing my masters and then i'll inherit the family business," Jungkook answers and Hana looks way more alert than before.

"Family business? Wait, i don't know about your family at all," Hari chuckles, then looks at me. I find food way more interesting right now.

"My family runs business across various fields like mechanics, import export of appliances, investments," he explains and my wife 'oh's.

"What's your last name, dear?" she asks, curious.

"Jeon, Mrs. Kim."

"Wait, are you from Jeon Hanbin's family?" Hari asks him, surprised.

"Yes. he's my father," Jungkook answers and i look up at him. I already know it but it's new for my wife. Hana has a small smile as she looks at us with her shining eyes. I'm kind of proud of her for finding some royal blood, at least i can know family history considering they're in business.

"Wow," my wife sounds impressed, "We recently landed in with a business deal with them."

Considering the relationship happening right now, i'm sure the deal was proposed because of Jungkook. He's too smart to get into the family through business before actually showing himself here.

"Yes, i know. I take keen interest in my family business," he speaks.

"Well, that's really great especially at your young age. You do a lot. Jiho was like this too at this age," Hari looks at me.

Though i've already drawn the comparison between me and him, hearing it out of my wife's mouth feels distasteful. I should've seen this coming. You know what they say. A girl looks for her father in the guy she chooses. This makes this relationship look more serious and my chest kind of burns at that.

"You know when it's the right time, age doesn't limit you," Jungkook says and i look up at him again, raising my eyebrows. 

"Aw, that's what Jiho believes in too," my wife chuckles and a beautiful smile blooms on Hana's face. Her friends smile at her too. I almost want to roll my eyes.

I pick up the glass of water to ease the bubbling heat in my throat.

"Hana has been very brave at this age too. Considering how delicately we have brought her up, i'm so glad to see her shine. I'm sure she'll be a very great designer one day. Have you seen her designs, Jungkook?" Hari says with stars in her eyes, i like that as i take a few sips of water.

"Yes, i have seen a few and i can see her talent in those. I'm proud of her too," he says and looks at my daughter.

With the glass of water in my hand tightly clutched, i see them looking at each other. They maintain the eye contact for disgustingly long time.

I slam the glass down on the table. It wasn't that loud but it was loud enough for their eye contact to break and get the whole table's attention on me.

"So," i clear my throat, "How did your mid sems go?"

I know. Stupid question. But it's better than my wife buttering this gangster boyfriend and him doing the same to my wife. I needed to divert the conversation.

My wife slightly shakes her head in disbelief, i'm sure she's snarling at my behavior in her head. I just shift slightly in my seat and grab the spoon to continue.

"They went well, dad," Hana answers, her cheeks pink and eyes shining with happiness. I suddenly feel terrible for my behavior but i can't help it. This man scares me and makes me feel unsafe for my own daughter. I can't be too sure about him considering i know him more than anyone here.

She answers well but everyone on the table glances at each other with weird looks though Jungkook is looking down on his food with a slight smirk on his face. The fucker is enjoying this for sure.

"So, how's it going in the uni? Are you living just fine in the apartment?" my wife finally starts conversation with Hana.

But a second passes, then two. There's no response from Hana's side. I look at her as she gulps, her ears turn red. It usually happens when she's nervous. But why? We just asked her a simple question, or maybe it isn't as simple as it seems to be.

Da eun and Jae look at each other, then at Hana who is looking at her food for now.

"What happened? Is something wrong?" i ask, anxious at the time that she's taking for such simple question.

"Yeah, it's-"

Hana cuts Da eun who tried to cover this up as she finally speaks, looking up at us, "Mom, Dad, I... wanted to tell you something."

The best friends on the table take a long inhale before sighing lowly. Something big is gonna blow up on my face and i'm not ready after everything that has already happened this evening.

If she's going to tell about her restarting her therapy sessions, i know how to react. I know it already so it'll not be that bad, right?

But if it's something else, then i'm anxious too. The range of her something is very big and vast.

For all i know she might throw a vigorous bomb my way. She might tell that she's engaged to this fucker already or worse, carrying his child. Fuck, the possibility is very low but never zero considering there's no denial in the fact that they must be doing stuff. 

Before my blood roars at the disgusting scenario of this fucker touching my daughter, my wife pats my thigh on sensing my stiff posture. 

"Oh, what is it?" Hari sweetly asks and i am feeling like a clock bomb is ticking. I don't want to hear something completely ridiculous now. I've already heard enough.

"I have moved out of the apartment," Hana says and it doesn't feel like the complete sentence.

I look at her friends and their faces tell me something terrible is coming next as they smile at me like everything's perfectly fine before continuing with food with shaking hands.

"Oh? Where are you living then? Wait, are you living with your friends now?" Hari asks, with nice hope considering she's been adamant about Hana living with her friends than living completely alone considering her health.

"No," as Hana answers this, i know what's coming next and is my body turning hot from cold or anger?

"I've moved in with Jungkook," Hana announces.

A spoon falls down on the floor and i don't look away from Hana's face to see whose is it. My daughter isn't looking up at me anymore, she's looking down at the table. Jungkook raises an eyebrow at me as my jaw clicks. 

Hari gives out a startled chuckle. Even my sweet wife is in disbelief.

So i speak and i try to keep my tone as light as possible. As much as i don't like the fact that Hana hid about such important thing from us, i still don't want to scare her. I'd rather kill myself before becoming the reason she is scared of.

"Since when?" i ask, my voice not very heavy. It's just a simple question as i try to suppress the growling monster.

"It's been no more than two weeks, dad," she answers, her voice believing.

"I was feeling scared alone in the apartment. I didn't want to be... harmful. Jungkook suggested we should move in. I feel better, dad," she tries to convince me into not hating this.

I gulp and smile slightly.

"You didn't tell us you were scared of living alone, hana," i say and the guilt eats me up.

"I didn't want to bother you with this," she whispers, almost inaudible.

I look at her with softer eyes, "Do you think we think of you as a burden?"

Hari gasps as she calls out my name while Hana's eyes widen.

"No, dad, no. Not at all. I just thought i can make my own decisions, i'm older now," Hana explains and i nod.

I tap the table. My chest burns a little and my eyes feel heavy. Do i feel like crying? Probably, but for what reason? Fuck, this is so childish for a father, Jiho. 

I sigh out, i don't look up but i know everyone is looking at me. Is this anxiety? Since when am i getting this? And why am i acting this way? I need to pull my act together, it's almost embarrassing. Yet i feel it hard to gulp down.

"Are you ok, love?" Hari whispers in my ear and i nod but now, i feel even worse.

"Excuse me for a moment," i blurt out, my voice barely came out of my throat as i stand up from my chair.

I don't look at anyone on the table as i calmly step out. The chair creaks on the wooden floor, the silence of the room feels like it's eating me alive. I take heavy steps out of the room to the stairs.

I'm very fast as i climb up the stairs with heavy steps to get to my study. I want a moment away from the conversation and to understand what's happening to me. 

As i reach the warmness of my study, my mind is a whirlwind of different things.  I didn't think this evening would be as heavy as this. I knew it'll be difficult but this much? I feel terrible as a father but i can't suppress anymore. It's like i'm losing a part of me when my daughter is still here with me. I'm probably just over reacting.

I sit at my favorite spot, by the window as i again look up at the moon. Tonight doesn't even feel real. 

The door softly opens behind me and i don't need to turn around to know who's there. I just need one person here with me right now, i hope she can understand me. She's my significant other, she might be feeling the same as a parent too, right?

Soft arms wrap around my neck from behind me. I smell the jasmine scent, bringing me to ease a little. 

Hari doesn't say anything for a few seconds. She just lets me absorb the moment as i look out at the sky. 

A few moments pass as i feel my heartbeat again, a little better than before. I clutch the hand of my wife which is resting on my hard chest.

"Do you remember the day Hana was born?" i ask her.

"How can i ever forget?" she counters with a smile in her tone, making my lips curl up too.

"She was born few minutes past midnight. It was exhausting, most for you. At this time, all those years back you were screaming at me for putting a baby inside you," i recall, kissing my wife's hand.

Hari scoffs, "It was painful, i felt like i was dying and you were reacting even more than me."

"I wasn't reacting more. I was baffled too," i say, pulling my wife away from my back to my front as she stands in front of me in moonlight glow.

"You were screaming at every damn doctor over there, Jiho, you were screaming more than me," she rolls her eyes. 

I make her sit on my lap so that she's facing me. I adore her face. Beautiful doe eyes, two thick brown hair strands on the sides of her face and the sinful lips. She's like goddess of beauty. I can't even believe she's my wife, the mother of my blood.

"What do you expect? I couldn't see you like that. I didn't even want that child at that moment, i actually hated it for being the cause of your state," i recall and scoff at my own behavior now. The staff over there was mere seconds away for kicking me out.

"And i also remember the moment i first held Hana," i say, the moment so clear in my mind that every time i think of it, i feel like  i'm living it all over again. 

"I do, too," she agrees, a smile on her face.

"I knew i'm always going to keep her by my side and protect her till my last fucking breath," i say.

"I know and that's why it's hard for you, isn't it?" she asks.

I sigh, "I don't know, Hari. I feel terrible for not being happy to see my girl grow."

"You're not feeling terrible to see her grow, Jiho. You just feel odd to the fact that she isn't filling your ears with so many questions about her own life. And it's understandable. Till date, she has always done everything with our advice and now she's doing it on her own which is what makes you feel like she doesn't need you anymore, isn't it?"

I look at Hari and find a weight lift off my shoulders. She said exactly what i couldn't put in words. Yes, it's weird for me.

"Does that make me a bad father? Fuck, would Hana hate me?" i ask her and she laughs out, pinching my nose lightly.

"You think a lot, my love. Why would she hate you? You're her father, her hero. I understand you and i understand her too. It's not your fault. Fathers are usually like that with their daughters. My dad was like that too," she smiles brightly but her eyes sadden thinking of her father who she lost a few years ago.

I cup my wife cheeks and kiss her forehead. I would've been a maniac if it wasn't for her.

"Do you feel this too? What do i name this? Jealousy? Insecurity?" i ask her, parenting is weird. My parents have never been very active in my life so i don't know if such emotions are valid or not because i never felt myself at the stage where Hana is at.

"It's not jealousy, i can't name it insecurity either. It's just a little fear," she answers and i again nod.

"One day, i'd have to let go of her. There would be another man who'd be important for her, who would replace me-"

"Hush," Hari shushes me, "You assume a lot of things. If you'd ask Hana, she'd be so mad at you for even thinking that."

I look down as a soft knock on the door startles us both.

"Dad?" i hear Hana's shaking voice from outside and look at Hari. 

She gets up from my lap and walks towards the door to open it as i stand up to, fixing my clothes. 

As the door opens, i see my baby girl standing there. Her face looks sad, her eyes look like they're about to pour down heavy tears any time soon. Her fingers are playing with each other to fight nervousness as she looks at me from the door.

"Hana, come in baby," Hari says and lets Hana in.

Hana doesn't look away from me as i see her lips wobble as she walks towards me. My chest hurts to see her like this and being the cause of it. My fucked up state made her cry.

As Hana reaches me, she doesn't waste a second before she hugs me. Her smaller frame wraps around my torso. She's a few inches taller than Hari, her head reaches my shoulders as she keeps her head on it like she's letting her weight down upon me.

I sigh out as i hug her back. In a second, i feel my shirt's material dampening and i know she's crying.

Before i could speak, she speaks.

"I'm sorry, dad," she sniffles, her vice hoarse, "I'm sorry for hurting you."

My eyebrows pinch together as I caress the back of her head.

"Don't be sorry, my princess. It's not your fault, it's just my head. I'm very proud of you," I consol her as she sniffles.

Hari part her back too, "We hope for your best, Hana. Your father is just scared that you might replace him with some other man."

I look af my wife. She wasn't supposed to spill this out. Hana's already hurt enough.

"What, really dad?" Hana looks up at me with droopy eyes and a little nose that gets red everytime she cries.

I stay silent because I don't want to lie to her. Maybe I do want to hear from her that it's ok, it'll be ok. Between us and her, nothing would change even after another man has come into her life.

"Dad, you think a lot," Hana says the same thing her mother told me. I look at her and she shrugs like it's obvious.

"You've brought me up with so much love, do you think I'd let anyone take your place in my life?" Hana asks me, in disbelief.

"No, my child, I'm just scared to see you hurt. I've protected you like my heart. I don't want you to go through the hell I've seen because you seem to choose the same thing for yourself," I tell her.

She sighs, "I know but trust me with this. Jungkook isn't just playing around with me, my heart feels this. Besides do you think I'd let any man use me? I'm your blood too in the end, Dad."

My chest flares with pride as I look at her and smile.

"That's my girl," I encourage her and she grins up at me.

"Don't think bad. You'll be my number one man, my hero," she ensures me.

"Of course. Dare any other piece of shit take you away from me, he'd not be a living soul anymore," I snarl.

Hari scolds me while Hana laughs out whispering 'sure.'

In this moment, my heart feels full. I was talking with everyone but Hana about this when she was the one who would've put my heart at ease. But I'm glad she understood me. It's my turn now to understand her.

I mean I wouldn't have liked someone trying to control my life at her age too and I don't want her to dislike me. She wouldn't under any circumstance but still, I'll try to be better for her.

I open my arms for Hari to let her join our little moment too. My wife steps into the hug as her one arm wraps around our daughter and other one around me.

In this moment with both my girls in my arms, I feel like my whole world is with me. I feel at peace finally and it feels so selfish for me to want for this moment to stop here forever.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"Perfect!" Da eun squeals as she pins in the small Polaroid photo of Hana's last birthday's cake cutting.

There's Hana, us and her besties in the picture, all smiling brightly at the camera. It's Hana's tradition to pin the photo of her last birthdays on her present birthday cake every year. She loves to see her progress.

This time as I look at the picture and then think of her right now, I feel very warm to find how better she looks. Her facing is glowing more than the last birthday, she looks healthier and her eyes shine brighter.

If this is all because of that wanker of a boyfriend, I'd have to feel thankful to him for making Hana this happy.

"Is she still in her room?" Jae asks and my wife answers with a yes.

It's been a few minutes since Hana and Jungkook had left the company of us as my daughter wanted to show her dear boyfriend her childhood room and the memories in there. They're alone in the room.

And I perfectly fine. No really, I am.

Fake it till you make it, ain't it?

After the conversation, we came back to continue with the dinner. The talks on the table didn't die down because of the little moment, in fact they got even more lively. I engaged in few too. And it felt nice, to be honest. It felt lighter.

After the dinner, Hari literally ditched my daughter's poor little heart as she showed the childhood pictures of hers to Jungkook.

I smile at how chaotic it all was. Hana was beet red and yeah, I ended up joining my wife in it too. Hana was screaming at us to not show certain pictures but her boyfriend was on mission to actually see the ones that made her even redder.

Everyone was laughing in the room except Hana who was whining at every picture. I liked the moment. I relived the memories too. We had made it our mission to document Hana's whole life when she was little.

Children grow up too quickly. Pictures become the sweet door to the beautiful and joyful past. And we all lived in it today.

Right now, as my wife puts up little stars on the cake that she had baked, I'm sitting on the kitchen island with a waffle in my hand and a piping bag in the other hand with jam filled in it.

Slowly and steadily, I write Hana's name on it.

I was the one who named her that. She's my number one, that's what she'll always be.

After I'm done with it, my wife takes it from me to assemble it on the little cake with banana caramel filling. It's Hana's favorite.

It's less than a few minutes till the midnight and we'll surprise Hana with the cake. I don't think it's a surprise anymore considering we do it every year but the enthusiasm never slows down.

"We'll go and fetch down the gifts!" Da eun announces as she and Jae leaves the kitchen, running upstairs.

My wife smiles at them, her eyes shining with excitement.

With both the girls leaving, it's just me and my wife in the kitchen. I softly jump down the kitchen island and keep the jam piping bag on the side.

"I'm so glad Hana found such good friends," Hari feels grateful.

"Hm, so am I," I say as I walk to her. She's standing next to the cake, assembling a few little candles on it.

I lean back by the counter where she's standing, crossing my arms in front of my chest admiring her do her work.

She looks up at me with a warm smile.

" What?" she giggles as she notices by endless staring at her.

"Nothing, I'm just grateful for today," I say.

She cups both my cheeks in her small hands, caressing my skin. I basically melt like an ice cream in her hold. I don't know how I'm still alive after all the times she had looked at me with hearts in her eyes. She makes me feel loved and for me it's a lot, considering how I've always thought that I'm really hard to love.

"Do you feel better than before?" she asks me.

"Yes, for sure," I assure her.

She has a playing smirk on her face as she says, "Just a few minutes and I'll make you feel the best."

My eyes shine and I feel tingles in my stomach.

Hari leaves my face as she tries to step back from me. I hold her wrist as I don't let her. She can't just say that and leave!

"Uh huh, where are you going after saying that to me?" I squint my eyes, keeping her close to me, tightly holding her wrist.

"What do you mean?" she asks me, her doe eyes big, "I was talking about the cake. You love it, don't you?"

"Oh you damn well know it wasn't the cake, my love," I snark.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she giggles as I pull her closer.

"You are such an evil woman, you know that? Talking dirty to me and then backing off," I pull her even closer so that her breasts flush against my chest. She's wearing this very pretty blue dress, making her look like an angel in disguise.

"Am I?" she smirks as she tries to back off but I don't let her.

I lean in closer but she pushes my chest, pulling away from me herself.

"No, Jiho. Not here, there are children around," she chuckles, nervously.

"Oh cmon, it ain't like they don't know anything," I say as I lean in again. She cups my mouth with her hand.

"Still. It doesn't give them the pass to be traumatized for life," she again refuses.

Just on the cue, we hear laughter of the girls approaching us. Hari panics as she steps away from my hold. There's nothing startling in her appearance but she still sets her hair and dress like some teenager. I almost chuckle at her adorable behavior. She's still the same Hari I met when I was Nineteen.

As the girls arrive, the kitchen gets lively again as Hari lights up the candles. There are less than five minutes in midnight. The gifts are ready, the cake is ready and my camera is also ready for a great picture. This Time the birthday picture will contain a new intruder. As much as I hate his presence, I'd hate it even more if she breaks my girl's heart and ruin next year's birthday of hers.

"Are we ready?" Haru asks and the girls whisper shout a yes. I nod too.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

I'm sure you loved Hana's parents right? Did you like the chapter from this pov? It wasn't mh original plan but then I wanted to right both Jungkook and Hana's convo with the father. That's why I decided to write it from another pov. I hope it wasn't awkward lmao.

And you're free to swoon over the parents coz they're going to be the only sane parents throughout the series( along with Jk's ofc)

You guys would want to read the next chapter really soon because it has ✨stuff✨.

~Aster 🌸