The first three months of pregnancy were great. There were moments where Jeongguk and I would spend the night together in-front of the fireplace, watching a movie or talking. Talking was one of the things we've always enjoyed doing and though I had the odd pregnancy symptom here and there, nothing was terrible. It was almost as if my body was trying to prepare for the worst.

The terrible time came right after. Months four to nine were the worst. With morning sickness, cramps and foot swelling being the main benefactors. Not to mention the constant mood swings I had found myself in. Jeongguk would simply smile and I would find myself scowling at him for no reason, but because my husband is the sweetest man I know, he still continued to show me love and bright smiles despite my cold responses.

Today I had woken up in an icy mood. Breakfast was a silent affair. Jeongguk had taken a liking to my banana pancakes and requested them only for me to hand him a bowl of oatmeal with sass. He didn't say anything then. At lunch he pulled me along to the cafeteria, only for my body to throw up at the sight of the fish he ordered. He still said nothing then either. All he did was order a bowl of fruits and smoothies along with a kiss to my forehead.

"Love, Taehyung and I are heading to the site to check out the car. Do you want me to take you home before we leave?" The man of my dreams asks with a caring look in his eyes. His buttoned down shirt serves as a mini distraction while he leans against my hardwood desk. Jeongguk wears a small smile.

I shake my head, "No, I'm going with you."

Jeongguk visibly deflates. Gone is the kind smile and light tone. "Soa, you're nine months pregnant. The last place you're meant to be in is a factory. There's smoke and chemical fumes-"

I raise my hand, finding my feet, "This is my project. I'm not going to sit back and have them ruin the whole design. I need to get there and fix what is able to be saved."

He tugs at his hair, "Tell me what you want changed and I'll communicate that." He pleads, voice still at a normal level, but the deepening frown is an indication that his patience is wearing thin.

Mine is too. All Jeongguk has done is treat me like a patient. Forbidding me from going anywhere he didn't deem safe enough. Mother had called it an act of love. Taehyung also defended that he was the same with Giselle before Sora was born. I want to see it the way everyone else does, but it's been too much. He's been too much.

I move from behind the desk, placing my hands on his shoulders while I stare at his face. "You can't communicate something you have never seen. Only sitting in on weekly meetings for updates is not enough. Please let me do my job." I try to sound light and unbothered, but the bubbling irritation is seeping at the tip of my tongue.

He sighs, "Baby, I can't do that. Stay here and I'll phone you once we're at the sight so you can directly speak to the engineers on board. Is that okay?" Jeongguk tries, peering into my eyes with a begging. A begging that does not work this time.

I pull away, "I can't do that either, Jeongguk-" Gone is every ounce of affection. I grab my handbag, reaching inside it for a hair tie. Jeongguk watches the scene, sighing at my reluctance to hear him out.

"Soa, please," He sighs, "I know I'm the last person you want to talk to right now, but please just stay behind. I can't take you along knowing it puts the both of you at risk." He begs, stopping my hands at their work of tying my hair. He pushes the loose strands behind my ear, a serious but soft expression on his face.

I heave a sigh, "Fine, Jeongguk. You're always right-"

"No, I just want what's best for you and Bell."

I can't fault him when he says that. Throughout all the trouble I've been giving him, he's been nothing but understanding and gentle. Never has he raised his voice or acted out his frustration. I know seeing me like this must be new to him. Being rejected and disrespected at every turn must have a toll on him.

"I'm sorry about this morning. I just could not stomach the taste of banana." As expected, Jeongguk shrugs me off with a smile. His arms pull me closer, head nudging into my neck for a contact I know he misses. It's one of the rare moments I am not wearing a scowl.

"I forgive you, my love." He kisses my cheek, "And I have to go. Do you want me to take you home?" He inquires again, pulling away to look into my eyes.

"Yes, please."

-

The house feels empty without Jeongguk around. Usually we both leave the company together. Nari had gone back to Germany and Jeongsan rarely came to visit. After an argument between himself and Jeongguk on his sexual identity and the problems we have with him not waiting till marriage, but rather pursing a life of rendezvous.

I amble toward the kitchen, holding onto my bump as I feel Bell moving around. She only ever does so when her father is present. There is something about his voice that excites her. Jeongguk knows it and always throws a field day at her excitement toward him.

While eating a bowl of ice cream, my phone rings pulling my my attention onto the caller ID of Jeongguk. "Babe?"

"Love, there seems to be an issue with the speed test. We're doing it now and the brakes seem to have failed when going past a certain level of speed." He voices, almost sounding as disappointed as I feel.

"Which level?"

"60-"

"That's hardly anything, Jeongguk. Does Johan know why this is happening?" I ask, not caring for the bowl of ice cream as I move toward my study.

Johan is a Austrian engineer, Father and Taehyung hired when we started the project. He is said to be the best in his field of work with mechanics, specifically motor cars. Since day one Jeongguk and I hadn't taken much of a liking to the man, but Taehyung was sure he was the perfect fit.

"He has been running excuses for the past ten minutes. Did you know the company has already lost one million dollars in this project? At this rate, we'll have to cut it or reorganise the staff taking control of it." I hum, knowing that's too great a loss to still continue with the same people.

"That's okay. Tell Taehyung to come home with you. We need to talk." I conclude, "Love you. Bye."

"Goodbye, baby. I love you too."

-

Taehyung frowns as he takes in the laid out plan on the dining table. Jeongguk stands beside him with an equal frown of his own. "I don't understand how the car goes into complete speed at 60, Tae. That's ridiculous for a family car." I explain, showing him a video of the 3D model Johan had constructed months ago.

Taehyung bites at his lips, "He seemed surprised to see it too. Maybe it's just a malfunction-"

"Or maybe he's wasting our money and needs to be fired." Jeongguk suggests, standing upright.

I watch as my brother heaves a sigh at the option. It has never crossed his mind because Taehyung believes in giving multiple chances. It's a great personality trait, but not when it comes to business. "Why would he waste our money? What if we just need to redo the plan or alter some areas of it?"

I tense at the suggestion, rubbing a hand at my belly. "Tae, we took one year to complete this plan and another year to gain authorisation. To redo it would cost us another fortune and time that we don't have."

"What's more important to you? Creating a car that is safe and fits the idea we had in mind? Or finishing because you know you can't have involvement once your baby is born?" Taehyung questions, giving me a pointed stare, "I think it's the latter." He continues, passing me an unimpressed look.

"Don't disrespect your sister." Jeongguk warns, his tone deeper.

Taehyung passes him a look.

"We have enough money to wait another year or two. Time is also not an issue because this is not in the company's top list of priorities, Soa. We have a number of cars on the roads, we don't need this one-"

"Then why even agree to it in the first place?" Jeongguk butts in, moving away from Taehyung as he takes in defence on my behalf. "If that was really the mindset you had going into this then why sign off every single agreement? We agreed to this car because the average South Korean citizen can't afford the higher end motors we sell. The clients driving those aren't lifelong buyers and we know that, so why not invest in this vehicle as it is more promising?"

Taehyung sighs, "I'll have to talk to Father about this. Again, I'm not trying to disrespect you or steal your shine, but I don't see the rush in this. If we're to do anything, let's do it right." He ends, trying to ease the tension that has risen in our dining room.

Jeongguk scoffs, leaving the area with a hand through his hair. I know he does not feel angry toward Taehyung, but just the general frustration that comes with working at Kim Group. Despite all the years we've been there, no decision can ever be made without our Father. It was one of the things Jeongguk hated when stepping into his role as co-CEO.

Taehyung takes a picture of the plan, "Please forward me that video as well, Soa. I'm going to try getting a second opinion from outside." I nod, forwarding the message.

"I know how the both of you feel about Johan and I promise Father and I will look into it. You and Jeongguk just focus on bringing a healthy girl into the world, okay?" My older brother asks, voice going softer as he steps closer to me. His hand finds mine and he gives it a squeeze.

-

I watch as an uncomfortable air goes around the dinner table. It's almost suffocating as we sit under the eyes of my parents. A visit Jeongguk and I had not seen coming, not so soon atleast. We should have expected it, knowing how fast news travels in Kim Group.

Mother wears a gown worth millions. It is noticeable by how she avoids contact with anything that could potentially spill onto it. "I'm not used to a house with no staff." She sighs, dishing a portion of salad onto her plate.

"I'm sure you're not here to discuss that, Mother." I reply, watching as her face pulls into a frown at my words.

Father drops his utensils, pulling our attention onto him. He looks angry and though I don't see it often, I remind myself to be wary of my responses. Jeongguk has not said much since their arrival, only replying at whatever question Mother would throw at him. The level of tension is high.

"You're right about that," Father states, placing his hands on the table. "Jeongguk stormed out of a meeting with the engineering team this afternoon and Soa you failed to attend without a letter requesting absence. Why are the two of you not pulling your full weight at the company? Taehyung has been running around day and night and I don't see it fit if you are both there to help."

Mother nods at the mention of Taehyung, causing me to roll my eyes. After all these years, she still favours him above all of us. Even the simplest thing such as doing his job is impressive to her.

"I left the meeting because everything I suggested was rejected. I only have so much tolerance for disrespect from employees and as for Soa,". Jeongguk pauses, motioning to my belly, "I told her to stay behind because attending the meeting would only be a health risk to both her and our child."

"Taehyung does not wish to share the load of his work. He chooses to keep it all secret and discuss it with you, Dad. I can't compete with that." He concludes, remaining polite.

My father frowns, "I don't know how you conducted business at Jeon Inc. but we behave differently here, son. We're a family, meaning not all your suggestions will be taken into consideration. Taehyung knows the ins and outs of the business better than you do and as for Soa," He glances my way, "She knew what she was getting into when she accepted that project."

I shake my head at his choice of words. Pregnancy was never part of the plan when accepting the project.

"I apologise on behalf of the both of us, Dad. We will do better in the future." Jeongguk concludes, pulling a smile out of my father. Mother nods, knowing I would have been more stubborn.

Jeongguk excuses himself from the table after that. I watch as his figure retreats down the hallway toward the gym area. A sigh leaves my mouth at the atmosphere my family always manages to create whenever they visit.

"That was not fair, Father."

The man in question turns to me with a blank stare. He looks icy, but I don't care. If anything, I know how to be even colder, thanks to Mother.

"Taehyung really does not give us a chance to have input on anything and we have respected that, but how come you don't reprimand him? Or even better, remove yourself from the equation?" I ask, keeping my tone neutral and my face straight too.

Father blanches at my words. His face pulls tight as he finds his feet, eyes still focused on mine. His ears are red at the tips meaning he's even angrier. "How dare you suggest I leave the empire I helped your grandfather build? If it were not for my efforts, none of you would be where you are today-"

"And where's that, Father? In Busan or China, living contract bound lives? Or in Seoul living the same restricted lives?" I question, rising to my feet too. "I have worked hard for this family and so has Jeongguk. He doesn't deserve to feel inadequate next to Taehyung and it's time for you to let go. You're growing old, go see the world and leave the business in the capable hands willing to make it even greater."

With that, I leave my parents at the table. Jeongguk is the priority right now. Whether or not they feel disrespected does not really matter. It's been years since we've moved out of the mansion, but still nothing has changed. We'll always live under the mighty hands of the Kims.