Mia stirred awake, her senses slowly coming to life as the warm morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. She stretched and blinked a few times, looking around the room until her gaze landed on the small figure nestled against her side. Jiwoon was curled up in a ball, his soft hair brushing against her arm as he slept soundly, his little face serene and peaceful.

Mia couldn’t help but smile at the sight. She felt a rush of warmth, a sense of comfort that had been absent for a while. Jiwoon had snuck into her room during the night, and even though it surprised her, it filled her heart with joy. She had always dreamed of being a part of a child’s life, and here she was, sharing a room with a sweet little boy who seemed to have taken a liking to her.

As she gently brushed a strand of hair away from Jiwoon’s forehead, she heard a soft knock followed by the creak of her door opening. Startled, Mia’s head snapped up, and her eyes widened as she saw Jin standing in the doorway, panic evident on his face.

“Mia!” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of surprise and concern.

Mia’s cheeks flushed at the sight of Jin, who stood there momentarily frozen. He was clad in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, tousled hair framing his handsome face. The moment felt surreal; there was something both endearing and awkward about the situation.

Jin's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him: Mia in a fitted tank top and shorts, looking groggy yet beautiful, and Jiwoon nestled against her. For a split second, he felt a pang of panic. Had he barged into her room without knocking? But relief washed over him when he confirmed Jiwoon was safe and sound.

“I—uh—” Jin stammered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks heat up. “I didn’t realize he had come in here.”

“It’s okay, Jin. I think he just wanted some comfort after everything that happened,” Mia replied softly, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Jin took a moment to collect himself, blinking away the embarrassment. He moved closer to the bed, his heart racing as he caught another glimpse of Mia. It was a simple outfit, yet it made her look so effortlessly beautiful that it distracted him for a moment.

“Sorry for barging in like this,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “I was just looking for him.”

Mia smiled warmly, brushing her fingers gently over Jiwoon’s hair. “He seems to have found a new favorite spot. I hope that’s okay.”

Jin’s gaze softened as he looked down at his son, who was still sleeping peacefully. “Of course, it’s fine. I just... I should have knocked,” he said, shifting his weight on his feet as he bent down to scoop Jiwoon into his arms.

As he lifted his son, Jiwoon stirred slightly, rubbing his eyes before a sleepy smile spread across his face. “Daddy!” he exclaimed, snuggling closer to Jin’s shoulder.

“Hey, buddy. Did you sleep well?” Jin asked, his voice full of affection.

“Yeah! I was with Mia,” Jiwoon replied, his excitement bubbling over.

“Mia, huh?” Jin said, looking over at her with a hint of amusement. “I guess you made quite an impression last night.”

Mia chuckled softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. “He’s a little snuggler. I didn’t mind at all.”

Jin smiled, feeling grateful for Mia’s understanding. As he turned to leave, a sudden thought struck him. “Do you want to join us for breakfast? I think I owe you a proper morning after that chaotic entrance.”

Mia hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should intrude on their family time. But the way Jiwoon’s face lit up at the idea made her heart melt. “I’d love to,” she replied, rising from the bed and smoothing down her tank top.

As they walked to the kitchen, Jin held Jiwoon securely against his side. The little boy was animated, recounting his dreams from the night before, and Mia listened intently, asking questions and encouraging him to share more. Jin found himself grinning at the sight; there was something heartwarming about how quickly Mia had bonded with Jiwoon.

Once they reached the kitchen, Mia jumped into action, moving seamlessly as she began preparing breakfast once again. Jin leaned against the counter, watching her with an appreciative gaze.

“Do you always wake up this early?” Jin asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Mia laughed lightly, glancing back at him over her shoulder. “I’m an early riser, especially when I have someone to cook for. It makes waking up a lot easier!”

“Your cooking skills are impressive,” Jin said, genuinely admiring her as she skillfully chopped vegetables. “Jiwoon has good taste, too.”

“Thank you!” Mia replied, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. “It’s nice to know my efforts are appreciated.”

As breakfast began to take shape, the three of them settled into a routine. Jin poured juice for Jiwoon, while Mia focused on the eggs and toast. They chatted, with Jiwoon happily sharing his favorite cartoons and superhero stories, his enthusiasm infectious.

After breakfast, Jin suggested they take Jiwoon to the nearby playground again, wanting to make the most of their day together. “What do you think, buddy? Another trip to the park?” he asked.

“Yay!” Jiwoon cheered, bouncing on his chair.

Mia beamed at Jiwoon’s excitement and nodded. “I’ll grab some snacks for us to take along!”

As they got ready, Jin couldn’t shake the feeling that things were slowly starting to come together. The atmosphere in the house felt lighter, and for the first time in a while, he could see the possibility of happiness on the horizon.

Once they arrived at the park, the trio spent the morning playing and laughing together. Mia was patient and encouraging as she helped Jiwoon climb the jungle gym, her laughter ringing in the air like music. Jin watched them, a sense of gratitude swelling in his chest.

Mia turned to Jin after a while, her expression playful. “You know, you could join us. Superheroes need a sidekick!”

“Do you think I could pull off the Spider-Man look?” Jin teased back, flexing his arms dramatically, causing Jiwoon to giggle.

“Of course! You’re already a superhero in my book,” Mia said with a wink.

Jin felt warmth spreading through him at her compliment. The more time he spent with Mia, the more he appreciated her spirit and kindness.

As they enjoyed their time at the park, Jin and Mia exchanged stories about their lives. Jin opened up about his past with Mina, the struggles he faced as a single parent, and the difficulties of adjusting to his new role. Mia listened intently, offering support without judgment.

After a fun-filled morning, they decided to take a break and enjoy the snacks Mia had prepared. They spread out a blanket in the shade of a large tree and settled down to share the treats.

“This is the best picnic ever!” Jiwoon declared, taking a big bite of his sandwich.

Mia laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you think so! I’ll have to make this a regular thing.”

As they sat together, Jin couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging. It was as if the three of them had formed a little family unit, even in such a short amount of time. He looked at Jiwoon, who was happily chatting away, and then at Mia, who was smiling at him with genuine warmth.

“I’m really grateful you’re here, Mia,” Jin said, breaking the comfortable silence. “You’ve made such a difference in our lives already.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she smiled shyly. “Thank you, Jin. It’s been a wonderful experience for me too. I feel lucky to be a part of your lives.”

Jiwoon nodded vigorously, his mouth full of food. “Yeah! Mia is the best!”

Their laughter filled the air, and Jin couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. Perhaps this was the fresh start he had been yearning for. With Mia by their side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the park, Jin realized that sometimes the unexpected could lead to the most beautiful moments. He watched Jiwoon and Mia playing together, their laughter echoing in his heart, and he knew that, for the first time in a long while, he was beginning to feel truly happy.