⚠️ Trigger warnings:

Angst

Drama and Suspense

Heartbeat

Misunderstandings

Couple issues

Marital issues

Mature love

Pregnancy

Mid-life issues

Overthinking

Fluff

Happy ending

This story is rated: Mature

However there is no smut.

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Dedicated to ChubbyGirl_Writes

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❝ Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood ❞
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

꧁༺ ♡ ༻꧂

"Jungkook! Wait!"

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But he walked on, ignoring her.

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"Please try to understand Yeobo... It's not what you're thinking." Lia pleaded with him, gripping the lapel of his coat, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I've seen and understood what I had to Lia." He said with finality in his tone, Jungkook gripped the woman by her wrists and yanked her hands off his coat, oblivious to the pain in her eyes reflecting his own.

He had enough of the secrets and the lies. This was no longer a place for him. She could have the house and everything else. He didn't care.

Ten years of marriage. Fifteen years of friendship... It had all gone down the drain.

His mind was reeling with everything that had happened between them over these past three months. And Jungkook had finally cracked when he had overheard a telephonic conversation that Lia had with someone, about five minutes ago.

Jungkook walked off into the night in the pouring rain, not caring if his expensive suit was ruined. His life felt like it was already falling apart. Nothing could be worse than how he felt inside now.

Flashes of memories sped through his already reeling mind.

His world was shoved into a front-loader washing machine and then tumble dried.

It was too late.

Far too late to fix anything at point.

Lia stood at the doorstep to their once happy home, sobbing uncontrollably in the rain. It was ten o'clock at night. Her chest heaved as she clutched her belly, crying broken-heartedly.

Lia couldn't believe that he'd just gone off without understanding the entire conversation.

Jungkook had overheard a piece of her telephonic conversation and had assumed the worst of her, without sitting down to work through the facts. He'd walked out on her. He'd walked out on Mira.

How was she going to ever make him see the truth?

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Three months ago...

Jungkook's POV

My wife's been acting strangely this past week. Ever since she got her promotion at work, she's been acting... Secretive.

I can't help but wonder what's going on with her. Lia has always been the kind of wife to include me in everything she does. Whether it's shopping for our household, preparing our little girl for her ballet classes, or even just painting her nails. We always do things TOGETHER.

But off late, something just seems off...

I checked with her twin sister, Jia. Apparently, there's some big deal about the new client they have signed and that's why Lia hasn't been able to share.

But I know my wife.

Even if it was a confidential client... She'd still share it with me. Because we tell each other everything!

.

.

.

Two days after my conversation with my sister-in-law, Jia, I found something very unexpected in my wife's handbag. Now, before anyone assumes the worst of me, I must add that I wasn't prying. I noticed the thing as I passed her handbag which was lying carelessly on the couch in our livingroom.

"Lia?" I called up the staircase for her.

"Yes, Yeobo?" She answered from our bedroom, probably typing her proposal for that moron CEO of hers. Honestly, he's a creep and I don't like the way he looks at my wife. I noticed it at her organization's last staff party...

Now, my wife usually dressed conservatively, but for this event in particular, she had worn a sexy dress that came to her knees, with delicate straps that covered her shoulders, but bared her well toned arms. The neckline wasn't too deep, it was a standard, straight neckline. I began to watch her, drinking her in. She's so beautiful.

However, the creep kept ogling at my wife. So, I walked up to him, made conversation and even glared at him...

But something didn't sit well with me. At the time however, Lia didn't respond. Her attention was either on me, or the few female colleagues whom worked with her in the marketing department.

I had pulled her into my arms and danced with her until we were escourted by sheperones all the way to our home.

I can't remember much, but I recall us sitting and talking once we arrived home, just like we used to when we were much younger.

I shook off the memory.

"Darling, your bag's lying open on the couch. Anyone can just walk in and snatch it up..." I jested with her as Lia joined me in the living room, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I'd been pacing the length of the room from the sofa to the staircase beyong the arched entrance to our livingroom and had stopped directly in front of her handbag on the couch.

"Oh, Kookie... Come here!" She cooed, and then nuzzled my nose and then buried her face in my chest as we stood together by the sofa, hugging.

I kissed her forehead and glanced to the side as I rested my cheek on the top of her head, the way I usually did when we stood together like this, enjoying the sound of each other's heartbeats.

That's when I saw it.

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.

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It was pregnancy test.

And it was POSITIVE.

Now, after we had our daughter, I'm well aware of how the process worked. And I know we hadn't really had much time for each other recently. But Lia couldn't have possibly fallen pregnant; could she?

My blood ran cold with various possibilities. Each one was far worse than the previous one.

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The days had bled into weeks and the weeks into months. We were civil with each other, or at least I was on my part. Lia didn't know that I'd seen the pregnancy test.

And I didn't want her to know that I'd seen the test. She'll tell me when she's ready. I'm sure there was a decent explanation for this.

Perhaps it was a surprise? I know we did have a brief conversation about having another baby since Mira was lonely and it would be nice to have another baby. We're more financially stable now and Lia wanted to retire early and take care of our child herself. It was something she wanted to do if we ever became financially stable.

Lia was a talented writer, she wanted to take up writing again as a part time job if she ever did quit her day job.

We were trying to have another baby these past seven months... Anything was possible. But stress and Lia's new work schedule had made things difficult for us.

꧁༺ ♡ ༻꧂

Lia's POV

Jungkook was being suspiciously quiet recently. He usually got like that closer to our wedding anniversary and then he'd surprise me with an amazing present.

Last year, he'd taken me on a whim to Italy. We'd left our daughter Mira with my sister Jia for the holidays, so my husband had ceased the chance for a spontaneous trip to a foreign country.

It was an amazing trip and we had grown closer as a couple. Despite our busy schedules, him as the finance director for a popular beverage company and me, as the new marketing director for an upcoming make-up brand.

In the months that followed, we had become close once more, with our sleep patterns finally matching up again. I had stopped working till 11pm and my husband had stopped bringing work home.

But then, after the staff party we had to celebrate our successful launch of the new line of lipsticks and mascara, my husband's behaviour had changed a little once more.

At first, I had brushed it off as minor jealousy because our CEO was staring at me. He's a creep and stares at all the women in the office on a daily basis. But thankfully that's all he did with me - he looked from far (even though I wore a fairly decent dress that covered my chest and most of my legs for the event, but was still appealing and suitable for a fashion magazine). He's done worse with other women - ofcourse many of them had gone looking for him...

But after the evening when Jungkook had joked about my handbag lying open, I think he'd spied the pregnancy test in my bag.

Ssi-bal... I'd forgotten to cover it! I didn't want to tell him just yet. It's been eight years since we had Mira and Jungkook wasn't too keen on having another baby. We used protection all the time and he'd make sure I was alright - taking me for regular check ups.

We'd agreed that one child was enough for us and didn't discuss the topic further. But off late, I noticed that Mira was lonely. Having a twin sister, with whom I am very close, I decided to broach the topic with my husband once more.

But Jungkook had dosed off and we didn't discuss it again. And then, after that launch party, we'd returned home to an empty house, both a little too drunk for the responsible adults that we are. Feeling like a twenty-one year old, Jungkook had suggested we leave out protection...

I guess my husband doesn't remember the drunken conversation. It was really cringey now that I think about it. But I hoped that my husband would recall it anyway.

Things were good that night. We talked for at least an hour, drinking Soju and eating fried chicken. Just like when we were at university. Then, he whispered in my ear like he would when we were twenty-one. But this time, it led to us doing a little more than kissing like two youngsters who just finished their exams.

And for the first time in seven months, things didn't feel forced or pressured - we weren't thinking about conceiving.

'And before I knew it... I was pregnant.'

But I didn't know how to tell my husband because he didn't recall that evening. He'd awoken in our bed, completely confused and it had broken my heart.

According to the doctor, it was common for men in their thirties and forties to wake up after a night of drinking, and not recall a thing.

It was at this point that I'd gotten my promotion to director and my husband had just acquired another SMME to join their growing brand.

So, I kept the pregnancy hidden until I we got a chance to speak in private.

꧁༺ ♡ ༻꧂

Present day

Lia's POV

'He walked away. From me, from us.

He walked away without even blinking.

He walked away from our daughter Mira and our unborn child.'

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I stood there in the rain, waiting. Hoping that he'd come back.

I stood there, until my legs couldn't hold me up again more and I'd slid down the front door, sinking to the steps.

"Lia?" I heard a voice.

Was it my Jungkook? Had he returned?

"Lia? Omg! What is wrong with you! You're drenched! You can't afford to be drenched like a child playing in the rain! You're having a baby Lia!" Came the voice of my twin sister Jia.

She'd stopped by with my daughter Mira and her son, Do-Hyun.

"Is imo sick?" My nephew asked his mother, his sweet voice full of concern for me.

"Omma! Wake up. Wake up omma!" My little girl came rushing to me.

They'd been distracted and had only just noticed me. But I was too weak to react. I looked up at my sister and realized that the sky was bright. It was now morning.

"He- he's - he's gone..." I babbled incoherently.

"Huh? Look onni, we need to get you inside the house and cleaned up. You can't say a second longer like this. " She ordered me, gently helping me up.

"Do-Hyun, please help me open the door for imo. Mira, as soon as we're inside, run to the bathroom and fill the tub up with hot water for omma to bath okay. Remember to mix the water."

"Okay omma." Do-Hyun nodded, and rushed forward to open the door for us. It was unlocked, but Jia had to half drag, half carry me in.

I felt weak and pathetic.

And he wasn't here to listen to me. What was the point of living now?

What was the point of having this baby?

"So... I'm guessing he found out?" My sister asked as she sat me down in my bed, now all warm and cosy.

Jia had me soaking in the hot water until the colour had returned to my face. Apparently I was sheet white and would give any ghost a run for their money. Pssht...

Nothing mattered to me anymore. My husband had left me for dead and didn't bother to turn around.

"He knew. He knew since the day he saw the test in my handbag." I muttered.

"Lia? Are you listening to yourself. You sound ridiculous my sister." She shrugged.

"Jungkook saw the test but didn't say anything. He stayed quiet. Despite me leaving it there on purpose for him to notice and ask me. But he chose to ignore it. Then he started avoiding me... And last night... Last night he heard me talking to you and assumed the worst. Before I knew it, he was storming out of our home. I don't know what to do Jia." I felt fresh hot tears fall down my face as I explained the matter to my sister.

"Where did we go wrong? Everything was so perfect." I sniffed.

"It's going to be okay sister. I promise you." She hugged me tightly. "But first, you need to eat. I'll be right back. I ordered some food while you were soaking in there." She gestured behind her at the bathroom door.

"Thanks Jia. I really don't know what I'd do without you." I smiled weakly at her.

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Five minutes later, my sister was feeding me piping hot noodles and fried chicken.

"No beer for you. Here's a soft drink." She joked and thrusted a can of lemon flavoured soda into my hands.

"He called me when I was in the kitchen. So I answered his question." She said cryptically.

"He called you? Why?" I say through bites of chicken and noodles. I was starving. Eating for two was a little harder than I remembered.

"He wanted to know if you're okay. That's why I came here." Jia gestured to the room at large

"But you said you were in the kitchen." I frowned at her.

"Yes. And no." She said unhelpfully.

I glared at her for a few seconds, then she caved.

"Alright. Fine. He called me this morning, frantically asking me if I am sure that you didn't do anything extra marital." She rolled her eyes.

"What?" I dropped my chopsticks in disbelief.

"Onni, I think your husband was imagining an affair... Was he jealous recently? Did he get upset or mad at you in the last few months? Have you guys been fighting lately?" She asked in a rapid fire manner.

"Okay, okay hold up." I threw my hands up perplexed. "No, we haven't been fighting. He's just been withdrawn." I sighed. "I've tried to talk but he's been busy and by the time he comes to bed, I'm asleep." I huffed.

I'm tired.

And my bump is slowly starting to show.

"Hmmm... Sister, this is nothing but a HUGE misundertanding. And you two need to clear it up before junior arrives." Jia gestured to my belly.

"Yeah... You're right. But he won't listen to me Jia." I frowned.

"Maybe he will now?" She smiled at me, looking at the doorway behind me.

I whipped my head in the direction and saw my husband standing there, still in the same suit from last night. He looked like he'd spent the entire night asleep outside as well.

"Li- Lia... I- I- I'm sorry." Jungkook stammered, his cheeks were tear stained.

"I want to hear everything." He continued, walking forwards.

"Okay, bro-in-law. Just like Lia, you need to soak in hot water or you'll get sick. Off you go. I'll be out of the room now. Bye, bye love birds." Jia sang and rushed out.

It was hard to believe that she was married to Jungkook's friend Jimin, she behaved as if she were still my carefree and single little sister. However, she was responsible when it came her family (including us).

After twenty minutes and a quick power nap, my husband gently tapped me awake.

"Lia?" He called softly.

"Yes?" I answered him groggily.

"I love you. And while I let my thoughts get the better of me , just know that I never thought ill of you at all. I was concerned about you ever since the day of the launch. I did my best to keep his eyes off you. And I see it worked when we were dancing." Jungkook explained.

"The 'he' I mentioned last night to Jia was you. And we're having a baby Yeobo! I didn't check the gender yet. I wanted to do a gender reveal with you." I teared up as we cleared things up.

"We're having a baby! As in we? Me and you! We're going to be parents!" He hugged me, and I inhaled his scent. He smelled like soap and apple shampoo.

I smiled to myself in relief.

We sat like that for a while.

"Jagiya?" Jungkook called me suddenly.

"Yes?" I hummed.

"I'm sorry I let my overthinking get the better of me. And I realized that we did spend the entire night together after your office party. I remember everything now." He sighed.

"How?" I exclaimed in surprise.

"A night in the rain, on a park bench, does wonders for the memory." He chuckled and I joined in.

"I love you." I kissed his lips.

"I love you more." He smiled and kissed me back.

꧁༺ ♡ ༻꧂

Jungkook's POV

Six months later...

"Congratulations Mr. Jeon! It's a boy!" The doctor exclaimed to me as Jia gave a final push.

I pressed my forehead to hers in a silent prayer to the heavens, thanking God for our second chance. And for the beautiful baby boy we now have.

The nurse cleaned him up and handed him to us, wrapped in a warm cosy blanket and dressed in a tiny blue onesie.

"Welcome to the family little man." I said, placing a kiss on his forehead.

----- The end -----

A/n: Thank you for reading this everyone.

Hope you liked the story.

Genre: Drama and Suspense

Credit to the artists of these awesome AIs.