The drive back to my apartment is taxing, silent and awkward. I wish that Jo had just kept her mouth shut. But she hadn't, and now here we are.

I understand Jin's point, on the one hand. After all, the last thing I want is for another marriage to dissolve as spectacularly as my first had. Therefore, I refuse to get married out of some sense of duty. For that reason a part of me was honestly glad for his response.

But another part of me had been incredibly hurt by it, had irrationally felt as if it were a rejection. I'm not sure if it's too early to blame the hormones, but I feel miserable and cranky, and the silence between us isn't helping.

Yuri, bless her heart, is nearly too excited to go to sleep. It takes three bedtime stories, and twice the amount of cuddles that it normally takes to get her to settle down. And as I lay here, watching the rise and fall of her little chest, I am filled with a serene sort of peace. Whatever happens, in the future, I know that Yuri, this baby and I will be perfectly fine.

I try to remind myself of that as I tip-toe from the room.

"You're upset, " Jin notes, waiting for me in the hallway with guarded eyes.

I nod, not caring to elaborate. At best, anything I say right now will be irrational and possibly bitter. At worst, I might end up pushing him away.

He follows me all the way to the kitchen, though I continue to ignore him. The sink is full of dishes, and desperate to avoid thinking of anything at the moment, I immediately set about washing them. It's something I've always done, keeping my hands busy to distract my brain, and my heart. I feel as if I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, and Seokjin's insistent presence isn't helping in the slightest.

"I love you Anna, " he tells me, voice soft and cautious as he approaches.

He wraps his arms around me from behind, and I stiffen. I want to push him away, to turn around and smack him for refusing to leave me alone. But his honest confession warms my heart, and already I can feel it melting within the confines of my chest.

I want to hold onto him tightly, and never let him go.

"Is it because of what I said to Jo?" He asks softly.

A part of me wants to deny, to turn around and brush it all off. Blame the pregnancy hormones, or tell him that I'm just tired even. But I know better than to internalize this.

"Look, " he says, turning me around by my shoulders and forcing me to look at him. "It's not that I don't want to marry you. You have to believe that."

"Do I?" I retort.

He sighs, probably realizing how poor his choice in words just was. A look of unease passes across his face, but then immediately after, a look of determination.

"You were so brave today, " he murmurs, cupping my face with an affectionate, gentle hand. "I know how worried you were about telling Yuri and Jo. But you did it anyway."

I gaze at him quizzically, wondering just where it is that he's going with this. And when he takes my hand, and leads me to the living room, anxiety is pouring off of him in waves. We sit together upon the couch, the look in his eyes telling me that I might want to brace myself.

Whatever it is that's eating at him is clearly troubling him.

"Remember how I told you that I didn't want my job to affect you?" He asks somberly.

I nod.

"Well, it's more than just my job, " he states reluctantly. "It's more about who I am, or more specifically, who my family is."

Inwardly, I curse, thinking that maybe he's about to tell me that he comes from a mafia family, or something equally as frightening. But he quickly surprises me as he plows through the rest of his confession.

"I'm the son of the CEO for Kim Industries, " he admits solemnly, shoulders tense as he awaits my response. "You have to understand, it isn't that I didn't trust you enough to tell you, or that I thought you'd be after my money..."

At least, not lately.

He doesn't say it, but I can see it in his eyes. He was probably wary of it, at least at first. I can only imagine how many women he must have had clamoring for his attention, simply because he's filthy rich.

So really, I can't fault him for not wanting me to know. In fact, the idea that he'd wanted me to like him for him makes my chest swell with adoration.

"Why tell me now?" I ask softly.

My voice is hesitant, and unsure, but he takes my hand in both of his and squeezes tightly.

"So that you can understand." He reveals. "If it were just me, of course I'd marry you. Right away. And honestly, I really want to."

"But?"

He smiles wryly as one of his hands reaches up to touch my face. He brushes the pad of his thumb against my cheek, and the gesture feels so full of affection that I almost burst into tears.

"My parents won't accept you, " he explains, "not that it matters to me whether they do or not. I earn my own money, they can cut me off for all I care. But, I wouldn't put it past them, past my mom in particular, to make your life a living hell."

Realization dawns upon me, strikes me like a lightening bolt, and my eyes widen in surprise.

"You're afraid I'd leave you, " I proclaim, "if your mother gets involved, you think I might be pushed into leaving you."

He nods, expression dark and morose.

My heart breaks for him, suddenly aware that he'd been struggling with such a fear all alone. I remove my hand from his, and place both of my hands against the sides of his face.

"I promise you, " I earnestly vow, "that no matter what your mother says or does to me, I won't allow her to come between us."

A small and hopeful smile begins to spread itself upon his lips, and he places his bands over my own. I lean forward, and place a chaste kiss against his lips.

"If you want to get married, " I tell him, taking the leap despite the way my heart hammers away against my ribs, "then let's get married. But if you're not ready, or not a hundred percent sure you want me for the rest of our lives, that's okay too."

His smile grows even wider.

"Is that a proposal?" He asks playfully, "I thought that was supposed to be my job."

I laugh, and drop my hands so that I can lean my head against his chest. I can hear the steady beat of his heart like this, and it's a comforting sound.

"I love you too Jin, " I confess. "And that won't change because of your mother. Just think about it, okay? You don't have to tell me what you want right now."

Still smiling, he wraps his arms around me.

"So, I guess we're getting married, " he mumbles, face buried in my hair.

I smile brightly.

In this moment, I couldn't be happier.