#nct mark break ukp

[technologyculturedneo]

It Burns | Lee Mark

"I bet you if the roles were reversed, if I went out there and fucked another woman while you were here with our child- you wouldn't even spare a moment to listen."

Pairing. Boyfriend!Lee Mark X Girlfriend!Reader

Genre. Angst. Established couple. Break up. Lovers to ex's.

Synopsis. With your half naked pictures circulating around social media, Mark waits for you to get home to have a talk.

Warning. Minor cusses. Low-key smut. Breakup. Your heart might get broken.

Playlist. Nct Dream My first love. Literally First burn Hamilton.

Part 2: It burns: The second time around

"So dad, you finally noticed," Mark's low chortle is a result of his 9 year old son, standing next to him reaching the height of his shoulder. Looking up into his dad's eyes, with sleezy cocky eyes he speaks. "You're getting old dad,"

Mark shuts his phone, chugging it into his pocket while looking for some stashed biscuits in one of the kitchen cabinets. "What? You think I'd feel intimidated by a shorter version of me?" His sister sent him a message, but it'd have to wait- especially since his son is feeling like a gigachad and is ready for his late night dessert.

"I'm a better version. Built differently from the ground up,"

"Boy please, you know you're built from the DNA of your mother and I," Mark plays along and moves to the next cabinet with his son still following. "Speaking of which, it's about time your mother gets back, don't you think?"

"Look at you avoiding the topic," his son smirks once before turning serious and looking smug. "Face it old man, soon I'll take over,"

"I'm not going anywhere," Mark, with another low chuckle, finally finds the stash in a medium sized basket. In a mocking tone Mark says, "Now mummy said, you'll get one, but I'mma be cool and give you 5 since you've grown a little,"

"A little?" His son pulls of a smolder causing Mark to stare at him in amusement and confusion. His son is a comedian. Mark tries to be serious... but his face exposes him as someone seconds away from bursting out in a laugh. "How does that make you feel dad?

Mark leans on the counter platform while his son tries to be cool and eats from the packet of his chocolate biscuits still dipping it in his milk like a child. Mark tries (evidently) hard to wipe the smile of his face and be serious, but he can't help when his shoulders shudder and he laughs.

"I'm a successor. Isn't that why you and mum made me?"

"Ethan, you're 9 and I'm 24. I'm a classic. Buddy you're just a remake no one asked for. A lazy cash grabber if I may add," Mark jokes maintaining his composure when Ethan, his 9 year old son does a 'pfft' in disbelief.

"You only exist to mow my lawn for free," Mark gets Ethan in a headlock ruffling his hair.

"What do you think I am? Child labor?" Ethan peeks at his dad with such smooth eyes- almost trying to charm him.

Mark ends up just looking at his son with a smile, not minding the almost so called intimidating persona. "It's called an allowance son, it's for you to know your place in the house,"

"My place?" Ethan scoffs getting back his smirk. In that moment Mark thinks to himself how he should cut down Haechan and Ethan's meeting time. Slowly but surely Mark can see Haechan in his son, and that's not something he'd be too thrilled about. It'd be fun, but Mark wouldn't be able to take his own son seriously- just like Haechan. "My place will soon be the man of the house,"

That's Mark's cue to laugh out loud standing up straight and smacking the back of Ethan's head. "Should I remind you who's in charge?"

"Dad you think those old tricks would still work on me?" Ethan stands in front of his dad with a proud and arrogant smirk. He's probably enjoying this as much as his dad. After all Ethan enjoyed fooling around with his dad- more than you, his mum. "I've outgrown you father. I'm sleeping on my own tonight. No need to tuck me. Be sure to tell mum I closed the light." And with that Ethan winks with a clicking sound leaving his lips. "I guess I should be the one telling you then, it's passed your bed time daddy."

Mark stands in amusement, astonishment and shock. He can only chuckle to himself once Ethan is gone. "Did he just call me daddy?" Staying alone in the kitchen, Mark reminisces on the conversation he had with his son and can't help but faintly chuckle every time. His son always seemed to amaze him every time. And tonight, he would definitely fill you in on Ethan's humor. "He thinks he has rizz,"

When he mentioned he had a day off today- he was expecting a netflix and chill with you (as he rarely saw you because of his tight work schedule) yet you were quick to exclude him from your plans with the girls and needed him to watch over Ethan. He didn't mind, he was relaxed about it too.

He takes a seat after drinking some water and checks the time.

You should've gotten home by now. But for some reason it's past 10pm and you're not in the house. Mark sighs and shrugs his shoulders deciding to wait for you in the living room.

But when time went by and he fetched Ethan like he normally did on all days, he thought you'd be home since Ethan finished school around 4pm. You were always home around 4-5pm. So naturally the house was always vibrant whenever he came home, but this time when he came home and the house was the same as he left it- he was a little downcasted but shrugged it off and made food with his son.

Well from there on, it became a regular father and son afternoon. Which again, Mark didn't mind.

Despite his hectic schedule, Mark always tried and never failed to make time for both his girlfriend and son. And this time Ethan got a whole lot of time with his dad.

Everyone was happy.

Mark checked in on you a couple of times, to which you responded with how you were alive. Mark smiled it off adding how he wanted you to have fun.

Honestly, Mark partially felt guilty most of the times when it came to you.

At the time, he was only 16 and you were 15. What the hell could the two of you possibly know about sex? It was an experiment you both tried. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Nothing wrong there. The problem is, it only takes one time for a seed to be planted. Neither of you had condoms, and were both sure that you weren't going to be pregnant.

That's until, the bump started to form.

Although it wasn't Mark's body, he was anxious. You kept brushing it off saying that it's because you loved eating like the food hungry pig you were.

But when days and months passed, and your friends jokes began to simmer down, and his friends would start making jokes of you actually being a mum, and your parents began worrying- it was bound for you to start taking things seriously.

There's no way you were pregnant. Mark was positive of that fact, mainly because he was religious and kept believing that it was a mistake and that God wouldn't let that happen.

You secretly went to the store with him to buy a pregnancy test. The cashier was surprised seeing you and him but you both joked it off that it was for your mum. So being safe at your house, you peed on the purple stick and both you and Mark relaxed and waited for the results. Nothing could prepare you both for the results of the test.

Mark claimed that it had to be fake and that you needed to go to the hospital. He went with you, hand in hand like the loving boyfriend he was and made sure to be more calm while you were freaking out and afraid of the results and most worryingly- your parents reactions.

There was nothing you both could do when the results came out. Your lips kept trembling. You wanted to cry- and you did cry.

You were pregnant.

Mark impregnated you.

The girl who got pregnant at 15.

Despite him always being the sweetest of boyfriends you could ever have asked for- you hated him. And you made sure to let him know how he ruined your life. Every word you said, every action that came after was a result of the shock you had after receiving the results. But your words were still in Mark's head. Permanently. And to this day Mark felt partially at fault that you never had a normal teenage life.

Despite your confidence, once you found out you were pregnant you were crushed at the rumors spreading about you. They always say that the only voice that's loud is your thoughts, but actually it can also be a bunch of strangers that you don't know. Everyone talked about you.

The girl who dropped out of school.

The disappointment child who threw her future away.

The dumb girl who forgot to use rubber.

You were slammed with comments virtually, physically and even inwardly.

Your parents, despite the shame you brought them, stuck to your side. Even though the comments of them being unfit and unworthy ran around their own respective families...they never let you go or talked down on you. And you were thankful for that.

Mark on the other hand; He didn't get worse of a treatment as you (it's what you like to believe). In fact no one even knew him to be the one who impregnated you. Except your friends and his friends, no one said a word to him. However, his parents weren't so supportive. They reprimanded him. And you know just how much Mark's parents mean to him, so for them to cast him out into the streets broke your heart. And bit by bit, you became calm and stopped telling him that you hated him and that it was all his fault.

Your parents took him in, and you both dropped out of school.

Without qualification, he managed to find work and has been working ever since. Despite Mark and his parents relationship being broken, his father was generous enough to continuously tell people that he had a son who was looking for work. Despite his father not seeing him- some of the best opportunities that came Mark's way were a product of his father's.

And with that, Mark made sure to never disappoint but rise to the table and make ends meet. For his girlfriend, his girlfriends parents, his parents, and of course the unborn child which they both chose to keep.

Mark was financially smart, so investments into right businesses, and profits in right settlements all came together and he was finally able to take care of his girlfriend and 2 year old child without being a hindrance to your family.

They never said it to his face, but he knew they accepted him into their house because you talked them into it.

But through it all, Mark never had a hard heart. He was remorseful and kept trying to make it up to you, your family and his family (who were slightly on communication terms...occassionally they wanted to meet their 'grandson' and Mark and you.)

It was awkward going from a solidly good relationship with his parents the moment you started dating, to being in whatever zone is going on between them and you. They don't hate you, but they're not saying much to you or Mark. They visit Ethan once a year and aren't that big into his life, our yours or even Mark. You don't know exactly how to feel.

But Mark doesn't wear it over his head, or shoulders...he's always....okay.

Which is why at 3am, driving back in an uber to your house (where you believe your husband could be sleeping) you try not to get too worked up and panicked when noting that all your drunk/texts (screenshots) and hinged pictures of you with your... You choke up on your tears and fan yourself for the tears to go away.

You told Mark you had to spend time with the girls- but really you had to resolve matters before it got out of hand. You've failed to resolve the matter, you've failed to keep it all at bay with Jaemin (a man who's not your boyfriend), you've failed in keeping Jaemin just as a secret. And now the whole of the internet has an idea that you were sleeping with somebody else's boyfriend, while you had your own. Shivering, still with tears in your eyes you look at your phone and try not to cry.

You breathe in and out calming yourself down, trying not to dsiplay emotions on your face. "Mark isn't gonna kill you. He won't get mad. You're okay, okay? Don't cry," You repeat over and over earning cryptic looks from the uber driver. But you could care less about that. Right now your mind is on the floating pictures all around social media with your best friend (the same person who released the pictures) Ryujin's caption:

Since you like meddling in people's relationships so much- why not spill a couple of your secrets too </3 Bitch who slept with my man.

Actually it's by grace, chance, luck that you and Mark stayed together. After finding out you were pregnant, some weeks passed and you both came clean to your parents. Mark was always there despite your anger, but lowkey even if you never said it out loud you were happy to always have him even in your roughest of moments. And right now, you hope that he can be understanding.

You don't want to hurt him. You don't want to break his trust. You don't even know why you kept meeting up with Jaemin when everything was just so perfect with Mark.

Paying the driver, getting out the car and stepping onto the porch of the new house Mark bought a week ago, you sigh out when seeing all the lights closed.

Walking up the drive way and using your key to open the doors, you pray in your head that Mark is sleeping.

Locking the doors, you make your way, tip toeing through the hallway to the living room and passed the kitchen... where Mark is seated while gripping tightly onto his phone and covering his mouth tightly.

"Mark..."

"Wait, I'm getting to the best part," Mark holds his finger up with a disheartened smile on his face and a dry forced laugh leaving his lips. "He said, can you come over and then you said, my boyfriend's out, why don't you come over. And he responds with a giggling emoji saying what about your son, and you..." Mark huffs and bites on his lip shutting his eyes tightly.

When he opens them again, his clear eyes coat with glossiness. But he let's out another laugh. It sounds painful, heartbreaking and sad. You can only gulp your own lump.

"You said," Mark laughs lightly continuing to read on his phone. "You said his dad and him both went for a sleep over at his parents house. Come over... I'm... I'm lonely. I need you in me." Mark's face scrunches up in bitterness but a forged and forced smile stiffly remains. "He sent emojis, dirty ones. He sent a pic. You sent a pic. And then. You ask him to send the...pictures he took of you."

Mark can't help it, when the smile refuses to remain on his face and he simply bites on his quivering lip covering his eyes.

This time when his voice comes out, it's barely above a whisper, but you can still hear. Even worse because you can hear the pain laced in each and every deep rooted word he says. "Pictures in our room. On our bed. I bought this house last week, and you already invited him in? For how long?" He can't even speak anymore as the words choke up on his throat. "You said I was crazy,"

"Mark please," You quietly step into the kitchen with prayer hands while shaking your head and the tears making your vision blurry.

"You said I was crazy for even thinking it- but I saw the way you looked at him, the way you looked at my sister's lover." Mark breathes out again, a broken chuckle leaving his lips.

The guilt can't grow any higher then it is. You and Mark's adopted sister were always close since school- and when she introduced you to Mark you grew into an even stronger and tighter bond with her. So it doesn't make sense how you not only broke Mark's heart, but you broke Ryujin's trust as well.

"You didn't even have the fucking guts to tell me yourself? I'm guessing you broke it off tonight because you got caught in HD 4K - and you think you can talk your way into my arms right?"

His breathless laugh spreads in the quiet kitchen as he looks up with his eyes as glossy as ever. A vein poking on his forehead.

"You think you can talk your way into my arms because I'm such a nice guy right?" Mark sniffs and uses his back arm to wipe his eyes. "I need to get out of here-"

"Mark please don't go-" The tears slip quietly from your eyes while you hold onto him- your arms circling around his waist. "Please, I promise it's over. I didn't mean it baby, I love-"

"I can't even ask you if it's true, because it's everywhere." He smiles tightly breaking free from your hug and moving back to the counter. "But I'm still gonna ask you this, when were you gonna tell me?"

You try to move forward again yet he slams his fist against the counter. "Just fucking answer the question- don't touch me. Just answer it. When were you gonna tell me?"

"I promise Mark, I was gonna tell you," You pucker your trembling lips, your face breaking into an ugly cry just as you see his own tears coating his eyes again.

His eyes are on yours just for a second before he shakes his head and looks away. He sniffs and buries his face deep in his hands. "You wanna know what's worse?" He cries, but it morbidly turns into a laugh. He panes his gaze towards you, with the most broken look you've ever seen from Him. "These messages..." He covers his face before looking at you, his glossy eyes staring into your own guilty soul. "They date back to 4 years ago. You've been..." His eyes shut as the words fall out inaudibly. "Ryujin is my sister, your best friend. And you slept with him. I don't even know why I'm even believing and trusting in you when the pictures of your nudes are everywhere on my feed-"

"Mark," You words choke up as you take a step... stopping a few inches from him.

"Can you at least answer me why you did it?"

You shake your head taking another hesitant step- but immediately retreat when he sharply spins and punches the top drawers and cabinets. "Mark stop- please stop! Ethan is sleeping lets not wake him up-"

"Ethan?" Mark has to calm himself down, as he feels his emotions suffocating him. "You're going to think of Ethan now after you've just slept with another man? Fucked him for 4 fucking years behind my back and didn't have the slightest bit of remorse or even shame when sending your body- letting him take pictures of you bare and fucking you in my bed where I sleep with you, in our house-"

"I never meant for it-"

"Don't touch me, I can't-" He cuts himself off leaning over the counter only showing his back. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck," His curses so low. "We've been together for 9 years Y/n," His face scrunches and he bites on his lip. "And you chose to do this now? What happened? Speak to me. I need to hear your voice, please tell me that I really I am going crazy- that it's a fucking prank- because my stupid mind, body and soul refuses to believe that you cheated on me,"

He turns around and you move forward hugging him even as he pushes you off- you still attach your arms around him before trying to hold onto his hands. You try to pipe up trying to fight back on your own blurry eyes. "Mark I broke it off please don't-"

"Broke it off? Are you sure? Because the pictures of tonight, and the- the texts of your slutty conversation- the graphical back and forth nudes you've been sending- all those pictures are on the internet- everywhere- and you're telling me you broke it off? You're dressed like that and are smiling in every picture with him and you're telling me you broke it off?"

His eyes are in shock, there's sadness in his eyes. Mark who never cries looks like he's at his last straw before the tears would start rushing down. It doesn't even help that seeing you right now only takes you back to the images of tonight and how you looked like you were enjoying the feels of the man's hands being all over your body all those times.

When you left this morning, your attire of an open back- black long fitting dress with a dangerously high slit- didn't bother him. However now, after the pictures he saw of that same dress in a restaurant whereby you were smiling and confidently chatting with another man- that same dress that the man couldn't keep his hands off your legs- made his body quake with anger.

You cry and beg. "Mark please understand, it's over please just forget it. I'm sorry-"

"Online they're saying I'm insecure just because I've got a fine fucking woman, who's enjoying her life while the dad is at home with the child," Mark's lips rattle as he shakes his head in disbelief. "I bet you if the roles were reversed, if I went out there and fucked another woman while you were here with our child- you wouldn't even spare a moment to listen- you'd tell me everything that I've done wrong- you'd never forget, but now because it's you- I should be understanding? Okay? I should be... Cool with it all- that my fucking girlfriend is now accessible to anybody's viewing if they just type in your name right? I'm supposed to not make a fuss because I'm suddenly insecure that my girlfriend can go out, bag some guys, drink and party like she has no family."

You can't hold your tears anymore as they pour out your eyes, your tone in shreds as you stummer out. "Mark I love you so much, I would never-"

His eyes in sharp disbelief peer into your own remorseful eyes. "Don't even lie to me, I'm not fucking naïve!" It's starts with him thrusting his arm far back and throwing his phone against the wall breaking it into millions of pieces just like his heart- before his emotions run wild and he hits on the cabinets. "You don't fucking love me! You don't!" When he picks up the stool and thrashes it against the drawers breaking it- you step back in tears knowing that he's at his peak of anger.

"If you loved me you wouldn't have gone out there!" His voice broken with tears, broken with anger. He hammers the toaster on the floor. Knocks over the trays holding the glasses. "Behind my back! You fucking bitch! Do you even know how much we've suffered to be together!? My house! On my bed! With another man! You don't love me! How could you even! You fucking bitch do you even know how much I love you!?"

Pounds on the cabinets, still yelling his heart out making you cry as you back up. "Mark I'm sorry-"

Thuds, punches, slams against the counter, the glass cabinets. "Does any of this even matter to you?!"

"Mark Ethan-"

"4 years! Fucking 4 years Y/n!? Even you! You let him touch you for 4 years! You let him take my place for 4 years! FUCK!" Mark can't even hear- and when he breaks the glasses in one angry whip he furiously turns to you. "My parents made me chose between you and them and I fucking chose you- they didn't kick me out- I walked out of them because of you. And this is what you do? Y/n not even tw-two years? 4 years!?"

Mark grunts loudly and runs his hand over his head while looking at you. "You told the whole world how you brought a man into our bed?" The tears of anger sprawl out all over his face before he corners you against the wall. "How will you even explain to Ethan the pain you put me through? The embarrassment you put our family through? The shame- we were your legacy! We are your legacy! We fucking became family and then you-! You are my love! 4 years!"

Mark can't control himself anymore. Not wanting to hurt her as she's crying- he balls his fists and storms out the house.

Ethan, worried, anxious, shocked, sad and scared, crouches on the bottom stairs looking as his dad slams the door shut after he leaves. Too afraid to enter the kitchen with his wailing mother, he goes up the stairs quietly, gets under his covers and tries to sleep.

22 Hours after...

Your leg is shivering and bouncing up and down as you stare at your phone. Your tears still stinging your eyes. You messed up. You admit that you've messed up. That you possibly destroyed one for the best relationships you could ever ask for. You cried non stop the whole night in the kitchen, you couldn't even be quiet about it. The kitchen was in shreds with glass and broken objects everywhere. You couldn't even blame Mark for getting angry the way he did.

You felt so guilty and his reaction only made you feel even more guilty. You tried calling him, but remembered how he broke his phone. You tried calling Haechan and begged him to help you- he was just as pissed off at you the way Mark and his friends (Chenle and Jeno) were. But you still begged.

When morning came, you tried to compose yourself as you helped out a quiet Ethan get ready for school. You walked with him to school and came back home with the idea to start cleaning. You ignored all of Jaemin's calls and even blocked his number. You were also afraid to answer any of your other friends who would obviously call you out on your stupid behavior. You just cleaned with your head clouded and jumbled with thoughts.

It's not when Ethan came home by himself did you find yourself in the living room, your leg bouncing as you stared at your phone. Ethan wanted to talk with his dad. And you just told him to change out of his school uniform and that by the time he came down, he'd talk to his dad.

But up till now, looking at the message that was sent to Haechan, you hold in your lips together as you sniff. You know he's found Mark. If he hadn't he would've called you. But since he's not calling, you know Mark's safe.

But none the less after you sent the message that you wanted to speak to Mark, you knew that that kind of approach wouldn't work.

So you type out:

Ethan quietly comes up next to you with a saddened face and his hands together. You don't even know what to say except having your tears coat your eyes. Mark was right. How would you even begin to explain to him? And judging with how everything went down, you know that he most likely heard Mark's burst of anger and all the words that came out of him.

Please Haechan, Ethan wants to talk to his dad

Please, just this once help me out.

Before you can even open your mouth, your phone rings and you instantly pick it up. Your eyes double take on the contact and you gulp.

Mark's mother.

You compose yourself and lick your dry lips as you try not to cry. When you place the phone to your ear, you expect to hear his mother but... "Ethan?" Mark's voice.

You place the phone on speaker and turn to Ethan, signaling him that it's okay to talk. And he does, but his words are so heart quenching that you have to look away. "Dad," He chokes up on his tears and sniffs. "It hurts, badly."

"What hurts so bad my son?"

"My heart," He whimpers out. "I know I said my place is to be the man of the house, but I can't do it dad. I can't be the man dad,"

Mark over the phone can be heard breathing in and you can tell he's shaking his head in sadness. He tries to sound upbeat, but the words themselves aren't linking to how he wants to sound. "No buddy, don't apologize to me. It's me who was at fault, I'm sorry bud, I'm so sorry," Mark's voice is fragile, and you can hear how heavy they are. "Daddy didn't mean to lose his temper and break everything."

Ethan sniffs again and he hiccups. "Are you and mum gonna get a divorce? My friends said that when his parents broke up he started living with his mum, but dad I don't want you to leave. I don't want to be the man of the house, dad please don't leave mum, dad please come back, dad-"

"Darling put your mother on the phone." The stern yet smooth voice belonging to Mark's mother catches you off guard.

"Yes ma'am?" You answer timidly trying to hold onto Ethan as he runs away from you hiding his tears.

"I've got 3 questions to ask you. Do you want to be with my son?" She asks off the bat.

"Yes ma'am." Your spine becomes straight as if she's right in front of you. "I love-"

"Are you willing to give Ethan up if per say you and my son had to breakup?"

"Ma'am please-"

"Are you willing to give Ethan up?" She asks more precisely. "Yes or no?"

"No, I can't-"

"What are you last words to my son?"

Your heart falls. The color fades from your face as though all the life you once had has been sucked out. "Ma'am please don't do this, I love him-"

"4 years is a long time and frankly, you put my son through a lot with your behavior and attitude. So it's either you say your last words, or I cut the call." Stiff and solidly cold is her tone to you as you cry. "You are not fit to be his anymore. You don't deserve my son-"

You hiccup, your eyes swelling up from how much you've cried. "Can I talk to him? Can I please just talk to him-"

"No."

Even before the call to cut, you can feel it in your soul. You can feel just how it painful, how it hurts and you can feel how your whole being burns.

-fin

Part 2: It burns: The second time around

[technologyculturedneo]

It Burns: The Second Time Around | Lee Mark

"That's why I slept with him."

Pairing. Ex-Boyfriend!Lee Mark x Reader ft Love!Jaemin

Genre. Angst. Ex lover meets new lover. Break up. Lovers to ex's.

Synopsis. It's been weeks since your half naked pictures circulated online and you feel like your life has been stuck. On one hand you wanna make up with Mark and on the other hand Jaemin floats in your mind. Wanting clarity you decide make your feelings known for the person you love.

Warning. Minor cusses. Low-key smut. Breakup. Your heart might get broken.

Playlist. Gnash I hate you, I love. Nct dream Like we just met. Ellie Goulding Love me like you do

Disclaimer. This is part 2, part 1 is called: It Burns. You can read it here

“Mum, I don’t know what to do?” Mark shakes his head staring ahead being in a daze. In his head, it’s just a repeat of everything that had happened. From him finding out what you did, to him breaking everything in the house. “I love her and Ethan, but I can’t be with her. Not after what she did.”

His mother, Mrs Lee, sits down next to him placing a cup of coffee before him. Ten years ago when he left the house, he left his mother and father in tears. They wondered why their son had chosen you over them. They were his family and you were just a girl who got pregnant. How could he leave his family for you? It was a bitter pill for them to swallow as they were a God-fearing family, and felt shame that Mark had impregnated a young girl and wanted to live with her. Not only did he demolish his own innocence and reputation, but he had to kick start at a difficult life at an early age. Where did they go wrong?

No. They did nothing wrong, it was all your fault. You got pregnant and ruined his life. They couldn’t be angry at the unborn child, but they could be angry at you. You caused their son stress and they could see just how much pressure Mark felt to grow up and take care of you and their coming child. After you gave birth to their first grandson, Mark’s parents let their hearts ‘try’ to forgive you as you brought back that light into Mark’s life. It made all his sacrifices worth it, because he could proudly say that he chose his family.

Through Ethan, Mark’s parents saw that perhaps God had chosen a different path for their son. And after years, they both began to accept you yet again.

However, nothing prepared them for the night when Mark came beating down on their door looking horrible and dreadful while crying out for his dear life. It was absolutely torture to see him in shreds of despair, pining and hating on himself for ever loving and choosing you. Mark’s mother always knew that her son would come back in her arms, she just didn’t expect that he’d come back this way. Mark’s father knew that you weren’t a perfect match for his son, but he didn’t expect for you to show how imperfect you were through your vile acts of sexual immorality.

It only brought them to have a strong distaste for you again, as not only did you break their sons heart, but you broke their daughter’s heart too. And what’s worse is that Ryujin’s pain was ten times crueler because Jaemin had proposed to her and they were going to get married in two months’ time. However, after finding out what he had been doing behind her back, she immediately called off the engagement.

And for that it only allowed for you to be put back on their list of hatred. You ruined their children’s lives. First Mark and then Ryujin. You were unforgivable at this point. There’s nothing that would change their minds.

Yet, when Mark drinks on his coffee, he can’t help but think about Ethan. “Should I just…I know Ethan loves us both, but I hate the fact that he’s caught in the middle of this mess. What’s going to happen to him? If I give up on Y/n, then we’re going to go into war for who gets to keep Ethan. And that’s not fair, he deserves both his parents to be by his side, but I can’t stand to be next to her. After everything…mum, she was at it for 4 years. She’s his mother just as much as I’m his father, and it pains me to think of him growing up with one parent. I know for sure, that if I speak with Y/n I’ll hate her, which is why I don’t even want to speak to her. But I can’t stand the fact that Ethan will grow up with one of us alone. We’ve been through so much and he…he’s just ten.” Mark slumps and voices out his thoughts out loud.

His mother listens in an understanding manner. After that call that she had with you, she wanted as much as possible to keep you away from her son. She never wanted you to enter back into his life. The only problem to that would be Ethan being caught in the crossfire. Their grandson was such a well-mannered young respectful boy. Leaving him to grow up with you would only make her heart heavy, because what type of lessons would you even teach him? To have sex at a young age? Or to cheat on his girlfriend? In Mrs Lee’s opinion, you are unfit to be a mother. You never wanted to be one and so letting Mark do all the parenting while you fooled around has finally come to bite you.

“Son,” She sets her mug down and places her warm hand gently over his. “You need to leave her. I understand you have a child with her, but she broke your chest severely.”

“But..” His voice fades into a whisper. “I can’t leave her, mum I love her,”

“You still love her? You’re willing to sacrifice your dignity and go back to her? You’re going to accept her after all she did? Mark, you can’t be serious,”

“I’m not accepting it. It’s just, why should I leave? I find it hard to believe that after all that we’ve been through and all the freedom I give her, and all of my love and heart that I’ve given her, she still went out with Jaemin? Why? For the past 3 days I’ve been trying to understand why? Or what I did?” Mark’s lips tremble and he covers his face. “And how did I not see this coming? Maybe if I found out sooner, we would’ve been able to talk and I… I would’ve been able to protect her from being publicly shamed.”

Seeing her son distraught, she stands up and moves closer to him. Embracing him in a hug, her heart aches when he lays his head on her chest and his shoulders shudder just as he cries.

“Mum, I tried everything I could to make her happy. Do you think that our chemistry was just not enough? Why did she go and look for something else outside? We were compatible mum. I fucking made vows to her and kept to my word each and every single time. What did I do wrong?”

“My son.” She runs her hand down his soft perfect hair. “Chemistry can be great between two people, and so can compatibility, love and vows. They’re all great, but what you should’ve been looking for was a relationship that nourished your soul. If she was able to keep that immoral act for years, it means she only sucked from your soul and gave you nothing, but left you dry. Mark, you are my son, and I’ve raised you with such purity. You’ve got a big heart and everyone can see it.” She sighs out. What you did was tough for her to even imagine, but now trying to explain it to her son feels even more burdening. He gave his soul to you and you broke him down. How dare you? “What she did, is absolutely disgusting. And what you’ll decided is obviously your choice, but I want you to consider your soul. If she can go out there for 4 years and plead that she’ll never do it again, are you willing to let her hold your soul again? Are you willing to give her a chance? At least even 2 years, if it were 2 years I could easily understand and perhaps even allow you to look past it, but the fact that it’s four years and on top of that it’s Jaemin… I can’t even speak. What I can tell you, is that you should speak to her, to at least get some closure for yourself and your decision and for your soul. In this relationship, you were the one who wanted a better version of yourself, and you committed yourself whole heartedly, you invested yourself into her. And the fact that she didn’t even try, makes me hope that you’ll settle for someone better, who’s worthy of you.”

“But Ethan…”

“As much as Ethan deserves both his parents, it’s up to both his parents to be committed to one another. It’s already proven that she can’t be faithful or trustworthy, or even committed. Ethan may be caught in the cross fire, but you’re my son and the way I see it, is that you’re caught in the cross fire too. She’s only ever used Ethan to get to you. But now what about you my son. I want you to consider the fact that Ethan might not grow up with you.”

If only Mark had a microscope, just to see all the pieces of his heart breaking. It shatters his soul completely to have to think of Ethan growing up without him. How could he ever want for his own son, his own flesh and blood to live without him? If Ethan were Jaemin’s child, it would be a different story, but since Ethan was his child, Mark felt that he needed to be a dad. The proud dad that he was when he carried and lifted Ethan up when you first gave birth. Mark had already handed his whole heart to Ethan the day he was born, so now how on earth would Ethan grow up if his father’s heart was broken?

Things fall apart in your house when it’s left just you and Ethan. You thought you knew your son, yet when began showing attitude to you or ignoring you, you didn’t like that you had to try to keep calm when you were around him. A week without Mark seemed to be the most chaotic in Ethan’s life, as he went to school came back to only you in the house he refused to get out of his room or listen to you and you had to give him his food in the room. You hated how closed off he was being, but you couldn’t blame him. This isn’t exactly the situation you imagined yourself to be in. You never thought that your hidden life would be public.

Not only did you break Marks’s trust, but every day when you look at Ethan, you begin to release just how much disconnection there is between everyone. Like today, Monday. You wanna drop Ethan at school, but he’s already out the house by the time you get downstairs. You decide to try again to call Mark, but just like always his call goes to voicemail. So you call on Jaemin, because there’s no one else who you can call without getting side eyes.

Jaemin answers in an instant and offers to come over. So the middle of the day around 12 o’clock, you’re opening up the door to his cautious face and stance. “Hi.”

“Hi.” You stiffly smile. This would be the first time you’re interacting with him ever since the scandal blow up online and out of proportion. “Come in,”

Jaemin clears his throat, stepping inside the house. “Mark here?”

“He hasn’t come home since,”

“Mm,” Jaemin nods his head while making his way to the living room and taking a seat on the couch. “So, how have you been?”

You take a seat next to him and shake your head. “Can we get the formalities out the way and just…talk,”

“Ryujin ended the engagement.” Jaemin lets out. “I tried explaining to her, but Y/n, the only thing I could tell her is that I love you, and only you. It broke her heart, but at least it-”

“Goddamnit Jaemin, why the hell would you tell her that?” You sigh and sink into your seat rubbing on your temple.

“Because Y/n, I love you. I can’t hide it anymore, and it’s fucking better that the cats are out of the bag and everyone knows. I love you, and now-”

“Jaemin-”

“I hate sounding so selfish, but when Ryujin called off the engagement I was so happy. For years I’ve been unhappy. She’s a great girl, a wonderful woman, but my heart has only been set on you. It only beats for you. It’s better that everything is out now, and we might look like the most selfish people on the face of the earth, but who cares. What matters is that we can finally be together, finally free from Ryujin and Mark. You don’t even love him like that, you’re just in a relationship with him because you’ve got a kid. You said that getting in a relationship with her would make me forget you, but I can’t forget you. Not with the way I love you. And I bet you haven’t been able to forget me either. Ryujin is not you, she’s not the girl of my dreams and Mark doesn’t know you like I know. He hasn’t been your pillow and comforter the way I have. I know it sucks to hear all this now but-”

“Jaemin how many times do I have to say that we’re not having that conversation? We already cleared this up that- We can’t keep-”

“Admit it.” Jaemin holds onto your hand looking into your eyes. “You’re scared to take the next step with me even though you really want to. Come on, Y/n. I know I’m not the boy’s father, but I promise you that I can love you and him. You love me too, I know you do but you can’t think about me because of Mark and your child. Please Y/n, can’t you just consider it? Consider us as a possibility?”

“I-” Before you to even respond, there’s a knock on the door. You instantly get up on your feet having a feeling that you know who it is. “Jaemin, please hide.”

“What?”

You whisper panic while pulling on his arm ignoring his confused face. “Jaemin, if it’s Mark you’ll only ruin-”

“You can’t be fucking serious,” Jaemin looks hurt but follows you while you pull him. “You’re making me hide?”

“Jaemin, just for now please.” You silence him by leaning on your tippy toes and give him a peck on the lips. Your lips getting in contact with his has you moving back instantly in shock, just as Jaemin’s ears perk up. Why did you do that? Not trying to dwell on it, you close the closet filled with cleaning supplies and Jaemin’s body before making it to the front door. You don’t even have to look at the peep hole to know it’s Mark. You knew it was him just from the way he knocks gently on the door.

You’re expecting him to be angry, looking down casted and under the weather just the same way you have been for the past week. But when you open up the door and see him holding up a teddy bear with a belly saying: I love you, your eyes water in melancholy. He brushes his hair back and looks up into your eyes, and you swear you can see just how much love he still has for you and how much he’s willing to enter back into your life after what you did.

“I’m sorry for last time.” His voice is meek. Your neck heats up and you shrivel back looking down. “I shouldn’t have gone wild like that. I should’ve listened to you and at least given you a chance to explain,”

“Mark you’re too kind,” Your eyes get blurry and you feel so conscious of how much Mark has always been the perfect and strong one in your relationship. That he made sure that you were always alright and that your needs and your everything were being attained to. Seeing him now, you feel just how much you don’t deserve him.

Mark doesn’t know how to respond to your words, but he carefully takes a step forward and gently lays a hand on your arm. You don’t recoil and that allows him to slide his arms around your shoulders before embracing you in such a deep hug that you break again for a second time inside. You’re crying for different reasons, one being how much you hate yourself for what you did, two being how much you love Mark for always being the sweet understanding boyfriend you could ever ask for, three for how foolish you are in hugging him while Jaemin hides out in the closet and four just for having him back into your life, wanting to listen to you and your side. You hit the jackpot with him, but why does it have to be so hard.

Mark on the other hand is oblivious to your thoughts and hugs you tighter shutting his eyes after placing a kiss on your head. No matter what his mother said, his heart just wanted you back. Before making up the decision to come back to you, he told himself that he first needed to listen to you. It’s not fair only reading about what you did and getting a final conclusion. Even though the proof is all over the media, he felt the need to listen to you. There’s no doubt that you were cheating on him, but if it’s something you ended and wanted to move on from it, how could he say no to that? You were the love of his life. The one whom he gave up everything for so that he could be happy. You were his everything and he didn’t want this ‘little’ thing to break you guys apart.

“I love you Y/n,” Mark’s words breathe softly into your ears and you shake your head closing your eyes and burying yourself deeper into him. “I can’t live without you, and I don’t want Ethan to live without the both of us in his life, together as a family. I know we can get through this,”

“Mark I’m so sorry,” Your muffled words are hidden against his shoulder, but he hears them.

“It’s okay baby, come on let’s go inside,”

Allowing Mark to take the lead in closing the door and holding your hand as you both make it to the living room, you sit down beside him only staring at his hand that has yours engulfed. Even the way he holds your hands in his is so precious and with so much admiration. You can’t even look up into his eyes, knowing that your eyes will reveal just how much of an indecisive person you are.

On one hand, you can’t lie and say that you don’t love Jaemin, but on the other hand you know that you love Mark. You love both of them differently, and even though you might love Jaemin a little bit more than you love Mark, you know for sure that you love Mark and wouldn’t to live your life without him.

“How has Ethan been?” Mark asks quietly, allowing a little smile to rest on his face. It hurts to look at you and you’re not even looking at him. You look so guilty, so ashamed and just to pitiful. Mark doesn’t know whether it’s because of what you did, or perhaps it’s because you feel so bad for him. If anything him accepting and coming back to you is pitiful according to his mother. She said he deserved so much better then what you could offer him. But Mark’s heart beats for you, and it’s why he took the chance.

You shrug your shoulders and let out a sigh giving Mark a tired smile before looking away. “Ethan… It’s clear I was never his favorite parent,”

“Don’t say that,” Mark’s other hand smooths over your head gently as you look into his eyes. “He just doesn’t like seeing us fight. He loves you,”

You know Ethan loves you, but over the past week with his sudden mood swings, you weren’t so sure. “I just…you were right. It’s hard looking at him and trying to explain the things I did to you… Mark I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, and I… I really didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t mean for it to happen. He hates me because you’re not coming back home. He’s been so stubborn the past few days that it’s been dawning on me. I am really… What I did is unforgiveable. I’m sorry for allowing things to get out of hand between Jaemin and I. We were just friends but during the times you would be at work…Jaemin was there. I guess it all went to my hand, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for things to get to where they are. I love you and I didn’t want to hurt you Mark. I love you so much but I did something so unforgivable.”

Mark watches how your face bursts in multiple types of emotions, from disappointment to shame all the way to remorse and self-loath. And to be honest, Mark hates seeing you like this. To him you were always precious and fragile, at times you were almost durable and flexible.

He takes in a sharp breath. “Babe,” Mark bites his lip lightly and gently bringing his hand underneath your chin to lift your head up to look at him. “I…I forgive you. I know it’s stupid of me to forgive you, I know I’m a fool. However, when it comes to you, I always wanna be by your side. It may be hard but I know we can get through this. It’s why I’m here, why I wanna give you another chance-”

“No.” You shake your head and shut your eyes. “I’ll be lying if I say, I haven’t thought about how much I’ve ruined your life with the pregnancy of Ethan. I’ll be lying if I say I haven’t thought about our relationship this past week…and I’ll be lying if I say… that I don’t think you’ll love me the same way again.”

“Of course I will,” Mark answers, but deep down it gnaws on him that you cheated and that you cheated with a friend of his, and that if he didn’t understand the dynamic of this four relationship affair- then you might cheat again. “Okay, maybe you’re right. Things will be different, but aren’t you willing to try? I came back because I thought insanely about how much I need you in my life. You’re not perfect, but you make every sacrifice I’ve made worth it. We’re not married, but you’re my whole world and I wanna defend you. Seeing those comments online only made me want to be there for you, to at least get them down and return your reputation. You’re my baby just as much as you’re my girlfriend. You mean everything to me. Just please, please can we start again?”

Looking up into Mark’s sincere eyes, you can hear how fast your heart is beating and how guilty each and every heart beat feels. Your eyes water and you cover your face with your hand before standing up and moving away from the living room. Mark is up on his feet too wanting to follow you- but when you reappear again in the living, Mark is surprised to see the other human being that emerges.

He sucks in a deep breath and tries to hold his emotions in check. But it’s difficult when he sees how you’re holding Jaemin’s hand and bringing him forward. He keeps his head down with his hands to his waist while trying to maintain his breathing.

“Mark…”

Mark inhales and exhales before looking up with a painful smile. “So I guess I’m the fool right?”

“No,” You breathlessly say as you walk before him but staying an inch away and closing your tearfilled eyes. “You wanted to talk, and he also wanted to talk, I just… I d-didn’t… I don’t want to be stuck in the middle. Mark…”

Mark backs up and looks at Jaemin who has no remorse on his face. Jaemin always had the ability to make himself disattached to any type of emotion. Seeing him look so normal yet possessive makes Mark look away in despair. “You already chose him,” He whispers out.

“Mark that’s not fair, you said you wanted to hear me out,”

“Yeah I wanted to hear you wanting to have a second chance at this shot, not hear how you feel about him- I…” Mark holds his tongue back pinching the bridge of his nose turning around. He came here peacefully, but he’s feeling his emotions having the best of him.

“Mark I love her.”

That seems to be the icing on top of the cake when Jaemin confesses his feelings for you. It takes nothing else for Mark to lunge past you and ball his fists against Jaemin’s shirt yanking back and forth breathing out in pure anger. Jaemin holds onto Mark’s hands which are on the shirt and looks deeply into his eyes. “How fucking dare you sleep with my girlfriend and then say such things-” Mark implodes and can’t hold back his fists from flying straight across Jaemin’s face.

You’re gasping and pleads of Mark to stop doesn’t go noticed by any of them as Jaemin grunts but holds in his own anger while trying to calm Mark down- who continuously swings his fists. Eventually, Jaemin swings his own fists and sends a hard blow against Mark’s eye.

Mark instantly let’s go of Jaemin and attends to his own eye that already looks impacted. His ears can hear you speaking and up till now Mark just understands that his mother was right, you’re not committed to him. “Mark please, you said you wanted to hear me out,”

Mark stands up straight with one hand to his eye that’s forming a nasty bruise. “I want full custody of Ethan.”

“Mark-”

“You never wanted him anyway-”

“Mark that’s not true-”

“I don’t want some other guy raising my son. If you want to visit you can, but he’s not staying here. And if you’re gonna make it hard. I’ll make it harder. He’s my son, not his and surely not yours. You don’t even care that you’re tearing us apart.” Mark glares at Jaemin before sharply turning and heading to the door.

Watching him leave ignites a fire in your heart. “That’s why I slept with him.” Your broken voice paired with your wretched yet heated tone has Jaemin looking up to him.

Your words make Mark stop half way on the journey to the door. Your words inflict such a painful ache in his heart, that he hears it shattering.

“You say your main priority is me but for all the years we’ve been together it’s always about Ethan. Even though you work from morning till late, you come back always asking firstly about Ethan. You don't care about me. You don’t care if I go out alone, you don’t care if I do what I want, you don’t consider me the way you claim you do, you don’t have sex with me the right way. You only care if Ethan is okay, whether or not his school is teaching him the right syllabus, if his friends are good to him, your world only revolves around Ethan and I know I’m his mum, but Mark I’m your girlfriend, when have you ever spent a dime on me. It’s always me and Ethan, me and Ethan, me and Ethan. Jaemin cares about me and Ethan.” You put emphasis. “He cares for me. And he cares for Ethan. In your mind me and Ethan are one, and as long as Ethan is hurt, you’ll never attend to me. As long as Ethan is fine, you'll never attend to me, because in your mind Ethan comes first. Not me. I slept with Jaemin because he didn’t see me as just the mother of Ethan. He saw me for me. He saw me first and cared for. He still cares for me.”

Mark doesn’t look back, but he makes his voice audible. “So that means I have full custody over Ethan right. Since I care about him so much-”

“Mark,” You let out a disappointed sigh. “Can’t you for once think about me-”

“I fucking have been thinking about you!” Mark’s voice starts out low before his voice rises higher in anger. It even makes him turn around and walking back to you. “From the first fucking day we got the results that you were pregnant I thought about you! I fucking took away your innocence! I took away your life! You didn’t deserve to stop going to school because of a child, you didn’t deserve to be shamed because you were pregnant, you didn’t deserve everything that was coming to you- that’s why I took up the pain for you. I made sure that you didn’t feel hurt about having Ethan. I gave you all the freedom you wanted if it meant that you could smile and live a normal life again. You think I only care for Ethan? Fuck, Y/n, I left my family to be with you. You and your fucking ungrateful self. You wanted to go back to school- I paid for your college fees! You wanted to open a shop- I fucking boat a whole land plot to let you build your business! You wanted space and not more kids- I gave you my word that I wouldn’t bring up kids again! You wanted a bigger house- I got the bigger house! I looked after Ethan just so you wouldn’t feel alone! I care for you! I fucking care for you not because you’re Ethan’s mum but because you were my first everything! I thought I was doing you a favor- I… God you make me so mad.” Mark turns away with the tears getting out his eyes. He breathes out in sheer pain and turns to Jaemin. “You want her? Take her, she clearly never wanted me in the first place. Just- fuck.”

Mark feels lightheaded when leaving and banging the front door. Not only could he not believe the words that left your mouth, but he couldn’t believe how stupid he had been. He can’t describe how much his heart hurts, how painful it is…how it burns his soul to know that he lost you.

2 weeks later...

"It feels so weird not having Ethan around, I know I say this every night but," You mutter when laying down on Jaemin's chest. "I miss him so much. Like, at this time I usually listen to him rant about having cookies, I prepare him for bed, kiss him goodnight, close the lights for him and just...Gosh it's so weird. I don't know how I'll ever get used to this. They literally said I can only see him once? Like seriously,"

Jaemin's eyes are closed, yet he isn't sleeping, he's just listening to you and running his hand past your back as you whisper out to him. Although you and Mark weren't married, Mark treated Ethan's custody methods as a business deal. Meaning legally you were only allowed to see Ethan once a week if you wanted. And Jaemin isn't blind to how much you're trying to cope without Ethan and Mark, but it's hard on him too having to hear you break down.

Although he wanted you, he knew just how important Ethan was to you. He knew that Ethan was your son and you felt connected to him as a mother. He was prepared to love both you and Ethan, but when Mark made the break up official by packing up Ethan's things and moving away, Jaemin saw the life drain from your eyes. And he didn't like that. It's almost like he tore you from the inside out. It's almost like he made you chose between family and him.

What's kinda sad is how you didn't even chose...you were indecisive but you never wanted both Mark and Ethan to leave your life. And Jaemin felt extremely bad. So when he turns to face you and his arms engulf and caress you sweetly, you sink deeper into him while he sinks into you. "I can never forgive myself for separating you guys,"

"Baby..."

"I find it difficult to, when every night you talk about him. I'm sorry," Jaemin buries his head on your nest of warm hair and closing his eyes.

You sigh and hold onto Jaemin tighter. "You didn't separate us. Mark and I...just weren't meant to be together. It sucks that Ethan was born and we had to grow feelings for him, and now that he's gone all the memories are simply memories. But please baby, don't feel like it's your fault. You were right in so many ways, and I needed clarity. I was too young to be a mum and I was barely even ready to be a mum. And i thank God for the clarity that he gave. It's tough, but it's better this way. I have my whole life ahead of me, and when it will be time and I'm ready to have a family, I wanna have it with you."

Jaemin smiles when shifting his head to look at you. "I guess this is something we both have to get used to,"

"I regret how everything played out, but I don't regret ending up with you. It is something we have to get used to, but as long as we're together it'll all be okay,"

"It will be," Jaemin kisses your forehead. "I love you," Jaemin hugs you again. "Now let's get some sleep,"

-

1 year later...

"Congratulations babe, I'm so proud of you!" Jaemin catches you as you jump into his arms while he spins you around. "I'm so proud of you." Jaemin kisses your lips when placing you down.

You laugh out and give him a little twirl while showing off your trophy and graduation gown. Finally, after your years of studying you've graduated from college with honors. You smile when he snaps a few shots of you.

"You look like a fresh graduate who came out the womb of success," Jaemin adorns you in another set of hugs and kisses. "I'm so happy for you, my beautiful graduate." He presses a kiss on the crown of your head and you feel yourself melt at his words. "Let's go take pictures."

Getting in line to get professional pictures with your awards and your gown as well as with your man by your side, you couldn't feel more happier knowing that he was still with you and that he supported you throughout everything.

"Thank you, Jaemin, for everything." you say softly before pulling away from him to look at the photographer standing by. Your eyes sparkle and a large grin forms on your face when he takes a couple more pictures of you and Jaemin together.

It was your graduation ceremony which took place at the civil luxurious courtyard, where the entire graduating class stood. Students from all four departments of our university were lounging around comfortably inside the auditorium waiting patiently for their turn to take pictures. The sun rays hit the students with its warm rays and it was a nice day today. It was a perfect day to celebrate your graduation with friends, family, and classmates.

Your mum was there, some of your class friends where there, your lecturers who liked you were there…and even Mark and Ethan were there. You remember when you got on stage to receive your certificates and awards, you saw Mark smiling and looking up to you with such an undefined look. It's ages since you saw him, as the times you'd visit Ethan, he'd never be around…so seeing him accept your ceremony invitation had your heart feeling warm.

Jaemin nudges you gently to snap you back into reality, you looks up towards the same direction as Jaemin to see Mark and Ethan were approaching you. "Do you want some time alone?" Jaemin offers genuinely. He knew that even though you stopped visiting Ethan as frequently as before, you still had a soft spot for them both. And he didn't want to be a middle man whenever it came to you and Mark…and Ethan.

"Stay," You whisper lightly to Jaemin…truth be told, this is your first time seeing Mark after he came to take Ethan away from your house a year ago.

"Congratulations mum," Ethan, in his boyish charm hugs you around your waist and steps back. You notice he's got slight tears by his eyes.

It pulls on your tear strings as well as you hug him back. "Thank you my boy, I'm so happy you could make it. Mummy feels really happy seeing you,"

Ethan's hug deepens and you have to hold your ground strong otherwise you might fall over. Jaemin sees this and holds onto the back of your waist helping you balance. It allows you to have more time in embracing Ethan. "I miss you mum,"

"I miss you too Ethan," You whisper back to him your hand patting down his hair. It's when you slightly open your eyes, you see Mark standing a few feet back with his eyes on the ground. You pull back from Ethan and pat his cheeks wiping his eyes that had tears.

Living with his dad was great, but he missed living with you too. And although he hated how you haven't been visiting him, he hated more how you and Mark had broken up. Despite the pain in his heart, all he could do was smile. "Mummy, wants to talk to dad for a bit, is that okay? I wanna ask him if you can stay for the after party. They'll be juice and cake for everyone later,"

"Yeah sounds good." Ethan enlightens. You let him go and Ethan awkwardly greets Jaemin with a head bow.

You turn your attention to Mark who doesn't seem to notice you walk up to him- it's only till he notices a pair of high heels in his line of vison does he look up seeing you. "Hey," You greet brightly.

To your despair, his eyes don't light up as brightly as he used to, his smile is short and he doesn't keep eye contact with you. His eyes go to the floor, to Ethan behind you, they linger on yours for a spilt second before they return to the floor. His hands are in his pants and he's attention isn't on you. If you look closely…he looks sad.

When a hand wraps around your waist, you snap out of your thoughts seeing that Mark is looking to your side. Jaemin is holding onto your waist while Ethan is standing back next to his dad. "I'm sorry what?"

"Mark was asking what time will it end? The after party," Jaemin recaps, noting that you zoned out while Ethan was asking for permission.

"Oh, uh.. I'll bring him back if you're okay with that,"

Mark's eyes wander to Ethan who looks hopeful. Originally, Mark didn't want to come. He wasn't supposed to come, but Ethan begged him to come along. Truth be told, although Mark had custody of Ethan and was living with his mum and dad, he wanted nothing more but to be with you…the girl he committed himself to. However, those dreams of being together with you were crushed and it's been hard for him to live like he did before. He's been together with you for so many years and has supported you for so many years, so now to see you standing side by side with someone else…it's almost unbearable. It hurts.

But looking to Ethan, who for some reason stopped getting visits from his mother has Mark feeling guilty about his actions. So, he agrees instantly causing Ethan's smile to blind him. "Really? Thanks dad."

"Yeah yeah, whatever. See you at home," Mark smiles stiffly as he puts his hand through Ethan's shoulder and gives him a small squeeze before turning around to leave. You're left surprised by Mark's sudden departure…he didn't even look at you, he didn't even say a word to you.

Jaemin who witnesses how Mark just left abruptly wraps his arm around your shoulder and rubs on it.

"Don't mind dad, h-he's fine." Ethan lies, knowing that his dad was not taking seeing you with another man well. He lived together with his dad for a long time now in order to understand how his dad thinks and functions.

Despite Ethan's words, you're no fool to how Mark feels. He looked sad, disappointed…and betrayed. "Are you sure?" you look at Ethan with concern and sadness.

Ethan nods slowly, and even if his eyes are not on you, you know he's lying when he opens up his mouth. "Yeah. He's fine."

"Well let's go celebrate," You try to brush the dismayed look of Mark from your head and focus on Ethan who looks more than happy to spend time with you. Seeing Ethan's delighted face, makes your heart feel at ease. You smile brightly at Ethan and grab his hand to lead him towards the food table. "We're gonna catch up on everything,"

5 years later...

16 year old Ethan is feeling mischievous when embarrassing his dad, Mark in front of his date. "You know he entered the bouncy castle on my tenth birthday just because he wanted to. Not because he was looking out for me. Like can you just imagine I'm jumping with my friends and then he comes in and starts jumping higher then us all. He's laughing and having a good time, and I was only 10 years old,"

"Oh my god," Mark palms his face softly hiding his embarrassment through a soft chuckle when his date, Yumi, laughs.

"You don't say," She looks to Ethan for more details. Ethan gives a dramatic look as if he's got more up his selves.

"Did I tell you about the day we went to the beach and he kept nagging and nagging and nagging at me put sunscreen, but then he forgot to put on himself?" Ethan breaks out into another laugh and beats his dad's back. "He looked like a walking crispy fry, and he was burning."

She can't suppress her laugh enough when Ethan jokes about how his dad gets red.

"Oh my god, you know what this guy likes doing?" Ethan enquires again, looking ready to spill the beans. "So most of the time, because he's a guy-"

"Ethan-" Mark speaks in a warning tone, but it's his smile that exposes him just as much as his red face.

"Okay, okay that would've ruined him. Let me think of something light," Ethan laughs before turning back to Yumi. "So I'm actually here as part of tax services and I can't run my mouth too much, otherwise he might take his cut of dad tax from my allowance."

"Ethan, you're quite the chatter box," Yumi laughs.

Ethan gleams brightly when looking at Yumi. "Well I have to be a chatter box, my dad has no game and so I have to advocate for him. He cant speak for himself he's tongue tied for a living-"

Mark gets Ethan in a headlock before shoving him forward. "That's enough of you,"

Ethan has an evil laugh when taking the lead navigating his way through the mall, leaving Yumi and Mark behind him. To Ethan's delight, he was invited to tag along as a 'third wheel' on his dad's dinner dat. When meeting the lady who has been making his dad smile like a little girl, Ethan felt almost responsible for his dad and wore his big boy pants. Although he was supposed to be a third wheel, he knew that his dad stood no chance when the first moment they picked Yumi up- he was a stuttering mess. That only made Ethan laugh and take the lead.

Even his dad's ideal choice of a dinner date was at some restaurant at a mall. Ethan wasn't complaining, but he felt bad for his dad and how he had no game. It's by chance he managed to get a lady like Yumi.

Dressed elegantly in a white mid thigh dress, while Mark wore his matching black jean jacket and black pants with a white shirt. At home, Ethan was the one who pulled his dad in making a bold statement by dressing up like an elite 'playboy'. Mark doesn't know why he went along with it, but as long as they both thought he looked good, then he looked good. But they pulled up to Yumi's house seeing her dress to elegant and modestly, they were both flattered.

Mark was more flattered as he was tongue tied. But already when Ethan saw Yumi, he knew that perhaps...his dad had game.

"Your son has a high amount of charm for his age," Yumi takes Ethan's spot next to Mark as she lightly pushes on his arm. "So you like bouncy castles,"

"I... It was bouncy okay, and he didn't wanna get off it. So, I had to do what I needed to do. Embarrass him enough to get off," Mark retorts with an embarrassed chuckle instead of defending himself.

Ethan turns his head back. "He jumped on that castle alone- can I emphasis on how we left him there in that jumping castle alone for 30 full minutes. You know who had to get him out? His mother. My grand mother had to come out and tell him to stop jumping and that he's a grown man. Some grown man that is,"

"Ethan," Mark gives his son a flustered shyly lit face. To think his own son turned his back on him. Yumi smiles and shakes her head.

"I can't judge you if it's true. Normally, it's the other way around, the father embarrasses the son," Yumi turns to Mark admiring his features.

"Well, he shouldn't be here because it's past his bed time. I'll cut it from his dad tax." Mark states, but licks his lips and shyly turns to her. "I was actually looking forward to this dinner and getting to know you better. I mean, I know we have our music sessions to get to know each other, but..." Mark gets tongue tied for a second before he shrugs his shoulders and shaking his head with a tender smile. "Once again, you look beautiful. You put in more effort then me. This should just show you how bad Ethan and I's fashion sense is. We could use a feminine touch," Mark jokes lightly.

Ethan turns his head back with a confused face. "Dad that was not..." He turns his head forward and continues walking.

This is only the seventh time they're meeting up, but she loves how caring he is towards his son and even her. "I like how you treat him like a friend, you're a good dad,"

Mark huffs out with a little smile. "It's tough being a good dad when he's so full of himself, truth be told he enjoys bullying me." Mark chuckles lightly when hearing Yumi chuckle. "I'm just happy that he's a good kid, he does as his told, he's responsible for his age, he listens even though he's a headache, he's intellectual but so sneaky, he means the world to me. So if I treat him like a friend it's 'cause I've only got him to look after."

"You've only got him, what about me?"

Mark's eyes widen before turning to Yumi. "And you of course, I mean, not in a creepy way, but I respect your presence here and I wouldn't- I mean, thank you for wanting to go out with me and Ethan again."

Yumi chuckles her eyes shining when looking at him. "I wanted to see him. I can't be going out with his dad if I don't meet him,"

"I wish you didn't ask me to bring him, he's out here spilling all my secrets it's hard to keep the perfect image in front of you now,"

Yumi's face feels like it might crack from all the smiling. "Being perfect means you're a robot. Your embarrassing side let's me know you're a perfectly imperfect human being, with whom I can possibly share my embarrassing stories with too one day in the future,"

That makes Mark smile genuine at her slight confirmation that she wants to possibly spend time with her in the future. Mark clears his throat to stop himself from staring at her face. "Uh, I was thinking we could do some night shopping before we go eat. Is that cool?"

"Yeah,"

"Can I... If you don't mind though, I mean, you can reject it if you want, but I thought since like we're on like our third date- I mean I don't know if you wanna call it-"

Ethan quietly walks back and joins his dad's nervous hand with Yumi. "I think that's what he was asking," Ethan in pure shock makes his way back to the front muttering how hopeless his dad is, while Yumi can't stop smiling at how cute Mark was. His hand holds tightly into hers and she likes the feeling of comfort from him.

For the hours that pass, Mark playfully jokes how much Yumi and Ethan are actually similar especially when it comes to shopping.

"It would be shopping if we actually bought anything," Yumi states with amusement when both her and Ethan enter into the next store.

"Well it's your fault you asked if we could night shop," Ethan smirks when responding to his dad. "It's my chance to actually get something. You know Madam Yumi, when I go shopping with dad he just picks the first set of clothes he sees and walks out. I never get a chance to- hey look at this. Madam Yumi, does this look cool?"

Yumi takes a look at the hoody that Ethan presents and tilts her head to the side when thinking. "I hate to say it Ethan, but your dad is right, you both need a feminine touch. You'll look like a robber with this on," She perks her head back seeing another bright hoodie. "I see you like your clothes being baggy and so on. This hoodie would look good on you, the color is perfect for you. Most people pair peach wrong, but it'll look good on you, you've got a brightly toned face so you need complementary colors to go along with it. And since you're still young, if you go with colors like these, it'll bring out your eyes more. They're big and bright and full of wonder. I know you wanna be rizz and all but wearing clothes that express your personality instead of leaving your mysterious will attract the right kind of people your way,"

Ethan's heart flatters when Yumi aligns the hoodie to his skin and makes him look into the mirror while she explains to him how color and how his style needs to match his personality. "Dad..." Ethan turns to his father and dramatically hugs him- it feels almost real since he's feeling tears on his eyes. "You did a good job," Ethan mutters and turns back to Yumi. "I love it, tell me more about colors and my personality,"

Mark shakes his head but still smiles when following along with the both of them. Yumi offers to buy the set of clothes she picked out for him, and for the first time Ethan looks flattered through Yumi's wide spread knowledge on color. She's got taste.

After one last shopping spree, Yumi excuses herself to the bathroom leaving Ethan to fangirl how great she is. "Dad. Dad, why didn't you tell me she was perfect? I like her so much. Wow, she's so cool and chilled and down to earth and relaxed, I mean she looks expensive but kind, but I do think she has a good heart. Like she not only looks good, she smells so good, she's intelligent and feminine, she reminds me of this...mum?"

Mark turns his head to Ethan who mentions 'mum'. It's been a while since either of them have spoken about you, so to hear it come out so randomly has Mark looking to his son. Only for him to notice his son's eyes widen and staring ahead.

Mark turns his head too, just in time to hear your fluttering laugh that bounces off his ears like a familiar kind of song. You're laughing as Jaemin back hugs you trying to plant a kiss on your cheek. Your face is radiantly bright as you turn to Jaemin and look at him with such love...that Mark has never seen you look at him with. He's tongue feels heavy, just your eyes meet his for a mere second.

You do a double take seeing Mark and Ethan frozen in shock while looking at you. Ethan's face lights up calmly at first, leaving Mark standing still in shock with a face so closed off from any emotions.

Jaemin takes note of your sudden change in demeanor and notes why you're walking towards the two male figures having a smile on your face. "Hey guys,"

Ethan is a bit taken aback when your arms reach out and open for him but he immediately responds in returning your hug. He feels awkward but he doubts you feel that way, because you try to be as welcoming as possible. After your graduation, it took two more visits before you stopped coming all together. He thought he'd be upset that you stopped coming, but he wasn't that affected especially since his dad, and his dad's parents filled the parental role very well.

You break from the hug and try to keep a smile on your face when looking at Mark. "Hey Mark," Your tone lowers a bit, and so does your smile. The last time you saw him, he barely looked at you. Wondering if he's still in the same stage of ignoring you, you're eyes widen when his lips form a decent smile. It doesn't reach his eyes, but for you...it's everything.

"Hi Y/n," He greets and then looks to Jaemin. "Hey,"

"H-hey," Jaemin greets- feeling the palpable tension forming around.

How could you go from such lovers to strangers who awkwardly say hi and hey as if they've never been together. Trying not to let the awkwardness consume you, you clear your throat. "Ethan you look so big now, wow." You pat his shoulder and look at his bag. "Were you guys shopping?"

"Yeah," Ethan gulps and nod his head, sensing his father caving in and not speaking. "Actually, I just tagged along." Ethan blurts out of nervousness.

"Tagged along to help your dad shop?" You smile. "You've become such a responsible young man."

"Well responsible as in being the man of the house," Ethan finds himself saying in a joking manner but stops when you don't get his humor. "Never mind, uh dad's got a date, so his date wanted to spoil me a bit. So yeah,

"Oh," Your ears perk and you turn to look at Mark excitedly. You're somehow excited to hear he's dating again, one of your other biggest fears was how much of his time you wasted...for 9 good years you guys were together... you feared that Mark wouldn't be able to want to date again...especially since he gave his whole heart to you...and you broke it. "Where's your date?"

"I guess it's time to step in," Mark's head turns to Yumi who makes her presence known and politely stands close to Mark and bows her head. "Hi I'm Yumi,"

She's got such a beautiful smile, and seeing how her presence has Mark breathing in and looking to her like he's revealed makes you...happy? You break out a smile and put your hand out. "I'm Y/n, this is uh, my boyfriend Jaemin."

Hearing your name as well as the name Jaemin, Yumi recalls how Mark once spoke to her about the mother of his son being intimate with someone who was his sister's fiancé. Yumi also recalls seeing the scandal online years ago. She tries not to show through the features how shocked she is, but instead she holds a smile. Turning to Mark, her eyes go to Ethan who looks to Mark and to you quick- looking desparate and she understands that Mark was still tongue tied. "Well it's a pleasure meeting you both,"

"Likewise," Your smile can't help but look at Mark who looks lost again in his own thoughts.

"Please do excuse us, we were supposed to have dinner but we got caught up in shopping for Ethan,"

"It's no problem," You look to Jaemin with a smile. "Coincidence, we actually wanted to get something to eat too,"

"Oh fascinating, well enjoy your meal,"

Yumi puts her arm through Mark, just as Ethan pats his dad's back and nudges his head forward. Mark feels embarrassed for himself and rattled that Yumi and Ethan had to be the bigger people while he quietened down and kept his head down. "Mark,"

It takes everything for Mark not to break down when hearing you call his name. Already holding in so much emotions after seeing you, he realizes how much he still held you in his heart and how it hurts seeing you with Jaemin.

"Hey Mark, man, look," Jaemin this time steps forward when Mark turns around. "I never got the chance to say- look man, I know shit between us got weird, but I miss our friendship. I'm sorry for what I did to your sister...and for-"

"It's all good man." Mark swallows the lump and nods his head trying to speed it up, but Jaemin continues talking.

"No it's not good." Jaemin sighs sadly. "You're a good person, and you've shown me nothing but kindness. I'm-"

"I promise it's all good." Mark says again, this time looking at Jaemin. If you chose Jaemin and him, it's for reasons you know. But for Mark, Jaemin was once his sisters soon to be husband, it was hard respecting a man who broke his sisters heart- however now that he has your heart and hasn't allowed it to fall and had made you smile brighter and look at him with such love, makes Mark simmer down. It's not like Jaemin is a douchebag. "You're a good guy too, and...you both look good together. Enjoy your dinner,"

"If you don't mind," Jaemin steps forward again. "Can we join you guys? Like a double date, just to...to reconcile, new beginnings?"

Mark has to close his eyes to force them not to twitch in annoyance. He looks to Ethan and then to Yumi, who stare at him too. "I don't think that's-"

"I'm just tired of seeing you and being awkward, it's not healthy if we keep pretending to know each other, dude she's the mother of your-"

"God, give me strength," Mark cuts Jaemin off with a little prayer in his head. He brushes his face with his hand and runs it over his head looking at Yumi who steps closer to him. "If you don't want to, then..."

"Mark," She softly speaks sensing how much tension there is. Getting her hand on his back she nods her head. "I'm okay with it,"

Sitting in the restaurant on the five seater table, everyone is dining and eating on their meal quietly while listening to the background. From time to time, Y/n makes conversation with Ethan, and Ethan makes commentary here and there, while Jaemin gets to know Ethan a little more. And Mark can only listen while whispering to Yumi from time to time asking if this was oaky.

He felt slightly guilty for accepting the invitation, but now that he was here he had no choice but to try and relax. "Is the food good? This is actually my favorite restaurant. The food isn't world class but it's good. Aside from my mum's cooking, I respect this place because they make good eggs,"

"Mark, why do you have an obsession with eggs?" Yumi covers her mouth to chortle.

"Dad can't make eggs to save his life," Ethan inputs. "It's why we live with grandma, 'cause we'd starve to death if dad was in charge,"

Mark groans holding his neck just as Yumi cackles. "I know how to cook, I'm still practicing,"

"Of course you are, good for you because I'm a good cook. I could give you a hand in learning," Yumi nods her head taking another bite of her steak. "I was kinda starving. I hadn't eaten anything since I left home. So the food was worth the wait,"

"What? You didn't eat?" Mark has his eyes in bafflement. "Then we should've eaten first before we shopped, that's on me then. I'm sorry-"

"No, no, it's not your fault," Yumi smiles and shakes her head. "I didn't mind going shopping first. In fact I prefer it that way, shopping first and then eating, it'll give us time to rest later,"

"I actually had the same problem with Y/n, she wanted to walk around first before we ate," Jaemin friendly butts in. While Mark tried not rolling his eyes, he paid attention to how Yumi briefly converesed with him.

"Yeah, because I wanna go home afterwards. Imagine after eating then you go around shopping, no way I'll be too stuffed," Y/n joins in with a light tone.

"Exactly," Yumi nods her head agreeing.

"I was hoping we could go to the movies after this, dad?"

"You're a third wheel here, don't forget it," Mark doesn't even think twice when disregarding Ethan's request. This makes Ethan playfully pout as his eyes go to Yumi.

"Madam Yumi don't you wanna watch a movie with me?"

"Can we rain check on that? Perhaps the next time we meet again?"

Ethan nods his head. "We should make it a movie night,"

"Don't give in to him," Mark shakes his head. "This is how he always gets his way."

"Well Mark, I did say I wanted to see him and spend some time with him too," Yumi looks back to Ethan when Mark shakes his head silently chuckling.

"Ethan is a night owl. But you know what, you picked your poison, I guess I can't stop you,"

"Ethan, you're still a night owl?" Y/n gets in the conversation. But much to her disappointment Mark doesn't even pay attention as he turns to Yumi.

Whispering to Yumi, Mark leans in close to brush his lip against her ear to make sure she can hear. "You good?"

Feeling tingles down her spine she smiles and leans in to his ear too. "What about you?"

"I'm good,"

Whispering in his ear, she voices out her words. "Sorry for agreeing to the dinner. I just saw how broken you looked and wanted you to have some closure. It can help you move on."

Mark looks to her in appreciation. From the first day when he opened up to her that he never thought he could love again after what you did to him, he told her that he didn't want to lead her on. That he was open to dating, but he didn't want to waste her time. As time went by, he found himself looking forward to spending time with her, because it always felt therapeutic being with her. And even though he's sitting opposite from you, paying attention to Yumi made him feel much more better.

"I also have a confession," Yumi smiles lightly. "I feel it'd be fair if they pay for the bill since they wanted to join us,"

Seeing Mark laugh lowly and whispering to Yumi, you get vocal in finally directing your attention to him. "So Mark, and Yumi."

Hearing her name, Yumi turns to you while Mark clears his throat trying to hide his laugh. Yumi doesn't hide her smile though. Being with Mark made her happy. In curiosity she wonders how you feel seeing him again after some time. You looked happy with Jaemin, and it's kind of painful to her that you left Mark alone with a broken heart. "Yes," She answers.

"You guys seem quite close, whispering in each other's ears and all that," Y/n speaks with a little smile. "How did you guys meet if you don't mind me asking,"

After a brief pause in silence, Yumi turns to Mark seeing his eyes on her. It seems like he doesn't feel comfortable talking to her just yet. "It's actually an odd story,"

Y/n is disheartened also noting how Mark doesn't want to acknowledge her. "How odd,"

"I bet it involves Dad's guitar," Ethan speaks up. He was also curious how his dad bagged such a beautiful lady.

"Guitar?" Y/n marvels at that and looks to Mark who's paying attention to Yumi. "You play the guitar?"

"He plays guitar very well," Yumi answers on Mark's behalf. "He's a musician,"

"Yeah, dad plays guitar," Ethan sparks up. "He writes too, I never knew dad could sing,"

"That's cool," Jaemin notes. "I know a guy who owns a studio, makes records and stuff. I can hook you up with him if you want,"

Mark takes breathes in and looks to Jaemin. "Nah it's alright. I just picked up on it recently, I mean I never played because I had no reason to, but Yumi sings too, so I wanted to play for her while she sang,"

"I'd like to hear you guys sing together," Ethan cheers on.

"So you guys didn't answer the question," Y/n speaks in. "How'd you guys meet?"

"Well, I gave up on love a long time ago, because my boyfriend had actually passed away. So, I had no desire at all to get back in the dating scene, because it was just too painful. I never thought I'd be going out again." Yumi smiles at Mark. "Mark and I met through our dads, it was a wedding reception. My dad described me as a lost cause and Mark's dad described him as a hopeless case, so they introduced us and I can say our interaction was off the bat. I sang at the wedding, it was supposed to be a solo acoustic with just my voice, but then..." Yumi smiles when remembering Mark picking up the guitar and playing alongside her. It was beautiful. "It became a duet acoustic performance, because he played the guitar, it wasn't even planned and we hadn't rehearsed but yet we were singing and playing together as if we'd always been together for a long time. That left a wonderful impression on me and I'm happy that he felt the same way, because we exchanged numbers and after that he'd call me from time to time."

"She bought me a guitar," Mark speaks up lightly. "It felt therapeutic. Writing and singing and... just letting go. It's like we were healing together,"

"The power of music," Yumi says looking at Mark with hopeful eyes, just as he nods his head gazing into her eyes. "Music can heal any broken heart, so yeah." Yumi looks back to Y/n. "We'd meet up occasionally as friends, before we decided dating wouldn't be so bad. I enjoy spending time with him, and yeah. This is my first time meeting Ethan too so, I'm glad that we've made it this far,"

You don't feel jealous when seeing Yumi and Mark together. You feel hurt that Mark doesn't want to acknowledge you. And even though Jaemin holds onto your thigh to sooth you, seeing Mark and Yumi look so pure makes your heart break.

Mark deserved better then you, and he got a better woman in Yumi. But you're fine with that. He deserves her anyway, she's perfect for him. She is the kind of person who will always be by his side. If she can make the best come out of him such as making him play an instrument to let loose, then she can possibly be the one for him. Just the way he's looking at her, and the way he talks only when she talks makes you miss him.

You miss how his eyes would light up when talking to you, you missed how he would pay attention to you and only you when you spoke. You missed him and it's hard to believe that after years he's moving on. You wanted him to move on, but seeing him actually move on did something to you.

Especially when he didn't even regard you. He looked at her with hope and with a piece of his heart that once belonged to you, yet now there was a new love in his life. A new woman. It hurt more than anything, it felt like you were losing him again… But at the same time, you felt that this was the closure you needed. Seeing him…happy with Yumi and Ethan made a part of you feel relieved...sad, but happy. That was once you. You and your family. You with Mark and Ethan.

"That went well," Jaemin wraps his arms around you, holding you close against him as you bury your face into his chest.

"It did," You say and close your eyes.

Jaemin hums before letting out a small chuckle. "It felt more like we were third and fourth wheels listening to them bonding,"

"I'm happy that he's with someone who can make him smile." You say after some time when you and Jaemin begin walking. "It used to eat me up thinking that after me he'd never find love again. But he looked so happy tonight,"

"I apologize on his behalf for ignoring you,"

You smile tenderly. "It hurt at first, but hearing him talk with Yumi and Ethan and even you, gave me a peace of mind that he's slowly moving on," Your first love, was finally moving on and it was a bitter sweet feeling. "I'm kinda conflicted, but it's for the best. And now I have a peace of mind when raising our child," You place your hand on your belly just as Jaemin kisses your forehead and engulfs you in another hug.

"Let's stay for a bit, I don't feel like going home,"

Standing outside of Yumi's door with a sleeping Ethan in the car, Mark and Yumi decide to take a seat on one of the steps as they still had so much to say. Chatting never ran dry with them, and that's one of the things Mark liked about Yumi. Yumi sighs and looks to him with a clear smile. "Thanks for tonight, I strangely had fun. Meeting Y/n was unexpected, how did it make you feel?"

Mark hums and looks up to the stars. "At first it felt sickening, because it's like I realized that… I still loved her. And I hated myself for that. I really...hate that I love her. For loving her when she looked so happy with Jaemin. But during the dinner, while you were talking and laughing and bonding with Ethan… It brought a sense of closure knowing that she's moved on from me. And while you were talking, while you were talking about how we met, I thought to myself that, you actually brought me out of the dark tunnel I was in. I was a hopeless case like my dad said, but singing with you gave me…"

He clears his throat and takes a breath before speaking again.

"It gave me hope. I know, I sound stupid."

"No, you're not stupid to feel that way," Yumi expresses when she hears him down himself.

"Thanks," He says softly, looking back at Yumi's soft expression. "Maybe I'm not a hopeless case and you're not hopelessly lost. I know I can never take Jaehyun's place in your heart, but tonight made me realize how much we've both taken the risk to be together. Not only do we add value to each other, but we're both taking a chance again after our past relationships. And maybe I'm reaching far because it's only our seventh date but I enjoy spending time with you and tonight my heart just- I don't want to start something that'll end and-"

She places her hand over his jaw, effectively cutting him off with a small laugh and a gentle smile. She leans forward looking into his eyes asking for permission and Mark doesn't hesitate in pressing his lips against hers. She returns a soft kiss against his lips, a soft touch that leaves butterflies in his stomach and makes him dizzy all over again, but a good kind of dizziness this time. Mark's hand goes up her neck as he helps to tilt her head to deepen the kiss, and it feels right. His heart is full and he wants nothing more than to stay here until morning just kissing her.

Yumi pulls away before anything too crazy happens. "You're adorable when you're embarrassed." She teases gently, but a smile lingers on her lips. "And I'm sure Jaehyun would agree. Sitting across from them, with you by my side gave me this feeling, this peace, I hadn't felt since I met him." Her words trail off as she stares at his lips. "I wanna love again, Mark. I wanna love so badly, and I… I wanna give you my heart. I-"

This time Mark softly leans in and kisses her again, and he thinks he sees a tear fall down Yumi's cheek. Maybe he's imagining it though. They pull apart slowly, their foreheads pressed together and smiles adorably plastered on both of their faces, and he doesn't think it's possible to fall even more in love with Yumi.

Ethan in the car has a pleased smile on his face. Seeing his dad genuinely look happy with another person who isn't mum, makes him truly joyful for his dad.

Even though it was a bittersweet feeling, loving for the second time around...doesn't burn as much as he thought.

Taglist:

@entertainmentnabi @maleegayuh @moniescove @celestialjakesim @eternalwithluv @markleelately @iampunkrock08 @nctstoriestoread @nostalgichoee

[technologyculturedneo]

fgfhgsfa i was too busy crying to worry about the mistakes- but honestly u did well on that fic<33 tysm for agreed on doing a pt2, i'll be here and looking forward to it 🥺🫶 🫶