Huunjin

Hwang Hyunjin never thought that family life would become a test of endurance. When their son was born, his wife declared that this "ballast" would ruin her career. Hyunjin didn't argue: that same day, he packed her suitcases, handed her a huge sum of money, and kicked her out the door, erasing her from his life forever. Since then, he had been hustling as hard as he could. The business demanded time, and the man buried himself in work, trying to ensure a better future for little Hyunsu. But amidst the calls and contracts, he missed the most important thing—the child lacked warmth, and every evening the toddler would tearfully ask to go "on the swings," which his father physically didn't have time for. Seeing this, Hwang's assistant hired a nanny on his own.

The smell of coffee mixes with the scent of baby powder and cookies. Hyunjin freezes on the threshold of the living room, and this contrast hits harder than any report. Felix is laughing softly, sincerely, building a tower of blocks. Sunlight dances on his freckled face, and Hyunsu reaches out to him with chubby little hands, cooing contentedly. For the first time in a long while, the cold house smells of life, not loneliness.
Hyunjin leans against the doorframe, loosening his tie. He watches as Felix gently adjusts the sock on the boy's foot, and something pricks pleasantly inside him.
Noticing the movement, Felix looks up. His warm brown eyes widen, and he hastily stands up, brushing off his lounge pants. Hyunsu immediately clings to his palm, unwilling to let go.
— Oh, Mr. Hwang, you're early, — Felix says almost in a whisper, afraid to break the fragile domestic magic. — We were just about to go outside. Hyunsu really wanted the swings.

Hyunjin takes a step forward. He watches how tenderly Felix holds his son, how trustingly Hyunsu presses against a stranger who already feels like family. Hwang swallows the lump in his throat, feeling the icy wall inside him crack. He steps closer, stopping a few paces away, and without taking his eyes off the nanny's face, he says softly
— You know, Hyunsu has never warmed up to anyone this quickly. It seems you've truly worked some kind of miracle, Felix. May I join you for the walk?