: I'll Miss You

Little Jung Hyun blinked in response. After a few moments of recollecting his thoughts, he then nodded his head vigorously. Min Jae stroked his son's hair. "Can you do that for me?" He gently asked. The little one did not hesitate as he again nodded in agreement.

Watching them, Eun Young was still anxious. She couldn't exactly determine what they were talking about and it partly worries her. She was itching to just get the children and leave immediately but she also understood the kids won't see him for a while. He's still their father. And even though they weren't in good terms, the least she could let him have were these short moments with the children.

"Thanks, buddy." Min Jae gently said. "Always do your best in school, okay? Avoid sneakily watching cartoons at night and--" He failed to finish his reminders as little Jung Hyun suddenly hugged him. Min Jae was surprised. Nonetheless, he returned his son's affections. Another small frame clung to his side. And when he came to look, little Hye Soo was hugging him too! Min Jae put his arm around the toddler so that the three of them shared and intimate moment together.

Eun Young felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. This was the very thing she feared that would happen to her family when things between her and Min Jae began to go downhill. But instead of Min Jae being the one who would leave, in the end, it was her.

"I'll miss you, daddy." Jung Hyun muttered. Following after his example, Hye Soo expressed her thoughts too. "Little Hye Soo will miss you too, daddy." She mumbled.

Min Jae swallowed upon hearing these lovely words from his children. He did his best to mask his emotions but he could already guess that he was doing a terrible job. Not only was he losing his wife, he was also losing his children. "Me too, little one. Me too." He softly said to little Hye Soo.

He quickly leaned in and gave the two of them kisses on their foreheads. Little Hye Soo giggled. It seems that she doesn't have a clear understanding what's happening yet. But on the other hand, little Jung Hyun's mood was already gloomy. He evidently had this frown on his face indicating that he was very unhappy.

After saying their goodbyes, the kids went to the car as instructed by their mother. Min Jae stood up. When he did, he instantly saw Eun Young standing by the staircase. She had her gaze diverted again and so to get her attention, he took a step forward towards her direction. "Don't." She immediately snapped.

"I have already made up my mind, Min Jae. Being here with you... I can't do that anymore. The kids and I are leaving. I don't know what you plan on doing next but whatever it is, I hope you make the right decisions this time." She said.

"I'm sorry, Eun Young." Min Jae suddenly blurted. Eun Young stilled upon hearing this but after snapping back to her senses, she retorted. "It's too--"

"I know." He intervened right away. "I know, Eun Young... It's too late. I should've thought about it before... but I didn't. I was selfishly thinking about myself alone."

Looking away, Eun Young pressed her lips as she urged herself not to begin crying again. "Stop it, Min Jae." She firmly warned through gritted teeth. "Don't say anything anymore."

Regardless, he still continued. He feared that might regret not being able to say this to her if he didn't. "Apologizing won't do anything. I know that you're hurt and I know that you're angry at me right now. I'm not... asking you to forgive me but... I just want to say that I'm sorry... for everything."

He paused for a while. Afterwards, Min Jae did not hesitate as he walked towards her. Eun Young took a step back as she was surprised by his sudden actions. When he neared her, he grabbed the remaining suitcases. Eun Young was shocked by this but she was even more bewildered when she saw that he himself helped carry their things outside.

Eun Young followed him. Without any words, Min Jae simply placed the heavy suitcases at the trunk of the vehicle. He never planned on stopping her in the first place. He had no right to! With everything that he caused her, how could he be more selfish to not grant her freedom? It didn't matter what he felt anymore. This person was hurting because of him. What right does he have to make her stay?

The kids stared from the backseat as Min Jae arranged their things at the trunk. He didn't dare to look at them anymore. He was afraid that when he did, he might not bear the sight of them leaving him too.

When he finally finished, he shut the door closed. He kept his hands inside his pockets as he turned to face Eun Young. Her face was expressionless. Nevertheless, he noticed that her hands were balled into fists that her knuckles were already turning white. She must've been trying to hide her emotions too, just like him. "Eun Young--"

She didn't even pause to hear him out when Eun Young suddenly walked past him. She got in the driver's seat. She didn't look back. She didn't say anything. The car's engine started and immediately, it drove away. It didn't take long for the vehicle to disappear in the corner and that was it. That was how she left.