The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the familiar corridor that led to Joon-ho’s apartment. The building was one of Seoul’s most exclusive addresses, a residential tower that housed the city’s elite in luxurious comfort, but for Joon-ho, it was simply home—the place where the people who mattered most to him waited.

He walked down the hallway, his footsteps silent on the plush carpeting, and entered his apartment. The space was immediately welcoming—warm lighting, comfortable furnishings, the subtle scent of something delicious cooking in the kitchen. But more than that, it was filled with the sounds of life.

Yura was seated on the sofa, her laptop open before her, a phone pressed to her ear. She was dressed in one of her signature elegant outfits—a silk blouse in soft lavender, paired with tailored pants that accentuated her long legs. Her attention was completely focused on the conversation, her expression serious but composed as she discussed something that clearly required her full attention.

Across the room, Saena sat in one of the armchairs, cradling baby Nari in her arms. The infant was awake, her dark eyes wide with curiosity, her small hands grasping at the air. Saena was cooing softly to her, her face filled with maternal affection as she gently rocked the baby.

Joon-ho paused in the entryway, taking a moment to observe the scene before making his presence known. There was something deeply satisfying about coming home to this—about knowing that the people he cared about were here, safe and comfortable, going about their evening routines. It was a kind of domestic peace he had never experienced before Yura and Nari had come into his life.

As if sensing his presence, Nari’s eyes shifted toward him, and her face lit up with a gummy smile. She let out a happy squeal, her small arms reaching out in his direction.

"I think someone’s happy to see you." Saena observed with a warm smile, shifting the baby slightly. "She’s been waiting for her daddy."

Joon-ho crossed the room, his steps quickening as he approached them. "Has she now? And how has my little girl been today?"

"Perfect as always." Saena transferred Nari into his arms, the baby settling comfortably against his chest as if she belonged there. "She ate well, had a good nap, and has been practicing her new skills. I think she’s getting stronger every day."

Joon-ho looked down at his daughter, taking in the features that were becoming more familiar each day. She had Yura’s eyes—dark and expressive—and something of his own jawline, though it was still too early to tell who she would resemble more as she grew. Her skin was soft and warm against his, her baby scent comforting and familiar.

"Hello, Nari." He murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Did you miss me while I was gone?"

Nari responded with another happy sound, her small hand grasping at his shirt, her eyes fixed on his face with the kind of unconditional adoration that only an infant could provide. Joon-ho felt that familiar warmth in his chest—the protective instinct that had surprised him with its intensity, the recognition that this tiny person was his responsibility, his joy, his daughter.

"I’ll go check on dinner." Saena rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt. "Yura should be finishing her call soon, and then we can all eat together."

"Thank you, Saena." Joon-ho nodded his appreciation. "You’ve been wonderful with Nari today, as always."

"It’s my pleasure." Saena smiled warmly before disappearing into the kitchen.

Joon-ho settled onto the sofa with Nari in his arms, bouncing her gently on his knee. She cooed and laughed, enjoying the motion, her small body wiggling with excitement. This was their routine now—his return home, the immediate transition to father mode, the simple joy of playing with his daughter and watching her discover the world.

Across the room, Yura’s conversation was winding down. She spoke a few more words into the phone, her voice calm but authoritative, then ended the call with a polite farewell. Closing her laptop, she set it aside and stretched, her body relaxing as she shifted from business mode to personal.

She turned toward Joon-ho, her face softening as she took in the sight of him with Nari. This was one of her favorite views—Joon-ho as a father, his expression tender and affectionate, his large hands handling their daughter with gentle care. It was a side of him that few people ever saw, and she felt privileged to witness it daily.

"You’re back." Yura crossed the room to join them, settling onto the sofa beside him. "How was your meeting?"

"Productive." Joon-ho replied, his attention still focused on Nari. "Dong had some interesting updates, and we made some decisions that should benefit both of us. I’ll tell you more about it later."

Yura nodded, accepting this without pressing for details. She knew that Joon-ho would share what was relevant when the time was right, and she respected his discretion. Instead, she focused on what was right in front of them—their daughter, the warmth of their family moment, the simple pleasure of being together.

"Let me see my little girl." Yura reached out, and Joon-ho transferred Nari into her arms without hesitation. The baby immediately snuggled against her mother’s chest, her small hand grasping at Yura’s blouse.

"She’s been happy and active today." Joon-ho observed, watching them together. "Saena says she’s getting stronger."

"She is." Yura pressed kisses to Nari’s cheeks, making the baby laugh. "And she’s more alert every day. I swear she recognizes us now—knows the difference between mommy and daddy, between Saena and strangers."

"She definitely knows her daddy." Joon-ho smiled, reaching out to tickle Nari’s chin. The baby responded with another delighted squeal, her small legs kicking with excitement.

They spent the next several minutes playing with Nari—making faces, singing silly songs, watching her reactions to new sounds and movements. It was simple, mindless entertainment, but it was also deeply satisfying. These were the moments that made the long hours and complex business dealings worthwhile—the quiet domestic interludes where nothing mattered more than making a baby laugh.

But even the happiest moments with an infant had their limits, and Nari was no exception. Her initial excitement began to fade, replaced by the telltale signs of fussiness. Her brow furrowed, her movements became jerky rather than enthusiastic, and small whimpers began to escape her throat.

"I think someone’s getting hungry." Yura observed, shifting Nari in her arms. "It’s been a few hours since her last feeding."

"Time for dinner, then." Joon-ho reached for a nearby burp cloth, handing it to Yura. "Do you need anything?"

"Just a moment to get comfortable." Yura adjusted her position on the sofa, shifting Nari to the optimal angle for nursing.

Her outfit was designed with this exact purpose in mind—a nursing dress that combined elegance with practicality. The soft lavender fabric draped beautifully over her figure, but hidden zippers and strategic openings made breastfeeding effortless. With practiced ease, Yura reached for the zipper at her bodice, lowering it to reveal the nursing bra beneath.

The bra was equally functional—comfortable, supportive, with cups that could be unclipped one at a time for easy access. Yura unhooked the flap on her left side, exposing her breast, and guided Nari to latch on. The baby needed no encouragement; she rooted instinctively, her small mouth finding the nipple and beginning to feed with enthusiastic efficiency.

The room quieted as Nari settled into her feeding rhythm, the only sounds her soft sucking noises and the occasional contented sigh. Yura leaned back against the sofa cushions, her expression relaxing as her body responded to the familiar sensation of nursing. This was another aspect of motherhood she had grown to cherish—the physical connection with her daughter, the knowledge that her body was providing everything Nari needed to grow and thrive.

Joon-ho watched them with quiet appreciation. He had seen Yura nurse countless times now, but the sight never failed to move him. There was something undeniably beautiful about the scene—Yura’s maternal grace, Nari’s complete trust, the natural intimacy of the moment. It was a reminder of how far they had come together, from the complicated beginnings of their relationship to this peaceful family life they were building.

"So." Yura began, her voice soft so as not to disturb Nari. "You mentioned that your meeting with Brother Dong was productive. Did everything go as planned?"

"Better than planned, actually." Joon-ho kept his voice equally low. "Kang-hoon joined us for dinner, which gave us a chance to discuss the situation more openly. He’s processing the information about his wife, but he’s handling it better than I expected."

"That’s good to hear." Yura stroked Nari’s cheek as the baby continued to feed. "Divorce is never easy, but at least he’s not in denial anymore. And having Dong’s support will make a significant difference."