"Good, congratulations!" the doctor said with a smile. Hauen and Suho smiled back.
"Everything looks perfect and healthy so far. Keep following the same diet," the doctor continued. "You might experience some symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, or allergies to certain foods like kimchi. You may also crave some unusual foods, which is completely normal for a few weeks."
She then looked at Suho. "Mr. Kim, make sure you take good care of your wife during this early stage. Morning sickness happens because of hormonal changes, so don't get upset if she acts a little strange or has mood swings," the doctor said kindly.
Suho smiled. "Don't worry, doctor. I'll take care of her."
Hauen's heart raced, and she looked down shyly.
The doctor turned to her again. "And be careful with your strange cravings, Mrs. Kim. Sometimes they can cause trouble."
Hauen nodded.
"Okay," the doctor said warmly, "take your medicines on time, eat properly, get enough sleep, and avoid stress."
Hauen bit her lip and smiled softly. "Okay, doctor."
The doctor smiled back. "All the best. This is going to be a beautiful journey for both of you, a new chapter in life filled with happiness."
Suho smiled and looked down, his mind wandering to thoughts of starting that "new chapter" with Yerin. Meanwhile, Hauen looked at him, lost in her own little dream world, imagining a life that could never truly be hers.
The doctor glanced at them and smiled again. They looked like a young couple excited about becoming parents, unaware of the complicated truth behind their relationship.
As the appointment came to an end, Suho cleared his throat and said, "Umm… doctor, actually, I wanted to say something."
The doctor nodded. "Yes, please go ahead."
Suho looked at Hauen for a second, then cleared his throat and said, "Actually, I wanted to keep this good news confidential, just for safety reasons. I don't want it to get out yet."
The doctor nodded. "Of course, I won't tell anyone. If needed, I can even sign an NDA."
Suho gave a small smile. "I appreciate that, doctor, but what I mean is… I don't want anyone to know. Not even my family members. Just you, me, and my wife, that's it."
The doctor hesitated, giving him an awkward, slightly guilty smile. "I understand, Mr. Kim. But I can't completely promise not to inform your family. You know how things work; we're under the Kim's medical network, and I really can't risk any professional escalation. I hope you understand my position."
Suho sighed deeply and rubbed the back of his neck. "I understand, doctor. It's just… There are some things going on right now that could hurt my wife and our baby. So, I'd appreciate your discretion as much as possible."
The doctor thought for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. "Alright… but if your grandfather happens to ask about it, I'll have to tell him the truth."
Suho looked down and nodded. "Okay… if it's only haraboji, then you can disclose it. But if anyone else from my family tries to find out, please let me know first before saying anything."
The doctor nodded. "Sure, Mr. Kim. I understand."
Suho smiled softly. "Thank you, doctor."
They shook hands politely, and then Suho and Hauen left the hospital together, walking side by side in silence, both lost in very different thoughts.
Suho was driving when Hauen looked at him and asked, "Why did you tell the doctor to keep the news a secret?"
Suho glanced at her. "Didn't you see how Bora was threatened not to let you get pregnant?"
Hauen frowned. "So?"
Suho sighed. "I still suspect someone in my family. I don't want to take any risk with you or the baby. We've come too far to lose everything now."
Hauen thought for a moment, then said, "Hmm… you're right. but why did the doctor say she couldn't keep it confidential with your family? Why can't privacy be respected?"
Suho sighed. "That's how my family is. They're strange; they don't understand privacy or personal space. Everyone wants to know everything about everyone else. That's actually why I didn't go for the IVF option. If I had, it would've been impossible to keep it secret, and that news would've caused another round of drama."
Hauen listened quietly and then said, "Hmm… weird family."
He smiled and then glanced at her stomach, noticing how her hand rested there gently, as if she could already feel the baby. "How are you feeling now?" he asked softly.
She looked at him and smiled. "So far, good. But I'm not sure how it'll go once we get home, especially if I go near kimchi."
He chuckled. "You used to love kimchi, and now it's turned into your enemy."
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, funny how things change."
Then she rubbed her stomach and said softly, "I don't know why, but I'm nervous and excited at the same time about this journey. These nine months are going to be life-changing… damn, it still feels like I'm dreaming."
Suho smiled, eyes fixed on the road. "Don't worry," he said gently. "I'll be there with you every step of the way. We'll welcome the baby together, with all the love we have."
Her heart raced. Each word from him felt so comforting, so genuine… like they were already a husband and wife sharing a quiet, domestic life together. Her eyes stung, but she blinked quickly and turned to the window, watching the world blur past, hiding the warmth and ache that stirred inside her chest.
It had been more than a month since the good news. She is almost 7 weeks pregnant now. The first few weeks were the hardest for Hauen. Morning sickness, nausea, strange food allergies, and even weirder cravings had turned her days upside down. One moment, she would eat ice cream with fish, and the next, she'd be rushing to the washroom to throw up.
Most of the time, she looked tired, drained, and worn out. But Suho was there for her. He'd leave for the office late and come back early whenever he could. In between meetings, he'd call her or Bora just to check if she was doing okay. Sometimes, at Suho's request, Yerin would drop by the penthouse to keep her company.
Still, no matter how much care surrounded her, those first few weeks tested her strength and reminded her how fragile yet miraculous this new phase truly was.
That morning, Hauen woke up suddenly, her stomach twisting. The smell of sizzling pork belly hit her nose, and within seconds, she rushed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, she came out completely drained. Her hair was a mess, her eyes half-closed, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.
At the dining table, Suho and Yerin were halfway through breakfast. Suho looked up, instantly concerned. "You okay, Hauen?"
She gave a small nod, her expression blank, and sank into the chair across from them. Yerin froze mid-bite, eyes wide. "Oh my god… this is scary. I feel so bad for her," she whispered, looking at Hauen with genuine pity.
Suho reached over and patted Yerin's back softly, trying to comfort both of them at once. Then he turned to Hauen. "Do you need something?" he asked gently.
Hauen groaned. "Just… throw that pork belly away. It's killing me. I think your child hates pork," she said in a half-dead, frustrated voice.
Suho froze mid-bite at her sarcastic comment. "Your child?" he repeated, mock outrage on his face.
Yerin burst out laughing.
"Yaa… Hauenaa… how can you say that?" Suho whined, hands in the air. "Remember, it's not just mine, it's yours too!"
Hauen shot him a sharp glare, but Yerin laughed even harder.
Suho frowned at Yerin. "Why are you laughing? She's accusing your man!"
Yerin shook her head, giggling. "She's probably right… Poor thing, going through all this."
Just then, Bora brought over another plate of sizzling pork belly. The moment Hauen saw it, her face went pale, her stomach twisting violently. She bolted from the table, holding her stomach, and ran to the kitchen sink, throwing up again.
Suho and Yerin both looked on in shock.
Bora immediately rushed after Hauen to comfort her, and Suho abandoned his breakfast as well, following her quickly.
After another round of throwing up, Hauen collapsed onto the floor, whining dramatically. "Oh God… why do women have to go through this? Why not men?"
Yerin tried to hold back her laughter.
Suho knelt in front of her, gently reaching to stroke her hair. "You okay?"
Hauen shot him a look. "Don't touch me…"
Suho froze. Yerin bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
Then suddenly, Hauen started crying.
Everyone in the room froze, shocked at her sudden mood swing.
"What happened, Hauen?" Suho asked, worried.
She sniffled. "You guys are enjoying the pork belly… and here I can't even smell it because your child doesn't like it!"
Yerin lost it and burst into laughter.
Suho looked scandalized, not knowing what to say. He exchanged a helpless look with Bora, because the other two are not helping him, one person laughing, one crying. Bora just shrugged, equally clueless.
Suho held up his hands. "Okay… okay… don't cry. I'm sorry… I'm sorry on behalf of our little one. From now on, we won't eat pork belly either. Is that okay?"
Haeun looked at him, teary-eyed. "Tell this to your child," she said.
Suho bent down and placed a hand on her stomach. "Okay… listen, little one. You there? Can you hear me? See, baby… if you don't like pork belly, Appa won't eat it either, okay? I promise I won't touch it until you tell me. Is it fine? But please, don't trouble Omma, alright, my love?"
Meanwhile, Yerin quietly recorded the whole drama on her phone, planning to tease him later.
Suho looked up at Haeun. "There… I spoke to our little one. No more trouble for you, okay?"
Hauen nodded, wiping her tears.
Yerin was still trying not to laugh at the scene, seeing Suho sweetly getting tortured by Hauen's morning sickness was priceless.