11 - Between the lines

Finally, it's Saturday. I love the kids at the kindergarten, but it feels good to have some time for myself. The weather is a bit chilly today, so I decided to spend the afternoon at the mall.

I've already been to a few stores, and now I'm walking toward my favorite café with a shopping bag full of new clothes. As I stroll through the mall, I keep thinking about that lace lingerie set I saw earlier. Should I have bought it? Maybe next time.

Just as I reach the café entrance, familiar voices catch my attention. I turn my head slightly and immediately recognize them—Jungkook and Soyoon. But they're not just talking; their conversation seems... heated.

Curiosity gets the best of me. I slowly step closer, making sure to stay hidden behind a large advertisement board. From here, I can hear them clearly.

Soyoon: "So, you're spending the evening with the boys again? Why is it that you always have time for them, but when it comes to me, you're suddenly too busy?"

Jungkook: Sighs "Are we seriously having this conversation again? I tell you every month, and I'll say it again—I meet my friends once every four weeks. It's not like I'm out every night. And honestly, does it even matter if I'm home or not? You're always reading those fanfictions anyway, even when I talk to you."

Soyoon: "Well, maybe I wouldn't be reading if you didn't always talk about work! I already deal with business all day—I don't want to hear about corporate meetings at night too. Ugh, I can't believe we're arguing about this here."

Jungkook: "It doesn't matter where we talk, Soyoon. The ending is always the same. I'm the bad guy—again. I know the script by now."

Soyoon: "You know what? I've been thinking, and I finally know what we need to do to fix our marriage."

Jungkook: "Oh, really? Can't wait to hear this."

Soyoon: Takes a deep breath "I want to have a child with you."

My breath catches in my throat.

Jungkook: Laughs dryly "What? This must be a joke. Is this your way of tying me down?"

Soyoon: Frustrated "Think about it, Kookie. Maybe this is why we're both so tense. You're 27, and I'm 26. It's natural—our bodies are telling us it's time. Having a baby could bring us closer."

Jungkook: "No. It's not time." His voice is firm. "Soyoon, a baby in our marriage would be like dropping a bomb. We'd be unhappy, and so would the child. If we were happy together, I wouldn't even hesitate. But like this? No. I bet your friends put this idea in your head. No matter what I say, you'll just ignore me anyway."

He checks his watch and exhales sharply.

Jungkook: "I have to go. My friends are waiting."

Then, to my surprise, he gently pats her head before turning away and walking off in the opposite direction.

I stand frozen behind the board, my heart pounding. The conversation replays in my head. A baby? Is their marriage really that bad? And why does it bother me this much?