RED STRING || 1

✔️ Chapter sixteen.

It had been a week since the truth was revealed. The weight of it had settled into the air, thick and heavy like fog. Everyone was being especially cautious around Seulgi, watching her every move, almost as if they feared she might break under the strain of what had happened. Her parents, Irene, and the staff all took extra care to ensure Seulgi was well taken care of. But, despite their efforts to shield her from the world, the reality of what Seulgi had endured was something that could never fully be erased.

Her meals were carefully curated—baskets of fresh, vibrant fruits and vegetables, accompanied by small portions of lean meats and crustaceans, rich with nutrients to support the baby growing inside her. Dairy was added generously, providing her body with calcium to strengthen bones, while fat and oily foods were kept to a minimum. Despite all this, Seulgi's cravings for ice cream never seemed to subside, and initially, they tried to limit it. But as the days passed, Seulgi grew weaker, more withdrawn, and the only thing that seemed to give her any comfort was the sweet, cool treat. Eventually, they gave in, and ice cream became a constant presence in their home.

The house had quieted in a way that was almost surreal. Gone were the loud arguments, the tension-filled moments, replaced with a peaceful calm. Irene, always so gentle with Seulgi, had become her protector, making sure that nothing would cause her stress, knowing that the risk of miscarriage was still a very real threat. Though the pregnancy had been unplanned and unwanted, Irene could never bring herself to even think about the possibility of ending it. No matter how hard the situation became, Irene refused to entertain the thought of losing the little life growing inside Seulgi. She wouldn’t let it happen, no matter what.

As the days passed, Seulgi entered her second trimester. The first signs of pregnancy were beginning to show, and a small bump had appeared, barely noticeable at first, but enough for those around her to see the changes. Irene, for all her concerns, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of happiness at the thought of becoming a mother, but that joy was always tempered by the sorrow that lingered in her heart, the constant reminder of the pain Seulgi had been through.

Seulgi, however, seemed unsure. She would look at her growing belly with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty, unsure whether she wanted to keep the baby or not. She hadn’t yet come to terms with the situation, and Irene understood that. Every conversation about it felt fragile, as if the wrong word could break Seulgi’s resolve. Still, Irene remained patient, always reminding Seulgi that whatever decision she made, Irene would stand by her. If Seulgi wanted the baby, Irene would be there every step of the way, and if Seulgi didn’t, Irene would support her. “The little one inside you is innocent,” Irene would say, her voice soft but firm, “and I’ll be here for whatever you decide.”

By the time Seulgi reached her fourth month, the cravings had started to subside, but the mood swings were another story entirely. One minute, Seulgi would be laughing, the next she would be crying, her emotions swinging wildly like a pendulum. Irene learned to take it all in stride, even when she herself was dealing with her own set of hormonal changes. As strange as it seemed, even though Irene was not pregnant, she found herself experiencing her own mood swings, especially when Seulgi's emotions became too overwhelming. But she never complained. She simply let it be, comforting Seulgi through every laugh and every tear.

During these months, Seulgi’s days mostly consisted of sleep. She would sleep during the day, waking only to eat and take a bath before retreating back to bed. Irene, ever the caregiver, took it upon herself to sing Seulgi to sleep. Sometimes, she would sing lullabies, soft and gentle, and other times, she would sing Ariana Grande songs, the ones Seulgi had once told her she loved. It was their secret little ritual, something that brought them both comfort amidst the chaos of their lives.

It was during these quieter moments that Irene started to notice the shift in Seulgi. The protective instinct that had been buried deep within her for so long began to resurface. Instead of Irene looking after Seulgi, it was now Seulgi who was looking after Irene. She would fuss over Irene, making sure she ate well, making sure she didn’t overwork herself. Seulgi, once the one in need of care, had somehow become the caretaker, fiercely protective of Irene, as though she had become the child in their relationship. Irene would laugh at how sweet and motherly Seulgi had become, but a part of her was also saddened by the irony of it all. Seulgi had been through so much, and yet, she was still trying to protect everyone around her.