"You're going to take—" I cleared my throat calming myself. "—Aeri back?"

My hands balled into a fist as I pressed them hard against my lap. I slowly lifted my head, throwing Chuwon an uncertain expression.

I had never made a phone call so fast until today. It amazed me how I had even managed to think straight and with rationale with the dread that washed over me upon seeing Aeri's biological father.

I knew too well that I could not face him alone. Not with my current state. I had no idea why he was here, not even how he found out about Aeri's condition.

So now, we were at the hospital cafeteria with Taehyung beside me and Chuwon across the table.

"That's what I'm planning," he said so casually, like when people would say 'Yeah, maybe I'll order that, too,' when they could not make up their mind on what to eat.

My fist clenched harder, my nails digging into my skin. My shoulders heaved up. A spectrum of emotions splattered inside me. Anger? Sadness? I couldn't tell which one dominated.

"Do you know how Mina-unnie felt when you left her?" I sent the fiercest accusing glare I could make towards Chuwon.

Taehyung held my hand and squeezed it. I sideways glanced a him thankfully, exhaling deeply.

"She was devastated, but she still kept Aeri with her because she loved Aeri so much. Despite her parents being against it, she fought back for Aeri. And where were you all the time? You probably were out with some monkey business of yours and now you're here trying to take Aeri back when all those times," I paused and took a deep breath in. "You didn't even try to show yourself or even tell Mina-unnie where the hell you were."

"Is Aeri some kind of an object you can suddenly take back because you suddenly felt like being a father?" I snapped.

Chuwon did not say a word. He must've figured I was right. Hell, indeed I knew I was right!

"Kyungmin," Taehyung whispered gently and brushed his thumb on my hand to cool me down.

"I'm fine." I nodded an inch.

Chuwon heaved a sigh, finally deciding to speak up. "I know I'm an asshole."

"You are," I brusquely interjected.

"But I want to make it up to Aeri for the times I hadn't been with her," he continued, not even flinching at my interjection.

I leaned back on my seat, giving it a thought. Despite wanting to throw a chair at him right now, it was a fact that this man was Aeri's father.

"How could I be assured that you'd be a good father when you once neglected your responsibility?"

"Do you have a say in this?" shot Chuwon.

"Excuse me?" I blinked at him in disbelief at the sudden change of his tone. Taehyung had noticed it too by the way his jaw clenched.

"I'm just being nice to inform you, but if you're gonna be like that, then I'll just direct the case to my lawyer to handle it legally," he nonchalantly went on, like new hues had washed over him. Darker ones.

"Your daughter is sick, and we don't exactly know what's going to happen, but this is what you're more concern about?" My voice raised a few octaves higher.

I knew he was Aeri's father, and I respected that minutes ago. But now, dread had formed inside me, and I felt a hundred times more hesitant with him.

"My lawyer will see you soon, Kim Kyungmin," he said with an air of finality...and as if it were a threat.

"Our lawyer will make sure this matter will be handled rightfully. I think this conversation is over. Nice chatting with you, Chuwon," Taehyung broke in, still sounding collected.

"I'll have my daughter back, you'll see," remarked Chuwon with confidence and stood up.

And he even had the tenacity to throw us a grin. I watched him leave until the cafeteria door had closed behind him.

Taehyung wiped the tear that fell on my face, and if it weren't for him, I wouldn't even know I was already crying.

"I wouldn't be selfish to keep Aeri away from his birth father, but I don't feel safe with him," I confided.

"Aeri's our daughter," Taehyung assured. "We are her parents. We'll protect Aeri with everything that we have."