She was exceptionally tired. The baby’s crying had the most powerful impact on her pounding skull. In the midst of her misery, she kept trying to do the best to calm the baby down. Yuri had never ever felt so helpless before.

“Shh darling. Please don’t fret.”

The baby wailed in respond. She at her tiny clenched fist furiously. Yes, it was obvious that the baby was teething. It clearly pained her and Yuri’s heart squeezed in her chest every time the baby gasped in agony. The baby’s drool was drenching her worn out t-shirt. Yuri paid no attention to it. All she could think right now was to take away the baby’s pain.

Yuri didn’t have any idea what to do. If someone asked her to paint, she would do right away without any doubt. But babies were not her expertise. She clutched the small body tight against her , willing the exhaustion to eventually make the baby slept. Unfortunately, the little Sulli had none of it.

It was two in the morning and it had been two hours since the baby had awakened her. Sooner or later, her landlord would knock on her door and ratted out his complaint. Probably, he would kicked them out of the building right there and then. That would absolutely finish her off.

“Please, please. You have to cooperate if you want to sleep here tonight.” Yuri whispered miserably against the baby’s downy hair.

She was short in money. Two months ago, the baby’s sickness had cleaned out her bank account since they had no insurance. No one had ever told her beforethat babywas expensive. This ratty apartment was her last hope. The salary from her work was barely covering their life. She had to make lots of sacrifice for the baby’s sake. Not that she complained. Yuri loved the baby as if she was her own.

It was really hard.

“Sweetheart, I know.” She continued to croon the baby. “I’m so sorry that I can’t take away your pain. But please, no more crying. I’m hurt to see you crying like this.”

As if hearing her plea, the baby’s sob turned into soft hiccups. Her head rested trustingly against the soft mound of her and the tiny fist was still stuffed into . Oh, what Yuri would do to take away the baby’s pain.

“Thank you angel. Thank you.” She whispered ferociously. “I’d make this better.”

In that moment, her resolve was made. Yuri would off her pride and begged for Sulli’s father to help her raising the baby. The thought of meeting Yoona’s lover churned her stomach. However, Yuri was the baby’s legitimate guardian. So if the man had ever thought of taking the baby away from her, he would face the devil himself before he could touch the baby. Sulli was hers.

Damn Yoona and her stubbornness! How dare she leave the baby into her care? Most of all, how dare she to die so soon? Did the baby’s father even know his daughter’s existence? Yuri doubted about that. If the man knew, she wouldn’t be holding the baby in her arms right now.

Yuri kept pacing around the small room, lulling the baby into deep exhausted sleep. Never had she thought that she would be neck-deep in a situation like this. Her life was a mere breath away from destruction. All her life, she had tried to release herself from the trap of poverty. But each time she took one step forward, she had to take two steps backward in the end.

Close to die in fatigue, Yuri decided to call it a night. That night, Yuri slept with the baby nestled safely in her chest.

I'd like to say big thanks to candacess. I'm so thankful for your willingness to make the poster for me. This story is especially for you. Hope you enjoy this.