"Mari-shi, how are you today?" 

"Jimin-shi... I miss you," She replied shortly before the call ended. Jimin looks at the blank screen of his phone, while his brain is processing her words. Did he hear her right? Did she miss him? Should he go to her now? Jimin blinks his eyes a couple of times. 

Jimin stood up from his chair, grabbing his suit coat before he stormed down to the parking area, heading towards his car. Jimin's hurried steps echoed in the parking area as he made his way to his car, a sense of urgency fueling his movements. His suit coat hung loosely over his frame; the fabric ruffled as if mirroring the turmoil within him. Every step carried the weight of his concern for Mari, visible in the determined set of his jaw and the furrowed brows that betrayed his inner turmoil.

The car door swung open with a sharp click, and Jimin slid into the driver's seat, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that reflected his racing thoughts. His phone became a lifeline, and with a few swift taps, he dialled Taehyung's number, his voice carrying a sense of urgency and determination.

"Taehyung-ah, I am heading to your family's house right now. I'm just telling you ahead," Jimin declared, his tone brooking no argument. The engine roared to life as he spoke, the car ready to transport him to the place where Mari now resided.

"Yah, Jimin. Why would you come to my house right now? Aren't you working? I'm at the office right now. Maybe you should come during dinner," Taehyung's voice crackled through the line, the detached tone betraying his preoccupation with work.

"It's okay, I already called her. Might as well take her out for lunch," Jimin asserted, the decision made without room for negotiation. The call ended abruptly, leaving Taehyung with unanswered protests.

The sleek car glided through the streets, navigating toward the Kim family's luxurious condominium. Memories of his high school days flashed before Jimin's eyes, a stark contrast to the pressing concern that gripped him now. His knock on the imposing door echoed his impatience and worry.

The door swung open, revealing Kwon Mari—once a source of comfort, now a reflection of distress. Her appearance, though slightly dishevelled, couldn't conceal her inherent beauty. Swollen eyes, a testament to recent tears, and a nose tinted pink from wiping away sorrow created a poignant image.

"Jimin-shi," she uttered in astonishment, the shock evident in her voice. Unbidden tears cascaded down her cheeks as her eyes met Jimin's, who wore a worried smile. Without a moment's hesitation, Jimin stepped into her space, a protector guided by the innate need to provide solace. His strong arm, clad in the fabric of his office attire, became a haven as it draped around her shoulders. The warmth of his touch, a familiar embrace in times of turmoil, spoke of comfort and reassurance. The soft material absorbed her tears, an unspoken promise that he would bear the weight of her sorrows.

"Mari-shi, why are you crying?" Jimin's whispered inquiry carried a depth of concern that reverberated through the room. His voice, a soothing balm to her wounded soul, sought to unravel the complexities of her pain.

"Mari-shi, why are you crying?" Jimin whispered, his concern palpable. The soft fabric of his office dress shirt absorbed her tears as he held her close, offering the solace she needed. Her grip on him tightened, seeking reassurance and holding onto the only comfort she had known—the familiar presence of Jimin. The luxury of his embrace became a sanctuary for her distressed soul.

"Grandma didn't pick up my calls. Does she really hate me that much?" Mari's voice, laced with insecurity, accompanied her grip on Jimin's office dress shirt as she continued to cry within the sanctuary of his embrace. Jimin, her steadfast comfort zone, became the anchor she desperately needed.

After a few minutes, the maid of the house, mindful of Kwon Mari's state, approached the front door, offering a practical reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to her.

"Mari, your food is ready. Come here and eat," the maid suggested her voice a reminder of the vastness of the house and the isolation that comes with it. Mari, who kept her arm around Jimin, just shook her head. As a defiance, she had no appetite to eat anything right now. In this huge house with a really huge dining table, eating alone makes her feel lonely and abandoned.

"You need to eat," Jimin gently pulled back, cupping Mari's tear-streaked face in his hands, his eyes locking onto hers with intent. The touch was tender, a silent reassurance that he was there along her journey.

"I don't feel like it," Mari admitted, her vulnerability laid bare, her gaze pleading for understanding and solace.

"How about both of us go out for lunch at your favourite short rib stew restaurant? Will you eat then?" Jimin proposed, injecting a glimmer of hope into the heavy atmosphere. Mari nodded her head without saying anything as her tears stopped flowing down, and the shine in her eyes started to come back to life. Jimin laughed heartily as he leaned forward, lightly bumping his head to Mari's head. At least he was at ease now, looking at her smile. 

As they stepped into the car after a hearty meal at her favourite restaurant, Mari leaned back in her seat, her hand gently rubbing her baby bump. Approaching the eighth month of her pregnancy, her belly, adorned with the aftermath of a satisfying meal, felt slightly itchy after every heavy meal. Jimin turned his head, observing Mari's soft face as she looked down at her burgeoning belly. His hand reached out, fingers gently caressing the bump as if afraid it might shatter from a tender touch.

Without much thought, Jimin leaned towards Mari, kissing her belly gently before starting the engine. He called his office, notifying colleagues that he wouldn't be coming in. Then, he drove to a famous gelato stall, recalling Mari's recent craving for pistachio ice cream.

"How do you know that I want to eat this ice cream?" Mari's eyes glistened at the sight of the treat in Jimin's hand.

"You've told me about it before," Jimin chuckled, handing her the pistachio gelato.

"Really? Thank you, Jimin-shi. You're the best husband ever!" The word "husband" slipped in the air, and Jimin pressed his lips together, aware of the unspoken truth about Mari's legal ties to Taehyung.

"But now... your husband is Kim Taehyung," he said gently, wanting Mari to confront the reality of her marital status. Her continued denial could complicate matters, especially for the baby.

Mari nodded, bitterness colouring her acknowledgement of this new fact. "Jimin-shi... have you talked about this to your family? Your mother?"

"Not yet. She's been going around town telling people that she's going to be a grandmother. I don't want to break her heart," Jimin sighed, another layer of bitter truth settling over him. His mother's excitement and anticipation for the unborn child added to the complexity of the situation. "But this baby is still my baby despite not being biologically mine, right?" Jimin asked, touching Mari's belly once again.

"You've been taking care of it for the past few months... of course, you have a share in my baby. Thanks to you, I am well taken care of. But for now, can you please continue taking care of me?" Mari said, beaming a beautiful smile at Jimin while enjoying her pistachio ice cream. Her heart swelled with conflicting emotions—knowing that Jimin would never truly be hers, yet selfishly wishing the pregnancy would never come to an end. The thought of a life with Jimin was both terrifying and saddening, knowing that his kindness was intricately tied to her pregnancy.

"Jimin-shi... instead of sending me back to Taehyung's house, can I stay at your house instead?" Mari asked softly, her words hanging in the air. Jimin, surprised by the unexpected request, nodded in agreement. Didn't want her staying at his house to become an issue, so Jimin texted Taehyung right away about Mari's request. 

It was Mari's first time stepping into Jimin's house. The familiar scent of his perfume enveloped her, a comforting aroma that had been her solace for the past few months. Jimin walked behind her, hands in his pockets, observing the pregnant woman as she waddled around his house. Her cute walking stance elicited occasional laughter from him. Guiding her to the guest room, decorated in soothing pastel grey and white, Jimin offered her a comfortable space with a king-sized bed suitable for a pregnant lady.

"You'll be sleeping here tonight," Jimin stated, handing her his clothes if she wanted to change.

As the night deepened, Mari awoke with a start, her sleep interrupted by the discomfort of leg cramps. The room enveloped her in darkness, and the ambience of Jimin's house felt unfamiliar in the dimness. The silence within the expansive dwelling magnified her solitude, accentuating the profound solitude that dwelled within her.

With hesitant steps, Mari waddled her way to Jimin's room, her surroundings cast in shadows that seemed to echo the ache in her heart. She knocked softly, the sound reverberating in the quiet hallway. Jimin roused from his slumber, appeared before her with messy bed hair and shirtless, the contours of his silhouette defined by the subtle moonlight seeping through the curtains.

"Are you okay?" Jimin's voice, a soothing murmur, echoed in the dark room.

"Do you have muscle-relieving ointment?" Mari whispered, the guilt of disturbing his sleep evident in her voice. Jimin, still rubbing his eyes, endeavoured to wake himself from his drowsy state.

"Muscle-relieving ointment? Why?" Jimin's concern was etched on his face as he reached out to touch her shoulder, his hand a comforting warmth in the shadows.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little cramped."

"I don't have such ointment," he stated, the dim light casting a soft glow on their faces.

"It's okay. Just go to sleep. I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll massage it until the cramp subsides," Mari said, her words a delicate admission of both her physical discomfort and emotional turmoil. As she waddled back to the guest room, the darkness swallowed her figure, her silhouette a mere outline in the dimness. The hushed sound of her footsteps echoed in the empty corridors.

The guest room welcomed her with the same shadowy stillness. As she settled on the bed, Jimin walked in with a small hot pack. The muted glow from the pack illuminated the room, revealing the subtle contours of Mari's pregnant form and the weariness etched on her face.

"Which part are you feeling cramped?" Jimin asked, sitting next to her, his presence a comforting anchor in the dimly lit room.

"My left leg."

"Let me help you," Jimin sat on the floor, placing the hot pack on her cramped leg and gently massaging it. In his sleepy state, he was willing to wake up just to ensure her comfort—a heartwarming gesture that both touched and pained her. The realization that this man in front of her would never truly belong to her resonated deeply within her, intensifying the ache in her heart. The shadows of the room seemed to echo her internal conflict, a poignant dance of light and darkness that mirrored the complexities of their relationship.

The next morning, Jimin was jolted awake by a sudden, loud bang on his front door. Rubbing his tousled hair, he groggily glanced around, realizing he had fallen asleep next to Mari. She lay snuggled in a thick blanket, sleeping soundly. Stretching his limbs, Jimin reluctantly rose from the bed and made his way toward the front door of his apartment.

"Why are you here?" Jimin questioned, opening the door to find Kim Taehyung standing on the other side.

"Jimin-ah, I think I told you a few days ago that Mari is legally married to me now?" Taehyung remarked, walking into Jimin's apartment.

"Yes, I know... but she's the one who wanted to come over. I can't say no to her," Jimin explained, trailing behind his friend.

"Where is she?" Taehyung inquired, settling onto Jimin's oversized sofa.

"In the guestroom, sleeping."

"Do you know how much my dad and grandpa nagged on me when I told them Mari was sleeping over at her friend's house? Bruh, I almost bled my ears," Taehyung chuckled, revealing the comical side of the situation. Despite the lack of commitment in their unconventional marriage, Taehyung seemed thankful for Mari's indifference to his whereabouts and activities. "You know what I told them?" he added.

"What?" Jimin raised an eyebrow.

"This is a situation they have to face when they want me to marry a young girl like Mari. She's absolutely not at the age ready for marriage. Which sane wife will sleep over at another man's house while being pregnant?" Taehyung found humour in the absurdity of his circumstances. However, his laughter faded when he touched upon a more serious concern. "But one thing I would like to advise you. No matter how much she begs to stay over at your house, please say no. My dad's lawyer is monitoring her actions, waiting for a mistake to make her lose custody of her child."

"What are you talking about?"

"Bruh... do you know my dad? Succession is more important than blood and human feelings," Taehyung sighed, acknowledging the complex dynamics at play. If custody fell into his hands, he might not even be able to care for the baby, making it crucial for Mari to maintain propriety as long as she remained married to him.

"I think you should talk to her about this. By the way, Mari and I planned to do some shopping for the child. Would you like to join us?"

"Aren't you working today?" Taehyung asked, observing the topless Jimin and making his way to the kitchen to set up breakfast.

Jimin shook his head, telling his friend that he had taken a day off today. He didn't get the chance to rest properly for the past two days, due to his messy mind. But last night, knowing that Mari was safe and in a healthy condition, he was able to sleep tightly despite being disturbed by Mari due to her sudden cramp episodes. He was still woken up in a fresh state. 

"Could you imagine how cute the baby will be once it is born?" Jimin asked as he whipped a bowl of egg in an attempt to make a scrambled egg. 

Standing up from the couch, Taehyung walked proudly, "As charming as me, as cute as me and attractive as me," He proudly announced, which caused Jimin to shake his head. 

"I don't think the baby should inherit any of your traits," 

"Why?" 

"People said that boys usually resemble their mom. So.. maybe he'll be as cute as Mari." Jimin blabbered teasingly. 

"As cute as me?" Mari's voice causes the two grown men in the kitchen to turn around, looking at the pregnant lady who just woke up from her slumber in her baggy white jumper and oversized sweatpants. She indeed looks lovely with her messy bed hair. A smile unconsciously appeared on Jimin's lip as the lady ignored their stares and walked to the bathroom. 

"Waddle? Like a penguin? Yah! That's body shaming," Taehyung erupted into laughter, spotting the resemblance of a penguin in Mari's walk. A subtle smirk played on Jimin's lips as he remembered the playful banter they used to share.

Taehyung slowly nodded his head, his keen perception noticing the smile that never once left Jimin's lips. "I'll tell her that you called her a penguin," he joked, an inkling suggesting a deeper connection between the two that lightened the atmosphere.

Jimin chuckled, the lighthearted moment triggering a flashback. He remembered the times Mari struggled with her changing body image as her pregnancy bump grew bigger. There were tearful moments when she gazed at herself in the mirror, feeling the weight of her transforming physique. Those memories lingered, making him appreciate the present laughter despite the underlying sensitivity.

"If you want to see her cry, then go ahead and tell her," Jimin rolled his eyes, his awareness of Mari's vulnerability echoing in his words. Teahyung nodded, totally aware of his friend's enormous knowledge about Kwon Mari. 

After breakfast, the three of them went to the big shopping mall in the Seoul city centre. Despite still being unable to have a normal conversation with Kim Taehyung, Mari wasn't bothered by his existence around her anymore. As Mari walked a little slower than both Jimin and Taehyung, both of them decided to walk behind her, taking their time to look around while the lady led the way. 

"Jimin-shi, isn't this cute?" Mari raised a cute brown baby-sized beret.

"Yeah, you want it?" Jimin, who was initially touching some random baby clothes, turned around to look at the excited Mari. 

"I'm just telling you that this is cute," Mari rolled her eyes in annoyance. Jimin literally put everything she touched in the trolley, assuming that everything she touched was necessary. Mari put down the small beret as she turned around in annoyance. She had already told him that she only needed a couple of baby items, but Jimin seemed to not care about her words. "You gotta put everything back in the rack. That's too much," She pointed at the trolley before she walked away, sulking. 

"Yeah, then you should stop saying everything in this store is cute," Taehyung said to Mari as he crossed his arms, observing her ethics. Isn't she aware that Jimin is buying everything that she touches and compliments? Taehyung shook his head in disbelief as Jimin just tailed Mari with a trolley and picked some random clothes that he thought were cute for the little unborn child. 

"I'm not talking to you," Mari glared at Taehyung as she walked deeper into the baby clothes aisle. 

"Whatever,.." Taehyung mocked as he separated himself from her when he spotted a cute red car toy. It is a Ferarri model car toy, where the baby can sit in it while parents control the toy's movement. He left Jimin and Mari alone as he discovered more amazing toys for kids.

"Mari-shi... all send you and Taehyung home after this," Jimin whispered slowly as he stood beside Mari when she was surveying milk bottles for a newborn. His words cause Mari to turn her head abruptly to look at him.

"Jimin-shi, can I just stay at your house?" Her cheerful face now turns sour as she looks at Jimin. 

"I know that you wanted to stay with me, and you are comfortable with me. But... now you're legally married to Kim Taehyung. Do you know that husband and wife can sue each other if a conflict arises?" 

"What conflict? I am not married to Taehyung out of love," Mari said in confusion.

"I know... but via a legal marriage registration. If one day in the future, Taehyung and you were to be separated, the custody of the baby would be at stake,"

"But why? Taehyung promised me that he would never take my baby away from me," 

"How about his father and grandfather?" 

".... ," 

"So... to be safe. As long as you are married to him.. you need to," 

"What do I need to do?" 

"You need to be a good wife for him," Jimin said as he touched both of her arms. Leaning forward, levelling his eyes to hers.  "At least pretend to be a good wife in front of his father and grandfather. Like how you do it in front of my mother when you are my filled-in bride," He added. Hurt flashed in Mari's eyes, but she concealed it behind her calm demeanour.

"So you think I was pretending when we're with your mother?" Mari asked as she looked back into Jimin's gentle eyes. 

"Mari, I was talking about your future right now. Your image in front of his-" 

"That's enough," Mari stated, pushing Jimin's hands away from touching her arm. Mari nodded her head as a signal that she understood his words clearly. She understands that all her interactions with his family are counted as a pretence.  She now understands that she is just an obligation to him because he made her his fill-in wife. She now could understand; his nice gestures were all how he was repaying her sacrifice to walk down the aisle with him months ago. She understands it clearly. 

"Mari-shi, the custody-" Jimin looked at her in confusion as he tried to walk toward her.

"I understand it. Can we stop talking about it?" Mari sighed. She turned her body around and walked forward. "I only need a few newborn diapers and a milk bottle. Other items in the trolley, you should put it back in the rack," 

"Why? I think these are cutes," Jimin questions as he picks some cute little baby socks from the trolley. 

"It's cute, I know. Let the real father of the baby buy it," Mari replied monotonously as she walked towards the cashier with a pack of hypoallergenic diapers for newborns and a milk bottle for newborns in her hand. Jimin's hand, which was busy picking up cute little socks from the rack, froze as he digested her words. "It's good that we set the boundaries from now. I don't want the baby to be confused," Mari added as she continued her walk to the cashier counter to proceed with the payment. The joy that she initially had when looking around the newborn items all disappeared into the thin air. 

"Mari!! Come with me; you're going to like this," Taehyung ran towards Mari in excitement before he pulled her hand and guided her to the stroller section. Excited to show her the Ferrari theme stroller. "Look at this stroller. This will suit our boy, right?" 

"It's too red. I don't like it," Mari replied without much intonation. 

"Really? But I like it," Taehyung bantered as he instructed the shop assistant to bring the new one to the cashier counter for payment. 

"If you are still going to buy it, why do you even bother to ask me?" 

"Well... you're the mother," He smirked as he crossed his arms, standing tall in front of her, who glared at him in annoyance. Mari shook her head as she pointed to the cashier counter, "Let's go home," 

"My home or Jimin's?" 

"Your home... but the home with your father and grandfather," Mari stated as she walked back to the counter while Jimin was still standing in front of the baby's sock rack. He was still processing her short sentence, which left an impactful effect towards his emotions. Once Mari severed their ties completely, would he even be able to meet the baby?