Two weeks later, the clinic smelled the same—antiseptic, fresh flowers—but this time, Taehyung felt heavier walking through the doors. Her palms were clammy, her breath uneven. Jungkook walked beside her, his tall frame radiating silent tension. Hana, of course, was absent.

They sat across from Dr. Choi again, waiting as he glanced through the reports. The doctor’s calm face didn’t give away much, until he finally sighed.

“I’m sorry,” he said gently. “The transfer did not succeed.”

Taehyung’s stomach dropped. Jungkook’s heart clenched so tight it hurt. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Jungkook broke the silence first, his voice hoarse.

“So… that’s it? There’s no way?”

Dr. Choi adjusted his glasses.

“There is… one more option. But it’s unconventional. Sometimes, when all else fails, the most effective way is the natural method—direct intercourse, rather than artificial insemination. Success rates can be higher because of the body’s natural receptivity during the act.”

The words hit the room like a thunderclap.

Taehyung’s eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat. Jungkook froze, stunned, his heart thundering.

The doctor continued, oblivious.

“Of course, I understand this is delicate. Most surrogates and intended fathers do not prefer this route. But medically, it is a viable option. You two can take some time to consider.”

To him, it was clinical. He assumed Taehyung was just another hired surrogate, not the woman Jungkook secretly adored.

When they left the office, the silence between them was suffocating. Jungkook’s hands shook as he gripped the steering wheel. Taehyung sat stiffly, her eyes on the passing city lights, her heart racing so loudly it drowned out everything else.

Back home, the tension finally snapped. They sat across from each other in the living room, the night air thick and heavy.

“We can’t,” Taehyung whispered first, her voice trembling. “Jungkook, we can’t even think about it. I’m your mother-in-law. Hana’s mother. This is—”

“I don’t care about titles,” Jungkook cut her off, his voice raw with desperation. “I care about the baby. Tae, please. You’re the only one who can give me this. Don’t turn me away now.”

Her eyes filled with tears, her chest rising and falling fast.

“If Hana finds out—”

“She won’t,” Jungkook swore, moving closer, his knees brushing hers. “We’ll never tell her. She doesn’t want to know details anyway. She only cares about her image. Please, Tae. Just once… just give me this chance.”

Her lips parted, her breath shaky. His hand reached for hers, strong, warm, trembling with need.

“Do you know what this means to me?” he whispered, his eyes burning into hers. “A child of my own. And not just that—your child too. Do you understand? It would be ours. You and me.”

Taehyung gasped, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her entire body screamed at her to say no—but her heart, traitorous and weak, couldn’t deny him.

Slowly, shakily, she nodded.

“O-okay. I’ll do it.”

Jungkook’s face lit up with pure, unfiltered joy. His hand tightened around hers, his smile breaking through the storm.

“God, Tae… you don’t know what you’ve just given me.”

In his chest, excitement surged hot and wild—not only would he finally have his baby… but he’d get to have her too. The woman he’d always craved more than anything else.

And for the first time, Jungkook thanked the heavens for fate’s twisted path.