Chapter 72 - Return

Jungkook looked at his reflection in the mirror for the first time in a long time with a feeling other than fear. His shirt fit perfectly, and he had styled his hair with a skill he hadn't used in months. Today, he was going back to work. After everything that had happened—the pain, the trial, the fight for his home—he was going to stand in front of his patients again and be more than just a dad and a partner. He was going to be a doctor again.

Jimin made breakfast. A little too much, a little too carefully—as if he were cooking to keep his mind off things.

“You don't have to stress,“ Jungkook said, smiling as he sat down at the table.

“I know. But I'm stressed.”

Yuna came into the kitchen in her pajamas, hugging her dad's legs.

“Is work long?” she asked.

“Long, but not too long. And I always come back,” Jungkook replied calmly.

“And if you feel sad, call me. I'll show you Mruczek,” she added, lifting her stuffed animal.

The smile softened all the tension. Jungkook kissed his daughter on the forehead, Jimina on the cheek, and left. For the first time in months, he wasn't going to the hospital, to therapy, or to a committee meeting—just to work.

The office smelled familiar. His assistant greeted him with a warm smile.

“We have a light afternoon today. Especially for you.”

The patients were different—some recognized him, others didn't. They were all patient. Work came back like a wave. His hands remembered what to do. So did his mind. But his heart... His heart was beating slower. Between procedures, Jungkook looked at Yuna's photos on his phone.

Meanwhile, at home, Jimin was doing everything he could to make the day seem normal. They drew, made pancakes, read fairy tales. But Yuna kept glancing at the door. “Is Dad coming back?”

“He always comes back,” Jimin repeated.

In the evening, when the door lock clicked, Yuna ran out of the room and threw herself into her dad's arms.

“I had the best day! But I still preferred it when you were here.”

Jungkook hugged her tightly. “Me too.”

And so ended the first day of a new phase. Not an easy one. But theirs.

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Chapter 73 - A strange pain

The next day started as usual - breakfast, cartoons, a book. But around midday, Yuna became quieter than usual. She held her hand to her cheek and refused to eat her favorite banana.

“Is something wrong, sweetheart?“ Jimin asked, kneeling beside her.

“It hurts here,” she said, pointing to the left side of her face.

Jungkook immediately came closer. “Let me see.”

But Yuna clenched her lips. She backed away. ”I don't want to.”

“It's okay. We'll just take a look,” Jimin said softly, but she shook her head.

“I don't like it. I don't want to. It hurts.”

There were tears in her eyes. Jungkook froze. He knew he couldn't push her. But he also knew what that pain meant. Tooth decay. Maybe an abscess. Or maybe just severe sensitivity. Either way, it was something that couldn't be ignored.

That evening, after Yuna had fallen asleep in Jimin's arms, Jungkook sat at his desk, reviewing his notes and sketches, as if something had slipped his mind.

“Do you think she'll let you examine her?” he asked.

“I don't know. But I think... maybe only you can convince her.”

“What if she gets scared? I'm her father, not a doctor.”

Jimin grabbed his hand. “You're both. But first and foremost, you're the one who loves her. And if you do it with your heart, she'll feel it.”

During the night, Yuna woke up crying. ‘It hurts more.”

Jungkook was by her side in a second. ’Do you want me to help?”

The girl looked at him with tears in her eyes. “But not in white clothes.”

“Not in white,” he promised.

And then he knew—tomorrow, in his own office, he would try to be more than just a dentist. He would try to be a home, even if it was the hardest visit ever.

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Chapter 74 - In the office

The office smelled of eucalyptus. Jungkook deliberately didn't turn on the overhead light. Instead, he placed a lamp with a soft yellow light and moved the chair as far away from the desk as possible. He played some calm music on his tablet - Yuna's favorite playlist.

Jimin was holding the girl's hand. They were both wearing warm sweaters, and Jungkook, as promised, wasn't wearing an apron or gloves. He was just a dad.

“Hi, sweetie. Are you ready?”

Yuna nodded very slowly. “Just quickly.”

“Of course. I'll just take a look. Nothing else.”

She sat down in the chair, trembling slightly with fear. Jimin was right next to her. Jungkook knelt down to be at her level. He took a mirror and a flashlight. “Will you open your mouth on three? One... two... three...”

Her lips parted slowly. He saw inflammation near her third tooth. It didn't look bad, but it needed quick action. “You know what? There's a little tooth fairy who made a mess. We have to chase her away.”

Yuna grimaced. “But it doesn't hurt much, does it?”

“Just a little. Like a mosquito bite. But then it'll be better.”

She agreed. The procedure took ten minutes. Jimin talked to her in a calm voice the whole time, and Jungkook was attentive and gentle. When he was done, Yuna smiled through her tears.

“It wasn't that bad.”

“Because you were brave. And because Dad is always on your side.”

They left the office together, holding hands. The world seemed brighter. Maybe it was because they had survived another storm. Together.

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