Chapter Text
Dami sat on the cold bathroom floor, her back against the wall, staring blankly into the dimly lit room. Moonlight seeped through the half-closed blinds, casting shadows that danced across the tiles. The persistent nausea over the past 4 months had become an unwelcome companion, a relentless reminder that something was amiss. She clutched her stomach, fighting back waves of discomfort, hoping it would pass like it always did.
It had been six months since they decided to rebrand as Dreamcatcher, a decision born out of the ashes of their previous venture as Minx. Dami, along with Yoohyeon, Jiu, Sua, and Siyeon, was determined to rise from the setbacks, and they welcomed Gahyeon and Handong into their ranks a few weeks ago. The new formation felt right, promising a fresh start for the group.
As the girls prepared for their comeback, they spent long hours practicing, perfecting their choreography, and recording new songs. The pressure to succeed and make a mark this time around was palpable, but the growing bonds within the group helped to ease the burden. Yet, amidst the excitement and anticipation, Dami carried a secret, a heavy burden that weighed on her more with each passing day.
That night, as the rest of Dreamcatcher slept soundly in their rooms, Dami found herself in the bathroom once again, grappling with the persistent nausea that plagued her. She closed her eyes, attempting to find solace in the darkness, but the images of that haunting night five months ago crept into her mind, uninvited.
It was a memory she had tried to bury deep within her, a memory that left scars not visible to the eye. She pushed herself off the floor, determined to ignore the connection between her current condition and the traumatic events of the past. Dami hesitated for a moment, glancing at her reflection in the mirror, as if expecting it to reveal the truth she desperately sought to deny.
Dami's trembling fingers dialed her older brother's number, desperation and anxiety knotting in her stomach. As the phone rang, she fought back the tears that threatened to betray the strength she had always projected.
"Hello?" came her brother's voice on the other end, filled with both lingering sleep and concern.
"Hey, it's me," Dami choked out, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yubin? What's wrong?" His worry deepened.
"I... I need you to come pick me up," she stammered, her composure breaking.
"Where are you? Are you okay?" he asked, the urgency evident in his tone.
"I'm at the dorm," Dami replied, her voice cracking. "Please hurry."
Without waiting for further explanation, she ended the call, sinking to the cold bathroom floor once more. The minutes dragged like hours as she clutched her stomach, trying to keep the mounting panic at bay.
Fifteen minutes later, her brother, having known the code to enter the dorm, came rushing in, concern etched across his face. "Yubin, what's going on?" he demanded, rushing to her side.
She looked up, tear-streaked and vulnerable, her usual stoicism shattered. "I need to get out of here," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her, offering comfort. "Okay, let's go. We can talk on the way."
As they walked towards his car, parked hastily outside, Dami couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. "Why did you come so fast?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I was worried about you," he explained, concern still evident in his eyes.
"But your house is 30 minutes away. You must have driven recklessly to get here this fast," she accused, a mix of gratitude and anger coloring her tone.
He sighed, realizing the impact of his hurried arrival on her already fragile state. "I just wanted to make sure you're safe. I'll drive more carefully on the way back."
The car sped through the empty streets, the tension palpable between Dami and her brother. Dami hesitated, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt, before finally summoning the courage to speak.
"Can we make a stop at one of the 24-hour stores?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Her brother glanced at her, concern etched across his face. "Sure, we can stop. What do you need?"
"Promise me you won't ask any questions, just get what I ask for," Dami pleaded, her eyes searching his for assurance.
He nodded solemnly. "I won't ask anything. Just tell me what you need, Yubin."
As they pulled into the parking lot of the 24-hour store, Dami handed her brother some money. "Please, just get me a pregnancy test," she whispered, unable to meet his gaze.
His eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of shock and concern crossing his face. "Yubin, are you..."
"Please," she interrupted, her voice trembling. "I just need to know."
He nodded understandingly, squeezing her hand before heading into the store. The minutes felt like an eternity as Dami sat alone in the car, her mind racing with thoughts and fears. When her brother returned, he handed her the small bag without a word.
As they resumed their journey, the car was filled with a heavy silence. Dami clutched the bag tightly, a mix of fear and anticipation gripping her heart. Her brother kept his promise, driving carefully as the weight of the unspoken question lingered in the air. The dim glow of the streetlights painted a somber backdrop to their journey, both lost in their own thoughts.
When they finally reached her brother’s house, Dami turned to him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Thank you," she whispered, clutching the bag containing the test.
Her brother walked beside her, a silent pillar of support. The front door creaked open as he unlocked it, and they entered the warm, familiar space. The scent of home enveloped them, a contrast to the emotional storm that raged within Dami.
"Take your time, Yubin. I'm here if you need anything," her brother reassured her, gesturing towards the bathroom.
Dami nodded, offering a small, appreciative smile before disappearing into the hallway. The bathroom door clicked shut behind her, muffling the sounds of the outside world. Moonlight filtered through the bathroom window, casting a gentle glow on the tiles.
With trembling hands, Dami retrieved the pregnancy test from the bag. The bathroom felt both too small and too vast as she followed the instructions, her mind racing with possibilities and uncertainties. She set the timer and placed the test on the counter, her reflection in the mirror betraying the fear etched across her face.
Dami's hands shook as she unwrapped the pregnancy test, her heart pounding in her chest. The silence in the bathroom was deafening as she followed the instructions, waiting for the result that could change everything. The minutes stretched into an eternity until the small screen displayed a single, undeniable line.
Positive.
Dami's world shattered. The weight of the truth hit her like a tidal wave, and she crumpled to the cold bathroom floor, the test slipping from her trembling hands. Tears streamed down her face, and her sobs echoed in the small space, mingling with the sounds of her breaking heart.
Her brother, sensing something was wrong, rushed into the bathroom. "Yubin, what happened? Are you okay?" he asked, panic in his voice.
But Dami couldn't find the words. She could only point to the pregnancy test on the floor, the stark confirmation of a reality she wasn't prepared to face. Her brother's eyes followed her gaze, and the room fell into a heavy silence as he absorbed the gravity of the situation.
He knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yubin," he began softly, "we'll figure this out. You're not alone."
But Dami's grief overwhelmed her, and she clung to her brother as if he were her lifeline. Inconsolable sobs racked her body, each tear a testament to the fear and uncertainty that now consumed her. Her brother, though stunned by the revelation, offered silent support, holding her as she navigated the storm of emotions.
Dami's brother, his own emotions a mix of shock and concern, gently guided her out of the bathroom, her tear-streaked face buried in his shoulder. The weight of the revelation lingered in the air, but he remained a steadfast presence, offering silent comfort as he led her to the living room.
The soft glow of the living room lights welcomed them, casting a warm ambiance that stood in stark contrast to the emotional turbulence that engulfed Dami. He guided her to the couch, easing her down as she continued to sob, her distress palpable.
He sat beside her, an arm draped over her shoulders, providing a reassuring anchor in the storm of emotions. The minutes passed in shared silence, broken only by the occasional sniffle and shuddering breaths as Dami gradually began to regain control over her emotions.
"Yubin," her brother spoke softly, breaking the quiet, "I can't pretend to understand what you're going through, but we'll face this together, okay? You don't have to carry this burden alone."
Dami, still trembling, nodded in acknowledgment, her tears subsiding into sniffles. The weight of the truth hung heavy in the room, but a sense of familial solidarity began to emerge, offering a glimmer of solace amidst the turmoil.
He reached for a nearby box of tissues, handing it to her. "Take your time, Yubin. Whenever you're ready, we can talk about what comes next."
Dami wiped away her tears, the room illuminated by the soft glow of the living room lamps. As the initial wave of despair began to ebb, Dami's breathing steadied. She looked at her brother, gratitude and vulnerability in her eyes. He offered a gentle smile, a silent promise that they would navigate the uncertainties ahead together, as a family.
Dami, her voice still shaky from the emotional storm, turned to her brother. The weight of the truth pressed against her chest, but she knew she couldn't keep it hidden any longer.
"Something bad- really bad happened to me five months ago," she whispered, her eyes reflecting the pain she had been silently carrying.
Her brother's expression shifted, concern adorning his features as he understood what Dami was implying. He tightened his grip on her shoulder, wordlessly urging her to continue.
"I... I was in a situation I never thought I'd be in," Dami continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been haunting me, and I've tried so hard to ignore it, but I couldn’t anymore and I didn’t know what to do. I’ve ruined everything Dreamcatcher has been working towards"
As the weight of her confession settled in, Dami broke down in another wave of tears. Her brother, still holding her, became her anchor in the storm of emotions. He could feel the depth of her pain, the conflict between the personal struggle she faced and the fear of how it might affect the group she cherished.
He didn't offer empty reassurances or hurried solutions. Instead, he held her as she wept, allowing the tears to flow freely, offering a silent promise that he was there for her, unconditionally.
The soft glow of the living room lights cast a warm ambiance, creating a cocoon of safety for Dami. Her brother stayed by her side, his presence a comforting embrace that allowed her to release the pent-up emotions that had held her captive for so long.
As the night unfolded, Dami's sobs gradually subsided, replaced by the rhythmic pattern of her breathing indicating that sleep had claimed her in its gentle embrace. Her brother, keeping a watchful eye, adjusted a nearby blanket to cover her, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible before heading off to bed himself.
The next morning, Dami awoke to the soft sunlight filtering through the curtains. The events of the previous night hung in the air, a heavy reminder of the challenges she now faced. Slowly, she made her way to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the comforting scent of breakfast.
Her brother, already in the kitchen, looked up as she entered. Concern and care lined his features. "Hey, Yubin. How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
Dami, still wrapped in the weight of the truth, simply shrugged, uncertainty etched across her face. She sank into a chair at the kitchen table, her thoughts swirling with the unknown path that lay ahead.
Her brother sat across from her, studying her face. "I know this is overwhelming. You don't have to have all the answers right now," he reassured her.
"I just... I don't know what to do," Dami admitted, her voice a fragile whisper.
He reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on hers. "We can figure this out together, Yubin. But first, how about we go to a doctor? They can check on you and your baby, make sure everything is okay."
Dami hesitated, contemplating the idea. Fear and apprehension flickered in her eyes. If she went to the doctor, that was it, this would all be real. "You think that's necessary?"
Dami's brother continued to offer a reassuring presence. "Yubin, going to a doctor can help you understand what's going on and what steps to take next. They're experienced in guiding people through situations like this. It's important for your health and well-being, as well as the baby's."
Dami sighed, still uncertain but sensing the truth in her brother's words. "Okay, I’ll go," she finally agreed, a mixture of apprehension and resignation in her voice.
After a quiet breakfast, they sat down at the kitchen table, laptops open, searching for obstetricians online. Dami's brother carefully read through reviews, searching for someone with a compassionate and understanding approach. The gravity of the situation lingered in the air as they navigated through websites, contemplating the choices that lay ahead.
"I found one with excellent reviews," her brother said, breaking the silence. "Dr. Park. Patients mention her compassion and expertise. What do you think?"
Dami nodded, still overwhelmed but appreciating her brother's efforts. "Yeah, sure."
Her brother picked up his phone and dialed the number, scheduling an appointment for later that day. Dami, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions, couldn't escape the reality that this journey was beginning, whether she was ready or not.