Page 19 of Fallen Starboy

And I hoped she never would.

My heart sank as she lit up when I knelt at her side, all smiles and sparkle and excitement for things that would, once again, take a backseat to my life with her.

Being an idol was all I knew. Raising a child took money. And as long as I walked this road, she'd never want for anything.

"Okay, Yejin. Breakfast has been canceled. We're eating on the run to Daddy's next appointment."

Like always, there was no outburst, no disappointment, no sass in her tone as she agreed and slid off the couch, handing my phone back to me with a giggle. "Okay, Daddy."

She took my hand in hers, and not for the first time, I wondered who was leading who: me or her?

We arrived at the stylist's appointment with minutes to spare. Unfortunately, there was no kid-friendly space for Yejin to wait. Frantic, desperate, and frustrated beyond belief, I scrambled as he tapped his toes, trying to figure out a solution.

Pujin was balls-deep in interviewing new candidates for our security detail, so he couldn't come pick her up. And as of yet, I didn't have a nanny to turn her over to. With nobody to trust, and no other choice, I turned around and prepared to deliver thebad news to my little assistant that the whole day's schedule had to be reconfigured.

And then it hit me.

There was one other adult here I could trust her with.

Okay, so maybe trust was too strong of a word. But even though I wanted to hate her, wanted to punish her, I had no other choice right now than to grovel and hope she agreed.

"Arista."

She looked up from her tablet and held up a finger. Quickly switching off her Bluetooth headset, she marched over to me with a curious expression on her face.

"What is it?" she asked, staring between me and the stylist behind me. "Is there an issue?"

The stylist tossed a finger in Yejin's direction, his voice not even muted in the least as the disgust bled through his tone. "I don't work with children. It can't stay here while we outfit and adjust Mr. Kim."

"You're telling me you have no sitting room?" Her hands moved to her hips, the tablet still clutched tightly in her grip. "That's ridiculous, Rico."

Rico, the temperamental asshole currently referring to my daughter as an it, pursed his lips in annoyance. "It messes with the vibe. And a lot of what we do here isn't appropriate for a child."

Arista sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Give me five minutes with my client, Rico. I'll figure something out." She dragged me off to the side, Yejin trailing close behind.

When we were out of earshot of the asshole whose hands were about to turn me into a masterpiece, she cleared her throat and sighed.

"He's the best stylist in our city, Jun. And you want him behind your new debut, I can promise you that." She glanceddown at Yejin, a soft smile cracking the stoic, bossy veneer she put on for the rest of the world. "What about your security man?"

"Busy with interviews," I muttered.

"The security we brought today? They could watch her in the car?—"

"Absolutely not. I don't know them," I pointed out, hating that I was about to open my mouth and say the words I swore I'd never say.

She cut me off before I could get them out. "Jun, we have to get you in his chair, and fast. You have a full schedule all day?—"

"Watch her for me?" I blurted out, my lips curling in a sneer. "I'd ask literally anyone else, but I don't know these people."

Her eyes flashed in surprise, fixating on our daughter, the one she'd left behind in her quest for a new life. "You said to stay away from her?—"

I put a hand on the back of her neck, dragging her close enough that we couldn't be overheard. "Plans change. It's a one-off. And if you'd done your job, we wouldn't be in this situation." I released her with a whispered swear and knelt next to Yejin again, taking her hand in mine. "Yejin, baby, I'm going to go with Mr. Rico to get ready for the interview today. And myassistantis going to take you for some breakfast. Isn't that right?" I glanced up at her with malice in my glare, daring her to challenge me.

She wouldn't. I knew her too well.

She'd never been able to tell me no, even when we were fighting.

She swallowed audibly and sagged in defeat. "Sure is!" Her gaze turned to rainbows and fucking unicorns as she turned those lying eyes on Yejin, sweetness dripping from her lips like honey. "What's your favorite breakfast food?"

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