After separating two years ago, Jihyo and I have been doing our best to co-parent our five-year-old daughter, Minji. The schedule is steady, the handoffs polite, but the old feelings never really went away. A long weekend together forces us to face the mistakes, the love that’s still there, and whether second chances are worth the risk.
Co-parenting
by Jaewon
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The playground near my apartment was Minji’s favorite spot for weekend pickups. She spotted me from the swing set and came running, pigtails bouncing, her little backpack slapping against her back.
“Daddy!” she yelled, launching herself into my arms. I caught her easily, spinning her once like I always did. Her laugh was the best sound in the world.
Jihyo stood a few steps behind, watching us with that soft smile she saved for moments like this. She looked beautiful even after a long week — simple jeans, a light sweater, hair pulled back casually. At thirty, she still had that same glow that had drawn me to her years ago when we first met.
“Hey,” she said quietly when I walked over, Minji still clinging to my neck. “She had a great week at kindergarten. Teacher said she’s doing really well with her letters.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” I shifted Minji higher on my hip. “You look tired. Schedule still crazy?”
Jihyo shrugged, but her eyes showed the exhaustion. “Comeback preparations are intense. But I make time for her. Always.” There was a small pause, the kind that had become normal between us since the divorce. Polite. Careful. Full of things we didn’t say anymore.
Minji saved the moment by wiggling down and grabbing both our hands. “Mommy, can you stay for dinner at Daddy’s house? Please? We can watch the new cartoon together!”
Jihyo hesitated, glancing at me. I gave a small nod. “If you’re not too busy, it’s okay. I made extra.”
She smiled, the real one this time. “Alright. Just for a little while.”
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The three of us walked back to my place, Minji chattering nonstop between us about her friends, the snacks at school, and how she wanted a puppy someday. It felt almost normal. Almost like the old days when we were still a family under one roof.
Inside, I started on dinner while Jihyo helped Minji wash up. I could hear them laughing in the bathroom, Jihyo’s gentle voice mixing with our daughter’s excited giggles. It tugged at something deep in my chest — the familiar ache of what we’d lost.
We ate together at the small dining table. Minji insisted on sitting between us, telling stories with her mouth full until Jihyo gently reminded her to chew first. The conversation stayed light, focused on our daughter, but every so often our eyes would meet and linger a second too long.
After dinner, Minji dragged us to the couch for cartoons. She fell asleep halfway through, head on Jihyo’s lap, small hand holding mine. We didn’t move for a while, just sitting there in the quiet glow of the TV.
“She’s getting so big,” Jihyo whispered, gently brushing Minji’s hair back. “Sometimes I still can’t believe we made her.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “Best thing we ever did.”
The silence stretched. Jihyo looked at me, something heavy in her eyes. “Do you ever regret it? The way things ended?”
I swallowed. “Every day. Not the separation itself… we needed that. But the way we let it happen. The fights. The cold shoulders. I regret not fighting harder for us.”
She nodded slowly, eyes glistening. “Me too. I was so focused on my career, on proving I could have it all. I pushed you away when you tried to help. And then it was too late.”
Minji stirred a little in her sleep. We both went quiet until she settled again.
“I should get going,” Jihyo said eventually, voice thick. “Early schedule tomorrow.”
I carried Minji to her room while Jihyo gathered her things. When I came back out, she was standing by the door, looking small.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said. “And for being such a good dad to her.”
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