Chapter 186
*
The outing that Hyeon-woo had planned to spend intimately with just Jerome turned into a completely different day due to Tae-geon’s sudden appearance.
Jerome’s newly bought spring clothes were loaded into the trunk of the car Tae-geon drove. They had intended to buy just two or three light outfits, but because of Tae-geon, who handed over his card for every piece of clothing Jerome set his eyes on, the trunk was packed full of shopping bags with no space left.
The three of them had dinner out before heading to the mansion. Through the car window, they could see the sunset. The orange-tinged twilight along the mountain ridge was beautiful. Jerome, who had used up all his energy on this rare outing, fell asleep with his head on Hyeon-woo’s lap.
Just as they entered the thickly wooded area, Hyeon-woo’s phone rang. It was Kyung-ae.
Recently, Yejun had left for the United States as an exchange student. Unable to see her son until the program ended, and with Jerome also moving into the mansion, the aunt had been feeling particularly lonely lately. Hyeon-woo quickly answered the phone, but his face soon turned pale.
It was news of Kyung-ae’s injury. At Tae-geon’s offer to drive them, they turned the car around and headed straight to the hospital.
In the chaotic emergency room, Hyeon-woo’s face was pale with anxiety as he looked around for Kyung-ae. Tae-geon, who was holding the still half-asleep Jerome in place of the flustered Hyeon-woo, patted Hyeon-woo’s shoulder. Then he pointed to a corner of the ward. The aunt was there with a splint and bandage on her left foot.
“Oh my, how embarrassing. I fell while washing my hair. Getting old means bones break over the smallest things.”
“Are you in pain? What did the doctor say?”
“They said it’ll heal in two weeks, nothing to worry about. I’m fine now~”
Even so, when Hyeon-woo’s serious expression showed no signs of easing, Kyung-ae waved her hand dismissively.
“I was so shocked earlier… You were the only person I could think to contact, Hyeon-woo. But it’s fortunate it’s not worse, right?”
Hyeon-woo scolded the aunt who was smiling awkwardly.
“What’s fortunate about it? You should have been more careful. It could have been serious.”
Hyeon-woo massaged Kyung-ae’s knees, shoulders, and head here and there.
“How’s this? And here?”
“I told you I’m fine. They even did a CT scan earlier. There’s nothing wrong anywhere else.”
“Still, you never know. If you feel any discomfort anywhere, you must tell me.”
“Okay, I will.”
As Kyung-ae turned her head, embarrassed by the worried nagging, she finally noticed Tae-geon standing behind Hyeon-woo. Her usually gentle, spring-like gaze turned sharp as she recognized Tae-geon’s face. She remembered his appearance late at night, suddenly showing up and spewing fiery anger.
Tae-geon also recognized her. He clearly remembered not just their encounter in front of Hyeon-woo’s house a few days ago, but even further back to the time when Hyeon-woo, who had run away from him, was indebted to her.
In the process of desperately trying to get Hyeon-woo back, setting baits and traps around, he had inevitably inflicted indelible wounds on her as well. The special bond between Hyeon-woo and her that continued to this day complicated Tae-geon’s feelings.
Unaware of this situation, Hyeon-woo pulled Tae-geon to the aunt’s side to introduce him.
“I told you before, didn’t I? That I have people who are like family to me.”
“……”
“Say hello, she’s like a mother to me.”
Surprised by Hyeon-woo’s sudden statement, the aunt was taken aback. Soon, her eyes became moist with emotion.
“…And you’re like a son to me, our Hyeon-woo.”
Her weighty words, spoken with a gentle smile, caused a great ripple in Hyeon-woo’s heart. Choked up, Hyeon-woo’s eyes immediately reddened. He nudged Tae-geon, who was standing beside him.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to greet her?”
Tae-geon, who had been standing silently, bowed to her. This caused Jerome, who was in Tae-geon’s arms, to fall backward once before coming back, waking him up. Rubbing his eyes and looking around the unfamiliar hospital room, Jerome spotted a familiar face and exclaimed with delight.
“Aunt Yejun!”
As Jerome burst into bright smiles, the aunt’s sharp gaze towards Tae-geon instantly changed to that of a gentle lamb.
“Jerome~ Have you been well?”
“Yes! How about you, auntie?”
“Auntie hurt her leg.”
When she pointed to her bandaged leg, Jerome’s face contorted in pain as if he had been hurt himself.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“Yes, it hurts a lot.”
“Should I blow on it?”
“Yes, I think it’ll get better right away if Jerome blows on it.”
As Tae-geon put Jerome down at his gesture, he scurried to Kyung-ae’s side and started blowing on her injured foot.
Hoo, hoo.
Hyeon-woo looked at her with a troubled expression as she gazed lovingly at Jerome, whose cheeks had puffed up like dumplings.
He felt heavy-hearted at the thought of the aunt being alone in the hospital room. With Yejun not in Korea and Director Jangmi also away on a long sabbatical, there would be no one to stay with her if he left the hospital now.
He didn’t want to leave the aunt alone, who had always been by his side when he was sick, and when Jerome was sick.
Tae-geon, who had been quietly watching Hyeon-woo whose thoughts were clearly visible, spoke up.
“Stay here, I’ll take care of Jerome.”
Surprised by the unexpected offer, Hyeon-woo’s eyes widened as Tae-geon continued.
“You won’t be able to work properly if you go back like this anyway.”
“……”
“Just for one week. After that, I’ll get a caregiver.”
Although his tone was cool, Hyeon-woo knew it was Tae-geon’s way of being considerate, so he nodded.
“…Thank you.”
The aunt waved her hands in refusal when Hyeon-woo said he would stay at the hospital, but Jerome stepped in, saying they couldn’t leave the sick auntie alone and asked his dad to stay with her.
“But only for four nights! Not five nights! Four nights!”
Jerome’s demand was firm, as he was only trained to be without his dad for up to four nights.
“…Will you really be okay, just the two of you with Uncle Tae-geon?”
Unable to imagine them together, worry took precedence.
“Yes, it’s okay. Right, Uncle!”
Jerome approached Tae-geon and suddenly held out his hand. The bold gesture asking to hold hands was full of confidence typical of a child raised with love, who had never been rejected.
Tae-geon, staring down at Jerome’s tiny hand, hesitated uncharacteristically. He clenched and unclenched his fist, which he had slightly hidden behind his trouser leg as if nervous, before carefully taking Jerome’s hand.
The small, soft thing digging into his palm felt unfamiliar and ticklish. With that novel sensation, Tae-geon strangely felt an ache in one corner of his heart. He knew hands that were the complete opposite of this. He felt this way because he remembered that those hands, calloused at every joint, were once this soft.
Tae-geon unknowingly gripped tightly the warm and small thing that Hyeon-woo must have preciously protected while enduring the harsh winds of the world in its place.
*
Although it was none other than himself who had insisted that Tae-geon call if anything happened, he didn’t expect him to call so frequently at every opportunity.
Bzzt- Bzzt-.
The vibration seemed louder than usual in the already quiet single-occupancy room. The aunt, who had originally planned to use a shared room due to concerns about hospital costs, ended up staying in a single room that Tae-geon had paid for in advance. His unexpected kindness was both bewildering and appreciated.
As Hyeon-woo got up with his phone in hand due to the persistent vibration, the aunt asked, “Again?” Nodding with an embarrassed face, he went outside the room to answer the call.
“Hello.”
-What are you doing?
“What else would I be doing? I’m at the hospital. Didn’t I tell you not to call unnecessarily?”
In response to Hyeon-woo’s rebuke, Tae-geon mumbled softly.
-Unnecessary…
“What’s the matter?”
After a moment’s pause as if searching for an excuse, Tae-geon said, “Ah.”
-Jerome is leaving food. Tell me if there’s something he eats well.
“Is he leaving a lot?”
Hearing the concern in Hyeon-woo’s voice, Tae-geon replied lightly as if it wasn’t a big deal.
-It’s not like that, but I think he’s lost his appetite because you’re not here.
“Ah…”
Letting out a small sigh, Hyeon-woo fell into deep thought.
“What was it that Jerome likes…”
Muttering to himself, Hyeon-woo soon exclaimed, “Curry!”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
