#73
In front of the doctor, Hyun-oh slowly clenched his convulsively trembling hand into a fist. Though he had heard numerous details, only a single sentence remained in his mind.
“…His condition is very critical. Tonight will be the turning point.”
The injuries from the traffic accident weren’t as severe as expected. The problem was that Eunsol was in early pregnancy, making his pheromones extremely unstable.
He was pregnant with the child of Hyun-oh, who was called not just an ordinary alpha but a royal alpha.
Because Eunsol’s pheromone levels weren’t high, he should have been receiving Hyun-oh’s pheromones steadily, but his body had suffered a major shock without that support.
Fortunately, thanks to Eunsol fastening his seatbelt in a way that minimized impact to his stomach, there was no direct compression of the uterus, but the added psychological shock was problematic.
As a result, bleeding had occurred inside the uterus, leading to vaginal bleeding symptoms.
“The risk of miscarriage is also high. I believe the fetus may also have difficulty surviving the night.”
The doctor continued explaining using complex figures, but Hyun-oh could only squeeze his eyes shut.
Someone who had been so obedient had discovered the pregnancy, withdrawn cash, and undertaken an escape. Even leaving divorce papers, as if anticipating the worst scenario.
Both Eunsol and the baby had to be safe.
If forced to choose between the two, Hyun-oh would select Eunsol without hesitation. Without even having to think about it.
But if Eunsol woke up and asked for the baby… what should he say then?
He was a fragile person. Such a person had made the decision to run away to protect the baby.
But if he learned that he had lost the baby because of Hyun-oh’s mistakes, this time he might leave not because of the baby but because his heart had changed.
Hyun-oh could forcibly keep him by his side, but that alone wouldn’t satisfy him.
He realized that he wanted Eunsol to love him unchangingly—in the past, present, and forever into the future.
“…Save both of them by whatever means necessary. Cost is not an issue.”
At Hyun-oh’s words, the doctor nodded heavily. He, too, didn’t want the patient who had come to him to die.
Hyun-oh stood up as the doctor replied that he understood. His steps quickened as he headed toward the intensive care unit where Eunsol was hospitalized.
“Chairman.”
Kim Myungjun, who was guarding the entrance to the ICU, approached Hyun-oh with a darkened face.
Hyun-oh’s face was so expressionless that it was difficult to decide what words to offer him.
He looked extremely precarious. He seemed like someone whose expression had disappeared because too many emotions had surfaced. Even Kim Myungjun, who had been by Hyun-oh’s side since he was very young, had never seen him like this.
“I’ll keep watch here. I’ve secured a VIP room for you; how about going there to rest, even if just for a little while?”
After gnawing on his dry lips anxiously, Kim Myungjun finally spoke up with difficulty. Though he knew how strong Hyun-oh was, it seemed like he might collapse at any moment if he continued standing like this.
“…No need. You go. I’ll stay here.”
Because Hyun-oh had postponed all his work to search for Eunsol, Kim Myungjun was overwhelmed with communications from various sources. Though he had taken care of matters as much as possible, there were continually arising issues that required Hyun-oh’s approval or decisions.
As if aware of this, Hyun-oh gestured to Kim Myungjun with a nod. Just then, Hyun-oh’s work phone in Kim Myungjun’s hand rang, making him realize he needed to step away, if only briefly.
He couldn’t make decisions in Hyun-oh’s place. However, he could suggest alternatives.
“Then I’ll just handle the urgent matters and return immediately. Please sit here.”
The ICU where Eunsol was admitted had a large glass window through which the inside situation could be monitored in real-time.
Even now, numerous medical staff were busy doing their jobs, monitoring Eunsol’s condition.
Kim Myungjun pointed to a chair placed against the wall, but Hyun-oh lightly shook his head.
Only after confirming once more that Hyun-oh was in no state to listen to his words did Kim Myungjun take heavy steps away.
While Eunsol was in critical condition, Ryu Jeong-woo had also undergone head surgery and was admitted to another intensive care unit.
They had contacted Jeong-woo’s family, and his mother had responded that she would send someone, along with the excuse that she couldn’t come personally despite her son’s serious injury because of an important schedule.
Instead, unexpectedly, a surprising individual had contacted Kim Myungjun’s side just a few minutes later.
The person who had just crossed Kim Myungjun’s mind was running frantically from the distance. He was also someone Kim Myungjun had known for a long time due to his friendship with Hyun-oh.
Unlike Hyun-oh, whose expression had disappeared as if only an empty shell remained, this man showed his intense emotions unfiltered, his usually slick smiling face now drained of color.
“Jeong-woo!”
“…Hello, Mr. Lee Min-hyun.”
Kim Myungjun bowed slightly as he observed the man who had appeared calling Jeong-woo’s name.
Min-hyun, Jeong-woo’s ex-husband, was Hyun-oh’s middle school classmate. He was also the only heir of the third generation of the robust LL Group, which specialized in hotels.
“Director Kim! Where is our Jeong-woo?”
Min-hyun gripped Kim Myungjun’s shoulder with such force that it created a numbing sensation.
It was the dead of winter. He was wearing only a dress shirt, without a coat or jacket. His hair and upper body were soaked with snow, suggesting he had run all the way from outside.
His pale eyes surged violently with emotions that couldn’t be defined in a single term.
“If you go this way, they will guide you.”
Kim Myungjun quickly provided the answer he wanted, ignoring the pain he felt in his shoulder.
Without offering either an apology or thanks, Min-hyun rushed toward the direction Kim Myungjun had indicated.
‘…Cheating as if it were a daily meal and even having a child with someone else.’
It was curious that the ex-husband, not the parents, had rushed to Jeong-woo’s side upon hearing he was in critical condition. He had heard their divorce was resolved amicably, with the fault attributed to Min-hyun.
Though his gaze lingered momentarily in the direction Min-hyun had disappeared, Kim Myungjun soon shook his head vigorously and raised his phone.
“Yes. This is Kim Myungjun.”
There was much to do. It was his responsibility to fill Hyun-oh’s void until Eunsol safely woke up and Hyun-oh regained his composure.
* * *
“…Wake up soon.”
Hyun-oh placed his hand on the glass window and gently moved his index finger. It was near where Eunsol’s face was reflected.
The oxygen respirator, which almost covered his small face, made it hard to see his face properly.
Eunsol’s body was connected to so many lines that it was cringe-worthy. Various colored lines and numbers floating on the black screen proved that Eunsol was still alive.
His exposed upper body, which couldn’t be clothed due to the many connected devices, looked cold. The sight was so pitiful that Hyun-oh wanted to take off his own clothes and cover him.
A reddish bruise that hurt just to look at crossed his torso. The cruel mark seemed like it would never fade, standing out particularly against his pale skin.
‘It seems the patient was well aware of his pregnancy. He wore the seat belt in a way that minimized impact to the fetus.’
When the doctor’s words came to mind, Hyun-oh’s outstretched fingers curled inward involuntarily. Blue veins bulged threateningly over his tightly clenched fist.
He could vividly imagine Eunsol searching for information online to protect the child whose existence Hyun-oh hadn’t even known about.
Eunsol might not know, but when he read text, his lips parted slightly and his eyes blinked more slowly than usual.
It wasn’t a sight easily seen. When they were together, he mostly focused on Hyun-oh.
“Now I’ll protect both of you… so please, don’t give up.”
All the figures were still proving that Eunsol was alive, but it was uncertain when the fluctuating flow might flatten.
Even now, the doctor in charge of Eunsol was constantly giving instructions to the nurses standing nearby, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. Each time, new medication was added through the IV line connected to Eunsol’s arm.
“Han Hyun-oh!”
The atmosphere, which had been noisy yet strangely subdued amidst the life-and-death circumstances, was shattered in an instant by a loud voice.
The medical staff, who had briefly given their attention to Kang Ye-ryeong, started to focus on their tasks again.
“Where is my new child…”
Kang Ye-ryeong, who had been running urgently despite wearing high heels that must have been at least a handspan tall, lost her words at the sight of Eunsol visible through the glass window.
“Ah…”
“Madam!”
As Kang Ye-ryeong clutched her forehead and staggered, a man following behind her hurriedly supported her.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
