#89
Kim Myungjun had been concerned that there might be a problem with the fetus as Eunsol was curled around his stomach, but fortunately, the baby was fine.
He even shared his opinion that it seemed like acute indigestion caused by stress, so now he could only hope that Hyun-oh would think things through properly.
As a mere attending physician, it wasn’t his place to comment on the relationship between the two of them.
“…I’ll take my leave now.”
Kim Myungjun also left the hospital room, reading the atmosphere from Hyun-oh’s figure, which seemed molded from complicated emotions. Fortunately, Eunsol appeared to be fine, allowing him to make this decision.
Hyun-oh, with an inscrutable expression, was busy checking on Eunsol, ignoring the greetings from the attending physician and Kim Myungjun.
Clack.
Only after hearing the door close behind him did Hyun-oh take a deep breath, standing like a fixture in a place neither approaching nor moving away from Eunsol.
Even though he hadn’t taken any medicine yet, a healthier flush had returned to his previously pale complexion after the medical staff performed emergency treatment.
Hyun-oh then took the medicine brought by the nurse and sat beside Eunsol. If he left Eunsol’s side now, it felt like the two of them would forever remain on parallel lines.
Even if Eunsol misunderstood that he was seeking him out because of the child, right now he had to cling to him like a drowning man clutching at straws.
“I’ll leave the medicine here with a glass of water.”
He wanted to give Eunsol the medicine directly. But fearing he might go into convulsions this time, he suppressed his foolish desire.
After placing the medicine and water glass on the table, Hyun-oh walked toward the table. He deliberately turned his back.
A rustling sound was faintly heard from behind. While his gaze was on the documents placed on the table, Hyun-oh’s ears keenly followed Eunsol’s movements.
Only after quite some time did the movement stop. Hyun-oh turned his head and gazed endlessly at Eunsol’s sleeping face.
He approached carefully, making sure his footsteps made no sound. Childlike breathing sounds came from the round nostrils.
Hyun-oh silently removed the empty water cup and medicine packet. Even though Eunsol had given permission for him to stay by his side, he suddenly felt suffocated by the reality that he was still examining Eunsol’s sleeping face like a thief.
It felt as if the karma from his past actions was coming back as an overwhelming tsunami.
His fingertips twitched. He wanted to hold the white hand, but feared that Eunsol might wake up startled by the contact.
Fear was an emotion that had little to do with Hyun-oh’s life.
In his very early childhood, he had inevitably felt such emotions because he couldn’t protect himself, but after his mind had grown somewhat, Hyun-oh learned coolness and stubbornness instead of fear.
It was a life where Hyun-oh could achieve anything if he just set his mind to it. While not everything went according to Hyun-oh’s wishes, using the power he had, he eventually accomplished his goals.
“…Mr. Lee Eunsol.”
However, his relationship with Eunsol was the greatest challenge in Hyun-oh’s life. Hyun-oh had even coldly cut off his relationship with his parents.
Though his relationship with Kang Ye-ryeong had improved after marrying Eunsol, there were clearly times when she and Hyun-oh were worse than strangers.
“Will you give me one more chance?”
He never imagined a day would come when he would plead with someone like this. But strangely, though his feelings were complex, he didn’t feel bad.
The complexity wasn’t due to having to put aside all his pride in this situation, but was closer to the worry of what to do if Eunsol wouldn’t accept him despite all this.
“I’m sorry for forcing you to eat.”
He had always been someone who struggled to express his own feelings. It was wrong to have forcefully urged someone who had already subtly indicated his unwillingness to eat.
“…I wish I could be sick instead.”
This kind of emotion, he thought he’d live his whole life without knowing it.
From the beginning, he had been drawn to Eunsol. Even if it wasn’t love at first sight, he clearly had enough goodwill not to want to reject the contract marriage with him.
What had been mere goodwill had, without his own awareness, taken control of Han Hyun-oh as a person.
Like Eunsol had done once, Hyun-oh’s fingertips circled around Eunsol’s hand.
Now he understood. How lonely Eunsol must have been all this time.
A coldness stole his body heat, as if he were facing a frigid snowstorm with a bare body. Even though Eunsol was clearly right in front of him, within reach at any time, he felt alienated from the world.
He had considered regret an emotion indulged in by losers wallowing in self-pity. Since regret couldn’t turn back time, he couldn’t understand why people foolishly clung to past emotions and agonized.
But now that he had become a loser, he understood.
This wasn’t a problem that could be solved rationally. His past self was so pathetic that, if possible, he truly wanted to turn back time and fix what was wrong.
* * *
“What should I do with that boy?”
Kang Ye-ryeong, who had rushed over in shock at the news of Eunsol being ill, quietly closed the slightly open door.
She never thought she would feel pity for her son who was as big as a mountain.
Lately, Ye-ryeong was experiencing the age-old truth that the world is full of surprises every day.
It was all because of Hyun-oh.
“I came to give him a piece of my mind, but seeing him like that, I can’t say anything.”
She had planned to chase Hyun-oh out of the hospital room and nurse Eunsol herself until he got better. But after seeing Hyun-oh revealing his inner thoughts as if in a monologue, her heart wavered.
“Do I need to play the role of Cupid of love?”
Ye-ryeong tapped her cheek with her fingertips, which showed off her sharply manicured nails.
“Then to the doctor’s office.”
The sound of high heels meeting the floor echoed like a red carpet leading to where Eunsol’s attending physician was.
* * *
“Stay still for a moment.”
Eunsol had just put one foot on the floor while still seated in the car seat. A blue scent settled on Eunsol like a drizzle.
Instantly, his view changed. Eunsol bit his lip as he felt the solid body supporting him with stability.
His fingertips, which had inadvertently touched Hyun-oh’s shoulder, trembled at the two simultaneous thoughts.
This wasn’t the first time he had been held by Hyun-oh in this way, but all those times had been after the two of them had their bodies intertwined for a long time.
Even when Hyun-oh carried Eunsol, who couldn’t move a finger, to the bathroom, his scent wasn’t as distinct as it was now.
“Shall we go straight to the bedroom, or would you like me to put you down in the living room?”
Unaware of Eunsol’s complex inner thoughts, Hyun-oh silently got on the elevator and pressed the close button.
The busy scene of other secretaries including Kim Myungjun unloading necessary luggage disappeared through the closing elevator doors.
“Blink once if you want the bedroom, and twice if you want the living room.”
Hyun-oh explained a method of communication that Eunsol, who still couldn’t speak, could manage.
Eunsol slowly blinked twice.
It was a home he had left as if escaping. But upon returning after a long time, he felt the desire to look at the view visible through the large window in the living room.
As per Eunsol’s wish, Hyun-oh entered the house and carefully set him down on the sofa.
“Medical staff will be stationed on the floor below. If you feel any pain at all, press this button.”
A week had passed since Eunsol’s indigestion. During that time, Eunsol had maintained a relationship with Hyun-oh that was neither distant nor close.
It was more the result of Hyun-oh’s unyielding character than Eunsol’s effort.
Thanks to this, Eunsol was now quietly accepting Hyun-oh’s help in situations like this where he needed it, rather than pushing him away.
All while pressing down firmly on his rustling heart to silence it.
“I’ll place the tablet PC and phone here.”
The items that had substituted for Eunsol’s voice in the hospital room were neatly placed on Eunsol’s lap. Eunsol fiddled with the button in his hand and then picked up the phone to press the messenger app.
He had wanted to see Ryu Jeong-woo’s face before being discharged, but he happened to be asleep, so Eunsol had only left a message before leaving.
Unlike Eunsol, whose ribs were healing smoothly and whose health had improved enough to be discharged, Ryu Jeong-woo needed to remain hospitalized for at least two more months to monitor his progress.
Thoughts of him naturally made his heart heavy.
[It’s okay ^^ I can see you later after I’m discharged]
This was the reply to the message Eunsol had sent, full of apologetic feelings. The kind voice seemed to be heard beyond the text.
It was as Eunsol was absently touching the screen where the message had appeared.
“Wear this.”
Hyun-oh, who had briefly left his seat, appeared with something in his hand. Eunsol’s eyes trembled slightly at the warmth draped over his shoulders.
It was the only possession of Hyun-oh’s that he had taken when he left him. The cardigan that Hyun-oh often wore at home.
As the days passed, whenever he felt Hyun-oh’s scent fading from the cardigan, tears would well up until his eyes were sore.
But now, the clothes draped over him were heavily scented with his fragrance. Strangely, it felt as if warmth was added to his chilled body. Despite the fact that just wearing a cardigan shouldn’t make the body warm so quickly.
It was as Eunsol was handling the cuff that had slipped down. What entered his field of vision raised questions.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
