𝗘𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮 | Lee Donghyuck | ONGOING

Chapter Four

The hospital room was busy the next day. Jieun was beginning to show lethal symptoms. Her room was of the sweet smell of flowers. The girl's lips had become flushed and her eyes were beginning to look dead. Her blood pressure and pulse rate decreased.

Nurses were coming and leaving her room every second. At a corner stood a very confused mother and soon-to-be step-father. Taehee's eyes were watering and Henry held on to her hands. The man was worried too, although the girl wasn't her child.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Taehee wept.

"I'm sure, darling, I'm sure." Henry patted her back.

Meanwhile, the girl was in a world of her own. She was with the invisible man in her little flower-filled field. They had explored all the little hills and valleys they could find. In one, they found an apple tree.

"Here we are, Jieun."

"Wow!" The girl exclaimed. "But what is this place anyway?"

"You'll find out soon." He handed her an apple from within his reach. He struggled to pick one for himself as the rest were too high up.

"Here, let me help." Jieun reached up. The invisible man lifted her to his shoulders. She chose the brightest and prettiest apple and gave it to him. He put her down and thanked her.

"So, why an apple tree today?"

"Just so that if you ever need to choose, you know that apples are the best." She could tell he was smiling, still, his face was hidden in the dark.

"Good afternoon, Hyekyo." Taehee smiled at her husband's mistress.

The latter replied with a smile. "Good afternoon to you too." She paused. "How is Jieun feeling?"

Taehee sighed. "Not good. She still hasn't woken up and her state only keeps getting worse. If this continues, I doubt she'll be alive for long."

"It's a pity. She would make a lovely step-daughter."

"I'd love to say I was excited for you to meet her, but let me be honest, I was a lot more excited for her to meet her step-father."

They both giggled, but a somber feeling returned. The air felt thick and suffocating. Both women were clearly worried for the sake of the child that each one considered their own.

Jeongsu found the women standing by the balcony.

"Don't worry now, both of you. I'm sure she'll be just fine."

"Well, we can only hope."

"Funny coming from the one who wanted to kill her."

They both replied at the same time, one calmer than the other.

"Hold up, I didn't want to kill her. I was just suggesting."

"To kill her?" Taehee deadpanned. 

Hyekyo put a hand on Taehee's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll get better." 

Taehee sighed. "She should, I can't imagine life without her."

"She will." Jeongsu smiled. "Henry's in the waiting room, you should go get him. We'll wait here."

When the older had left Hyekyo turned to Jeongsu. "Are you sure? You know anyone else would fancy you a madman."

"Anyone else", he chuckled. "But not you".

"Ha-ha, very funny. Now show me."

* * *

By the time Taehee arrived with Henry, the couple was gone. They had, however, left a note. It said: "Sorry but we had to leave. Take care and let us know if anything happens."

Taehee showed it to her boyfriend. "Look." She said.

"Oh well." He smiled.

The two sat down on the chairs close by.

"I heard they're going to run some tests soon?"

"Yes, apparently they need some blood tests and an MRI. They said it could be terrible."

"Just hope for the best, darling."

"Hmm. I was wondering..." Her voice trailed off.

"Hm? Tell me?"

"Should we wait to get married after she wakes up? Or just do it as soon as the divorce is through?"

"I think we should do it as soon as possible. It will give her fewer things to worry about, I think."

"I agree." She smiled.

A nurse interrupted them. "I will be taking a blood sample."

"Okay." They both watched as the nurse gently lifted the girl's long sleeve. She cleaned the area with a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and prepared a piece of cotton with masking tape. She injected the needle and drew out the blood. It was a bright red. She covered the area with the cotton and pulled out the piece of steel. She motioned for the mother to press onto the area. The latter did so. The nurse then smiled and said, "we'll be back for an MRI this evening. Please hold that spot for five to ten minutes."

The mother just hummed.

"What's the matter?"

"Her blood seems too red...."

* * *

Soon enough the evening had arrived. The unconscious girl was pulled into the bright white room. Outside the four parents had gathered. The father walked around with his back hunched. The mother was biting her nails and may have chewed her way to her skin. The other two paced around in circles at such a steady pace that a spectator would think that they were a clock.

The mother had to leave for the bathroom. The father soon left to get some fresh air. Hyekyo was now close to hyperventilating. The moment was clearly close.

The mother did not return. Neither did the father. Henry was now holding Hyekyo's trembling hands.

"Why are you so jumpy? You didn't do something did you?"

She glanced up at him. "Of course I didn't! But they're still not here. Do you think something could have happened?" She was sure that something had happened.

At that moment, the doctor stepped out. "Are you Jieun's guardians?"

They shook their heads. "The parents just stepped out, but you can tell us."

"We are sorry to tell you but Jieun has passed away during the scan."