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17

A maelstrom of excitement, fear, and guilt churned within Chaeyoung as her feet carried her toward a familiar, dreaded destination.

"Chaeng," Mina's voice, soft yet firm, touched her shoulder.

Chaeyoung looked up, the fear etched onto her face impossible to mask.

"It's okay. I'm here," Mina murmured, her gaze unwavering, locking with Chaeyoung's.

This was the third time Mina had witnessed this raw, vulnerable side of Chaeyoung, a glimpse into a life shadowed by pain.

Chaeyoung took a deep, steadying breath, her eyes fluttering shut.  A hand instinctively rose to her chest, a silent gesture of self-soothing.  Then, with a resolute movement, she pressed the elevator button.

The doors slid open, revealing Chaeyoung's mother standing in the hallway, her presence a storm cloud.

Chaeyoung and Mina stepped out of the elevator. As Chaeyoung approached, her mother spotted her and launched into a tirade, striding toward her with a fury that made Chaeyoung's knees tremble.  Mina's presence, a complete stranger to her mother, seemed to fuel her rage rather than deter it.

"You bitch! Where have you been?! You useless—"

Chaeyoung squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the familiar sting of her mother's hand.  The expected slap never came. A moment stretched, heavy with anticipation.

"Stop it, Mrs. Son," Mina's voice cut through the air, calm yet steely.

Chaeyoung cautiously opened her eyes to find Mina standing before her, her body shielding Chaeyoung from her mother's wrath.  Mina's gaze was locked onto the older woman, unwavering and defiant.

"W-who are you?!  Why are you—" Mrs. Son sputtered, her words cut short again by Mina.

"Stop hurting Chaeyoung to satisfy your own cruelty," Mina stated, her voice even, her eyes blazing with controlled fury.

Chaeyoung stood frozen, utterly stunned by Mina's unexpected intervention.

Mrs. Son lunged forward, her hand raised to strike Mina, but the movement was abruptly halted by the arrival of doctors emerging from Jeongyeon's room.

Mrs. Son hastily lowered her hand, her face regaining a veneer of composure.

"Good evening, Mrs. Son," the lead doctor greeted, bowing slightly.

"How's my daughter?" Mrs. Son asked, her voice strained.

The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "She's stable. After four years, she's finally regained consciousness.  She's still weak, but her limbs are strong, adjusted to her age…" He paused, his gaze shifting to Chaeyoung, who was still reeling from the events.  "That's thanks to Ms. Chaeyoung here.  She's been her caretaker for four years, providing physical and psychological stimulation… Nurse Irene told me everything you've done…"

"And Ms. Yoo can talk!  Remarkable!  Rehabilitation should begin immediately," the doctor exclaimed, his amazement palpable.

The weight of those words settled upon Chaeyoung.  For four years, she had tirelessly worked to keep Jeongyeon's body healthy, stretching her limbs for hours, researching coma care, reading to her, singing the songs they'd written together, spending countless sleepless nights.  She had done it all.  Mrs. Son, visiting only sporadically, had been entirely unaware.  She stared at Chaeyoung with an unreadable expression.

Chaeyoung hung her head, the enormity of her dedication and her mother's obliviousness crashing down on her.

"You may see her now. I'm sure she'll be happy to talk.  Excuse me," the doctor said, bowing politely before departing.

Silence descended upon the three women. Mrs. Son's expression remained unfathomable.  With a sharp hiss, she turned and walked away, leaving Mina and Chaeyoung alone.

After a moment, Mina broke the silence.

"Go to her, Chae. I'll wait here."

Chaeyoung looked at Mina, concern etched onto her face.  She bit her lip, then walked toward the door, pausing to glance back at Mina, who offered a reassuring smile.

With trembling hands, Chaeyoung opened the door and stepped inside. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw Jeongyeon, leaning back against the headboard, a familiar book in her hand – the one Chaeyoung had read to her countless nights.

Jeongyeon heard the door close and turned, her gaze settling on Chaeyoung.  A long, silent moment passed, neither woman breaking the gaze.  Chaeyoung's head remained bowed.

Then, Jeongyeon spoke, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

"Who are you?"