"A quick smile is more seductive than a slinky dress."
– Mason Cooley
Author's POV
The room is dimly lit, cluttered with a mix of flower shop supplies and personal belongings. A small table by the window holds a few wilted flower arrangements, remnants of Eliza's once-thriving business. The soft hum of a broken radiator fills the silence.
Eliza sits on the edge of her threadbare sofa, her posture slumped and her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her face is etched with exhaustion, and dark circles under her eyes betray sleepless nights. The stress has taken a visible toll on her; her usually vibrant demeanour is now subdued and worn.
"Why won't he just leave us alone?" Eliza muttered
She picks up a letter from the table, eyes scanning the red ink of a final notice from her bank. Her breathing grows shallow as she clutches the letter, her eyes welling up.
Eliza blinks back tears as she folds the letter and places it face-down on the table. She walks over to a small desk in the corner, where her laptop is open, showing a spreadsheet filled with red numbers and overdue invoices. She's barely able to keep her business afloat.
"I've tried everything..." her voice broke. "I can't do this anymore. I just... I can't."
The sound of Yoon's laughter, once a source of joy, now feels distant and unreachable. She stands up, wandering over to a faded photograph of Yoon and herself, taken before everything fell apart.
"I have to find a way out of this. For Yoon. For me." Eliza whispered while wiping her tears.
With a deep breath, she takes a step away from the window, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. Despite her exhaustion, a spark of resolve flickers in her gaze as she begins to plan her next move.
As Eliza's sobs gradually subside, the silence in the room feels almost palpable, interrupted only by the occasional rustle of paper or the ticking of a nearby clock.
Eliza muttered through her tears"How did it all go so wrong?"The phone on the table buzzes, breaking the silence. Eliza glances at it, her tear-streaked face showing a flicker of hope. The caller ID reads HOSPITAL. She hesitates but picks up the phone, her hands trembling.
Eliza's voice was barely a whisper as she answered, "Hello?"
"Ms. Eliza park?" The voice on the other end was calm and professional, a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt. "This is Dr. Grant from St. Jude's Hospital. We have some important news regarding your brother, yooniel Park."
Eliza's heart raced. "Is he... is he okay?"
Dr. Grant's voice softened. "His is in stable condition now, but he's still unconscious. We need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible. There are some details about his condition that we need to discuss with you in person."
Eliza's grip on the phone tightened. "I'm on my way," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
As she hung up, a wave of determination washed over her. She quickly gathered her things and rushed out of her apartment. The cold night air hit her face, but she barely noticed as she drove to the hospital, her mind racing through a whirlwind of thoughts.
Eliza bursts into the emergency room, her eyes wide with fear. The fluorescent lights and the sterile smell of the hospital only add to her anxiety. She approaches the reception desk, her breathing heavy.
