Chained by Expectations | Park Sunghoon

Forty-two

Sunghoon slowly regained consciousness, his body aching with every breath. The harsh fluorescent lights above made his vision blurry, and he blinked several times, trying to focus. As his vision cleared, he saw familiar faces—Jake, and his parents—standing vigilantly by his side. His mother's eyes were swollen and red, evidence of the many hours she'd spent crying and worrying over him.

"Oh, Sunghoon!" his mother exclaimed, rushing to his side as soon as she noticed he was awake. "Jake, please go get the nurse," she instructed, her voice trembling with relief and urgency. Jake nodded and quickly left the room.

Sunghoon tried to speak, but his throat was painfully dry. He swallowed with difficulty, managing to croak out a single question, "Where's Haneul?"

His mother sighed, glancing at his father before turning back to him. "Sweetheart, Haneul is on another floor," she began gently. "Her injuries were a bit more severe, and she needed extra care." She reached out to comfort him, but Sunghoon's mind was racing with concern.

"I want to see her," he insisted, his voice hoarse but determined.

The nurse entered the room then, following Jake. She checked Sunghoon's vitals, adjusting his IV and making sure he was stable. Once she left, an uneasy silence fell over the room. Sunghoon could feel the tension, his anxiety growing as he looked at the worried faces of his loved ones.

"What's going on?" he demanded, looking from Jake to his parents. "What aren't you telling me?"

Jake took a deep breath, hesitating before he spoke. "Look, Sunghoon," he began, struggling to find the right words. "Umm, I don't really know how to tell you this..." He paused, and Sunghoon's heart pounded in his chest. "But they didn't catch So-he."

Sunghoon's heart rate spiked, the monitor beside him beeping rapidly. "Sweetheart, relax," his mother urged, trying to soothe him. "They're looking for her. They haven't stopped," his father added, attempting to reassure him.

Sunghoon clenched his fists, frustration and fear coursing through him. "How could she get away?" he asked, his voice filled with anger and disbelief.

"We're not sure," Jake admitted, his expression troubled. "But the police are doing everything they can to find her. We just need to focus on getting you and Haneul better."

Sunghoon's mind was spinning. The thought of So-he still out there, free to cause more harm, was unbearable. But seeing the determination in Jake's eyes and the unwavering support from his parents, he knew he had to stay strong. For himself, for Haneul, and for the future they both deserved.

"I need to see Haneul," Sunghoon repeated, his voice steadier this time. "Please."

"We'll make sure you can see her soon," his mother promised, gently squeezing his hand. "But right now, you need to rest and heal."

Sunghoon nodded reluctantly, feeling the exhaustion creeping back into his body.

Time Skip:

Haneul woke slowly, her throat dry and vision blurry. She tried to speak but found she couldn't; a tube to help her breathing was restricting her. Panic began to rise until her vision adjusted, and she saw her father and Sunoo by her bedside.

"Haneul!" Sunoo exclaimed, noticing her slight movements and open eyes. "I'll go get the nurse," he said, reassuring Mr. Kim before leaving the room.

Her father rushed over, his face etched with distress and worry. "Haneul," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm so glad you're okay. I'm so sorry, Haneul. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you." He began to sob, and Haneul's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched him break down. She gently placed her hand over his, trying to comfort him.