Instant Regrets Book II

Chapter 34

Jennie sat by Hyeong's hospital bed, her hands trembling as she gently stroked his hair. The room was filled with the soft hum of medical equipment, a constant reminder of the seriousness of Hyeong's condition. Her heart felt like it was breaking, piece by piece, as she watched her son struggle.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door. Jennie looked up to see Irene and Wendy entering the room, their faces etched with concern.

"Jennie," Irene called out, rushing over to embrace her. "We came as soon as we heard."

Wendy followed, placing a comforting hand on Jennie's shoulder. "How is he?"

Jennie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Hyeong... he's been diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. The doctors said we need to start treatment immediately or... or we might lose him." Her voice broke on the last words, tears streaming down her face.

Wendy's eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Severe aplastic anemia? How... how did this happen?"

Jennie shook her head, her anguish palpable. "I don't know. He's been so tired and weak lately, but I never imagined... I never thought it would be something this serious."

"That's really serious, Jennie. What did the doctor say?" Irene asked, her voice filled with concern.

Jennie glanced at Hyeong, her voice trembling. "Doctor's Hyeong says he needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. Jiyong and I have already done a tissue typing test to see if we are a match, but we will get the results in the next few days."

Irene squeezed Jennie's hand, her own eyes brimming with tears. "We'll get through this, Jennie. Let's pray that one of you is a match. We'll be here for you every step of the way."

Wendy nodded, her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes. "Whatever you need, Jennie. We're just here."

Jennie nodded, grateful for their support, but the weight of Hyeong's condition still hung heavily in the air. "Thank you, both of you. I appreciate it."

The three friends sat in the waiting room, clinging to each other, hoping and praying for Hyeong's recovery. The uncertainty was terrifying, but in that moment, the strength of their friendship was a small comfort against the storm they faced.

---

Irene arrived home late at night, exhausted from a long day at the hospital with Jennie. She opened the door quietly, not wanting to make any noise, but to her surprise, she found Seulgi still awake, typing furiously on her laptop at the kitchen table.

"You're still working?" Irene's voice was tinged with frustration as she dropped her bag on the floor.

Seulgi barely looked up. "I have a deadline. What's wrong with that?"

Irene felt a surge of anger. "What's wrong with that? Seulgi, do you even realize what I've been through today? Do you even care?"

Seulgi finally stopped typing and looked at Irene, her expression annoyed. "Of course I care, but I have responsibilities too. I can't neglect my work."

"Work, work, work! My God, Seulgi! Haven't you tired of doing your work, even at home? You're always prioritizing your work over our relationship."

Seulgi stood up, her frustration evident. "That's not fair, Irene. I'm doing this for us. I've been working hard to secure our future."

"Our future?" Irene scoffed bitterly. "It feels more like you're securing *your* future."

Seulgi’s brows furrowed, confused. "What are you trying to say, Irene?"

"Nothing! I'm just tired." Irene snapped, turning away.

"Tired?" Seulgi replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess that’s why you come home late without even bothering to update me?"

"Do I need to?" Irene shot back, her voice rising. "I’m just an afterthought to you lately. Jennie needed me today, and I was there for her. I wish you could understand that."

Seulgi’s eyes didn’t leave her laptop as she replied, "I do understand. But it’s not like I’m out there having fun. I’m working these late nights so we can have a stable life."

Irene sighed, exhaustion etched on her face. "I was with Jennie at the hospital. She needs me and I was there for her, Seulgi. Why can't you see that?"

Seulgi finally looked up, rubbing her temples. "I know how important friendship is to you, Irene. But we both have our lives and responsibilities. You can't expect me to be there for every little thing."

"Every little thing?" Irene's eyes widened in disbelief. "Hyeong's is sick. He's life is on the line, and you call it 'every little thing'? You don't get it at all, do you?"

Seulgi’s expression softened as the gravity of the situation sank in. "What are you talking about?"

Irene’s voice trembled. "Jennie's son is in the hospital. Hyeong needs a bone marrow transplant. How can you be so indifferent?"

Seulgi’s anger melted away in an instant. "A bone marrow transplant?" She took a step toward Irene, her voice low and shaky. "I… I didn’t know. How did this happen?"

Irene wiped her tears, her tone softening in grief. "How could you know, Seulgi? You’re always buried in work. Hyeong's condition is serious, and he needs that transplant soon, or… we might lose him."

The shock hit Seulgi hard. She stepped back, a wave of guilt washing over her. "Oh my God," she whispered, her hand on her forehead. "I didn’t realize it was this serious."

Irene nodded, her earlier anger dissolving into sadness. "Neither could I. It all happened so suddenly. I've been trying to support Jennie through this nightmare. I couldn't just leave her alone."

Seulgi’s face twisted with regret. "I'm so sorry, Irene. I didn’t understand. I didn't realize how bad things were." She hesitated, then reached out, pulling Irene into a tight embrace. "I’m sorry for everything. I’ll do whatever I can to help. We’ll get through this together."

Irene leaned into Seulgi, her exhaustion momentarily soothed by the closeness. "I hope so."

The two stood there in the quiet kitchen, their earlier tensions dissipating as the gravity of the situation settled in. Despite the chaos swirling around them, they found solace in each other, united in their commitment to support their friends through whatever came next.