Instant Regrets Book II

Chapter 35

"Jennie," Mrs. Kim said softly, placing a gentle hand on Jennie's shoulder. "You need to rest. You've been here for hours."

Jennie shook her head, her gaze never leaving Hyeong's peaceful face. "I can't, Mom. What if he wakes up and I'm not here? I need to be the first person he sees."

Mrs. Kim sighed, understanding the depth of Jennie's worry. She pulled up a chair and sat down next to her daughter. "I know you want to be here for him, but you also need to take care of yourself. If you don't rest, how will you have the strength to help him when he needs you?"

Jennie bit her lip, fighting back tears. "I just... I can't bear the thought of him waking up and not finding me here. He needs to know I'm always with him."

Mrs. Kim reached out, taking Jennie's hand in hers. "Hyeong knows how much you love him. And he knows you would never leave him. But right now, he needs you to be strong and healthy. Even just a short rest can make a difference."

Jennie hesitated, torn between her overwhelming need to be by Hyeong's side and the undeniable exhaustion pressing down on her. "What if he wakes up while I'm gone? What if he needs me and I'm not here?"

Mrs. Kim squeezed Jennie's hand gently. "I'll stay here with him. I promise I'll call you the moment he wakes up. You won't miss a thing, Jennie. But you need to trust that it's okay to take care of yourself too."

Jennie looked at her mother, seeing the sincerity and concern in her eyes. She nodded slowly, the exhaustion finally catching up with her. "Okay, Mom. But please, call me right away if anything happens."

Mrs. Kim smiled reassuringly. "I promise, dear. Now go get some rest. Hyeong will be here when you wake up, and so will I."

Jennie stood up reluctantly, giving Hyeong one last tender look before leaning down to kiss his forehead. "I'll be back soon, my love." she whispered.

As she left the room, Mrs. Kim settled into the chair Jennie had vacated, keeping a vigilant watch over her grandson. She knew how much Jennie needed this brief respite and how much Hyeong needed his mother to be strong.

Mrs. Kim sat quietly by Hyeong's bedside, her heart heavy with worry but her demeanor calm and nurturing. She gently brushed the little boy's hair away from his forehead, her fingers tender and loving. Hyeong's peaceful face reminded her so much of Jennie when she was young, fragile yet full of potential strength.

She took a deep breath and began to speak softly, as if telling a bedtime story, "You know, Hyeong, when your mommy was your age, she used to get sick a lot too," Mrs. Kim began, her eyes distant with memories. "We would often have to rush her to the hospital, just like we did with you. She would stay here for a long time, and it was always so hard for her."

Mrs. Kim paused, her fingers continuing to stroke Hyeong's hair. "But do you know what happened? Your mommy got better. She got stronger every day. She fought so hard, and eventually, she was able to leave the hospital and run around just like all the other kids."

She smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Your mommy is so strong now, and I know you have that same strength inside you, my sweet boy. You just have to keep fighting, just like she did."

Mrs. Kim's voice grew even softer as she leaned closer to Hyeong. "And when you wake up and feel better, we'll do so many fun things together. Grandpa and I will take you fishing, you like that, don't you? And we'll go to the playground where you can play with lots of other kids. I remember how much you love that."

She kissed his forehead, her heart full of love and hope. "But you have to get better first, okay? You have to keep fighting, just like your mommy did. We're all here waiting for you, and we can't wait to see that beautiful smile of yours again."

Mrs. Kim's voice trembled slightly, but she kept her tone encouraging and warm. "You're so brave, Hyeong. We all believe in you. Just rest for now, and when you wake up, we'll be here, ready to take you on all those adventures. I love you so much, my sweet boy."

She continued to stroke his hair, humming a lullaby she used to sing to Jennie. As the gentle melody filled the room, Mrs. Kim felt a sense of peace, holding on to the hope that Hyeong would soon open his eyes and be the lively, joyful child they all adored.