The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

30 | Healing Scars

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Three months later...

The room is filled with the warmth of the late morning sun. 

Haerin's room had become my haven, a place where I received endless care and hospitality. Haerin supported me through the entire recovery process, ensuring I had everything I needed.

Every day, she arrived home as soon as possible to see me, and the first thing she did was kiss my head. She took over the nurse's role once she was home, feeding and bathing me. At night, she read me stories, and I played with her hair and kissed her head. Sometimes, she fell asleep beside me on the chair. I just smiled and stared at her beautiful face before falling asleep too.

Today is a special day.

Doctor Lee is visiting to check on my progress and, hopefully, to remove the last of the medical paraphernalia that has tethered me to this bed. 

He enters the room, giving me his usual kind smile. He sets his bag down and washes his hands thoroughly at the sink in the corner.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Kang. How are you feeling today?" he asks.

I smile at him. "I'm feeling good, doc."

Haerin stands beside me, her hand holding mine tightly.

"Let's take a look," Doctor Lee says, pulling up a stool and sitting beside the bed.

I pull down my shirt slightly, revealing the stitches on my chest. His hands are gentle but precise as he begins to remove the last of the stitches and any remaining tubes. The sensation is strange, a mix of discomfort and relief. 

I focus on Haerin's face the whole time. Her presence is comforting, her touch soothing as she strokes my hair and whispers reassuring words whenever I hiss in pain.

"You've recovered remarkably well, Mrs. Kang. It's almost magical how quickly your body has healed. We'll still need to monitor you closely for the next few months, but essentially, you're in the clear now," Doctor Lee says, still focused on the task.

I look at Haerin with wide eyes, bewildered. She simply gives me a soft smile, raising an eyebrow in a way that tells me, 'You did it.'

"Thank you, doctor," she mutters.

Doctor Lee smiles warmly. "My pleasure. Just make sure to follow the prescribed regimen for the next few months, and don't push yourself too hard."

"We will," Haerin assures him.

"Thank you so much, doctor. You saved my life," I add.

With the medical formalities over, Doctor Lee packs his bag and bids us goodbye. 

Haerin helps me up from the bed so carefully, so gently. Standing feels strange but wonderful after being confined to bed for so long.

As I stand, she supports me. We both giggle, joy bubbling over.

"What do you want to do first on this wonderful day?" Haerin asks, her eyes shining like the stars at night.

"I want to see the mansion's garden." I don't even have to think. My heart swelling with the thought of finally stepping outside.

Without missing a beat, Haerin sweeps me up in her arms, carrying me bridal style. I squeal in surprise, my arms instinctively wrapping around her neck.