evil prevails

part 25

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"By no means should you forget the medication prescribed by your previous attending physician, Sonshik," Hanni says sternly, hanging her stethoscope around her neck and shoving her hands into the pockets of her white coat. In front of her, sitting on the hospital bed, is a middle-aged omega.

"You see, Dr. Kim, I don't really trust modern medications," Sonshik says with an apologetic smile, shrugging his thin shoulders, on which a light-blue pajama top hangs.

Hanni playfully rolls her eyes and shakes her head, immediately giving the omega a warm smile.

"I understand your concerns, but I assure you, the medication prescribed by Dr. Choi will definitely help," Hanni says, gently touching the other's shoulder and giving it a slight squeeze.

"I can trust you, Hanni," the omega says more quietly, looking into Kim's eyes with a warm smile on her lips. "I've heard a lot about you. All good things. And if you say it will help, then it will."

"Follow the regimen and adhere to the doctors' instructions, and everything will be fine," Hanni says, smiling as she nods and removes her hand from the omega's shoulder. "And now you need to sleep; sleep is the best medicine."

Hanni gives the patient one more warm smile and, receiving the same in return, leaves the room, immediately blending into the flow of people in the corridor. Everything here is as usual. The constant hustle and buzz, which Kim had long gotten used to. She realized she had missed it when she put on her pristine, perfectly ironed coat and hung the stethoscope around her neck. Working in the hospital is an integral part of her life, its meaning, and the main reason she wakes up in the mornings.

She was taken back immediately. The chief physician couldn't quite hide his amazement at the sight of a living and unharmed employee whom he had sent to the north. He tactfully refrained from asking the questions that had been bothering him. And yet he was genuinely happy.

Greeting everyone and wishing them a good day with a smile on her face, Hanni reaches her office, closes the door behind her, and immediately stops, stunned by what she sees. The entire ceiling is filled with dozens of colorful balloons. Hanni widens her eyes and raises her head, looking at the balloons and slowly moving toward her desk through the hanging ribbons they are tied with. The omega places her hands on the desk, lowers her head, and bites her lip, smirking.

"And once again, I forgot," she says quietly, shaking her head.

Hanni no longer likes her birthday. She doesn't like being the center of attention. The only one who doesn't let her forget about this day is Danielle, who genuinely loves holidays and gifts. Hanni has never met a person brighter than her. She once entered Hanni's dark world with a ray of light in her hands and has been shining ever since, driving away the darkness from her wounded soul.

Kim turns toward the door just as a beaming Danielle bursts into the office, holding a medium-sized beautiful box with a red bow.

"Happy birthday, Hanni!" Danielle squeals happily, rushing at her friend and almost knocking her off her feet. She quickly puts the box on the desk and hugs the quietly laughing omega.

"I hope there won't be any surprise poppers like last year," Hanni giggles as Danielle releases her from her warm embrace.

"No, this time it's a balloon reminder of your day," Marsh laughs, glancing up. "Why are you just standing there? Look at your gift!"

Hanni turns to the desk and wraps her arms around the box under Danielle's watchful gaze, who is standing nearby. The younger one frowns, not hurrying to open the gift, and turns her head toward her friend, giving her a stern and warning look.