Balancing Protective Love

Hiking Accident

Alex and Linda were eagerly anticipating their hiking trip. The morning sun was bright, and Alex picked Linda up in his SUV, her picnic basket packed with an assortment of fruits and kimbap.

"Ready for our adventure?" Alex asked, his enthusiasm palpable.

Linda, holding the picnic basket close, grinned. "Absolutely! I've prepared some of my favorites. Hope you're hungry!"

"I'm definitely looking forward to it," Alex said, as they headed towards the mountains.

During the drive, Linda excitedly shared details about her favorite foods and Vietnamese culture. Alex, intrigued, listened attentively and asked questions.

"I've always loved trying new cuisines," Alex remarked. "But Vietnamese food is new to me."

Linda laughed. "Well, you're in for a treat today. And I'll make sure you try some Korean dishes too."

The hike began smoothly, with Linda and Alex enjoying the beautiful scenery and engaging in lively conversation. The path wound through lush greenery, offering spectacular views.

After a few hours, they reached a stunning overlook. They spread out a picnic blanket and enjoyed Linda's homemade kimbap and fresh fruit. Alex was impressed by the spread and the effort Linda had put into it.

"This is fantastic," Alex said, savoring the food. "You've really outdone yourself."

Linda beamed. "Glad you like it. It's nice to share a bit of my culture with you."

Once they finished their meal, they packed up and started the descent. The trail was steeper than they anticipated, and they had to be careful on the uneven ground.

As they made their way down, Linda's foot caught on a rock. She stumbled and fell, scraping her knee and twisting her ankle. The impact also caused her to bite down hard, chipping a small piece of her tooth.

Linda winced and tried to keep her pain hidden. "I'm okay, just a scratch."

Alex's concern was immediate. "Let me see your knee and ankle. We need to make sure you're alright."

Linda hesitated, trying to downplay her injuries. "It's nothing. I'll be fine."

Alex wasn't convinced. "You're clearly in pain. Let me help."

Reluctantly, Linda allowed him to examine her knee and ankle. Alex's gentle touch was both comforting and efficient as he assessed the injuries.

"It's definitely scraped up, and your ankle might be sprained," Alex said, his worry evident. "We need to take care of it."

Linda tried to distract him. "It's really not that bad."

Alex shook his head. "We need to be sure. Let's get you back to the trailhead first."

As they slowly made their way down, Linda was in obvious discomfort. She kept her mouth tightly shut, trying to hide the fact that her tooth was bothering her too. Alex's focus was on her knee and ankle, so she managed to keep it hidden for now.

Finally, they reached the trailhead. Alex helped Linda into the SUV and drove them to the nearest clinic...