THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 44: Under The Same Roof

Jasmine stood in her modest kitchen, staring blankly at the cup of coffee cooling on the countertop. The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting warm shadows across the room. It was a far cry from the mansion she once shared with Emil, but this house, small and unassuming, was filled with something she had never found in that grand estate—genuine warmth and love. It had witnessed her darkest moments, her struggles as a single mother, and the slow, painful process of moving on from the man she once thought she'd spend her life with.

But today, that warmth felt distant, overshadowed by the gnawing worry that had settled in her chest since Dae Ho left for South Korea. It had been days, and though he had called to check in briefly, she hadn't been able to shake the feeling that something was wrong. Dae Ho had become her anchor in the storm, his steady presence calming her anxieties. Now, with him gone, she felt adrift.

She shook herself out of her thoughts, reminding herself that she had responsibilities to attend to. It was time to wake Eva. Jasmine set her cup down and headed upstairs, a small smile tugging at her lips as she thought about her daughter's sleepy, stubborn resistance to mornings. "Eva, time to get up, sweetheart," she called softly as she approached the door to Eva's room.

She pushed the door open gently, expecting to see her little girl stirring under the blankets. But instead, Eva lay completely still, curled up tightly under the covers. A cold wave of dread washed over Jasmine as she quickly crossed the room and placed a hand on her daughter's forehead. The heat was immediate, alarming.

"Eva," Jasmine whispered, her voice shaking as she tried to rouse her. "Eva, baby, wake up."

Eva groaned softly but didn't open her eyes. Panic flared in Jasmine's chest, and she quickly pulled out her phone to call Dae Ho. Her fingers trembled as she dialed, but the phone rang and rang with no answer. The call went to voicemail.

"Please, Dae Ho, pick up," Jasmine muttered, her voice tight with fear as she tried again. When it went to voicemail a second time, tears began to blur her vision. She didn't know what to do. She was alone, and Eva needed help.

She sat on the edge of the bed, cradling Eva's small hand in hers, trying to think of her next move. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Jasmine's heart leapt in her chest. Maybe Dae Ho had come back. She rushed downstairs, flinging open the door—only to find herself face-to-face with Emil.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Emil's expression was one of shock and concern, his eyes scanning her face as if trying to read her thoughts.

"Jasmine," Emil finally spoke, his voice laced with worry. "What's wrong? You look... upset."

Jasmine's emotions, already frayed, snapped. She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "It's Eva," she said, her voice trembling. "She's burning up with a fever, and I don't know what to do. I tried calling Dae Ho, but he's not answering, and I'm so scared..."

Emil's expression hardened with resolve. "Where is she?" he asked, stepping forward without waiting for an invitation.

Jasmine pointed toward the stairs. "She's in her room."

Emil didn't waste any time. He hurried up the stairs, and Jasmine followed close behind, her heart pounding. When they reached Eva's room, Emil immediately knelt beside the bed, his hand brushing back the damp hair from Eva's forehead. His touch was tender, careful.

"We need to get her to the hospital," Emil said, his voice firm. He gently lifted Eva into his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Jasmine quickly grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around her daughter as they hurried out the door.

The drive to the hospital felt endless. Jasmine sat in the backseat, holding Eva close while Emil drove, his eyes fixed on the road with an intensity she hadn't seen in years. The tension in the car was thick, but neither of them spoke. Jasmine was too focused on her daughter, and Emil seemed lost in his own thoughts.