Back home, Winter is trying to settle back into her routine, hoping for some peace after her recent adventures. However, the arrival of Karina Yoo, the beautiful VIP investor, stirs up unresolved emotions and echoes from her past. Karina's presence...
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The surgery had gone well. The doctors had reassured her over and over again that the head injury wasn't as severe as they had feared, and the cuts would heal in time. Still, the sight of Karina lying there last night, pale and motionless, tugged at Winter's heart.
But now, the room was bathed in soft, golden sunlight of the morning, its warmth barely reaching the sterile coldness of the hospital. Karina lay propped up on pillows, her face pale and weary, etched with lines of pain and exhaustion. Bandages wrapped around her head, just peeking out from her messy dark hair, which had lost its usual shine. Her lips were slightly dry, and her skin looked fragile under the dim lights above her bed. Despite everything, her eyes, though tired, held a quiet strength. She was awake, but there was a heaviness to her gaze, as if the weight of the accident still lingered on her chest.
I sat beside her, spoon in hand, carefully lifting the small bowl of porridge toward her lips. The scent of rice and broth mingled with the faint, antiseptic smell of the room. Each spoonful was an effort for her—slow, deliberate movements as she opened her mouth slightly, wincing with every swallow. Her hand trembled as it rested on the blanket, unable to assist in feeding herself.
"You don't have to do this," Karina mumbled, her voice hoarse and barely above a whisper, though her words carried a hint of embarrassment. Her eyes met mine briefly before she closed them again, too drained to argue.
I continued in silence, gently coaxing her to eat, careful not to spill. The spoon felt almost too heavy in my hand, knowing how weak she was. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if wanting to push the spoon away, but she let me continue. Every bite seemed to take forever, as if time had slowed down in this small room where healing felt like an eternity away.
Outside, I could hear the faint hum of hospital life—the footsteps of nurses, the occasional beeping of machines—but in this room, it was just us. Each soft breath Karina took, each delicate sip of the broth, seemed monumental, like the first small steps back to herself.
Minju, Ningning, and Giselle had left hours ago, their concerned faces lingering in my mind. They had stayed through the darkest part of the night, watching over Karina until the early hours of dawn, but duty called, and they had to return to work. The room had felt emptier the moment they stepped out, though their support still lingered like a comforting warmth.
I stayed behind, unwilling to leave Karina's side, despite the heavy weight of exhaustion pulling at her. I had called into work, making a brief, unsteady excuse that barely held together under the pressure of my emotions. But it didn't matter—nothing mattered except being here for Karina.
"I'm getting full," Karina mumbled softly, her eyelids drooping slightly as she gave me a weak but endearing smile.
I couldn't help but smile back, feeling the warmth of the moment settle between us. Leaning in, I gently wiped away the stain lingering on the corner of her lips with my thumb. Without thinking, I brought my thumb to my mouth and licked it, savoring the lingering taste. The softness of her lips stayed on my skin for a moment longer.
