𝒮ℯ𝓇ℯ𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓅𝒾𝓉𝓎

Lee Seonbin

You swear you would kill to hear him say "did you know" again.

You slowly staggered towards a chair and sat down beside his motionless form. I patiently looked at the fragile rise and fall of his chest, indicating he was still there.

Just far away.

My hands grabbed his softly as my eyes drifted towards his face, desperate to see a reaction but there was none.
I closed my eyes shut and leaned my head down to his hand, holding it close as my eyes began to sting.
"I am sorry...." I whispered lowly.
The sound of the machine beeping began to fade away as my mind raced with memories of him.

I couldn't help but feel a crushing sense of regret.

Why hadn't I forgiven him?

Why had I let my anger and hurt consume me, instead of trying to understand the circumstances that had driven him to betray me.

I thought back to the day when I discovered his deception, the day my world came crashing down around me. He had lied to me, manipulated me, and broken my trust. Or so I had thought.

But now, as I looked at Seonbin lying helpless in the bed, I realized that he had been forced to make a choice. A choice between his loyalty to me and his duty to protect. He had chosen to protect, and in doing so, he had hurt me.

As I sat there, holding his hand, I felt a deep sense of longing wash over me. I was yearning for him to wake up, to open his eyes and look at me. I yearned to forgive him, to tell him that I understand now.

But it might be too late. The doctors had said that his chances of recovery were slim, that he might never wake up from the coma. The thought was unbearable, and I felt a sob rising up in her throat.

"Mam, the time is up for visitors. We need him to take rest." Nurse voice brought me to reality. I quickly wiped off the tears and returned my face to the stoic look, not wanting the nurse to see me in my vulnerable state.

"Okay." I kissed Seonbin's forehead and silently took my leave.

This happened again and again. Every day I visited him but never got a response. Time went on, hours turned into days, days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and soon, a year passed but still he was non-responsive.

"I don't think he will make it."

They said, but hope was still instilled in me. I was still hanging on the slight hope that he will wake up.

"He will."

I was determined. I didn't know who I was reassuring, them or myself, all I knew was that I wasn't leaving him behind.

Between these years, many things changed. Vincenzo was still in Italy, sending postcards on regular basis with a photo of Malta Island. Mr.Lee recovered and Mr.Park helped them in their shop.
Everyone was settled, trying their best to recover from the traumatizing moment they faced in past.