One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 30

The second I stepped into Katarina's house, everything went silent. I could feel the weight of their stares, the shock at my sudden entrance, but I couldn't care less. I wasn't here for them. I was here for her-only her.

Mari, always the cheerful one, looked pale, her worry clear as she stood by the door. David, still recovering from the accident, sat with a pained expression. Their father, tears hanging in his eyes, was holding Katarina like she was going to break any second. And then there was John, his face unreadable, standing there like a damn statue, waiting for something to happen.

But none of that mattered. All I could see was Katarina.

She was crying, her whole body trembling as sobs tore through her, and it felt like someone had taken a knife and driven it right through my chest. My heart pounded, my hands shaking as I rushed over to her, not wasting a single second before pulling her into my arms.

"Kat..." My voice broke as I held her tight, feeling her collapse against me. She was so fragile, her sobs gutting me, making it hard to breathe. "I'm here. I'm right here."

I didn't need anyone to say it. I knew. Everyone knew. I was Sarang's father. They all knew, and at that moment, it didn't even faze me. I didn't care about the questions or the stares. All I cared about was her, and the pain ripping her apart right in front of me.

"Wala akong magawa," she choked out between sobs, her voice raw. "Kasalanan ko 'to, Francis. Kasalanan ko... Hindi ko dapat pinabayaan si Sarang. I-" She couldn't even finish her sentence, her voice breaking as more tears streamed down her face. "I'm so sorry... I'm sorry for not telling you about Sarang sooner."

Her words hit me, but not in the way she expected. I tightened my hold on her, pressing my lips to her hair. "Kat, stop. Don't do this to yourself. It's not your fault." My voice cracked with emotion. "Hindi mo kasalanan 'to. I understand why you didn't tell me sooner. It's okay. You don't have to apologize for that. I understand."

Behind us, I heard her father's voice, shaking as he spoke. "Francis, anak, please... bring her upstairs. She needs rest. She's been crying all day. Hindi na siya tumigil. She's exhausted, anak."

I nodded, not taking my eyes off Katarina. Mari gave me a small, sad nod of agreement. David looked worried, his eyes darting between us, and even John, despite everything, seemed to be keeping an eye on the situation.

But Katarina shook her head, still gripping onto me like I was her last anchor. "No. I can't rest. Hindi ko kaya, Francis... Paano ako matutulog habang nawawala si Sarang? I can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"Katarina," her father tried again, his voice soft and pleading. "Anak, we all want to find Sarang. But you need to take care of yourself. You can't help her if you're too exhausted to think straight. Please."

Her frustration built, her tears coming harder as she shook her head. "I can't! Hindi ko kaya! Please, don't make me rest habang nawawala ang anak ko!"

I looked into her eyes, lifting her chin so she'd focus on me, my heart aching seeing her so broken. "Katarina, please, listen to me. I need you to rest. You have to be strong when we find her. You can't help her like this. Trust me, okay? Hindi kita iiwan. I'll stay with you the whole time. I won't leave you."

Her wide, tear-filled eyes searched mine, desperate, scared, and lost. But slowly, I saw her walls crumble, her energy draining. She leaned into me, resting her head on my chest as her sobs quieted down. "Okay," she whispered. "Pero, Francis... promise me. Promise me you won't leave."

"I promise," I whispered back, my voice barely audible as I pressed another kiss to her hair. "Hindi kita iiwan, hindi na."

Without another word, I lifted her gently into my arms, carrying her up the stairs. She was so light, so fragile, her body shaking as she held onto me.