One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 36

Francis' POV

We brought Sarang to the hospital, the quiet hum of the ambulance still ringing in my ears as we rushed through the halls of the emergency room. Sarang was still sound asleep in my arms, her small body limp from the strong sleeping pills. I kept my hold on her tight as if letting go would mean I'd lose her all over again.

The doctors quickly took her from my arms, placing her on the bed. They ran tests, checked her vitals. All I could do was stand there, helpless, watching them as they examined her. Every second felt like an eternity.

"Sabi nila she's okay," Daniel muttered beside me, his voice low, like he was scared to break the silence. "Aside from the sleeping pills, wala siyang ibang injuries."

I nodded, not really hearing him. My eyes were glued to Sarang. She was so small, so fragile, and seeing her like this... it broke something inside me. I had finally met my daughter, but not like this. Not in a hospital bed, drugged and unconscious. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Hindi ganito ang plano ko.

Paul. The anger surged through me like a fire I couldn't control. Paul did this. A four-year-old girl... my daughter, might suffer from trauma dahil sa ginawa niya. How could he?

Minutes passed, but it felt like hours. Daniel stayed quiet, leaning against the wall. I could tell he was relieved to finally meet Sarang, but the worry in his eyes matched my own. We both stood there in silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on us.

Then, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Mabilis. Desperate. I knew who it was before I even saw her.

"Katarina..."

She came rushing into the room, her eyes wild with fear, tears streaming down her face. "Sarang!" she cried, running to the bed, her voice breaking as she saw our daughter lying there, still and silent.

Mari was right behind her, trembling, trying to assist her but also crying. They both looked like they'd been through hell and back, and in a way, they had.

Katarina reached Sarang and collapsed next to her bed, her sobs filling the room. She hugged Sarang's small body, kissing her face, checking for wounds or any sign of pain.

"Sarang, anak, I'm here. Mama's here. Wake up, please. Please, wake up," she whispered through her tears, her voice trembling.

I walked toward her, my heart aching. I wanted to say something, anything, to comfort her. I gently placed my hand on her back, caressing her in small circles, trying to offer whatever comfort I could.

"Katarina..." I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.

She turned to me, and before I could say anything more, she pulled me into a tight hug. The weight of her relief hit me all at once as she cried into my chest. "Salamat," she whispered between sobs. "Salamat for bringing her back."

I held her close, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Everything's fine now, Katarina. Sarang is okay. Wala siyang sugat, and the doctors said she'll wake up soon. Everything's going to be back to normal."

Daniel, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "Oo, the doctors checked her thoroughly. No injuries, She'll be okay."

I couldn't bring myself to tell Katarina about the pills. Not yet. Hindi pa ngayon. I knew how much pain it would cause her, and right now, she didn't need more pain. Not after everything that had happened. I had to protect her from that for as long as I could.

As I continued to speak, Katarina pulled back slightly, her hands resting on my chest. Her eyes drifted over me, and I could see the shift in her expression. She had noticed it-my bruised face, the cuts on my eyebrow, the blood on my shirt.