Ice Cream | NoMin

Chapter 22

"I’ll stay here for now, Mom. You should go home and get some rest," Jaemin said softly, his voice filled with gratitude and a hint of guilt. He had called his mother earlier, and she had arrived still wearing her apron, indicating she’d been in the middle of preparing dinner for the family. Jaemin felt bad for interrupting her, knowing she always put so much effort into making sure everyone was taken care of. His mother, unlike his father, didn’t work in their family’s office but managed their hotel business, which allowed her to be home earlier than most days.

Despite his guilt, Jaemin was relieved he had chosen to come back to the family house these days instead of staying alone in his apartment. If he hadn’t been home today, he dreaded to think what could have happened to Mrs. Lee. The thought of not being there for her made him uneasy. He was thankful he had been present to help when she collapsed, and even more thankful that his mother had come to support him during this unexpected situation even though they still have their misunderstanding.

"Are you sure you’ll be okay?" his mother asked, concern lacing her voice.

Jaemin nodded firmly, offering her a reassuring smile so she wouldn’t worry. He hugged her tightly, feeling the warmth of her embrace, and kissed her gently on the cheek before they said their goodbyes. As she left, he stood there for a moment, watching her go, and then turned his attention back to Mrs. Lee, who was resting now. Even after all these years, it still amazed him how complicated things had become between her and his mother. They used to be the closest of friends, but a rivalry sparked by Mrs. Lee's parents had torn them apart. The competition between their families had turned into a deep-seated hatred that extended even to him and Jeno.

Earlier, the doctor had explained that Mrs. Lee had collapsed from exhaustion, likely caused by stress, and that she needed to take things easier. She had been pushing herself too hard, and it had finally taken a toll on her health. Jaemin couldn’t help but think that if she could see Jeno, it might bring her some peace. Jeno’s presence could be the key to her recovery.

Determined to help, Jaemin pulled out his phone and decided to send Jeno another message. It had been nearly a week since Jeno disappeared, and Jaemin hadn’t heard from him in all that time. Despite the silence, Jaemin hadn’t stopped messaging him. Every day, without fail, he sent a text, hoping that one of them would reach Jeno and that he would respond. He knew the chances were slim, but he refused to give up. Mrs. Lee needed her son, and Jaemin wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass without trying everything he could to bring Jeno back.

As he stared at his phone, typing out another message, Jaemin couldn’t help but feel a mixture of frustration and hope. He wasn’t sure if Jeno would ever see the texts, but he kept sending them anyway.

Hours had passed since Jaemin arrived at the hospital, and now, with night falling, the weight of exhaustion was starting to settle over him. He glanced at the clock; it was getting late, and Mrs. Lee’s husband was still on his way. Jaemin’s stomach gave a small, uncomfortable growl, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten in a while. Standing up, he stretched and moved quietly over to Mrs. Lee’s bed, gently drawing the curtain closed to give her a bit more privacy while she rested.

Jaemin decided to take a short break to get something to drink—maybe a coffee to keep himself alert. As he made his way down the hospital corridor, he reached for his phone to check for any updates. He felt a small flutter of surprise and relief when he noticed that Jeno had seen his messages. It had been days of silence, each unanswered message weighing on him, but now there was a spark of hope. Maybe Jeno would come, and perhaps tonight would finally be the night they would meet again.

But Jaemin knew that, under the circumstances, their reunion would be bittersweet. The reason they might see each other again was far from ideal, and he wished it hadn’t taken Mrs. Lee’s health scare to bring Jeno back into the picture.