Fools & Secrets ✔️

Diecinueve

The Buried Past

Chapter 19

The hospital's fluorescent lights flickered overhead, a steady hum of machinery providing a stark backdrop to the quiet sobs echoing through the pediatric ward. Mingyu stood at the doorway of Somi's room, his heart heavy with an unshakeable dread. He could see her lying on the bed, the pale sheets contrasting with the vibrant flowers adorning the windowsill, a gift from the few friends who still had the strength to visit.

Eunseo, just a toddler, played quietly at Somi's feet, her innocent laughter ringing like a chime in the stillness, blissfully unaware of the weight of the world around her. Mingyu's heart twisted at the sight. His sister was a light in this dark place, but the reality of their situation loomed like a shadow over them. Somi's condition had deteriorated rapidly, and the memories of his mother's struggle with the same illness haunted him as he stood there, helpless.

He had come to Spain to reconnect with his mother, he had made the long journey to see her again, to bridge the distance that time and hurt had created. But now, as he watched his half-sister's fragile form, he felt the gnawing fear that fate was repeating itself. He had lost so much already; he couldn't bear the thought of losing Somi, too.

Mingyu rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the impending headache that came with the weight of his worries. The sterile scent of antiseptic mixed with the floral perfume of the bouquet on the table, creating a bitter reminder of life's fragility. A knock at the door broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see a nurse entering, her expression professional but her eyes filled with compassion.

"Doctor Kim," she began gently, "we need to discuss Somi's treatment options."

He nodded, steeling himself for the conversation. But before he could respond, a small hand tugged at his pant leg. He looked down to see Eunseo gazing up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Tío, can we color?" she asked, her voice a sweet melody amidst the harsh reality surrounding them.

His heart clenched at her innocence, at the sheer normalcy of a child wanting to play in a place where laughter felt so out of place. "Not right now, sweetheart," he said softly, kneeling to her level. "Let me take care of your mama first, okay?"

As he watched her nod, his resolve wavered. The burdens he carried felt too heavy for one man, and the thought of losing Somi—of failing Eunseo—gripped him with fear. But he had to be strong. He had to find a way to keep their family together, even as the world around them threatened to pull them apart.

The moment Mingyu arrived in Barcelona, his first thought was to find his birth mother. It took a year for Wonwoo to join him, and by then, Mingyu had already discovered her—though not in the way he had hoped. It took just three months of searching, three agonizing months until he found her in a wheelchair, frail and pale. Yet, even in her weakened state, she wore that same beautiful smile he remembered from his childhood, a smile that could light up the darkest room. But the sight was bittersweet, as it was aimed at another family.

Curious, Mingyu discovered that his mother had medical records at this hospital; she was undergoing therapies and treatments for her illness. He managed to get access to those documents, needing to know more about her life and his newfound family. Fortunately, he was assigned as Somi's doctor, though he never revealed their true connection. Instead, he shared stories and formed a bond with her, caring for her until she gave birth to a healthy little girl.

But everything changed during Somi's latest check-up when the doctors discovered she had been diagnosed with the same illness that plagued their mother. This news shattered Mrs. Ruiz's heart for her daughter. The weight of it all overwhelmed her, causing her own health to decline rapidly. Seeing his mother he longed for so long suffer from this, Mingyu finally confessed to Mrs. Ruiz that he was her son. In those last days, he stayed by his mother's side, desperate to help her, to do something—anything—to prolong her life and save Somi. He threw himself into research for alternative treatments, medicines, and anything else he could find, but in the end, he watched helplessly as his mother slipped away in his arms. He was her doctor, yet he couldn't save her.