Not Just Academic Rivals || Yang Jungwon x Female Reader

♡Chapter 17♡

I opened my eyes weakly, as my eyes adjusted to the bright light. Ugh, the hospital smell. I turned and saw the most unexpected person to see.

"J-Jungwon!?" I groaned weakly, surprised.

He looked like he was looking into a different metaverse. "Oh! Jia! You're awake." He surprisedly said.

I sighed. "What are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice still sore. "What am I doing here-" I paused as my mind drifted back to yesterday night. Or is it a day ago? Or more than? I shivered, swallowing.

"Uhm, so, you've been here in the hospital for a week now." Jungwon said quietly.

"A week!?" I exclaimed weakly, lifting my upper body up in surprise.

"Hey, hey, hey. Don't get up." The agitated boy quickly got up, and gently pushed me back down.

I sighed again. "Where are my brothers?" I said quietly.

"Working. They asked me to watch you today. They stayed everyday this week, but umm, your father, uhh, he got angry. So they had to go back to work today."

I bit my lip, sinking into the sheets and covering myself up with the covers.

"I'll call the nurse." Jungwon said, heading out.

"What's up with that guy. Why is he being so nice?" I muttered to myself, trying to deny the butterflies in my stomach as they danced around. I groaned in annoyance. Why do I keep acting up?- Ugh whatever. My mind is too messed up for this.

* * *

Sunghoon hugged me tight as I let out a weak sob.

"It's okay, I'm here." His deep and soothing voice calmed me down as I hiccuped.

I was sleeping peacefully until the past events appeared in my sleep. So I panicked, and of course, it triggered my anxiety attack. Fortunately, Sunghoon was passing next to my room in the mansion.

"Thanks oppa." I whispered, the cold air conditioning making me shiver once Sunghoon let me go.

"You're always welcome, princess. Will you be okay now?" He softly asked.

"Yeah, you can go back." I whispered thankfully, drained. I plopped down on my bed (well actually a guest room which is now my room because my room used to be the attic).

"Goodnight Princess." Sunghoon said as I closed my eyes, drifting off.

— Jungwon's POV —

I stared at the ceiling as I lay in my bed, struggling to fall asleep. I recalled the words of Jia's mother.

— an hour before Jia woke up —

"She doesn't know I possibly only have two months to live, and I don't want her to know. Otherwise, she'd stay here and miss her classes. I want her to continue her studies so please take her back to Seoul. Just a heads up, it will be a struggle to take her back, but I can see something special in you. Please take care of my daughter and make sure she is happy. That's all I want. Promise me you will take care of her."

I swallowed. "I will. I promise you, I will try my best. She's also special to me. But- but are you sure you don't want her to know? Maybe you can cherish the remaining time together." I suggested, a sad feeling in my chest.

"I-I just can't bear to see her sad. She's already having a rough life. It's tough, but it would be harder to spend so much time with my daughter, then have to go so suddenly. I know I'm not doing the right thing, but . . . I don't want to make her sad, since I will be having a surgery. If it's successful, I will live. If not, then . . ." She trailed off.