Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 24

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It had been a week since Sarang had returned to Korea. The jetlag had finally faded, and she had adjusted to the city's relentless pace. 

Her parents had welcomed her home with open arms, and they had gone above and beyond, gifting her a luxury apartment in one of the most prestigious districts in Seoul. Along with it came a new car, sleek and modern, a symbol of everything they had worked so hard to provide for her. 

To the world, her life seemed perfect—successful career, loving parents, and everything money could buy. But on the inside, it felt as if something was missing, something that couldn't be filled by material things.

The first few days were spent settling into her new life—getting used to the apartment, unpacking, trying to overcome the fatigue from the long flight. She had taken long walks around the area, allowing herself to get reacquainted with the city she once called home. 

She met her parents for meals, and they were eager to hear about her time in the U.S., her journey through medical school, and everything else she had been up to. 

But it wasn't long before the memories of her encounter with Sunghoon at the airport began to resurface.

The day after her return, Sarang had tried to push the encounter from her mind. She convinced herself it was just a brief moment, that it wasn't as significant as it felt. But it lingered, like a shadow, refusing to leave her thoughts. 

She had hoped time would dull the edge of the experience, but instead, it had only made her more aware of how deeply it affected her.

That night, she had given in to her curiosity. She googled his name.

Sunghoon. Park Sunghoon.

The moment she saw the search results, the world around her seemed to freeze. His name, plastered across fan sites, news articles, and videos—he was everywhere. 

He had become an idol, a famous star, adored by millions. The shock hit her hard. She had known Sunghoon was talented, even as a child, but she never imagined he would go this far.

A famous idol.

Sarang sat motionless, staring at the screen, unable to tear her eyes away. 

It all made sense now—the times he would disappear for practice, the whispers of a future outside of skating. 

She remembered the way he would sneak off to some company when they were younger, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined this was where his life was headed. 

The boy she had known, the one she had shared years of friendship with, had transformed into someone unrecognizable.

Hours passed as she sank deeper into disbelief. Her mind raced with a million thoughts—questions, regrets, memories—none of which she could make sense of.

Her parents had noticed her silence when they came in for dinner. They asked if she was okay, but she simply blamed it on being tired. Just jetlag, she said, forcing a smile. They accepted the excuse, but they didn't know the real reason behind her strange mood. 

Only Dohwa, her elder brother, understood.

After all, he had seen the way Sarang's expression had darkened when she recognized Sunghoon at the airport. 

He didn't need to ask her to know that the encounter had stirred old feelings, ones she had buried long ago. He chose not to bring it up, but Sarang could tell that he knew.

As the week went by, Sarang tried to distract herself. She threw herself into preparations for her new job, knowing that the start of her career as a surgeon was just around the corner. 

Her father had already taken care of all the paperwork, and everything was set for her to begin working at one of the most prestigious hospitals in Korea. 

She didn't need to worry about the formalities—she was ready for the challenge, or so she told herself.

The first day at the hospital arrived sooner than she expected.

Sarang walked into the hospital, her heart pounding in her chest. 

The building was impressive—modern, bustling, and filled with the scent of antiseptic and sterile equipment. It was a world that had always felt familiar to her, but now it felt different. It felt like the place where she was supposed to be, but also the place where she could lose herself if she wasn't careful.

Her colleagues were welcoming. 

Dr. Han Jisung, a quiet, methodical man who specialized in pediatric surgery, introduced himself with a polite handshake. 

Dr. Lee BaekHyun, a more outgoing and warm surgeon, gave her a tour of the operating rooms. He seemed eager to show her around, pointing out the state-of-the-art equipment and explaining the day-to-day workings of the hospital. 

Sarang was grateful for the warm reception, but she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching her, sizing her up, wondering if she truly belonged in this world of high expectations and even higher standards.

By the time the day had ended, Sarang was exhausted. Her feet ached from standing for so long, and her mind was overwhelmed by all the new information. The hospital was everything she had dreamed of, but it was also everything she had feared. 

The pressure was immense. She was expected to be perfect, to live up to the reputation she had built over the years.

As Sarang sat in her new office, going over patient files, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her past still hovering over her. 

The feeling of Sunghoon's gaze on her at the airport still lingered. She hadn't been able to move past it, even though she had tried. The truth was, she wasn't sure if she ever could.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if Sunghoon thought about her, too. 

Did he remember her as she remembered him? Or had all those years they spent together been erased in the blink of an eye, replaced by the fame and adoration of his fans?

The thought gnawed at her. But for now, she had a new life to focus on—new patients, new colleagues, and a future that felt uncertain. She had worked so hard to get here, and she couldn't let herself falter now.

But somewhere, in the back of her mind, she still wondered if her path would cross with Sunghoon's again. She couldn't help it.

And, somehow, she wasn't sure if she was ready for that.

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