Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 29

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The hospital was already bustling with activity when Sarang stepped into the hallways that morning. She had grown accustomed to the fast-paced environment, the constant stream of patients, and the never-ending shifts. 

Though exhausting, she found comfort in the routine—something steady to hold onto in a life that had felt unsteady ever since she returned to Korea.

She sighed, rolling her stiff shoulders as she flipped through a patient's chart. Today was going to be another long day.

"Dr. Kim," a familiar voice called from behind. She turned to see Dr. Han walking toward her with his usual bright smile.

"You look like you barely slept," he teased, his sharp eyes scanning her face.

Sarang chuckled, shaking her head. 

"It's called being a surgeon. I think I'll eventually get used to it."

"Let's hope so," Jisung replied. "You don't want to start aging too fast."

She shot him a playful glare, but before she could respond, a nurse approached them.

"Dr. Kim, one of your VIP patients is here for a follow-up checkup," the nurse informed her. 

"Ms. Park Hyerin."

Sarang straightened. She remembered the woman from a few days ago—kind, graceful, and oddly familiar. Because she is Sunghoon's mom. 

"Got it. I'll head over after I finish with my current patient."

The nurse nodded and left. Jisung raised an eyebrow at her. 

"VIP patient? You're getting the important ones now."

Sarang shrugged. "I just happened to be available the other day when she came in."

"You're climbing up the ranks already."

Sarang laughed before excusing herself to continue her rounds. She didn't think much about Ms. Park's visit—just another checkup. But she had no idea that someone was walking through the hospital doors at that very moment, unknowingly stepping closer to her world.

_

Sunghoon adjusted the black cap on his head and pulled his mask up higher. He had no choice but to cover his face when visiting public places, especially hospitals where cameras were always present. 

The last thing he needed was to end up in the news because a fan recognized him while he was simply trying to take care of his mother.

He walked beside his mom, his hands in his pockets, as they stepped into the hospital's VIP section. A few heads turned their way—whether because of him or because of his mother, he wasn't sure.

"I don't know why you're acting so cautious," Ms. Park said with a sigh, noticing how he kept glancing around. 

"You're not the first celebrity to step into a hospital, you know."

"I'd rather avoid the attention, Mom," he muttered.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. Let's just get this over with."

The receptionist directed them to the VIP lounge while they waited for her tests. Sunghoon sat beside his mother, his legs crossed, watching as she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her messages.

"You know, I was talking to that nice young doctor again," she said casually.

Sunghoon hummed in response, barely paying attention.

"She was very kind. And beautiful, too."

Sunghoon sighed, already sensing where this was going. His mother had a habit of mentioning "nice young women" whenever she had the chance.

"I'm sure she is," he muttered.

"She should be coming to check on me soon," Ms. Park added.

That caught his attention. He shifted in his seat, suddenly more alert. She's coming here?

Just as he was processing that thought, his phone buzzed. Jay.

He glanced at his mom. "I'll be back in a second."

Slipping out of the VIP lounge, he answered the call while walking down the hallway. 

"What?"

"Wow, that's how you answer your best friend?" Jay scoffed.

"I'm at the hospital," Sunghoon replied flatly.

"Oh, right. With your mom?"

"Yeah. What do you want?"

"I was just checking in. You seemed out of it at dinner last night. Still thinking about—"

"Don't," Sunghoon warned.

Jay chuckled. "Okay, okay. Enjoy your mommy-son bonding time."

Sunghoon hung up with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Just as he turned to go back inside, a figure passed him in the hallway.

A woman in a white coat, flipping through a patient chart.

He didn't see her face.

She didn't see him.

But for some reason, he felt something stir in his chest. A strange pull. He turned his head slightly, watching as she disappeared around the corner.

Shaking off the feeling, he stepped back into the lounge—only to hear his mother speaking with someone.

"Oh, hello again, Dr. Kim!"

His breath caught in his throat.

The doctor responded politely, her voice warm and professional. But by the time he looked up, the doctor had already turned toward another patient, and his mother's checkup had been reassigned to a different physician.

Sunghoon clenched his fists.

Had he just missed her?

_

Sarang returned to the VIP section a few minutes later, checking Ms. Park's file. When she entered the room, she glanced at the patient's seat—only to find it empty.

"She already left," a nurse informed her.

"Oh," Sarang said, blinking. "That's fine."

Still, she felt strangely unsettled as she stared at the empty seat.

For a moment, she thought she felt something—like someone had just been there. Someone she knew.

But she brushed off the feeling and went back to her rounds.

_

The drive home was quiet. Too quiet.

Sunghoon gripped the steering wheel, his jaw tightening.

Her name kept echoing in his mind. Dr. Kim.

Could it be her? Was it possible?

He didn't know.

But he was determined to find out.

And tomorrow, when he returned with his mother for another checkup—he would make sure he got his answer.

_