Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 30

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Sunghoon wasn't sure why he felt nervous.

As he drove toward the hospital the next morning, his hands tightened around the steering wheel, his thoughts tangled in a mess of emotions he hadn't expected. 

He had been anticipating this moment ever since his mother mentioned the doctor's name. Kim Sarang.

It couldn't be a coincidence.

He had spent years searching for her name in places he could never find—only to suddenly hear it here, casually spoken by his mother. He had to know. Was it really her?

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and glanced at his mother, who sat in the passenger seat, humming softly as she scrolled through her phone.

"You're unusually quiet," she remarked.

"I just didn't get much sleep," Sunghoon muttered.

"Well, make sure you don't look like a zombie in public. I don't want my son trending for looking exhausted," she teased.

He rolled his eyes but didn't respond.

When they arrived at the hospital, Sunghoon slipped on a cap and mask before stepping out of the car. He guided his mother inside, nodding politely at the staff who greeted them. He felt a few lingering gazes but ignored them, keeping his head down.

As they walked toward the VIP section, his mother turned to him. 

"Are you coming in this time?"

Sunghoon hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Yeah."

She raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. "Alright then."

The nurse led them to the consultation room, where they were told to wait. Sunghoon sat beside his mother, tapping his fingers on his knee. His heart was pounding for no reason.

Then—

A soft knock on the door.

And then—

It opened.

A woman stepped inside, a file in her hands, her white coat perfectly neat. Sunghoon barely noticed those details because the moment he saw her face, the breath was stolen from his lungs.

It was her.

Kim Sarang.

For a moment, time seemed to stretch endlessly. He didn't move. He couldn't.

Sarang, on the other hand, looked perfectly composed. She glanced at the file before looking up, her expression professional as she greeted them.

"Good morning, Ms. Park. I'll be doing your follow-up today."

Then, she finally looked at him.

Their eyes met.

And in an instant, Sarang's expression changed.

Her fingers tightened around the file. Her professional demeanor cracked, just slightly.

She knew.

She knew exactly who he was.

But instead of saying anything, she simply exhaled softly and looked away, returning her focus to her patient.

Sunghoon felt like he had been hit by a wave of emotions. He had spent years wondering if he'd ever see her again. Now, she was standing in front of him, and yet—she acted as if he were just another stranger in the room.

"Sarang-ah," his mother suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Sarang's eyes flickered toward her, surprised by the familiarity in her tone.