𝔻é𝕛à 𝕣ê𝕧é 𝟚𝟙+ 𝕁𝕁𝕂

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕖:ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟞𝟡

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In the surgery room, the medical team's movements are a symphony of precision and urgency. Dr. Kim's eyes flick to the monitor, watching the lines that signify Kook's vital signs. The rhythmic beeping is a constant reminder of the battle being waged to keep him alive. Inside Kook's unconscious mind, he's in a dreamlike state, floating through memories of his past. He's back in Busan, standing on the docks with the salty breeze in his face, watching the ships come and go. He sees a younger version of himself, full of hope and ambition, ready to conquer the world. 

The images shift to show his rise to power, the moments of triumph and the sacrifices made along the way. His thoughts drift to Amelia, her vibrant presence infiltrating his mind, her laughter echoing through the foggy corridors of his past. The dream takes a darker turn as he relives moments of anger and possessiveness, the fear of losing her a constant shadow. His chest feels tight, a mirror to the physical pain his body is enduring on the operating table.

Dr. Kim's heart races as the alarms on the monitors screech. Kook's heart has stopped. "Shit" he shouts, his voice cutting through the surgical suite like a knife. The team snaps into action, moving with a practiced urgency that belies their fear. Dr. Kim's mind races through the steps they need to take, his hands steady as he performs CPR, the thud of chest compressions echoing through the room. Amidst the chaos, the doctor's thoughts are a blur of medical jargon and panic.

The sound of the defibrillator charging pierces the tension, a reminder of the battle they're fighting. Dr. Kim's eyes search Kooks face, searching for any sign of life amidst the chaos. The room feels as if it's closing in around them, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic and fear. The doctor's mind races through every possible scenario, every medical option, his desperation palpable as the seconds tick by like hours. With a deep breath, he nods to the anesthesiologist, and the paddles are applied to Kook's chest. "Clear!"

 The room goes silent, and the electric current arcs through the air, a stark contrast to the stillness of Kook's body. The monitor flat lines again, and the doctor's heart sinks. The doctor's eyes are bloodshot, his forehead slick with sweat as he continues to work on Kook's unresponsive body. His mind is racing, trying to think of anything he might have missed. The nurse calls out the time since the last pulse, and the doctor nods grimly, his eyes never leaving the monitors.

In Kook's mind, the pain of his heart stopping is a distant echo as he finds himself in a stark, white room. A figure approaches, and as it draws nearer, he recognizes the soft features of his mother. She looks at him with a mix of sadness and understanding. "You can't stay here, my son," she whispers, her voice as gentle as a lullaby. "You have so much left to do." Kook remains in the surreal white space, his mother's words echoing through the emptiness. 

He feels a tug at his chest, as if something is trying to pull him back to the world of the living. He looks down to see Amelia's hand, reaching out to him from the foggy divide between life and death. Her eyes, filled with love and determination, are the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. He reaches for her, feeling the warmth of her touch, and for a moment, he's torn between staying in this peaceful realm with him mother and returning to the chaos of his life with Amelia.

The surgery room is a flurry of activity, with the medical team performing CPR on Kook's lifeless body. Dr. Kim's voice is a calm yet urgent drone, instructing his team with the precision of a conductor. Despite the dire situation, there's a glimmer of hope in the doctor's eyes as he continues his efforts. The doctor's voice echoes through the surgical suite, his commands sharp and precise, as the medical staff responds in a well-oiled dance of emergency procedures. 

The air is thick with anticipation, the beeping of monitors a stark counterpoint to the rhythmic thud of chest compressions. Dr. Kim's eyes never leave Kook's face, searching for any flicker of life. The tension is palpable, a silent symphony of fear and hope. With a final, decisive nod, the anesthesiologist charges the defibrillator once more. "Clear!"

 The room holds its breath as the doctor presses the paddles to Kook's chest. The electric jolt sizzles through the air, and the monitors jump to life with a spike of activity. A collective sigh of relief fills the space as the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor returns, steadier and stronger with each pulse.

The world around Kook snaps back into focus, the sterile white of the surgical room replacing the ethereal space of his subconscious. Dr. Kim's expression relaxes slightly as he checks Kook's vitals, the tension in the room dissipating like a fog lifting from the water. He nods to his team, who continue their work with renewed vigor. 

The doctor's eyes find Amelia's room, he knocks and opens the door..her face a canvas of fear and hope. He offers a small smile, a silent promise that they've bought him more time. Dr. Kim steps into the room, his eyes scanning the two women. "We've stabilized him for now," he says, his voice calm and measured. "He's still in critical condition, but we're doing everything we can." The words hang in the air, a lifeline thrown into the stormy sea of their fear.

Amelia's eyes shoot up to meet the doctor's, her grip on Olivia's hand tightening. "Can I see him?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. The doctor nods solemnly, understanding the unspoken plea behind her words. "Just for a moment," he says, leading them down the hallway to the intensive care unit. The journey feels like an eternity. 

They arrive at Kook's room, the door open a crack. The sight inside is clean and sterile, a stark contrast to the warmth of their recent dinner. Kook lies still, surrounded by beeping machines and tubes. The doctor gives a nod, allowing Amelia to enter. She approaches the bed, her heart racing. She gently takes Kook's hand, her eyes never leaving his face. His skin is cold, and the machines seem too loud in the quiet room. She whispers, "Kook, can you hear me?" Her voice trembles, but there's a steely resolve in her gaze. She needs him to know she's there, that she's not going anywhere. 

Amelia thought to herself Why did she ever think she could walk away from him? He's a force of nature, uncontrollable and unpredictable, but so full of life. She strokes his hand, the feel of his skin sending a wave of warmth through her. "You're going to pull through this," she says, her voice stronger now. "You're too stubborn to leave me like this." Kook's eyelids flutter slightly, as if he's hearing her voice from far away. His hand twitches in hers, and she gasps, her eyes searching his face for any sign of consciousness.

Dr. Kim watches from the foot of the bed, his expression a mix of professional detachment and the quiet hope that comes from seeing the faintest sign of life. He nods to the nurse, who quickly scribbles notes on the chart. Amelia's heart skips a beat as she feels the slightest pressure from Kook's hand. She squeezes back, her eyes never leaving his. "You can't leave me," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "You just can't.." She leans closer, her breath warm against his cheek, and feels a faint, almost imperceptible brush of his lips against hers. Her eyes widen in shock, and she pulls back, searching his face for any indication that he's truly awake.

Kook's eyes slowly open, and he looks at her with a gaze so intense, it seems to burn through the fog of pain and medication. "I won't," he murmurs, his voice raw and strained. Amelia's eyes widen in shock and relief as she feels Kook's hand squeeze back. Her heart feels like it might burst out of her chest as she sees him open his eyes. His voice is a hoarse whisper, but the conviction behind his words resonates through her. She squeezes his hand harder, her own eyes brimming with tears. "You can't," she echoes, her voice trembling. "You just can't leave me. Not now, not ever." The room seems to spin around her, but she doesn't let go, her eyes never leaving his. She leans in closer, the gravity of the situation weighing on her. "You have to get better, Kook. We have so much left to do."

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Thank you guys for reading this far.  I appreciate you readers so much, you don't understand just how much each read, each vote, each comment means to me. I know I haven't been the greatest at uploading, life has taken a lot out of me recently. I have been also working on other stories in the last six months. The next chapter will be the last chapter of this book. I feel like I let it drag on a little longer than I should have. So, my apologies for that.

Once again, thank you guys so much :) I hope you all plan to read my new stories coming soon!