Unpredictable Connection

39.When Hope Flickers

Nam's POV:

I was lying on my bed, casually scrolling through my phone when the screen lit up with an incoming call.

P'Heidi?

My brows furrowed. It was late, and she rarely called at this hour.

Still, I answered and sat up slowly. "P'—"

Before I could even finish, I heard her sobbing. Panic laced every word as the sound of a nurse trying to calm her echoed faintly in the background.

"Nam, suddenly Serena's heart rate dropped. She's been in a coma for years, but this has never happened. The doctors are trying everything, but I—I don't know why it's happening now." Her voice broke completely.

I froze. My throat tightened.

"P'Heidi, breathe," I tried to say calmly, even as my own heartbeat began racing. "She'll be okay. Just... stay with her. I'm coming."

My phone nearly slipped from my hand as I hung up. I immediately tried calling Freen — voicemail. I called Noey — no answer. God, her phone's always on silent. Why now?

My fingers were shaking.

I jumped out of bed and grabbed my car keys. I didn't care that I was still in my nightshirt and long pajama pants — that was my usual sleepwear anyway. I bolted down the stairs, trying to call Engfa.

"Pick up, P'Fa... come on..." I muttered under my breath.

She picked up. I didn't even register what my house staff was saying as I passed them — one of them asked something, maybe concerned — but I didn't stop. I opened the front door and rushed straight to the garage, still on the call with P'fa.

I don't even remember what I said before cutting the call. I just needed to move.

I jumped into my car and sped off, heading straight for the mountain villa. Damn it — it would take hours.

But I couldn't sit still anymore.

I drove faster than I should've. At one point, I heard a siren blare behind me, but I didn't stop. I didn't have time to slow down or explain to anyone. Not tonight.

3rd person's POV:

Nam's tires screamed against the asphalt, each mile pulling her closer to the mountain villa — closer to fear, closer to uncertainty. Panic twisted inside her like a tightening knot, refusing to loosen as the hours stretched endlessly ahead. There was no turning back. She wouldn't stop until she reached Serena.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Engfa paced the sterile corridor, her mind a whirlwind of fear and resolve. The weight of the news about Freen's condition pressed heavily on her chest, but now, with Nam's call still echoing in her mind, a fresh wave of dread gnawed at her — Serena's sudden decline.

Inside the waiting area, Noey stood quietly as Freen's surgery continued behind heavy doors. She had already informed Freen's parents, and they had rushed to the hospital, though Freen's father had to leave again, heading for the mountain villa to be with Serena. Freen's mother now sat slumped in a chair, exhaustion and fear etched across her face as she leaned against Becky, who was seated beside her, gently murmuring words of comfort. Irin was on her other side, clutching Freen's mother's cold hand, offering silent support.

Char stood a few steps away, her watchful eyes flicking between Engfa's restless pacing and the operating room doors, while Noey settled in a seat across the lobby, trying to appear composed though her fingers fidgeted restlessly in her lap. The group was scattered around the hospital lobby, each clinging to hope as they waited for news.