Enchanted (Bbangsaz)

80

The automatic doors of the hospital slid open with a soft whoosh, and Mrs. Kim walked in with sharp, purposeful steps. She wasn't running, but Jennie could see the urgency in every move she made—the slight stiffness in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled into the strap of her handbag like it was the only thing keeping her steady.

Jennie stood up from the waiting area the second she spotted her. "Mom."

Mrs. Kim's head snapped up, her tired eyes landing on Jennie immediately. The relief in her expression was fleeting, replaced just as quickly by something deeper—worry, exhaustion, and an overwhelming need to see her daughter. But before she could ask, before she could even breathe the question that was already forming on her lips, Jennie closed the distance and pulled her into a tight hug.

For a moment, Mrs. Kim stiffened—always the composed, graceful woman—but then her arms wrapped around Jennie just as tightly, like she was holding onto the last piece of control she had left. Jennie wasn't the type to fall apart easily, but right now, feeling the warmth of her mother, she let herself sink into the comfort of it for just a second.

"Minji?" Her mother's voice cracked, breaking the quiet hum of the hospital.

Jennie pulled back, her hands gripping her mom's arms firmly, grounding her. "She's okay," she assured her. "The doctors say she'll make a full recovery. She just needs rest."

Mrs. Kim's lips trembled, her breath shuddering out like she'd been holding it in for hours. She nodded, blinking rapidly as if trying to push back tears. "Take me to her."

Jennie nodded and led the way through the quiet halls. The fluorescent lights cast a pale glow over them, and every nurse they passed exchanged subtle glances—of recognition, of understanding. Jennie knew how this hospital worked. They were one of the most well-known families in Korea, and everyone knew what happened when a Kim walked into a hospital: VIP treatment, no exceptions.

When they reached Minji's room, Mrs. Kim hesitated just for a second before pressing forward.

The sight of her daughter in the hospital bed nearly knocked the breath from her lungs.

Minji looked so small under the crisp white sheets, her dark hair sprawled over the pillow, her face still and peaceful.

Mrs. Kim took a slow step forward, sitting carefully on the edge of Minji's bed. With trembling fingers, she brushed her daughter's hair away from her face, her fingertips barely grazing Minji's forehead, as if she were afraid she might break her.

"My baby," she whispered.

Jennie stayed near the door, watching as her mother took everything in—the IV drip, the light bandages peeking from Minji's hospital gown, the soft rise and fall of her chest. Jennie could see the moment realization struck her: how close this had been. If the stalker had been just a little more precise, if the knife had landed just slightly differently...

Jennie swallowed hard. She didn't want to think about that.

"She's been sleeping for a while," Jennie finally spoke. "The doctors said it's normal. She's on pain meds."

Mrs. Kim didn't respond at first, just kept gently running her fingers through Minji's hair. Then, she turned to Jennie, her gaze sharp despite the exhaustion weighing her down.

"You should've called me the second this happened."

Jennie sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Mom, you were in another country. What would you have done? You would've panicked, and I—" She exhaled sharply, pressing a hand against her forehead. "I was handling it."