Wishing For Your Love

Chapter Twenty ~ The Begining of Revenge~

The golden sunlight streamed into Jae's room, landing directly on Mona's face. She instinctively turned away, trying to escape the warmth. As she shifted, she felt something beside her. Slowly, she opened her eyes—only to find Ivan lying right next to her.

Her breath hitched. In that moment, Ivan was no longer just the man who reminded her of Ken. He was Ivan. Just Ivan.

Curious, she hesitantly raised a finger and traced the tips of his eyelashes, marveling at how soft and delicate they were. How did I never notice these before? she wondered. Her heart pounded suddenly, and she placed a hand over her chest. Why is my heart beating so fast?

She turned her gaze back to Ivan, watching the peaceful rise and fall of his breath. I wish I could stay like this forever.

A light tap on her shoulder jolted her from her thoughts. She turned abruptly to find Jae staring at her, wide-eyed. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

She quickly glanced at Ivan—still asleep—before shifting her attention back to Jae. "Hey, did you sleep well?" she whispered. "Want me to make you some breakfast?"

Jae nodded eagerly. Mona carefully slipped out of bed and headed downstairs to cook.

As she flipped eggs on the stove, she heard approaching footsteps. Without turning around, she called out, "It's almost done!"

A familiar voice responded softly, "What's for breakfast?"

Startled, Mona spun around—only to find Ivan standing just inches away. Their faces were so close, their lips nearly brushed. Both froze, locking eyes in silent tension.

"Hey! The eggs are overcooked!" Jae's voice snapped them back to reality.

Mona quickly turned back to the stove, flustered. Ivan leaned past her and grabbed the salt. "You forgot to season them," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Mona placed a hand over her chest again. Why is my heart racing like this?

After breakfast, Mona and Jae headed off to school, while Ivan left for work.

As they walked, Jae glanced at her. "You know... I was worried you wouldn't keep your promise and that you'd let my mom take me. But you didn't. You stayed quiet and even stayed with me and my dad. I think I'm starting to like you a little more."

He turned to his right—where Mona had been—but she wasn't there. Confused, he turned to his left. Still no Mona.

"Sigh." Jae glanced behind him. There she was, trailing several steps behind, lost in thought.

"What are you doing?" he asked, jogging back to her.

"Huh?" Mona blinked at him.

"Did you even hear what I just said? I was actually being nice for once." Jae lightly pushed her arm to get her attention.

"I'm sorry," she admitted. "I was just... distracted."

Jae rolled his eyes. "Forget it."

Mona grinned and playfully nudged him. "C'mon, don't be mad. Say it again. I promise I'll listen this time."

Jae shook his head and walked ahead.

That evening, Mona texted Ivan, asking what he wanted for dinner. Minutes passed. No response.

Is he in a meeting? she wondered, checking her phone for missed calls or messages.

Finally, her phone chimed.

Ivan: Hey, sorry, I was in a meeting. Cook whatever you want. My appetite isn't great today.

Mona frowned at the screen. What should I make? What would help his appetite?

Without realizing it, her thoughts had begun revolving around Ivan—his health, his feelings, even the smallest details of his day.

Dinner was ready, but an hour passed, and still, Ivan hadn't come home. Jae was already dozing off.

Mona grabbed her phone and dialed him. The call rang for nearly 40 seconds before going to voicemail.

"Hi, this is Ivan. I'm not available right now. Please leave a message after the tone."

She hung up.

Another hour passed.

Then suddenly—her phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered quickly.

"Hey," Ivan's voice came through, sounding tired. "Sorry, I've been stuck in back-to-back meetings. Did you eat?"

Mona exhaled in relief. "Yeah, we ate. Jae's already in bed. I—"

A sudden, deafening screech of tires and blaring horns cut her off.

Her heart dropped. "Ivan?! Hello?! IVAN!"

A loud crash erupted through the phone, followed by static.

Tears streamed down her face as a painful memory resurfaced—Ken's accident. The helplessness. The agony.

Her hands trembled as she dropped the phone and bolted upstairs.

"Jae! Wake up!" She shook him urgently.

Groggy, Jae rubbed his eyes. "What's wrong...?"

"Get dressed! We have to go to the hospital! Your dad—he—" Mona choked on her words. "He got into an accident. I don't even know where he is."

A few minutes later, her phone rang again. She snatched it up.

"Hello?! How's Ivan? Where is he?!"

His assistant's voice came through. "He's at Gangnam Yonsei Sarang Hospital, but—"

Mona didn't wait to hear the rest. She hung up and grabbed Jae's hand, rushing out the door.

A taxi pulled up in front of the hospital. Mona hesitated at the entrance. Memories threatened to drown her—the sterile smell, the beeping machines, the unbearable loss.

But she shook her head and forced herself inside.

She sprinted to the front desk. "Excuse me, can you tell me what room Ivan Kim is in?"

The nurse blinked. "Who?"

Frustration surged through Mona as she slammed her hands on the counter. "IVAN KIM! You can't tell me you don't know him! He's all over the news!"

Ignoring the nurse's confusion, she dashed through the halls, checking every room. Tears blurred her vision.

"Where is he?!" she screamed.

Her voice was so loud, it reached Ivan's ears.

From inside his room, he stirred. Despite the pain, he forced himself to stand, using a crutch for support. Slowly, he made his way to the doorway.

"Mona," he called.

She froze.

Turning around, she saw him—leaning against the wall, battered but alive.

Relief flooded through her as she sprinted toward him, throwing her arms around his waist.

Her body trembled as she sobbed into his chest. "Why do you make me worry so much? How did this happen? I can't lose you! I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you!"

Ivan, stunned, had no words. Gathering his remaining strength, he wrapped an arm around her and gently patted her head, letting her cry.

At that moment, Mona finally understood.

She had fallen in love with Ivan.

But from a distance, down the dimly lit hospital hallway, a figure stood watching.

Hee Joon clenched his fists, his eyes dark with frustration. He had seen everything.

His jaw tightened. His grip curled into white-knuckled rage.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.