"Dad!" Kiera called out, running toward him.
"Walk with me," Jung-Sik said softly, and they began to walk together.
"Dad, why did you have to leave me? After all these years!" Kiera blurted out.
"Kiera... I'm sorry. But it has happened. You've lived your life so well up to now. You built a top beauty company. You never let anyone intimidate you, not even when you first arrived in Seoul. I'm so lucky to have a daughter like you, and I don't want to see you suffer. Not after everything I did to your mum..."
"Don't even say that!" Kiera cut in. "You were misled. You don't deserve this!" Her voice trembled. "You know, Dad... ever since I was little, I always felt like I was bad luck. My friends had both their parents, they lived happy lives… but me? I saw Mum cry every day. I was told my father abandoned me. I kept asking myself what I did to deserve it. But when I bonded with you, and heard your truth… I felt alive again."
She sniffled.
"I never needed a full family to love me. I just wanted to spend time with my parents. But now… you're not here anymore. Who will teach me Korean now? Who will!" Kiera cried out.
Tears rolled down Jung-Sik's cheeks as he patted her back gently.
"I'm still with you. The most important thing, Jung-Ha, is that now you know I have always loved you — and that will never change. Whenever you miss me, wink at the stars... I'll be there, smiling back at you."
Kiera forced a painful smile.
"One more thing," Jung-Sik added. "Take care of everything I leave behind. That way, I know you'll always carry me in your heart. I have no one else I trust. Let Lee-Soo be by your side."
"Dad… marrying me off to Lee-Soo doesn't make any sense. He's annoying. I can protect myself," Kiera muttered.
"Really? Stay quiet and listen," he said, and they both went silent.
Suddenly, a voice echoed faintly:
"Mi-an-hae, Jung-Ha-ah. Na ttaemune abeoji-ga doraga-syeosseo... (I'm sorry, Jung-Ha. Because of me, your father passed.) He was like a father to me, and I feel terrible that he didn't get enough time to be that to you. I'll take good care of you. I won't let anyone harm you. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it, and I'll always be here to support you. Please come back to us. Your mum is here. Kyung is here. And I… your future husband — even if you haven't accepted it yet — I'm here for you. Come back in one piece. Please."
Jung-Sik smiled.
"See? Turns out a lot of people care about you. Are you still going to waste your time hurting them? Don't you think it's time to go back — to be that strong, fierce, beautiful woman again?"
Kiera smiled through her tears.
"Thank you, Dad. I… I'll… m…i…s…s..." Her voice cracked.
"Wink at the star then!" Jung-Sik said, chuckling. "Wait — that means you'll only see me at night. Okay then, wink at the sun, the clouds… hell, wink at anything! I'll wink back."
Kiera laughed through her pain.
"I'm lucky to have a daughter who fell in love with me in just two days. I love you!" Jung-Sik said, gently pulling his arms away and walking off.
Kiera stared after him, then slowly closed her eyes.
"Kiera!" a voice called.
She opened her eyes.
"Ah! You're so noisy. Where's my mum and Kyung?" she asked, but got no reply. Lee-Soo was just staring at her, frozen.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked.
"Doctor!! Doctor!!" Lee-Soo shouted, and a passing nurse ran to call a doctor.
"If you're going to scream like that, just leave. You could've pressed the emergency bell. Why are you acting like you saw a ghost? What — you didn't want me to wake up?" Kiera scoffed.
A doctor rushed in moments later, barely keeping his composure as he saw her condition.
"Seonsaengnim, geunyeoga yesangboda iljjik kkaeeonatneunde gwaenchanheungayo? (Sir, she woke up earlier than we expected. Is she okay?)" the doctor asked.
"Mwol haeya halji jal moreugesseoyo. Hajiman geunyeoui noereul geomsa-hae bol su innayo? Jeongmal gwaenchan-gil barayo. Geunyeoneun amu ildo eopseotdeon geotcheoreom haengdonghaesseoyo. (I don't know what to do. But can you check her brain? I really hope she's okay. She's acting like nothing happened.)," Lee-Soo replied, glancing at Kiera's confused face.
"I really need to learn Korean," Kiera muttered. "You don't even throw in a hint of English to help me understand." She reached for her phone.
"Miss Jung-Ha, do you remember anything?" the doctor asked, hands trembling.
"Of course. Why? Am I acting strange? Sorry, I just don't want to grieve anymore — it's exhausting." She paused, then turned to Lee-Soo.
"When's my dad's funeral? Seems like no one bothered to plan it."
"Uhm... it's supposed to be held here at the hospital before the final send-off. The funeral should last at least three days, but you weren't in good shape. I didn't want the room full of fake tears," Lee-Soo explained quickly.
Kiera chuckled, understanding him.
"Fine. I'm okay now. Set it up. But don't you think three days is too much? Make it one. And please, hand over the documents. I need to review them. Also, call Mr. Kim."
Lee-Soo was stunned. Even the doctor glanced at him in surprise — he knew Lee-Soo well and never expected to see him being ordered around like that.
"Uisa seonsaengnim, geunyeoneun gwaenchanheun geot gatjiman noe geomsareul hae jusil su innayo? (Doctor, I think she's okay, but can you run a brain test too?)" Lee-Soo asked.
"Yes. Miss Kiera, please rest a little. I'll be back to run some tests," the doctor said. She gave a slight nod.
"I'll step out and make the ca—" Lee-Soo began.
"Stay a little longer. Let's review these documents. Also… I need you to teach me some Korean slang. And once the funeral begins, I need you by my side to interpret everything I hear. Is that too much?" Kiera asked gently.
The tenderness in her voice melted Lee-Soo's heart.
"No. I'll just make some calls. But… for the funeral, it has to be two days. One for body prep and the wake. The second for the send-off," he said, smiling awkwardly.
Kiera nodded, her expression shifting again to one of quiet sorrow.