Chapter 60
Yuna's POV
Just as I was about to step forward, a firm male voice broke through the tension.
"Enough both of you."
The sound of polished shoes against the floor echoed as a man approached from the side corridor. His white coat swayed slightly with his stride, his glasses catching the fluorescent light. He bowed politely but without fear.
"My name is Doctor Ryu Jihwan," he introduced himself evenly, his voice professional but steady. "I am the attending physician in charge of the patient you are referring to."
My eyes narrowed, irritation prickling sharp in my chest. "I don't care who you are." My words cut like ice. "What I care about is the fact that this hospital is hiding someone associated with Nara Group without reporting it to me. That is a grave mistake."
A ripple of whispers stirred among the staff lingering nearby, but Doctor Ryu didn't falter. He straightened, his tone calm but firm. "Ms. Seo, I understand your concern. But as a physician, my responsibility is to my patient. I cannot reveal further details without violating medical confidentiality."
His audacity made my blood boil. "Confidentiality?" I scoffed, my voice low but sharp. "Do you understand who you are standing against? I could shut down this entire hospital before the night is over."
Doctor Ryu didn't shrink. Though I could see the slight tremor in his hands, his voice did not break. "With all due respect, Ms. Seo… the patient has formally named a guardian. And as long as that document stands, I must honor it."
My pulse slammed in my ears. "What did you just say?"
He met my eyes, steady despite the faint nervousness. "The patient has designated Ms. Hwang as his guardian. The paperwork is complete and signed. Until further notice, all medical decisions and visitation rights fall under her authority."
For a moment, my body froze. His words struck harder. My heart twisted painfully, disbelief crashing over me. "What?" I breathed.
Guardian? Sera?
It felt like something inside me snapped. Haemin was my husband. The only rightful person to make decisions for him was me. So why would he name someone else as his guardian?
Sera's gaze never left me. A faint smirk played on her lips, as if savouring my shock.
My nails dug into my palms as my voice dropping low. "You are lying."
"It is the truth," Doctor Ryu replied firmly. "I have the documents on file, signed by the patient himself."
The world seemed to tilt for a moment. My vision burned, my chest tight. Haemin. Why? Why would he…
I snapped my gaze to Sera. That smug smirk on her face was enough to ignite the fury rising like wildfire in my chest. Without thinking, I grabbed the front of Doctor collar, yanking him forward. Gasps erupted all around us.
"I don't believe it," I hissed, my voice trembling with suppressed rage, my eyes locked on him. "Are you prepared to face the consequences if I find out you've lied about this?
My men immediately closed in, forming a barrier, their cold stares daring anyone to interfere. Sera's security tensed, ready to move, but her lifted hand halted them. She simply stood back, watching, her calm composure like a dagger twisting deeper into me.
Doctor throat bobbed under my grip, but he forced his voice to remain steady. "Ms. Seo… you can do whatever you wish to me. But I am only doing my job."
The corridor was still, every eye on us. Staff huddled near the corners, some whispering in panic, others too frightened to move. My fury clawed at me, screaming to break past these barriers, to march into the ward and drag Haemin out with my own hands.
But before I could move, the soft chime of the elevator echoed down the hall.
Every head turned.
The doors slid open, revealing Harin. Her steps were brisk, her face pale with urgency as she walked straight to my side.
"Chairwoman," she said quickly, her voice low but firm. "Please… you need to stop this now."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Why are you here?"
Harin lowered her voice further, leaning close so only I could hear. "Someone has already called the police because of the commotion downstairs. The police aren't the problem but it's only a matter of time before reporters arrive. If you continue now, this entire scene will explode across the news."
My fists clenched tighter on Doctor Ryu's collar. My pride screamed at me not to back down but Harin's next words pierced through.
"Please, Chairwoman," she begged softly, eyes pleading. "Our reputation is on the line."
My chest heaved. For a long moment, I didn't move. I could feel every pair of eyes waiting, watching for my next move.
Then, slowly, I released my grip on the doctor's collar. His white coat straightened as he stumbled back, adjusting his glasses with shaky hands.
I turned my gaze back to Sera. Her smirk deepened ever so slightly, her voice calm and mocking. "What is the matter, Chairwoman? Did you not want to continue?"
The desire to slap that expression off her face burned inside me. Instead, I forced a cold smirk onto my lips. "This is not over."
Without another word, I pivoted sharply on my heel. My men followed in flawless formation, Harin at my side, as we strode back toward the elevator.
Behind me, the corridor buzzed again with whispers and unease. But I didn't look back. My fury burned too deep, my steps sharp and fast.
_____
Haemin's POV
I sat on the hospital bed, my back resting lightly against the pillows, staring blankly at the window. The afternoon sky outside was gray, heavy with clouds that threatened to rain.
Outside my ward door, I noticed a few nurses moving hurriedly in the corridor, their voices hushed but urgent. I tilted my head, wondering for a moment if something had happened, but quickly brushed the thought away. It was probably just routine hospital matters. Nothing that concerned me.
Inside my room, everything was still.
Boredom weighed heavily on me, and the more I sat still, the more I thought. I shifted my body against the mattress, testing myself. The ache was still there, but not as sharp as before. Bearable now. Doctor had said I could be discharged soon, which brought me some relief. At the same time, it left me uneasy. I did not know where to go once I left this place.
But one thing was certain—not to Yuna. At least, not yet.
I wondered if she was furious right now, looking for me. Or maybe not. I didn't know. My chest tightened at the thought of her. Just remembering what she had done to me made me shiver. And yet… I couldn't run forever.
Sooner or later, I would have to face her again.
She was my wife and also my employer. There was no escaping that. Quitting Nara Group wasn't an option either. I had to preserve at least some dignity. I had only been working there for three days. Walking away now would make me look irresponsible. And besides, there was no way she would ever let me just walk away like that.
But would it be safe to go to the company without seeing her first? Wouldn't she be furious?
Still, Yuna was professional. There was no way she would let her personal life interfere with her work… right? I clung to that fragile hope. At least in the office, she wouldn't dare to raise her hand against me. Right?
I tried to convince myself of that, though a part of me still trembled at the uncertainty.
My thoughts scattered when the door opened with a soft click.
I turned my head.
It was Sera.
She stepped inside with her usual calmness, closing the door behind her. She was dressed in a dark suit that fit her perfectly, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she approached.
"You are awake," she said gently, a faint smile touching her lips. "How are you feeling?"
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. My fingers fidgeted with the blanket. "A little better," I admitted quietly. "Not too much pain anymore."
"That is good," she said, stepping closer. She set her bag down on the small table and glanced at me again, as though checking with her own eyes whether I was truly recovering.
"You should not push yourself," she continued. "Even if you feel like moving around, your body still needs rest."
"I know," I murmured, my voice barely audible.
The silence stretched between us for a moment.
Sera's gaze lingered on me. Then she slowly sat down in the chair beside my bed, crossing her legs gracefully, her posture composed yet relaxed.
"You seem troubled," she said softly, tilting her head slightly.
Her words made me stiffen. I wanted to deny it, but the truth was obvious.
"I…" I started, then faltered. The words felt heavy in my throat. "I am just… thinking about few things."
"About Yuna?" she asked gently.
I froze.
She did not press further, only let the question hang in the air. I could not bring myself to answer, but she must have seen enough in my expression. Her eyes softened, and a faint smile curved her lips.
"You know," she began softly, "it's a little ironic. The very first time I met you… you were in the hospital too. Back then, it was because I accidentally hit you with my car. And now, once again, here you are."
I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "Well, at least this time you didn't put me here," I joked lightly. "That's already an improvement."
Her eyes warmed, and she gave a small laugh.
For a moment, the atmosphere softened.
But then her tone shifted, quieter now. "So… where do you plan to go after you are discharged?"
I hesitated. My gaze dropped to my hands resting on my lap. "I do not know yet. Maybe… I will rent a room somewhere, just for the time being. Until I can figure things out."
Sera's eyes lingered on me for longer. Then, without hesitation, she spoke.
"Then, come live with me."
My head snapped up. Heat rushed instantly to my face, my ears burning. "W–What?" I stammered, nearly choking on the words. "That… You must be joking, right?"
But she wasn't smiling. There was no trace of playfulness on her face. Her gaze steady and serious.
"You're serious…" I whispered, stunned.
"Yes," she answered simply.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head. "I can't. I'm… I'm a married man. It wouldn't be right to stay in another woman's house. People would misunderstand. And even if no one knows, I—"
"Then," she interrupted gently, her eyes narrowing with curiosity, "if you weren't married anymore, would it be right?"
My breath caught. The room seemed to still, her words struck me like a sudden blow.
I stared at her, startled beyond words. "W–What are you saying?"
She leaned closer, her eyes unwavering. "I'm being serious, Haemin. How long will you keep enduring this? How long will you let yourself suffer like this? You do not have to stay in that life. You do not have to let her hurt you again. If you live with me, I can protect you."
I shook my head firmly, forcing back the emotions welling inside me as I rushed to defend Yuna. "No. No, that is not true. Yuna… she is a good wife. This was just—" I swallowed, my voice faltering. "This was just one time she lost control. Before this, she was never like that."
The words felt heavy on my tongue. They weren't true, but I said them anyway, hoping that by speaking them, they might sound believable.
Sera's eyes softened, but not with belief. A sour sadness flickered in her gaze.
"Do you really expect me to believe that?" she asked quietly.
I froze.
Her voice grew heavier, though still calm. "No, Haemin. She has done this before, hasn't she? More times than you want to admit."
I couldn't answer. My lips parted slightly, but no sound came. My silence alone was enough to confirm her words.
Sera's gaze did not waver. "Then why? Why do you stay with her? Is it because of love? Or because of fear? Did she threaten you?"
Her words pierced deep, and my thoughts tangled into knots.
It was both. I still loved Yuna, even now, despite everything. But I was also afraid. Afraid of what she might do to me. Afraid of what she might do to the people I cared about if I ever tried to leave.
Sera exhaled softly, as if steadying herself. "I have been thinking about this for a long time," she admitted. Then she looked directly into my eyes. "And I need to say it now. Haemin… don't you think it is time to divorce Yuna?"
Her words struck me like a lightning bolt. I stared at her, stunned, unable to form a response. Divorce. That word had never crossed my lips. Never even entered my mind either.
Before I could gather myself, a faint buzz broke the silence.
Sera glanced at her phone, her expression shifting briefly. "I have to take this call," she said gently. "I will be back soon."
She stood, smoothing her suit, and left the room. The door closed softly behind her.
I remained frozen on the bed, staring at the door where Sera had just left, before my eyes wandered back to the window.
Divorce, huh?
The thought echoed in my mind. I had never imagined it before. The very idea felt so wrong—yet Sera's words lingered, refusing to fade.
My gaze blurred as I stared outside.
[Thanks, Yuna. You look so cool when you teach me.]
[You should eat well, Yuna.]
[I love you, Haemin.]
[I will always be by your side.]
[I swear I will try to change.]
[Haemin…]
Memories flooded in uninvited, growing heavier and heavier until they became too much to carry.
Is there really no chance for us to go back? Back to how it was in the beginning… when holding her hand made me feel safe instead of afraid. I tried to hold on to that feeling, to remember the warmth we once had.
But the more I thought about it, the harder it became. The memories kept slipping away, no matter how much I wanted them to stay.
My hand clenched the sheet, and soon I felt something wet against my palm. I blinked, but my vision only grew blurrier.
Then I heard it, a low sound rolled outside. Then faint drops tapped against the window, one after another, trailing down the glass in uneven lines.
"Oh… it's already raining"
Somehow, the sound of the rain made the room feel even lonelier.