Chapter 58
I do not know how long I stayed like that, my face hidden against her shoulder as she quietly patted my back. For the first ti in a long while, I felt a strange sense of warmth, sothing I had almost forgotten existed. But then, a thought struck —this was not right. Chapters first released on novel·fıre·net
Slowly, hesitantly, I pulled away from her arms. My head lowered, avoiding her eyes. “T–Thank you, Sera,” I said softly, my voice still hoarse from the tears.
Her hands fell back to her sides, and for a fleeting mont I caught the shadow of disappointnt flicker across her expression. It disappeared almost instantly, replaced by a warm smile, calm and composed.
“You do not need to thank ,” she said gently. “Just rest. That is all I want.”
Her words lingered in the quiet air, heavy but soothing at the sa ti.
The door opened then, breaking the silence. A man in a white coat stepped inside, his expression polite but professional. “Good evening, Ms. Hwang, Mr. Kim,” he greeted with a small bow.
Sera straightened imdiately, her composure shifting into sothing more formal, though I could feel her presence still steady near . “Doctor Ryu,” she acknowledged softly.
He moved to my bedside, his hands lightly checking the IV line, the monitors, and then my wrist. His touch was clinical, but gentle. “Mr. Kim,” he began, his tone steady, “you have multiple bruises and strain injuries. Thankfully, nothing is life-threatening, but your body has gone through a lot of stress. You will need rest for the next several days, and I strongly advise against any physical exertion.”
I nodded faintly, my eyes dropping to the blanket.
“Your nose and lips were bleeding earlier from external impact, but they are healing. We will continue monitoring you for signs of internal injury, but for now, it seems stable.” He scribbled notes on his chart before looking at directly. “Most important—avoid stress. Both physically and emotionally. Your condition will worsen if you continue to push yourself.”
I could only mutter a quiet, “I understand.”
Beside , Sera folded her arms lightly, her gaze sharp but calm as she listened. “Doctor, please ensure he receives the best care. I will personally handle any arrangents if necessary,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
The doctor gave a respectful nod. “Of course, Ms. Hwang.”
Doctor Ryu finished checking the monitors one last ti, then gave a final note on his chart. “For today, it would be best if Mr. Kim remains under observation. We will have a nurse check his vitals regularly. If there is any discomfort, please call imdiately.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but he turned toward Sera with a faint bow. “Ms. Hwang, if I may, there is sothing I would like to discuss with you privately.”
Sera glanced at once, her eyes softening for a mont. She leaned down slightly so only I could hear. “I will be back soon. Rest, Haemin,” she whispered, her voice calm and certain.
I nodded faintly, watching as she followed the doctor out of the ward.
⸻
Sera’s POV
The corridor was dimly lit, quiet except for the distant footsteps of nurses and the faint rolling of a cart sowhere down the hall. Doctor Ryu stopped just outside the ward door, lowering his voice.
“Ms. Hwang,” he began cautiously, “earlier this morning, we had… visitors.”
My brows lifted slightly. “Visitors?”
He nodded, glancing around the hall before continuing. “A group of people from Nara Group’s research division. They claid to be conducting background checks for an internal project and asked if any new patients had been admitted under the na Kim Haemin. Their questions were insistent.”
I felt my pulse slow, though my expression remained composed. “And what did you tell them?”
Doctor Ryu exhaled slowly, clearly uneasy. “Nothing. I instructed my staff to maintain confidentiality, and the nurses on duty complied. They did not confirm or deny anything about his presence. But…” His voice trailed for a mont before he continued. “I am worried. Even if no one spoke directly, word may eventually slip. It is difficult to guarantee absolute silence when so many ears are involved.”
I folded my arms, steadying my voice. “You did the right thing, Doctor. If anyone dares to let information slip, deal with them quietly and report to . I will handle the rest.”
He bowed his head in acknowledgnt. “Yes, Ms. Hwang. I thought it best that you were inford imdiately.”
I nodded once, the decision already forming in my mind. Calmly, I retrieved my phone from my coat pocket. My reflection faintly glimred on the black screen.
If Yuna had already sent her people searching, it was only a matter of ti before she tried to co here herself.
I turned slightly toward the ward door, my voice quiet but firm. “Then I will make sure she never reaches him.”
Haemin is right within my reach. There is no way I will let you take him so easily, Yuna, even if you are his wife. You already had your chance, but you wasted it. Now, let the woman who truly loves him take care of him.
______
I stepped a little further down the corridor, away from the ward door, and lifted my phone. My thumb found Mina’s number with ease. The line rang twice before her breathless voice answered.
“Vice Chairwoman Hwang.”
“Mina,” I said evenly, my voice controlled though I felt the tension tighten at the back of my neck. “I need you to listen carefully. From this mont, no one except my direct orders is allowed access to Haemin’s information or whereabouts. I want full discretion. Understood?”
There was a beat of silence, then a hurried, “Yes, Vice Chairwoman. What happened?”
“Earlier,” I continued, lowering my tone, “a group from Nara’s research division ca here, asking questions about him. They did not succeed, but it ans they are already moving.” My gaze flicked toward the ward door as if I could still see him through the walls.
Mina’s voice sharpened, as if she sensed the gravity. “I will handle it. Do you want to tighten the hospital’s security?”
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “Bring in our private team. Quiet, but thorough. I want them stationed around the entrance, the parking lot, and this entire floor. No one gets close without my approval.”
“Understood. I will also prepare a backup location in case you want him moved quietly.”
I allowed myself a faint exhale. Mina had always been competent, but today, I needed her sharper than ever. “Good. Be ready to move him if I give the order. And Mina…” I paused, making sure my words carried weight. “If any trace of this leaks back to her, you will answer to directly.”
“Yes, Vice Chairwoman,” Mina replied quickly, her voice steadier now. “I will not fail you.”
“See that you don’t.”
I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. My reflection in the window glass beside showed a calm face.
I adjusted the cuff of my coat and turned back toward the ward. And as long as I remained here, no one would reach him.
Haemin was already asleep when I stepped back into the ward, his face relaxed. His breathing had settled into an even rhythm, gentle and steady.
I walked closer, careful with each step as though afraid to disturb him. Standing at the edge of his bed, I let my gaze linger, taking in the soft lines of his face in sleep. Slowly, I lifted my hand and brushed the side of his cheek with the back of my fingers, just light enough not to wake him. His skin felt warm beneath my touch.
My fingers lingered for a mont longer before I drew them back. Then I pulled the chair closer, lowered myself onto it, and remained by his side.
Ti passed quietly. I did not move, did not close my eyes, only kept watch as the hours slipped by.
______
A faint knock at the ward door stirred from my thoughts. I glanced up and saw Mina step inside carefully, her expression composed. She carried a slim folder tucked under her arm. I held up a hand, gesturing toward the door.
“Outside,” I mouthed. She nodded and followed into the corridor.
“Update.” I asked once the door closed softly behind us.
Mina bowed her head slightly. “Vice President, the asures have been carried out. Private security is already in place at all key points of the hospital. They are discreet, as requested. No one will enter or leave this floor without clearance.”
I gave a small nod. “And the backup plan?”
“I have arranged a secondary location. Our private residence in Cheongdam, prepared to accommodate him at any ti. If you decide to move him, everything is ready.” Mina’s tone remained respectful.
“Good,” I said, folding my arms. “And the Nara team?”
“They did co, just as you said,” Mina replied. “They questioned the staff aggressively, but the nurses stayed silent, so nothing concrete ca out. Still…” Mina hesitated, lowering her voice. “Rumors may spread if they continue digging.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Let them dig. By the ti they realize where he is, it will be too late.” My voice was calm, almost detached, though my fingers tapped lightly against my arm.
Mina pressed her lips together, then said, “Vice Chairwoman, may I ask… how long do you intend to keep him here under our protection?”
I t her gaze evenly. “As long as it takes.” My words left no room for debate.
Mina bowed once more. “Understood. I will keep monitoring the situation.”
I dismissed her with a nod, then turned back toward the ward. Through the small glass window, I could see him still lying there, undisturbed, his face calm beneath the soft light.
I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding.
For tonight, that was enough.
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