In an endless field of fresh green grass, vibrant flowers swayed gently in the breeze, filling the air with their sweet scent. Birds chirped melodiously, their songs blending with the rustling leaves to create a symphony of peace and serenity. Amidst this paradise, a lone figure lay sprawled on the soft ground, eyes staring blankly at the sky.
At first glance, he seemed to be basking in the tranquility of the place, but in reality, his mind was frozen in shock.
—MC's POV—
What the hell is going on?!
One moment, I was in the hospital, and now I'm... here? Did I die?
I vaguely recall my final moments—the sterile scent of antiseptic, the faint beeping of machines, the numbness in my limbs. Then... nothing.
"So, this is what heaven looks like, huh?" I muttered to myself, taking in the serene landscape. "Now what? Am I supposed to wait for some guide to take me to the afterlife, or is this it?"
As I pondered my fate, unaware of my surroundings, a pair of watchful eyes observed me from afar.
A beautiful woman stood silently, gazing at me with a tender yet sorrowful smile. Beside her, a middle-aged man with a calm, knowing expression chuckled softly.
"So, Miss Jessica," he spoke, his voice warm with amusement. "Are you happy now? Your wish to see him one last time has been granted. Do you still have any regrets?"
The woman—Jessica—lowered her head slightly, her hands trembling. "I wanted to see him again more than anything… but it still hurts. Seeing him like this, knowing what he's been through... It's my fault. If only I had—"
The man cut her off gently. "It wasn't your fault, Miss Jessica. You only wanted what was best for him—a loving family to stand by his side after you were gone."
Jessica bit her lip, guilt flickering in her eyes. She had been sick for a long time, and knowing her time was limited, she had desperately wanted Y/N to have a family—someone to care for him when she no longer could. When his biological family reappeared, claiming to have changed, swearing they only sought forgiveness and a second chance, she had believed them.
She had been too kind to see the lies hidden beneath their words.
And now, she regretted it.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to the man beside her. "I'd love to stay and watch over him longer... but I don't have the courage to face him. Not after everything."
The man nodded knowingly. "Then shall we go?"
Jessica hesitated, her gaze lingering on Y/N one last time. "Wait. Can you give him a message for me?"
With a gentle smile, the man handed her a piece of paper and a pen. She took them and hurriedly scribbled down her thoughts, pouring everything she couldn't say in person onto the page.
Once she was done, she handed the letter over. "Please, make sure he gets this."
The man nodded. "Of course."
Jessica turned to look at Y/N one final time, tears glistening in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and exhaled softly. "I'm ready."
A radiant white glow enveloped her, and in the next moment, she was gone.
The man watched her departure with a somber smile before shifting his gaze to the young man lying on the grass.
"Well then," he murmured. "It's time to meet you properly."
And with that, he vanished.
—Back to MC's POV—
"Fucking assholes," I muttered bitterly, clenching my fists. "I can't believe she actually sided with those bastards. I trusted her, and she just—"
"You know, it's not your fault."
A deep, unfamiliar voice interrupted my thoughts, making me freeze.
"Everything that happened was because of their choices, not yours. You shouldn't blame yourself."
I barely had time to process the words before realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.
Wait... WHAT THE FUCK?!
Jumping to my feet, I spun around to find a middle-aged man standing casually behind me, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Who the hell are you?!" I demanded, taking a wary step back. "Some kind of angel?"
The man chuckled. "Do I look like an angel to you?"
I frowned. "Aren't angels supposed to be beautiful, winged women? Why the hell is mine a middle-aged dude?"
The man raised an eyebrow. "Well, sorry for not being your ideal 'heavenly beauty,'" he said with clear amusement.
Something about his smile made me uneasy.
"Wait… How the hell did you know what I was thinking?"
"Because," the man said smoothly, "I can read your mind."
…Oh, hell no.
I stiffened, feeling even more uncomfortable.
Sensing my unease, the man waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, kid. I'm not here to mess with you. I came to meet you."
He paused for a moment before offering a casual introduction.
"You can call me Steve."
"…Steve?" I echoed in disbelief.
He nodded. "Also known as God, or OAA—One Above All."
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then again.
"…Huh?"
Steve—God—smirked. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. "Alright, Steve," I said, still processing. "Why am I here? What is this place?"
"This is my domain," he explained. "And as for why you're here… well, there are two reasons."
I frowned. "And those are?"
"First," he said, "you've accumulated an extraordinary amount of good karma. Second…" He smiled knowingly. "Someone wanted to see you."
My breath hitched. "…Who?"
Steve's eyes softened.
"Your mother. Your adoptive mother, to be exact."
My world came to a screeching halt.
"She—She was here?!" My voice cracked slightly. "Where is she? Can I see her?"
Steve's expression grew solemn. "I'm sorry, but she's already gone. She had to move on to the afterlife."
My heart clenched painfully, but I swallowed down my emotions. At least… at least she's at peace now.
"It's okay," I said quietly. "So… what happens to me now? Am I going too?"
"That depends." Steve studied me carefully. "You have a choice. But before we get to that, I have something for you."
I looked up. "What is it?"
Steve extended his hand, revealing a neatly folded letter.
"It's from your mother."
With trembling hands, I took the letter and slowly unfolded it.
—Letter from Jessica—
Dear Y/N,
If you are reading this, then you've already met Steve. And I know that you must have wanted to see me. I'm sorry, my son… I couldn't bring myself to face you. After all, it was my mistake that led to your suffering. If not for my foolishness, you might have had a happy life.
I won't blame you if you hate me.
I only ever wanted you to have a family—someone to stay by your side when I couldn't anymore. But I failed. I was naïve. And for that, I am sorry.
I'm not telling you this in hopes of forgiveness. I just want you to know that I love you. I always have, and I always will.
No matter what you decide to do from here, I will always be proud of you. Even if I can't be there to see it, I hope you will live a happy life.
And one last thing—please, live your life to the fullest.
With love, always,
Your Mother
Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched the letter tightly.
"…Mom."
A shaky breath left my lips as I closed my eyes.
What should I do now?