A sterile scent lingered in the hospital room. Beeping machines echoed faintly as Hara stirred awake. Her eyelids fluttered open, a sharp pain pounding at the back of her head. A white bandage was wrapped tightly around her forehead. She blinked, slowly adjusting to the harsh fluorescent lights.
The nurse entered quietly, holding a small clipboard and a paper file.
"You're awake," the nurse said kindly, helping her sit up. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a truck," Hara muttered, her voice dry.
The nurse smiled politely, then glanced at the chart. "A car accident, actually. We were told a young man called for help. He didn't leave his name, but the medical team said he was very concerned."
Hara's breath caught. Damian.
She turned her face away, a small smile tugging at her lips. He still cares. Somewhere deep down, he must still love me.
But before she could entertain the fantasy any further, the nurse added, "We ran some standard blood work. You seemed very pale and weak when you were brought in. Have you been eating properly?"
"I was dizzy," Hara admitted. "Couldn't see clearly in the rain. I… lost control."
The nurse nodded slowly. "Have you been in a relationship recently?"
Hara frowned, suddenly defensive. "What kind of question is that? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Please calm down," the nurse said, raising a hand. "There's a reason I ask.
You're pregnant."
The words hit Hara like thunder.
"No…" she breathed. "That's not possible…"
But in the same moment, images of her past with Jae-woon flashed in her mind—moments filled with longing, heartbreak, and one reckless night she had buried deep in her memory.
Tears welled in her eyes. "It's not Damian's," she whispered.
The nurse sat beside her. "It's alright. You don't have to make any decisions now. But you should rest and eat. The baby needs strength."
Hara shook her head violently, tears now streaming down her face. "I don't deserve this child… After everything I've done, everything I became—I'm a monster. I hurt people. I lied. I tried to destroy my own sister…"
The nurse gently touched her arm. "People make mistakes. But you're still here, and that baby… is a new beginning."
"I don't know if I can do it alone," Hara whispered.
The nurse stood. "I'll give you some time."
Once alone, Hara gripped the sheets with trembling hands. This wasn't supposed to happen. She had fought so hard to stay ahead, to win Damian back, to crush Hena… and now, everything was falling apart.
Her tears dried quickly as a new resolve settled in.
"I'll keep this baby a secret," she whispered. "If anyone knows… they'll use it against me."
She stared at the ceiling. "Damian can still be mine. I just need to act fast. Hena… I'm sorry. But this war didn't start because of me. You stepped into my life, into my fate. Now I'll take back what's mine. For the sake of this child."
---
At the Seoul apartment, the storm had passed, and soft moonlight bathed the bedroom in a silver glow.
Hena lay quietly, her head resting against Damian's chest. His breathing was deep and steady, completely at peace in sleep. His arm rested protectively around her waist, his warmth seeping into her skin.
She didn't want to move.
She smiled faintly, fingers tracing light circles on his shirt. This is what peace feels like, she thought. This is what love is supposed to be.
She stared at his hand, imagining little fingers wrapping around his. A baby with Damian's eyes, his smile.
Would he want that?
She didn't know what the future held, but in that moment, she knew one thing—she didn't want to run anymore. She wanted a life with him. A real life. A peaceful, happy one.
---
Elsewhere in the grand estate, Madam Seo stood in her dressing room, the walls lined with silk gowns and pearls. She stared at herself in the mirror, expression unreadable.
The evening trial was hours away.
Her hands adjusted her emerald brooch, and she smiled coldly.
"The court of public opinion may waver," she said to her reflection, "but influence… real power… that never dies."
She turned to her assistant. "Get the documents ready. Call every ally we have. If I go down tonight… I'll take her with me."
She wasn't just fighting for reputation anymore.
She was fighting for legacy.