{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
The doctor stepped into the hallway, face unreadable.
"How is he?" So Min asked, her voice trembling.
"He's stable... but still in a coma."
So Min gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Tears welled instantly.
Without hesitation, Lee Seo Jun stepped forward.
"I want to speak to Dr. Chen. Immediately."
The young doctor looked at him, confused. "Sir, I understand you're upset, but—"
Seo Jun was already on the phone.
Moments later, footsteps echoed through the corridor. A senior doctor arrived with a team of nurses trailing behind him.
"Mr. Lee," the senior doctor bowed deeply. "We'll begin the full assessment immediately."
He disappeared into the emergency room with his team.
The first doctor turned pale. Mr. Lee? His eyes widened as realization dawned,he'd just dismissed someone from the Lee family. The very family whose donations kept this hospital afloat.
"I—I sincerely apologize, Mr. Lee," the younger doctor stammered, bowing until his head nearly touched his knees.
Seo Jun didn't acknowledge him.
Soon, Dr. Chen returned.
"He's out of danger. But his arm bone is fractured and dislocated,we'll begin treatment immediately."
"Do whatever it takes," Seo Jun said.
"He'll recover, I promise," Dr. Chen assured.
So Min ran to him, eyes still misty. "He's really going to be okay?"
"Yes," he nodded, gently patting her back as she embraced him. "He's safe now."
"Thank you," she whispered.
Her stepmother, Choi Hura, stood. "Thank you, truly."
"This is—" So Min began to introduce him.
"Lee Seo Jun. Her boyfriend," he said smoothly, making So Min freeze in place.
"Oh! So Min didn't tell me she had such a fine young man," her mother smiled. "You must come by for dinner soon."
"I'll look forward to it," he replied with a respectful bow.
"I'll take you both home now," Seo Jun offered gently.
Choi Hura hesitated, glancing toward the emergency room doors. "I'll stay. Someone has to be here when he wakes up."
"No, I'll stay," So Min said quickly.
Her mother shook her head. "Go, dear. I'll take care of Dae. You need rest."
Seo Jun placed a hand on So Min's back, guiding her away as her mother gave her a gentle nudge.
Outside, the night air felt sharp.
"Thank you," So Min said softly. "Dae means everything to me. When I lost my parents, my world turned dark. I thought I'd never be happy again
until Dae was born. He became my light."
Seo Jun didn't say much. Just nodded, listening. Then, he said quietly:
"He's going to be okay. I promise."
⸻
The next morning, So Min returned to the hospital. She was surprised to find Dae had been moved to a different room.
She opened the door and paused in awe.
The space looked more like a luxury hotel suite than a hospital room. No clinical scent, no blinding white lights,just soft sunlight, floral fragrance, and soft linen drapes. Her mother sat asleep beside the bed, and Dae, still unconscious, lay quietly with bandages around his head and wrist.
Her heart clenched.
A nurse entered.
"Why was he moved?" So Min asked.
"Mr. Lee ordered the transfer to the VIP suite, ma'am."
So Min blinked. Even the nurses were treating her differently now. Just hearing "Mr. Lee" changed everything.
"Thank you," she said, bowing slightly.
Her mother stirred.
"So Min. Your boyfriend... he's helped us so much. The doctors said Dae can return home today. And a private nurse has been assigned to care for him, too."
"He even has a wheelchair," she added, smiling. "Invite him for dinner tonight."
So Min nodded slowly. "I will."
⸻
A few hours later, Dae's eyes fluttered open.
"Dae!" So Min rushed to his side.
"Big sister," he smiled sleepily.
"How do you feel?"
"My head hurts a little... but this room is nice," he looked around with childlike wonder.
Choi Hura reached over and kissed his forehead.
A nurse came in with a cheerful smile.
"Looks like someone's ready to go home," she said.
"Hi," Dae greeted her sweetly.
"I'm Cheong Ra. I'll be helping you at home for a while."
She brought in the wheelchair, and Dae pouted a little.
"Do I really have to leave?"
"Yes. Hospitals aren't fun places," Cheong Ra chuckled.
Dae looked up at his sister. "I'll go anywhere you go."
So Min gently ruffled his hair. "Then let's go home."
⸻
That evening, So Min stood nervously by the front door. She had called Seo Jun,invited him for dinner and he actually said yes.
When his car pulled up and he stepped out, her heart skipped.
"You came," she said, surprised.
"Of course," he smiled. "I wouldn't miss it."
He took off his shoes and followed her inside.
The dining room was warm and full of life. Choi Hura brought in bowls of food while So Min helped. The nurse Cheong Ra bowed politely.
"Good evening, Mr. Lee."
"You're...?"
"I'm the nurse. Cheong Ra."
Seo Jun nodded.
Dae sat in his chair, bandages still on but his face bright. "Thank you, uncle. Mom told me you helped a lot."
Seo Jun smiled and gently tousled the boy's hair. "You're welcome. Just make sure you rest well."
Dinner was lively. Laughter, food, warmth,Seo Jun couldn't remember the last time he sat around a table like this. With people who weren't pretending to smile. With a boy who looked up to him. With So Min, who kept catching his gaze... and then looking away.
He was supposed to keep things simple.
This wasn't simple anymore.