“Woona, Director passed away, didn’t he? Try eating this.”

Woona turned her head at Youngsun’s voice. Woona, who was reluctantly watching Youngsun bring a paper bag with porridge, asked, “Mom, did the director pass away?”

“Yeah. He said he was busy, so he just sent this. Be thankful. He’s busy, yet he took the trouble to bring this.”

Youngsun smiled and set the porridge in front of Woona.

“I don’t have an appetite…”

“Still, eat a bit. It’ll help you recover quickly.”

Due to Youngsun, who forcibly placed a spoon in Woona’s hand, Woona reluctantly took a spoonful of porridge.

As soon as she put it in her mouth, she could taste the sweet pumpkin flavor. Normally, she would have enjoyed it, but now her mouth felt dry, and she had no desire to eat.

‘I didn’t need him to bring this…’

Woona felt somewhat burdened by Min Jiwook. Since she opened her eyes, Min Jiwook had been visiting the sickroom almost every day.

There were times when he just looked at her face and left, and there were days when he only delivered food like today.

Thanks to his daily visits, it seemed that Min Jiwook had found a place in Youngsun’s eyes. She couldn’t have imagined that the somewhat blunt Min Jiwook would become friendly with her mother.

Youngsun sat down on the guardian chair next to Woona’s bed and spoke as if examining Woona.

“Yesterday, you said you liked pumpkin porridge, and he brought it right away? The director is so considerate. A man should be considerate when he sleeps…”

“Mom.”

Woona looked at Youngsun, putting down the spoon. Then, as if Youngsun had something to say, she opened her mouth.

“No, he’s good-looking, considerate, and thinks of you so much. Why don’t you like him? Besides, if it weren’t for Director Min this time, you would have been in big trouble! He’s the one who saved your life, and you should be grateful, even if you have to bow down!”

“Ha… Mom, let me rest a bit.”

Woona turned away from Youngsun, covered herself with the blanket, and lay down. The repetitive struggle with Youngsun was tiresome.

She actually had a boyfriend.

‘Why isn’t he coming…’

Woona’s tears welled up. It had been a week since she opened her eyes. Despite that, Seol Jio, who should have been by her side, had not come to the hospital once.

Moreover, there was no contact. Even when she asked Secretary Yeong or Choi Hyun, they didn’t know anything.

Woona couldn’t understand what had happened. She didn’t understand anything.

Since that difficult day of the accident, she naturally thought he would be by her side.

But he didn’t appear.

One day passed, two days passed, three days passed. Even when everyone else came, he didn’t come.

Every time the hospital door opened, Woona hoped. This time, please let him be standing there.

She imagined him coming late, apologizing with a casual smile, and embracing her.

However, time passed, and he never showed himself.

What happened? Why…

What did I do wrong?
Woona took out her phone and opened the messaging app. Her conversation with Seol Jio filled an entire page with the texts she had sent.

[Jio, where are you?] [Why aren’t you answering my calls?] [Seol Jio, what’s going on?] [Call me when you see the message.] [Jio… Why are you doing this?] [Where are you? Answer the phone.]

As she stared at the screen filled with her own words, Woona soon found tears welling up in her eyes. She tried not to cry, but tears flowed uncontrollably. She felt hurt, upset, and angry. Without her realizing it, had they broken up?

Why…?

At that moment, Youngsun spoke from behind.

“Woona, Mom has to go now.”

Upon hearing this, Woona quickly wiped her wet face and sat up. However, a pain shot through her operated abdominal area.

“Ah…”

As Woona groaned in pain, Youngsun hurriedly helped her lie back down.

“Oh, lie down! You don’t have to get up! Mom will come up to Seoul early tomorrow, so eat well until then. Okay?”

“Yeah…”

Youngsun sighed as she noticed Woona’s reddened eyes while adjusting her blanket.

“Why are you crying like this? Our daughter, are you in a lot of pain…?”

At Youngsun’s worried words, Woona lifted her head. Youngsun, holding her bag, hesitated and looked at Woona.

“If it weren’t for Jun, I wouldn’t go down.”

“It’s okay. It’s urgent. Take care, Mom.”

Youngsun, who had to go home urgently because of her younger brother, looked uncomfortable. She turned back several times, glancing at Woona.

“I’ll be back, make sure to eat well!”

Woona nodded her head, signaling goodbye to Youngsun. As the hospital door closed, the surroundings became quiet.

Woona turned her gaze to the window. Cherry blossoms, which seemed to have bloomed beautifully, were swaying in the breeze.

Staring blankly at the cherry blossoms, tears fell again.

“Seol Jio…”

As she uttered his name, emotions overwhelmed her. Woona covered her face with her hands and cried.

“Sob, sniff… Where are you… Why…!”

You should at least explain what happened. If you disappear without saying anything, what should I do?

What should I do…

I’m waiting for you alone.