The hospital garden was unusually quiet that night.
The sound of distant footsteps occasionally echoed through the corridors, but outside, everything felt still.
Yerin sat on the bench, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
She hadn't stopped thinking about what Ji-hoon had whispered.
Father.
One word.
One word that had somehow created a hundred more questions.
Do-hyun sat beside her.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Finally, Yerin broke the silence.
"Do-hyun."
"Hm?"
"Do you think he meant my father?"
Do-hyun looked at her.
"I don't know."
"What about your father?"
He looked away.
"I don't know that either."
Yerin sighed.
"Everyone knows something."
Do-hyun didn't respond.
She turned toward him.
"And somehow, we're always the last ones to find out."
He gave her a small look.
"We'll figure it out."
"When?"
"When we have enough answers."
Yerin looked down.
"I hate waiting."
She smiled faintly.
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
For the first time that night, Yerin smiled properly.
It lasted only a second.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
She looked down.
It wasn't her phone.
It was Do-hyun's.
He checked the screen.
Emily.
He frowned slightly.
"Why is she calling me?"
Yerin shrugged.
"Pick up."
Do-hyun answered.
"Hello?"
Emily's voice immediately came through.
"Do-hyun?"
"Yeah."
"Where are you guys?"
He glanced at Yerin.
"I am at house i dont know about yerin."
There was a pause.
Emily's voice became concerned.
"How is Yerin ? and where is she?"
"She's fine."
Do-hyun hesitated.
"She's might be... busy somewhere right now."
"Busy?"
"Yeah."
"Do-hyun."
"What?"
"You're being weird."
"I'm tired."
"Where is Yerin?"
"She's might be busy emily i dont know"
Emily went silent for a moment.
"Is something wrong?"
Do-hyun looked at Yerin again.
"No."
"That doesn't sound good."
"She's okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Emily sighed.
"Fine. But tell her to call me."
"I will when i ralk to her again."
He ended the call.
Yerin looked at him.
"She knows something is wrong."
"Probably."
"She'll call me."
"Definitely."
Yerin sighed.
"I should tell her."
Do-hyun nodded.
"She cares about you."
A few minutes passed.
Then Yerin's phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Emily.
She answered.
"Hey."
"Finally."
Yerin smiled weakly.
"Sorry."
"Where are you?"
"Hospital."
Yerin's smile disappeared.
"Do-hyun told me you might be somewhere busy?"
"He didn't tell me anything. That's why I'm calling you."
Yerin hesitated.
Emily immediately noticed.
"Yerin... what's happening?"
Yerin looked toward the hospital building.
"My brother."
"What happened?"
"He was attacked."
Emily went silent.
"What?"
"He was shot."
Emily's voice dropped.
"Yerin..."
"He's been in the hospital."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know what to say.and i was not in a condition to talk to anyone"
"Is he okay?"
Yerin swallowed.
"He's been unconscious."
Emily's breathing changed.
"Can I come?"
Yerin immediately shook her head, even though Emily couldn't see her.
"No."
"Why?"
"Emily, there's already so much happening."
"I don't care."
"Please."
"I just want to see you."
Yerin closed her eyes.
"I know."
"Then let me come."
Yerin remained silent.
Emily's voice softened.
"You don't have to explain everything. Just let me be there."
Yerin looked toward Do-hyun.
He gave her a small nod.
Yerin finally sighed.
"He's awake now."
Emily froze.
"He's what?"
"He woke up."
"Oh my God."
Yerin's eyes filled with tears.
"He's awake."
Emily's voice became emotional.
"I'm so glad."
"Me too."
"Then can I come now?"
Yerin hesitated.
"Maybe later."
"Yerin."
"I promise I'll tell you everything."
Emily sighed.
"Okay."
"But please don't worry."
Yerin smiled faintly.
"I'll wait for your call."
"Okay."
They ended the call.
Yerin lowered her phone.
Do-hyun looked at her.
"Better?"
"A little."
She looked toward the hospital.
"I just don't want everyone around me right now."
"I understand."
They sat quietly.
Then suddenly—
footsteps rushed toward them.
A nurse appeared at the entrance.
Her breathing was slightly uneven.
"Miss Yerin!"
Yerin immediately stood.
"What happened?"
The nurse looked at her.
"Your brother."
Yerin's heart stopped.
"What about him?"
"He's awake."
For a second, Yerin didn't move.
Then her eyes widened.
"He's awake?"
The nurse nodded.
"Yes."
Yerin immediately ran.
"Yerin!"
Do-hyun followed her.
She rushed through the corridor.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
She reached Ji-hoon's room.
The door was open.
Doctors and nurses were gathered around the bed.
And then—
she saw him.
His eyes were open.
Weak.
Tired.
But open.
"Ji-hoon..."
Her voice broke.
His eyes slowly moved toward her.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then his lips moved.
"Yerin..."
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
"You're awake."
She walked toward him.
The doctor stopped her gently.
"He's still very weak."
Yerin nodded quickly.
"I know."
"You can talk to him, but don't overwhelm him."
"I won't."
She moved closer.
Ji-hoon's eyes remained on her.
"You look terrible."
Yerin laughed through her tears.
"You're the one in a hospital bed."
He tried to smile.
"I'm still better looking."
Yerin laughed again.
The sound came out shaky.
She gently took his hand.
"I thought..."
Her voice broke.
"I thought you weren't going to wake up."
Ji-hoon's fingers moved slightly around hers.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't say that."
She leaned closer.
"Just stay awake."
He nodded weakly.
"I'll try."
Yerin wiped her tears.
Behind her, Do-hyun stood quietly.
Ji-hoon's eyes shifted toward him.
Do-hyun stepped closer.
"Hey."
Ji-hoon looked at him.
"Do-hyun."
"Good to see you awake."
Ji-hoon gave the smallest smile.
"Didn't expect..."
He struggled to finish.
Do-hyun understood.
"You don't have to talk."
Ji-hoon nodded.
The doctor checked his condition again.
"You need rest."
Ji-hoon closed his eyes briefly.
Yerin immediately became worried.
"Is he okay?"
"Yes."
The doctor smiled.
"He's exhausted. That's normal."
Yerin nodded.
She didn't let go of Ji-hoon's hand.
The news spread through the family quickly.
Yerin's mother came first.
She rushed into the room.
"Ji-hoon!"
Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
Ji-hoon opened his eyes.
"Mom..."
"Oh, my God."
She carefully touched his face.
"You're awake."
Her tears fell freely.
"I knew you'd come back."
Yerin stood beside her.
Her grandmother entered next.
The moment she saw Ji-hoon awake, she pressed her hand against her chest.
"Thank God."
She moved toward him.
"My boy..."
Ji-hoon smiled weakly.
"Grandma."
She gently touched his hand.
"I was so scared."
Yerin watched them.
For the first time in days, the hospital room felt different.
It felt hopeful.
But there was still one person missing.
Their father.
Yerin looked toward the door.
He wasn't there.
And somehow, that absence hurt.
Later, when the room became quieter, Yerin sat beside Ji-hoon again.
He was awake, but his eyes were heavy.
"Ji-hoon."
"Hm?"
"Do you remember what happened?"
His expression changed.
He looked away.
"A little."
"Can you tell me?"
He remained silent.
"Who attacked you?"
His fingers tightened slightly.
Yerin noticed.
"Ji-hoon?"
He swallowed.
"I don't remember everything."
"That's okay."
She squeezed his hand.
"Just tell me whatever you remember."
He closed his eyes.
"I was..."
He stopped.
Do-hyun, standing nearby, noticed his discomfort.
"Don't force yourself."
Ji-hoon looked at him.
Then back at Yerin.
"I heard someone."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"What did they say?"
Ji-hoon frowned.
"I..."
He suddenly looked frightened.
Yerin immediately stopped.
"Okay."
She gently touched his arm.
"Don't think about it."
Ji-hoon took a slow breath.
Then his eyes moved toward Do-hyun.
"I remember..."
He stopped.
"What?"
Ji-hoon's lips parted.
"Father."
Yerin froze.
Do-hyun's expression changed.
"What about him?"
Ji-hoon closed his eyes.
"I don't know."
Yerin looked at Do-hyun.
He gave her a subtle shake of his head.
Not now.
She understood.
"Okay."
She looked back at her brother.
"Rest."
Ji-hoon slowly closed his eyes.
Later that night, Yerin stepped outside the room.
Do-hyun followed.
She looked at him.
"He said it again."
"Father."
Do-hyun nodded.
"What if he remembers something?"
"Then we'll let him tell us when he's ready."
Yerin looked frustrated.
"But what if it's important?"
"It probably is."
She stared at him.
"Then why are you so calm?"
"I'm not."
She looked at him.
He gave a tired smile.
"I'm just trying not to panic."
Yerin sighed.
She leaned against the wall.
"Everything is getting more confusing."
Do-hyun stood beside her.
"At least he's awake."
She nodded.
"That's what matters."
Later, Yerin's phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Dad.
Her heart tightened.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"How is Ji-hoon?"
"He's awake."
There was silence.
Her father finally spoke.
"That's good."
Yerin immediately noticed something.
His voice sounded tense.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you leave?"
Silence.
"You knew he was in critical condition."
"I had to go."
"You always say that."
"Yerin—"
"He woke up."
Her father didn't respond.
"He said something."
"What?"
Yerin hesitated.
"He said 'Father.'"
Silence.
A long one.
Yerin's eyes narrowed.
"Dad?"
"Don't worry about it."
"What does that mean?"
"Just let him recover."
"Why?"
"Because he needs peace."
Yerin's suspicion grew.
"Dad, what are you hiding?"
"I have to go."
The call ended.
Yerin slowly lowered her phone.
Do-hyun was watching her.
"He reacted."
Yerin nodded.
"Too much."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing."
She looked at the hospital room.
"But his silence said enough."
They stood in the hallway together.
Yerin looked exhausted.
"I'm scared."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"What if there's something worse?"
"Then we'll deal with it."
"What if our families are involved?"
"We'll deal with that too."
"What if..."
She stopped.
Do-hyun waited.
"What if everything about us was planned?"
He looked at her.
"I don't know."
Yerin looked away.
"But whatever the truth is..."
He paused.
"We'll find it ourselves."
She nodded.
"No more secrets."
"No more secrets."
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Then Yerin quietly leaned her head against his shoulder.
Do-hyun froze for a second.
Then relaxed.
He didn't say anything.
Neither did she.
They simply stood there.
Together.
It was almost midnight when Do-hyun's phone vibrated.
He looked down.
A new message.
His expression immediately changed.
Yerin noticed.
"What?"
He opened it.
There was only one sentence.
Now that Ji-hoon is awake, you have very little time.
Do-hyun stared at the screen.
Yerin stepped closer.
"What is it?"
He turned the phone toward her.
Her face went pale.
Someone knew.
Someone knew Ji-hoon was awake.
Someone had been watching.
Yerin slowly looked toward her brother's room.
"How?"
Do-hyun didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the message.
Because suddenly, Ji-hoon's survival didn't only mean hope.
It meant someone out there had just become afraid.
And whatever Ji-hoon remembered...
someone desperately wanted to make sure he never told them.
...To Be Continued...