Author's POV

Sunday morning, Seok-woo stayed up till 5 AM to complete his project before submitting it tomorrow.

His phone rang, and he abruptly awoke from his short nap. He roamed his hand to the end table near his bed and reached for his phone.

Without checking the caller, he answered it.

"Seok-woo," the familiar voice called him. He blinked a few times and checked on his phone screen to see his sister's name on it.

"Noona?" his voice hoarse as he just woke up.

"Where are you?" there was a hint of concern in his sister's voice.

Seok-woo sensed the anxiousness in his sister's voice. He quickly got up and sat on the edge of his bed. "At home, why? What's the matter?"

His sister told him what happened with their father, which made Seokwoo's eyes widen, and his jaw clenched.

"I'll be right on my way there," he hurriedly grabbed his coat and car keys. Stride out of his apartment and drove to Ilsan at high speed.

Seok-woo arrived at NHIC Ilsan Hospital and rushed to the ICCU. He saw his mother and sister sat on a bench in front of the ICCU entrance. Seoran was hugging her tearful mom when she saw her brother walked approaching them.

She got up and hugged the tall guy.

"What happened?" Seok-woo asked his sister when he saw his mother wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"Dad lost consciousness this morning. Mom found him in the bathroom, fainted, and hurt his head," his sister explained.

"Was there something wrong with him last night?" Seok-woo asked both his mom and sister, but they shook their head.

"The doctors are still examining him. We have to wait," as her sister finished her sentence. Seok-woo glanced through the glass window but could see nothing.

Five minutes later, a doctor came out. He fixed his glasses and faced the three of them.

"Mr. Kim's family?" the doctor asked, and Seok-woo nodded. "There's something I need to discuss with his family," the doctor stared at Seokwoo at first and patted his shoulder. "Can we talk about this in my office?"

Seok-woo glanced at his mom and sister. They looked at each other. Then his sister nodded in approval.

"Sure, doc," Seok-woo then followed the older man to his office and watched as he checked on the medical report on his desk. The door knocked, and a nurse came in. She handed a large envelope, which Seokwoo learned as his father's CT Scan result.

Dr. Park observed the result and finally turned to Seokwoo with concerns; his face darkened. The Doctor prepared himself to deliver the news.

"What's the matter, doc?" Seok-woo finally spoke. The doctor then stared at him and sighed.

"Kim Seok-woo, it's hard to inform you the news, but I have to," he halted then proceeded as he saw the younger man stilled upon listening to his explanation carefully.

"Your father had an Ischemic Stroke," Dr. Park finally declared.

Seok-woo stunned for a moment before he spoke, his hands trembled, and he stuttered.

"A stroke?" Seok-woo was still in his disbelief as to what he heard from the elder. "I still don't understand, doc. Is that why he still unconscious?" he questioned.

Dr. Park nodded and showed Seokwoo the picture from the CT scan. He pointed to the white part, which he explained as the apparent cause of his dad's unconsciousness.

"It occurred when an artery to the brain was blocked, and here is the blood clot that forms in an artery, the blocked blood flow causing him fainted," he pointed to a spot that Seokwoo hardly processed.

"But my Dad is quite healthy; he frequently exercises, too. I don't understand why he suddenly has an Ischemic Stroke?" Seok-woo asked the doctor, tried to confirm with the facts he knew.

"There are many factors; diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, or gradual cholesterol deposition. But in your father's case, it occurs because of the cholesterol plaque in the walls of arteries, obstructing blood flow," Dr. Park explained. Seok-woo could feel his hands sweating upon hearing the news.

But Seokwoo tried hard to manage his composure and asked, "Is his condition severe?"

Dr. Park sighed heavily at first, then showed Seokwoo another picture as it showed a swollen part.

"Unfortunately, when he fell, he hit his head and got another internal bleeding that worsens his condition. He needs to be treated right away," he stopped and faced the young man with a solemn expression, "your father needs immediate surgery, and we're asking for his family's consent,"

Seok-woo walked weakly toward his Mom and sister. Seoran immediately got up and approached her brother.

"What did he say?" she asked, and Seok-woo turned to see his sister.

"Dad needs surgery," he said. Upon hearing what he said, Seokwoo's mom came to her son and grabbed his hands tightly.

"I'll do anything to save your father," her expression was hoping, and Seok-woo couldn't bear to see his Mom like that. "Tell them we'll give them permission, just do the surgery,"

Seok-woo sighed. He was debating whether to tell his mom and sister about the percentage of the surgery. As Dr. Park informed him the last time he ended their conversation, the possibility of the surgery being successful was only 10 – 15%. But if his father didn't get immediate treatment, it would danger his life more.

Seok-woo shut his eyes tightly and reached to hold his mother by her arms gently. "The doctors will do their best in the surgery, just trust them, and can you promise me one thing, Mom?" Seok-woo paused to see tears were flowing hard on her face painfully. It hurt him to see his mom crying. When their eyes met, his mom finally nodded.

The younger man bitterly said as he was holding himself, he had to be strong in front of his mom so that they could get through this together, "We need to be prepared to whatever the result might be," Seok-woo saw his mom silent for a moment, then continued, "can you do that, Mom? For Dad,"

His Mom nodded though Seokwoo knew how heavy it was for her, so was for him.

Seok-woo saw a man in his office's suit came running to them. Jaeyoon, Seoran's husband, approached and immediately hugged his wife.

"Sorry, I'm late," he apologized as concern filled in his expression. Seok-woo muttered a low fine then told all his family members to help him prepared the family's consent procedure.

* * *

It was already 11.00 PM, his father had been inside the operation room for 6 hours. Seok-woo sat beside his sleeping sister. She rested her head on her husband's shoulder. Meanwhile, his mother sat anxiously in front of him.

Seok-woo checked on his phone when it vibrated twice. 2 messages from Hyeyoon.

Hyeyoon
23.00
Babe, is everything alright? How's your father?
23.02
Shall I come to Ilsan?

Seok-woo typed his reply and told her not to come since it was late already. He ensured her that everything was going to be alright. Seok-woo was about to put his phone back when he saw Hyeyoon was calling on his phone screen.

He walked to the emergency stairs and answered her call.

"Babe," he heard Hyeyoon's voice across the line.

"It's alright. You don't have to come here. It's already late. Go to sleep. I'll let you know when the surgery is done," Seok-woo tried to calm her when he heard the concern in her tone. But to let Hyeyoon came from Seoul to Ilsan at this late was too dangerous. She needed to take a taxi since there would be no bus or train at this hour.

"I'm sorry I can't be there now," she sounded, sadness in her voice. "Have you eaten?" Hyeyoon still managed to ask.

"Yes, already, don't worry. Go to sleep, love. I'll call you again in the morning,"

Hyeyoon sighed and agreed; she did as he said, "Alright then, tomorrow I'll be on my way to Ilsan, do you need anything? I'll bring it to you," Hyeyoon offered.

Seok-woo didn't bring any change, and yes, he was in a rush this morning to prepare for anything. He was about to ask her to bring him clean clothes, but he took his word back.

"No, I think I'm fine," Seok-woo forced a smile though he knew Hyeyoon wouldn't be able to see it. He didn't want to trouble her to bring anything.

"Alright then, I'll come to the hospital tomorrow, see you,"

"Okay, see you," Seok-woo hung the call and walked back to the front operation room entrance.

Just when he was reached there, a doctor opened the door and walked out. Everyone immediately got up and gathered in front of Dr. Park.

He took off his surgical mask, and a smile flashed on his tired face. "The surgery is successful,"

The four of them sighed in relief as Seokwoo's mother hug his son. She tearfully thanked the doctor. Not long after that, the nurse came out with Mr. Kim still unconscious on his bed. They placed him in ICCU to keep monitoring the post-surgery evaluation.

"We need to monitor him for a few days to make sure there's no side effect or complication," Dr. Park explained before he excused himself.

Seok-woo let the nursed brought his father to his room and stayed there for a moment. He slumped down to the seat and covered his face tiredly.

Jaeyoon patted the younger man's shoulder encouragingly. "You've been suffered a lot, Seok-woo. Take a rest. I will take it from here," he offered, but Seokwoo shook his head.

"No, Hyung. Better to take Mom and Noona home. For now, they need to rest more than me," Seok-woo got up, and the two of them followed the others back to the ICCU room. "I'll tell mom to go home, too,"

When everyone gathered, Seok-woo offered himself to stay in the hospital for tonight, and they could take turns each day since ICCU only provided one family member to stay.

Jaeyoon agreed and spoke before he left, "Call me anytime if something happened," Seok-woo nodded and stared blankly as the three of them left.

* * *

The following day, Hyeyoon walked into the NHIC Ilsan Hospital lobby and asked the receptionist to find the ICCU section. They guided her in a direction, and the girl nodded.

She reached the ICCU on the 4th floor when she saw Seokwoo sat on a couch, sleeping with his back rested on the couch rest and his head on the wall. Seok-woo must felt uncomfortable in that position.

Hyeyoon walked to him and sat on his side. She carefully woke him up and called him.

"Seok-woo," she patted on his right arm gently. "Baby," she sounded again. The latter awoke, and his eyes fluttered open. He then realized his girlfriend was in front of him.

"Oh, you're here," he hoarsely muttered. His face looked tired, the dark circle began to appear, but he was still handsome in Hyeyoon's eyes.

"Do you want to lay down? You'd hurt your neck if you stayed in that position," Hyeyoon help him to adjust his posture.

Seok-woo shook his head and regained his consciousness. "What time is it? When did you get here?"

Hyeyoon checked her wristwatch and showed him it was 8.30 AM. "I just got here," Hyeyoon then handed him a paper bag. She brought him a warm blanket and breakfast. "Bread for breakfast?" she asked him with a smile which Seok-woo gladly returned her smile with another one.

Seok-woo took it and muttered a low thank you.

"How's your father?" Hyeyoon stared at the ICCU room, and she saw Seokwoo shook his head weakly.

"Still no progress,"

"But the surgery was successful. I believe your father will be alright," Hyeyoon assured her boyfriend.

Seok-woo then stared at her girlfriend's pretty face intently. "They still need time to observe his post-surgery condition. If he survived this time, hopefully, he'll get better,"

"He'll be," Hyeyoon hugged the man in front of her and caressed his back slowly. "And your family?" she asked once she broke the hug.

"They're home. But maybe will be here soon, we'll take the turn to stay,"

Just when Seokwoo finished his sentence, the elevator door opened, and three people came out. They walked toward them, and Seok-woo got up.

"Mom," Seok-woo called the mid-aged woman and embraced her. Hyeyoon got up and bowed to his family.

"I'm Hyeyoon," she introduced herself when Seokwoo's mom, sister, and his sister's husband approached them.

Seok-woo's Mom's eyes widened, and she stared at Seokwoo with her meaningful look. Hyeyoon saw she muttered a quiet 'who' to her son. Seok-woo scratched his nape as he nervously introduced Hyeyoon as his girlfriend.

"Ah," Seoran exclaimed, broke the awkwardness, "so this is Hyeyoon?" she cheerfully stated, which Hyeyoon shyly replied with a nod. Seoran then smiled meaningfully. She reached out her hand for a handshake. "I'm Seoran, Seokwoo's Noona," she grinned. Hyeyoon nervously took her hand. "This is my husband, Jaeyoon," the man beside her nodded, and Hyeyoon bowed a little.

"Seok-woo never told us he has a girlfriend," Jaeyoon teased the younger man. Hyeyoon could see Seokwoo blushed a little.

"I'm just too busy, Hyung. Sorry," Seok-woo reasoned.

Hyeyoon stared at Seokwoo's Mom, and the older woman smiled. "Do you live in Seoul?" she asked Hyeyoon in a warm tone which somehow sent fresh air to Hyeyoon's heart. Seokwoo's mom was so beautiful. Hyeyoon couldn't hide her admiration for her beauty.

"Yes, ma'am, I live in Seoul,"

"Do you guys live together?" Jaeyoon teased them again, which earned him a punch on his bicep from his wife. He winced in pain.

"No, Hyung!" Seok-woo awkwardly grinned but then threw a threatening glare to his brother-in-law. "Hyeyoon lives with her friend, near the campus," he had no choice but to explain to avoid further misunderstanding as his mom presented in the scene.

"Alright, Seok-woo, you can go home. We'll take the turn to stay. Jaeyoon maybe leaves for work, but I can stay here with Mom," Seoran suggested to her brother.

"Or if you still need more sleep, better to go home before going back to Seoul," his mother added. "Take Hyeyoon with you. It's better than stay at the hospital," she flashed a beautiful smile that stunned Hyeyoon for a second. Now she learned where Seokwoo got his gorgeous smile. It was exactly like his Mom's smile.

"Yeah," Seok-woo stretched his stiff muscles, "I need to wash up. I'll go home then,"

After excused themselves to leave, Seok-woo grabbed Hyeyoon's hand, and moments after, he drove to the main road, heading to his home in Ilsan.

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A/N :

Hi. It's updated! :D

Sorry for taking this long to update this chapter due to heavy workloads and stuff.
Had passed the deadline yesterday, I have time to write again. 

So this is a new stage of the story. I hope everyone still enjoys reading The Last Spring.

I was so delighted to read all your comments and support. Thank you.

The next chapter is expected to be published in a few days. I hope I'd be able to complete the next chapter sooner. Hehe.

Oh, and since I'm not a medical person, I added some details for Seok-woo's father's condition, but if there's any mistake or anything to that part, please excuse me... ^^."

I hope everyone stays healthy and stays safe wherever you are.
See you again in the next update.

Love you all.