14
𝙧𝙤𝙝 𝙝𝙮𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙖

i felt like i was drowning in my own hurt.

love has only left me alone.

"if i went earlier, we might've been there to save her." i said.

we were now waiting hopelessly outside the operation room, waiting for any news.

"you couldn't have done anything, hyeona." joohyuk muttered. "there was nothing to stop it."

my eyes welled up again, and i dropped my head back with a sigh. "i should've known she was sick. i could've stopped this long ago! if i didn't take seeing her take so many painkillers so lightly, or how tired so was so lightly, she could be perfectly healthy right now!!" i yelled, grabbing my head.

"hyeona, stop blaming yourself. none of this is your fault!" joohyuk said.

"it's not my fault. but i could've stopped it!" i said, my voice raising unconsciously. "i could've stopped all of this!!" the pain in my heart was growing worser by the second, so i curled my fists and hit my chest, slowly, wishing for the ache to go away.

joohyuk grabbed my wrist to stop me, and i struggled in his grasp. with one final pull, he yanked me back and i crashed into his chest. there, he held me tightly, pressing my head into his warmth lightly. "stop it hyeona. please." he muttered.

i was crying all over again. it was like i lost a family member. i did lose a family member. granny yang treated me better than anybody else has ever. i wish i returned that before it was too late.

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𝙣𝙖𝙢 𝙟𝙤𝙤𝙝𝙮𝙪𝙠

i looked to my side, where hyeona was sitting. she was totally passed out after crying, her head resting lightly on my shoulder. harsh conditions bring people together, i guess.

it made me so sad when she cried so hard. it made me really sad. i didn't know why, because she was someone i had only met a little while ago.

but i wasn't surprised. i was attached to her from the beginning.

i felt her flinch and shift a little, and her warmth disappear from my shoulder. i looked at her.

"did they say anything?" hyeona asked in a groggy voice. she was still half-asleep and her eyes were all droopy. it was cute.

i shook my head, and she sighed and dropped her head back down on my shoulder. i looked down to my watch and saw that it was already 7:00 in the morning.

"you should go home and get some sleep." i muttered to her.

"i have to stay." she said with her eyes closed.

"then i will too." i said.

"thanks." she muttered back.

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𝙧𝙤𝙝 𝙝𝙮𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙖

"granny yang's guardians? are you here?" a nurse's voice called out.

i immediately jolted upwards, startling joohyuk along the way. we both ran to the her as fast as we could. my heart was pounding loudly and i could hear the blood roaring through my ears.

the nurse looked at us grimly. "your grandmother is in critical condition. we did all we could, but she isn't responding, and is currently stuck in a coma. we will contact you when you're able to see her. i'm sorry."

i looked to the ground. i had already cried enough that i had no tears left. in addition, i prepared my heart for the worse.

and this was the worse.

i let out a shaky sigh and nodded, turning on my heels and walking off. joohyuk trailed me like a lost puppy. i felt sorry for him, he had to deal with me all night long.

"let's go home, hyeona." he said, putting his arm on my shoulder and leading me to the exit.

do i even have a home? what is a home when there's nothing to welcome me?

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