The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 82

CHAPTER 82

Hee-sook put on the best clothes she had. They were the kind of clothes she only wore to weddings, though they were just an old blouse and skirt bought long ago. She took off the hat she usually wore when going out and carefully combed her short hair. She applied light makeup and lipstick for the first time in a while. She felt her appearance in the mirror was unfamiliar but not bad.

Hee-sook took a taxi to Seoul. Riding in a car for over an hour with her weakened body was not easy, but it was nothing compared to what lay ahead. She couldn’t tell if the queasiness in her stomach was from the long ride or anxiety. She repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand holding a small purse, but the tension bubbling up from her core was hard to dispel. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and looked out the window.

It was her first time visiting this neighborhood in Seoul. She straightened her back to avoid looking intimidated. Her nerves were so focused elsewhere that even the expensive taxi fare didn’t bother her. She got out at her destination in a quiet alley off the main street. The clothing store had a restrained elegance even if it wasn’t flashy.

She swallowed hard and stretched her tense fingers. As she entered the store, people’s attention turned to her. She approached the first employee she saw and spoke directly.

“I’d like to see the owner of this place.”

“Do you have an appointment with the owner?”

Hee-sook was flustered but conveyed her message.

“No, but I have something urgent to discuss.”

“I see. I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to see the owner without an appointment.”

Hee-sook felt the employee’s polite yet subtly condescending gaze scanning her up and down. Though she seemed reckless and unprepared, she couldn’t back down. Her son’s future was at stake, and such disdain was nothing.

“Then I’ll wait. Please tell the owner that Yoon Ga-eul’s mother is here.”

The employee looked reluctant but guided Hee-sook to a section of the shop. She was served tea and snacks but only drank cold water to moisten her dry mouth.

“The owner asked to bring you to the office. Please follow me.”

Hee-sook felt relieved as she followed the employee. It wasn’t surprising that the owner chose not to ignore her. In the spacious office, she looked at the paintings on the walls. They didn’t move her, and she didn’t understand them, but she scanned them while wiping sweat. The exhaustion from overcoming one hurdle was already setting in. She took a deep breath and organized her thoughts.

Meanwhile, a doctor and a nurse changed Ji-hyuk’s dressings and gauze, and a caregiver wiped down his body. Go-yeo watched from a distance and then sat beside the unconscious Ji-hyuk once the caregiver left. Despite his unconscious state, his overall condition had improved enough to move him to the VIP ward. Though there were no visiting hours now, visits were strictly controlled for his stability.

Go-yeo studied Ji-hyuk’s face, now free of swelling and bruises, and sometimes felt as if he was playing a trick. Though fewer tubes were connected to his body than in the ICU, he was still dependent on machines.

“If this is a joke, stop it. It’s not funny.”

Maybe it was just her mood, but the doctor’s words felt mechanical. The general swelling had subsided, and the bleeding was controlled, but it was uncertain when he would regain consciousness. Even if he did, it was unclear if his brain and overall bodily functions would return to normal. Given his initial poor nutritional state, it was a miracle he had survived this long.

“Moon Ji-hyuk, I’ve encountered a miracle in my life. What do you think? Do you feel like a miracle? Why don’t you answer?”

She sighed while looking at the unresponsive Ji-hyuk. Go-yeo turned to look out the window.

“If you’re avenging me for telling you to die, then you’ve succeeded. You’ve succeeded, Moon Ji-hyuk.”

Her mocking voice echoed in the room.

Yesterday, Ji-hyuk’s lawyer visited her boutique with a notarized will. He had detailed provisions for his death or prolonged unconsciousness. She couldn’t help but curse him. He had left all his properties to his ex-wife, Han Go-yeo. She couldn’t fully understand his motives but guessed he either trusted her implicitly or wanted to leave a mark on her in this way.

Laughing bitterly at the will, she read the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order and felt deep resentment. Ji-hyuk had signed to refuse CPR or life-prolonging treatments if his condition didn’t improve or was near death. She felt like thanking him for his thorough and detailed explanation that showed he had no will to live.

Despite spending good times with Yoon Ga-eul, Ji-hyuk had somehow known this would happen and had tied her down. It was as if he couldn’t stand to see her live freely.

“You’re a real bastard, you know?”

Go-yeo glared at the still Ji-hyuk and left the room. She received a call from the store manager while getting into the car with Jin-young, who was waiting outside the room. The call instantly cleared her mind of thoughts about Ji-hyuk.

– Should I tell her that today’s schedule is difficult?

“No, tell her I’m on my way.”

Go-yeo wondered why Ga-eul’s mother had come. She remembered her looking very ill, but couldn’t think of a reason for her visit. Entering her office, she saw a different Hee-sook from the one in the hospital, who stood up awkwardly upon seeing her. The heavy atmosphere suggested this wasn’t a good visit.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Go-yeo smiled slightly, and Hee-sook waved her hands faintly.

“No, not at all. I’m sorry for coming without notice.”

Go-yeo glanced at Hee-sook and took a sip of the coffee brought by Hee-kyung. Despite having dealt with many people, Hee-sook felt difficult, unlike anyone she had met before. Go-yeo realized it was because Hee-sook was different from the people she usually dealt with.

Seeing Hee-sook’s discomfort, Go-yeo started the conversation.

“How’s your health? I heard you’ve almost recovered, but you look pale.”

Hee-sook smiled awkwardly and wiped her sweaty brow.

“I’m much better, thanks to you.”

She moistened her dry lips and continued.

“I didn’t come for a personal chat. I hope you don’t find this presumptuous. As Ga-eul’s mother, I felt compelled to come. I’ve heard that you are close to Ga-eul, but I don’t think it’s right.”

‘Not right?’

Go-yeo understood what Hee-sook meant, though her words weren’t perfect. She read the discomfort and vague words to grasp the intent.

Go-yeo felt her composure break and took a deep breath, instinctively straightening her back and lowering her gaze to hide her agitation.

Hee-sook, not looking directly at Go-yeo, took out a crumpled envelope from her small bag. Go-yeo’s head pounded at the sight of the envelope on the table. She hadn’t expected to be in such a dramatic position.

“This is part of the hospital bill from last time. I’ll return it in installments. I feel I received too much and want to give it back. I’ll also compensate for what you bought for Ga-eul and Eun-jae.”

Go-yeo realized Hee-sook didn’t want to accept any material help from her.

“This is my little pride. It may seem insignificant to someone like you, but my children and I don’t want to live that way.”

“…I think there’s some misunderstanding. Ga-eul and I don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“No, ma’am. Regardless of the truth, to the world, it’s different. Why should Ga-eul endure being called having a sponsor? As a parent, it’s heartbreaking. No mother can stand hearing her child being accused of selling their body for money.”

Go-yeo clenched her eyes shut at Hee-sook’s continuing words.

“…”

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but Ga-eul is being treated like that. That’s the common perception of your relationship.”

Go-yeo was stunned by the stories pouring out. She had no idea Ga-eul was enduring such talk. Why were such rumors circulating, and how could Ga-eul pretend nothing was wrong?