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Chapter 28
Jaehan slowly opened her eyes, feeling the weight of pain in her head. Her vision blurred, but the first thing she saw was Eunwoo, sitting right in front of her, worry etched across his face.
"Are you okay, big sis? You've been unconscious for four days…" Eunwoo's voice trembled slightly.
Jaehan tried to lift her hand, weak as it was, to touch his head. But Eunwoo gently held her wrist.
"What if something happens to you? What would we do…" he whispered, his grip firm yet tender.
Jaehan tried to speak, but before she could, a doctor entered, saying,
"Please, you need to step aside. We need to check her."
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Later, Jaehan sat propped up in her bed, still too weak to stand. Her body ached, but her mind was racing. She looked at Eunwoo and asked quietly,
"How… how did you get back? And… where is everyone?"
"From where…" Eunwoo hesitated.
Jaehan frowned. "Hey! Why are you changing the topic?!"
Eunwoo sighed. "Okay… I know, big sis. It's hard for you. I'm sorry for the trouble… Actually, I ran from there. I don't even know where they took me. I'm sure Jongsuk isn't in the same place… I don't know where everyone is. Sorry, big sis."
Jaehan's voice rose. "It's not your fault, Eunwoo! Don't worry about it!"
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Two days later, Jaehan was finally discharged. Eunwoo accompanied her to the hospital one last time. The doctor warned him carefully,
"Her condition is very delicate. She's been through too much… Please, take care of her. If anything happens, contact me immediately. She has my number."
Eunwoo looked at her in surprise. "Why do you have his number, big sis?"
Jaehan didn't answer, her expression unreadable.
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When they arrived home, Eunwoo froze. The house was in shambles—bloodstains on the floor, scattered belongings, a dull air of chaos.
"What… what happened here?" Eunwoo whispered.
Jaehan remained silent, her face calm but her hands trembling slightly.
Eunwoo noticed the missing evidence. "Big sis… did you… give them all to save us?"
Still, Jaehan didn't reply.
"Big sis… what do we do now?" he pressed, voice uneasy.
Jaehan's eyes darkened slightly, her voice firm. "Now… we just give up? No. I won't let anything happen to you… or anyone else. Even if it means I have to do it alone."
Eunwoo's expression faltered. "I… I know what you're planning, big sis. I can't let you do it alone."
Jaehan's temper flared. "Stop being nosey!"
Eunwoo fell silent, feeling a pang of guilt. Jaehan noticed and, softening, said with a small, teasing smile,
"Sorry… I was just…"
"It's okay, big sis. I'm not your real brother, anyway," Eunwoo said quietly.
Jaehan lightly tapped his head in a playful gesture. "Sorry," she said, her face funny yet warm. "And… well… we don't have any evidence. So… what do we do now, Eunwoo?"
Eunwoo smirked, reaching into her pocket. "Hey, big sis… I think I know." He pulled out a memory card, holding it between them.
Jaehan's eyes widened. "Eunwoo… is this… really…?"
He nodded. "I'm your biggest little brother. I'll make sure nothing happens. I've planned for this."
Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. A storm of chaos outside, but for a moment, in that small space, there was trust, determination… and hope.
—End of Chapter 28
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