The day dragged on, heavy as a weight pressing against everyone's chest.
Jihyun sat curled on the couch, eyes swollen and raw from hours of tears. Soobin, beside him, let out a long sigh.
"Jihyun, your mom isn't in as bad a condition as you think. Falling apart like this won't help. When she comes, you need to be strong beside her. Trust me she'll be fine."
Jihyun shook his head, voice cracking.
"Then why did Minjoon fly there?
I know she's not okay. They're lying to me again. Why won't they just let me see her?
I want to see her!"
His shout broke into sobs, tears spilling faster.
"I want my mom… I can't live without her!"
The door opened. Taewon walked in with Hana, who carried a tray.
He set it down and took a seat beside Jihyun, his own chest splintering at the sight of him trembling like a child.
"Jihyun, eat first. You need your medicine," Taewon said gently.
"I told you,
I won't eat until I see Mom!"
Jihyun's lips quivered as his sobs grew softer, smaller. His hands gripped his knees, shaking.
Taewon reached up, brushing his tears away with careful fingers.
"Please. Eat a little."
When Jihyun still wouldn't move,
Soobin quietly lifted the spoon and held it out.
After a long pause, Jihyun finally took a bite, tears sliding down his cheeks.
Taewon's jaw clenched.
Days of begging him to eat, and he gave in to Soobin so easily.
He lowered his gaze, hiding the sting behind his calm expression.
"Minjoon called," Taewon said after a moment. "They'll come on Saturday."
Jihyun sniffled.
"And the doctor? The one who'll treat Mom?"
"Sunday."
"Tell him to come Saturday."
Jihyun's voice was sharp, desperate.
"She needs him the moment she arrives."
"I'll… try," Taewon answered, knowing it wasn't possible.
Soobin continued feeding him, patting his shoulder softly.
The heaviness in Taewon's chest became unbearable. He stood abruptly.
"I have a meeting. I'll come back tonight."
"Fine," Jihyun muttered without looking at him.
Soobin gave Taewon a small nod.
"I'll stay with him."
Taewon returned the nod and left, back straight,
When the door closed, Soobin turned to Jihyun.
"You need to take care of yourself too.
Do you realize how worried you're making everyone?
Taewon is running work, your father's company while Minjoon is away, and still taking care of you.
He's exhausted. He's lost weight,
Jihyun. He's not the Alpha you first married anymore."
Jihyun's lashes trembled. His eyes lifted, red and broken.
"I know… but i don't know why he lies too much. He treats me like I'm under his control."
Soobin's brows snapped together.
"Again,
Are you losing your mind?
Since when did care become control? Jihyun, wake up. Not everything is about chains. Sometimes… it's just love."
(IIn his office)
Taewon pressed his phone to his ear.
"Hello, Doctor."
"Mr. Kang Taewon. I was waiting yesterday. You missed the appointment."
"Something came up at home,"
he answered quietly.
"Taehyun already explained your symptoms. I warned you late thirties, they worsen.
You need tests. If you keep delaying"
"I'll come next month," Taewon cut him off. "For now, prescribe me a suppressant."
"Mr. Kang, that's dangerous.
If you're a second-level and I give you a third-level suppressant, your body could collapse. The first signs will be behavioral changes."
"It's fine. I'll handle it. Send it."
A pause, then the doctor reluctantly agreed.
"Fine. But next month, no excuses."
"Sure."
After hanging up, Taewon leaned back, pressing a hand to his abdomen as pain twisted deep inside.
His phone screen lit up thirty missed calls from his father.
He shut his eyes.
"Dad sorry. I won't answer. Not until you come back yourself."
The phone buzzed again. An email this time. He opened it updates on Seoul's small projects, America's contracts finalized.
A faint breath escaped him.
"At least my work paid off."
(Meanwhile, in Japan)
The sterile hospital corridor rang with footsteps. Minjoon stood outside ICU doors, his face tight as the doctor emerged.
"Her condition is worsening,"
the doctor said gravely.
"Her lungs are losing five percent function every day.
She's only alive through artificial support.
Do you understand what that means? It's like caging her soul. Without it, she won't last five minutes."
The doctor's voice gentled.
"Keeping her like this is cruel. Please discuss with your family. If we wait, her brain will collapse, and her death will be even more painful."
Minjoon's fists clenched, trembling.
Tears blurred his vision as he bit down hard, swallowing the scream that rose in his throat.
The doctor squeezed his shoulder before walking away.
"I know it hurts to lose someone you love. But watching them suffer hurts even more."
Minjoon sank onto a bench, chest heaving. He stared up at the ceiling, voice breaking into a whisper.
"Mom… I don't want to lose you. I really love you mom.
But I can't watch you suffer like this."