Just then, the doctor entered, carrying a small box. She checked Yeo Jun's vitals carefully. Everything looked stable. With a smile, she said warmly,
"I already knew you were brave, but I didn't expect you to be this strong. You are actually the very first patient of mine who has managed to complete this treatment with such calm and strength. Most patients require over a week, but you… you handled it so well. I'm truly impressed."
She placed the small box on the bedside table. "This is just a little get-well-soon gift from me."
Then she gently held his hand and carefully removed the cannula. As soon as the needle came out, she applied a topical medicine over the bruised, swollen site to help soothe the pain and heal the dark mark.
Smiling, she said, "Half of your treatment is already complete. Now, all you need is rest. By tomorrow, I expect your fever will reduce. After one or two more days of observation, you'll be ready to go home."
Hearing that, relief spread through Yeo Jun's heart. Despite still having a fever, the thought of going home brought a faint but genuine smile to his lips.
"Thank you," he whispered to the doctor.
She nodded and advised him to rest before leaving the room.
Joon Hyunk looked back at him tenderly. "Are you hungry? Do you feel like eating something now?"
Until now, because of the fever and injections, Yeo Jun hadn't been able to eat properly. But hearing the question, he realized he was starving. Nodding lightly, he said, "Yes."
Joon Hyunk immediately ordered food. While waiting, Yeo Jun got up slowly to freshen himself. By the time he returned, the meal had already arrived.
Because Yeo Jun's arm was still in pain, Joon Hyunk sat beside him and gently fed him each bite with his own hands. Yeo Jun accepted it quietly, his lips curling into a small, grateful smile.
Yeo Jun sat quietly in front of Joon Hyunk while he carefully fed him bite after bite. Once Yeo Jun had finished eating, his eyes wandered toward the box on the table—the one the doctor had left earlier, decorated with a little lamb logo.
He had been eating hospital meals for days, and the bland, tasteless food had left him completely tired of it. But seeing that box, his eyes lit up with excitement. He reached his hand out to grab it.
Joon Hyunk noticed and quickly helped him, pulling the box closer. He gently opened it in front of Yeo Jun, and the moment Yeo Jun saw what was inside, a big smile spread across his face. The box was filled with small pastries, neatly arranged, looking delicious and sweet.
Yeo Jun's eyes sparkled. "Can I have one of these?" he asked softly.
"Of course," Joon Hyunk replied with a smile. He carefully placed two pastries of Yeo Jun's choice onto a plate, closed the rest of the box, and picked up a spoon. Sitting beside him, he fed Yeo Jun each bite lovingly.
After eating, Joon Hyunk tidied up everything and helped Yeo Jun lie back down to rest. Because of the injections and treatment, drowsiness quickly washed over Yeo Jun, and soon, he drifted into sleep. Joon Hyunk stayed close, sitting on the sofa with his laptop, finishing some office work while keeping an eye on him.
The day passed calmly. At night, the doctor came in to check Yeo Jun again. His fever had gone down considerably and was almost normal. Since Yeo Jun was still sleeping, the doctor quietly examined him and then turned to Joon Hyunk.
"Tomorrow, we'll proceed with the facial surgery," the doctor explained. "Don't worry—it's not too serious. The real challenge was the antidote treatment for the drugs in his system, and Yeo Jun handled that incredibly well. The surgery itself will be much simpler. If everything goes well, he'll be ready to go home afterward."
Joon Hyunk listened carefully, relieved by the news. The doctor reassured him again before leaving. That night, Yeo Jun continued to sleep deeply, still under the lingering effects of the medicines.
The next morning, Yeo Jun finally woke up. The fever had disappeared, but his body still felt weak and heavy. The bruising around the cannula site on his hand had already begun to fade, no longer as dark or painful as before. Since he was feeling better, he took a shower and came out looking much fresher, his spirits lighter.
Not long after, the doctors came to take him for surgery. Hours later, the procedure was completed successfully, and he was transferred back to his room. Yeo Jun was still unconscious from the anesthesia, his face carefully covered with protective bandages.
Joon Hyunk immediately asked the doctor about his condition. The doctor smiled reassuringly. "He's stable. By evening, he should regain consciousness. Once the bandages are removed, and if everything continues to look fine, he'll likely be discharged tomorrow. I'm confident his overall recovery will be fast. The drugs are already leaving his system, which means the migraines and panic attacks he used to experience will also fade. But remember—his full recovery depends on staying in a calm, positive environment. If his mind is kept free from old traumatic memories, he'll heal much faster."
The doctor also handed over some medications to Joon Hyunk, explaining, "If he ever experiences sudden panic again, these will help relax his mind." With that, the doctor left.
Joon Hyunk finished all the hospital formalities before returning to Yeo Jun's room. There, he found him still asleep. Yeo Jun had pulled the blanket all the way up to his face and tucked his head under the pillow, sleeping like a child.