At the General Emergency Department of the top private hospital in Starfall City.
Seven hours had passed, yet silence still lingered behind the closed doors of the operating room. Mina paced back and forth, clutching her head in frustration. Her once pristine office attire was now covered in dust, her face pale and eyes hollow from crying too much. But she didn't care. None of it mattered. All she cared about was the person fighting for her life in that room — Duyen.
Mina was like a ghost now, wandering aimlessly, refusing to eat or drink. From a distance, Dao watched her best friend with a heavy heart. She herself had just been discharged from the recovery room, still weak but stable. Thankfully, Dao hadn't inhaled too much smoke and had a strong constitution, so she was able to leave her room earlier than expected.
Of course, the first place she went was Duyen's emergency room.
The hospital hallway was cold and eerily quiet, with only Mina sitting alone outside. Maybe she was hoping. Maybe she was praying. Or... maybe she was just existing. No one could tell. But Dao had never seen Mina fall apart like this — not since the incident a year ago when Mina had to be hospitalized herself.
Suddenly, a cold chill touched Mina's cheek. She looked up to see Dao smiling gently, handing her an ice-cold lemon soda. Mina took it and forced a small smile. Even the freezing can couldn't numb the sorrow inside her.
"You should rest a little," Dao said, shaking her head and softly sitting beside her.
"The nurse said I'm fine now. Just a minor sprain in my ankle."
She glanced at the tightly shut ER door and then up at the timer on the wall. She knew they had to give the doctors time, but the state Duyen had been in… it was terrifying. Her limbs and spine were broken. They said... she might be paralyzed for life.
The thought made Dao's chest tighten. If Duyen hadn't risked her life to save her, none of this would've happened.
Suddenly, Mina noticed Dao pounding her own chest.
"What's wrong, Dao?" she asked.
Dao just smiled bitterly and shook her head. "Nothing… I just hate myself right now. Duyen didn't even hesitate to run into the fire for me. For someone she barely knew. I hate that I didn't grab her hand and jump out with her. If I had… maybe things would be different."
Dao buried her face in her hands. Her eyes were bloodshot, streaked with black mascara. Mina had never seen Dao like this before. Dao was always the easygoing one, carefree, bold — never one to cry or regret. She, too, was a second-generation heiress from a powerful family, just like Mina. They were proud, privileged girls.
But Duyen… Duyen had helped them with no agenda, no expectations.
How could Mina blame Dao, when she herself had done so much worse?
It was because Duyen was too kind. And she — she didn't deserve someone like Duyen.
Mina suddenly remembered Shana's scathing words. Every word echoed in her head.
Shana had been right.
This didn't have to happen.
It was all her fault.
Tears poured down again as Mina sobbed uncontrollably. Dao instinctively pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly.
"Dao… I'm scared… If something happens to Duyen, I... I think I'll die too…"
"Don't say that." Dao's voice was soft but firm. "This is the best hospital in the city. Duyen will be okay. She will be okay…"
The Mina that Dao knew was never like this — so broken, so fragile, like a helpless child. Dao knew Mina carried pain, especially from her strict family, but it wasn't until the incident a year ago that she got a glimpse of how deep it ran.
Dao kept patting her back, comforting her until Mina calmed down. Finally, Mina pulled away, wiped her tears, and tried to regain her usual composure.
Dao took a deep breath. If she didn't ask now, she might never get the chance.
"Mina… I know this might be a bad time, but… what really happened between you and Duyen four years ago?"
Mina went quiet. Then, with a shaky voice, she answered honestly:
"Duyen never stalked Valko. She never harassed me. All those rumors... Valko made them up. None of it was true."
Dao nodded slowly. She wasn't surprised.
"Figures. After today, I could tell. Duyen is not that kind of person. Valko… that lying bastard. How could he spread something like that!?"
"You know how he is," Mina said quietly. "He was jealous of her…"
"Yeah, you're right. Valko was obsessed with you. But to ruin her name for four years?! Duyen was branded with horrible labels… and no one spoke up…"
Dao trailed off, staring at Mina, realization dawning.
She had known the truth — all along.
And said nothing.
Mina gave a bitter smile. "Yes. I'm that kind of horrible person, Dao. I... didn't speak up for her… Not once."
"No… Mina, I'm sure you had your reasons. Valko's family is powerful — a major telecom conglomerate in Taiwan. Your families had business ties. Of course you were in a tough position…"
But Mina shook her head violently and covered her face.
"NO! That should never have been an excuse! I made that choice! She was right, Dao… I'm a coward! A terrible coward. I destroyed Duyen…"
"Stop. Breathe, Mina," Dao urged, trying to calm her. "Don't say things like that! Don't you want Duyen to recover?"
"Yes…" Mina choked out.
"Then focus on that. Everything else can wait. Apologies, regrets, explanations — you can deal with those later. Right now, Duyen needs to be okay."
Dao studied Mina closely, afraid she might do something reckless. Her mental state was clearly fragile — one wrong move and Mina could do something irreversible.
Poor Mina… What kind of burdens had she been carrying all this time?
Then, almost in a whisper, Dao asked:
"Mina… do you like Duyen?"
Mina froze. Her body went stiff. Her eyes, still wet with tears, widened — and her cheeks turned red like a tomato.
Dao raised an eyebrow. "So that's a yes, huh? Since when?"
Mina fumbled, wiping her tears. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, girl. Okay, let's be real. She's lost weight and looks stunning now, but even before — smart, kind, brave, capable… and tall too! Plus, have you noticed her eyes? They're beautiful. Why am I only realizing this now?"
Mina blushed harder, picturing Duyen's features in vivid detail.
"So you don't like her? Cool, then I'll make a move after she recovers. No problem, right?"
"NO!" Mina blurted out, then immediately clamped her hands over her mouth, embarrassed.
Dao stared at her, wide-eyed.
There was no denying it now.
"…Yeah. I like her." Mina admitted softly.
"There we go! Was that so hard?" Dao grinned. "But if you liked her, why'd you reject her back then?"
Mina flushed. "I thought… we'd never see each other again. And then she didn't even come to graduation, so…"
"Mina."
"Huh?"
"You're such a dork. Like, seriously. You're smart, but you're the dumbest person I know. Dumber than me. And you're always calling me the idiot."
Mina laughed through her tears.
Dao sighed, looking toward the ER doors.
"People always say — don't wait until it's too late to realize what you had. Mina, I know your whole life, you've never really lived for yourself. But this — this is your chance. And second chances don't come easy. So if you want her… don't let her go."
Even Mina was surprised at how wise Dao sounded. She was usually the jokester, the easygoing friend. But every word hit Mina like a wake-up call.
Dear God… if this really is fate… If You can let Duyen live…
I swear I'll do everything in my power to make things right.
Mina clasped her hands and prayed silently.
Not far down the hallway, a cute nurse with twin braids and a curious expression had overheard the whole thing. She clicked her tongue, said sarcastically.
"Well damn… guess anything really can happen in this world."