The door to the emergency room finally opened. Mina and Dao jolted to their feet at once. A doctor in full protective gear stepped out, hastily removing his mask. Without hesitation, Mina rushed forward and grabbed the doctor by the arm, startling him.
"Doctor! How is Duyen!?"
"Well, actually..."
Before he could finish, the platinum-blonde girl next to Mina also gripped the doctor's shoulder and shook him. "What happened to Duyen!? Is she okay!?"
"Please! Both of you, calm down!" the doctor pleaded, hunched over and gasping for breath. Mina and Dao exchanged glances, realizing they'd gone a bit too far. This doctor had just spent over seven hours in a high-risk surgery. Once he caught his breath, he stood up and adjusted his glasses, his gaze flicking warily between the two beautiful girls. Everyone in the hospital knew who they were—daughters of some of the most powerful families in Asia. Even the hospital director treaded lightly around them.
"Well... Her condition was very critical..."
"Very critical!?" Mina shouted, glaring at him.
"Miss Kamakiri, please! Let me finish! It was critical, yes. But miraculously, she's now stable! That's what I meant!"
Mina gasped, barely able to believe what she was hearing. Stable? What did that even mean? What if Duyen would be paralyzed for life? Mina couldn't bear to face her if that were the case. But the doctor's next words reassured her.
"Thanks to the hard work of our medical team and the cutting-edge technology we use here, we believe she will fully recover. No permanent damage."
Mina and Dao lit up instantly.
"Really, doctor!?"
"Fully recover means... no long-term effects, right?" Dao asked.
The doctor nodded. Mina covered her face and began crying tears of relief, while Dao hugged her, bouncing in joy.
"She's okay, Mina! She's going to be okay!"
"Duyen..." Mina whispered, tears of gratitude streaming down her cheeks. Thank you, God... thank you for answering my prayers...
Duyen's smiling face flashed in Mina's mind, warm and radiant like summer sunlight. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Not their past, not the chaos—just the dream of walking hand in hand with Duyen through the hospital garden after her recovery.
But then the doctor spoke again, breaking her reverie.
"However, the patient will need to remain in the hospital for at least four months to ensure full recovery. Her limbs and spinal column are still healing. Regarding the costs..."
"No matter the cost, I'll pay," Mina said firmly, wiping her tears.
"Your generosity is appreciated, Miss Kamakiri, but we do require consent from her next of kin for legal and procedural reasons."
"Duyen's family..." Mina had completely forgotten. When they rushed her here, no one had alerted her relatives. Then, a wild idea crossed Mina's mind.
What if I just claim to be her wife?
She glanced at Dao, who was giving her a very knowing, mischievous smirk. This could actually work, right?
"Actually, I'm her wif—"
"That would be me."
A cold, sultry voice cut Mina off.
That unmistakable sound of high heels and the distinct scent of expensive perfume...
Shana.
With a wicked smile, Shana strode toward the doctor, her fiery red hair flowing as if carried by some unseen wind. The doctor froze in awe—or something more embarrassing.
"I'm Duyen's family," Shana said with a wink.
Mina bristled. Her fake smile was so strained it looked terrifying.
"Oh look, the great miss President has arrived. Care to show us proof?"
Shana crossed her arms, lifting her chest with confidence. "Why, Miss Kamakiri, would you like a certificate this time too? ~"
Mina's smile disappeared, her voice low and icy. "Enough with the games, Shana. I don't know how you weaseled your way into the OPA chair, but don't think you can do whatever you want."
A cold, menacing aura emanated from Mina like a blizzard staking its claim. But Shana only laughed.
"Wow, Mina... you're a lot more fiery than before. I like it. But too late. Like I said, from now on, Duyen belongs to me."
"Shut up..."
"No need to explain myself. Just so you know, I never back down once I've claimed someone. NEVER."
The doctor and Dao stood awkwardly between these two fierce women locked in a power struggle at the emergency room door, like tigers ready to rip each other apart.
The doctor raised a hand to speak but froze when both women shot dagger-like glares his way. He quickly retracted.
Suddenly, they heard running footsteps.
It was Duyen's father, Mr. Tuan, still in his dress shirt, suitcase in hand, clearly just off a plane. Beside him were Mr. Hung and his secretary Oh, all looking extremely worried.
"My daughter! Where's my daughter!?" Mr. Tuan cried, rushing toward the doctor.
"You're her relative?"
"Yes—I'm her father!" he panted. "Where is she? Is she okay!?"
He shook the doctor by the shoulders.
"She's stable, sir. Out of critical condition."
Mr. Tuan exhaled deeply and collapsed backward, his suitcase falling on top of him. Mina and Dao rushed to help.
"Thank God... thank you..."
Mina was stunned—this was Duyen's father? Meeting the man who brought Duyen into this world suddenly overwhelmed her with emotion.
Eagerly, she helped him up. "Sir, please don't worry. Duyen will be fine."
Mr. Tuan gave her a confused look. "And you are...?"
"I'm Mina... I was her classmate back in university."
"Ah, Mina..."
He answered curtly, his expression unreadable as he pulled away from her grasp, leaving Mina confused and a bit embarrassed.
"Sir, if you're the father, please sign this treatment consent form," the doctor said.
Without hesitation, Mr. Tuan took a pen from his pocket and signed.
"Can I see her now?"
"Of course. But everyone must wear protective gear and go through sanitation first. She's still unconscious and weak. Please follow me."
Everyone began following the doctor.
But when Dao and Mina moved as well, they were suddenly met with odd looks.
"Excuse me?"
"Mina... maybe it's best you head home for now. We'll take care of Duyen from here."
Mina felt her heart drop. The way they looked at her made her feel completely unwelcome. Why?
She glanced at Shana, who stood confidently with arms crossed.
Why is she allowed to stay?
Dao tugged her sleeve gently. "Let's go home, Mina... we can visit Duyen tomorrow, okay?"
"...Alright," Mina said softly.
She bowed politely to Mr. Tuan and turned away.
Dao wasn't dumb—she understood. The family wanted privacy, and Mina and Dao were just outsiders. But Shana? Shana somehow got to stay. It made Dao furious for her friend.
As they walked, Mina's phone buzzed. She'd been ignoring hundreds of calls all day. But now... she had no excuse.
She glanced at the screen—her face went pale.
"What is it, Mina?" Dao asked.
Seeing the name "Mom" on the screen made Dao go pale too.
Mina bit her lip until it bled.
She answered. "Hi, Mother..."
The voice on the other end was as sharp and cold as a cracked violin string.
"Mina. I hear you haven't been at the apartment or the office. I had people look for you. Why haven't you answered?"
"I..."
"Never mind. You're grown now, huh? Think you're too big to listen to your own mother? I let it go once. Not again."
"...I'm sorry, dear mother. It won't happen again."
"Save it. Stop by the family estate and visit your grandmother. Valko is returning to Vietnam soon. I don't know what happened between you two, but marriage isn't something you abandon over a petty argument for a year. Act like a wife. Do not embarrass the Kamakiri name with your childish behavior. Both of you will attend the upcoming family banquet. Smile for your grandmother. Don't test my patience again. I've forgiven you far too many times."
Dao covered her mouth in shock.
Only a few in their inner circle knew the truth: Mina and Valko were legally married. But they'd been separated for a year... and Dao had seen the fallout firsthand.
Mina's fists clenched, nails digging so deep they bled. She'd struggled so much to stand on her own this past year. Was it all about to crumble?
Dao wanted to say something—anything—but she knew. Mina had no choice.
"...Yes, mother. I'll be there."