Kang Yujeong sat on the hospital bed, her hands clenched nervously. The due date had arrived, and her heart pounded in anticipation of finally meeting her long-awaited child.
The door quietly opened, and a young woman entered, accompanied by a nurse. She looked young and strikingly beautiful, yet in her eyes lingered a deep sorrow that could not be ignored. She introduced herself as Somi, and soon the two found a gentle rhythm in conversation. Their exchanges were cautious, quiet, as if two lonely hearts had accidentally touched at a crucial moment in life.
"You're going to be a mother soon too, aren't you?" Yujeong asked, trying to distract her companion."Yes…" Somi smiled faintly, a pale, sorrowful smile. "Very soon."
When both were taken to the delivery room, they already felt no longer like strangers. Fate had decided that on that day, they would bring life into the world together: Yujeong—her son, Somi—her daughter. Later, when they were back in the same room, they lay side by side, exhausted, but with quiet happiness in their eyes.
Somi was the first to break the silence: "Tell me… what did you name your son?"
"Jiwoo," Yujeong replied with proud tenderness.
Somi paused for a moment, as if committing the name to memory, then whispered: "My daughter… I named her Jihye."
A faint smile touched her lips, but her face remained painfully pale. Yujeong frowned.
"Somi, you look unwell. I'll call a doctor—"
But she barely shook her head and squeezed Yujeong's hand tightly. "No… just listen," she said, her voice weak, yet carrying an insistent plea.
A chill ran down Yujeong's spine. Somi drew a heavy breath and began speaking, as if releasing a secret frozen in her chest:
"I'm not exactly an ordinary person…" Her voice trembled, but remained firm. "I'm actually much older than I appear. I already have a son. I had to leave him… because of people who destroyed my entire family. If he had stayed with me, his life would have been in danger. The only thing I truly regret is that my children will never see their mother."
"Why are you saying this?" Yujeong asked quietly, holding her hand.
Somi exhaled, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. "All you need to know… my son is now known as Kaiden. I can't say more. Forgive me for burdening you with this, perhaps even putting you in danger." She offered a faint smile. "But I am happy… that I met you in the final moments of my life, Yujeong."
She turned her gaze to the cradle. "Please… take care of Jihye. I don't want her to be alone."
Tears welled in Yujeong's eyes. She shook her head. "I don't fully understand, but… please, don't say that. Everything will be fine. She needs you!"
But Somi already knew the truth. With a quiet, bittersweet smile, she whispered: "Just promise… you won't leave her."
Yujeong closed her eyes for a moment, then gripped her hand firmly and answered with resolve: "I promise. I will raise Jihye as my own daughter."
"How wonderful… that I met you…" Somi whispered, giving her a weak embrace.
Seeing Somi's condition, Yujeong hurriedly reached for the panel and pressed the call button for a doctor.
Gathering the last of her strength, Somi lifted herself slightly and reached toward the cradle. Her fingertips brushed the tiny cheek of the newborn. The girl stirred and grasped her finger, as if responding to her mother's touch.
"I'm sorry… my Jihye…" Somi exhaled.
A faint smile appeared on her lips, a spark of happiness flickered in her misty eyes—and in the next moment, her hand fell lifelessly. It seemed that her very life had been held by a fragile thread of will, and now it finally broke.
"Somi!" Yujeong cried, her heart plummeting. She pressed the call button a second time: "No, no, no! Hold on!"
She tried to feel for her breath, pressing her hand to Somi's chest, as if her own warmth could reignite the spark of life. She tried to give first aid: "Not now… you can't…"
But the breath did not return. Yujeong, exhausted, did everything she could, but in Somi's eyes remained only stillness.
At that moment, doctors and nurses rushed into the room. They surrounded the bed, giving short, rapid commands to each other. Yujeong stepped back, pressing her hands to her face, silently hoping for a miracle.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she covered her mouth with her hand. Two tiny lives stirred: Jiwoo cried loudly, as if sensing what had happened, while little Jihye's face held silent tears, but she did not wail, as if she somehow knew it was better not to.
"I promise, Somi… I'll take care of Jihye," Yujeong whispered, her voice trembling, as she moved closer to Jiwoo and Jihye, holding them both tightly.