Chapter Two – The Diagnosis
Rain poured around them, the umbrella barely keeping Hana dry. Her ex-boyfriend Ji Hoon's presence was heavier than the storm itself.
"Still forgetting umbrellas, huh?" he said, voice steady, but his eyes carried something unreadable.
Hana forced a laugh, though her throat felt tight. "Some things never change, I guess."
For a few seconds, they stood in silence, the sound of raindrops filling the space between them. Memories tugged at Hana — late-night phone calls, stupid arguments, quiet smiles — but she shoved them back into the past where they belonged.
The bus screeched to a halt. Hana stepped forward quickly. "Well… thanks for this."
Ji Hoon only nodded, his gaze lingering as she disappeared into the bus.
---
The bus smelled faintly of wet coats and old leather. Hana slid into a seat by the window, pressing her forehead to the cool glass. But before she could settle, a sharp pain stabbed through her chest and stomach.
Her fingers clenched around her bag. Another wave hit, stronger this time, leaving her breathless.
"Driver, please… stop the bus!" she gasped.
The brakes screeched, and the doors hissed open in front of a nearby hospital. Hana stumbled off, her legs shaking, her vision blurring at the edges.
She barely made it inside. The elevator doors opened, and she slipped in, pressing herself against the wall.
That's when she noticed him.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stood inside, scrolling casually on his phone. His hair was perfectly tousled, his sharp jawline almost unreal. He looked like he had stepped out of a magazine.
Hana's thoughts buzzed despite the pain. Wooow… my type. If I wasn't dying right now, I'd totally—
Another sharp pain ripped through her. She collapsed, knees buckling.
The man dropped his phone instantly and caught her in his arms. "Miss?! Stay with me!" His voice was calm but urgent, his strong grip steadying her trembling body.
The elevator doors slid open, and without hesitation, he carried her straight toward the emergency ward.
---
Hours later, Hana sat stiffly in a consultation room, hands twisted in her lap. The doctor's expression was grave but gentle.
"Miss Seo Hana… the scans showed a malignant brain tumor. Glioblastoma Multiforme. It's very aggressive."
Her ears rang. She barely heard the rest.
"With treatment, we may extend the time, but realistically… two months, maybe three."
Her lips trembled. She wanted to scream, to laugh, to collapse again — but nothing came out. Just silence.
The doctor's voice softened. "I know this is hard. You don't have to go through it alone. We'll do everything we can for you."
Hana nodded, though tears blurred her vision. Two months? That's it?
She stumbled out of the office, her body moving on autopilot.
---
And then she bumped straight into someone's chest.
It was him. The man from the elevator.
"Hey… are you okay?" he asked, his tone filled with concern.
Hana blinked up at him, her lips curling into a weak smile. "Thanks… for earlier. If you hadn't caught me, I'd probably be sprawled on the floor right now."
His gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Glad I was there."
She glanced at her phone and gasped. "Oh no! I'm late for work!"
Before he could say anything, Hana bolted toward the exit, clutching her bag tightly.
The man stood there, watching her disappear down the hall. He exhaled, half-amused, half-frustrated.
"I didn't even get her name."