"Good! Your progress is amazing, Mr. Kim," Dr. Kwon said with a proud smile.
Suho smiled back.
"He's been pushing himself to walk more these days, doctor," Hauen added.
"That's great. That's exactly why he's improving so fast," Dr. Kwon said, checking the reports.
"What's next, doctor?" Hauen asked eagerly.
"Since he can walk on his own now, I'll recommend some exercises to strengthen his leg muscles, things like leg stretches, treadmill walks, and light pedaling. These will help in the final stage of recovery," the doctor explained.
Suho and Hauen exchanged a happy look.
"How long will it take, approximately?" Hauen asked, holding her breath.
"About 4-6 weeks," Dr. Kwon replied.
Suho's eyes widened. "4-6 weeks? After that, I'll be able to walk normally again?"
"Almost, yes. If you keep up your consistency and determination like before, I believe one month will be enough," the doctor said warmly.
Suho's smile grew wider, and he unconsciously held Hauen's hand, trying to contain his excitement.
Hauen smiled and patted his hand. "Yes, doctor, we'll do our best."
"I know you will, Mrs. Kim," Dr. Kwon said with a smile.
"Here's his diet chart," Dr. Kwon said, handing the paper to Hauen. "These are for muscle growth, not weight loss. Follow this plan for 30 days along with the recommended exercises, and you should start noticing improvements within the first week."
Both Hauen and Suho smiled. "Thank you, doctor," they said together before leaving the room.
As they walked out, Hauen supported Suho, his arm resting over her shoulder for careful and close balance.
"How do you feel, Teddy?" she asked with a gentle smile.
"Like I've been reborn," he said, his tone light but full of meaning.
She smiled softly. "You are. After everything you've gone through… You didn't give up. You fought, and you've been given a new life again."
He glanced at her and said quietly, "And I was reborn because of my wife."
She froze, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. For a moment, she just stared at him, unsure if she heard it right.
He noticed her expression and quickly gave a small, awkward smile. "What? You always tease me by calling me husband… I just used the same card," he said, trying to lighten the mood.
She looked at him silently, reading the flicker in his eyes before he looked away.
"Come on, help me," he said suddenly, pulling her hand gently. "I'm starving. Let's celebrate my rebirth with a good meal."
She smiled faintly and supported him again, walking beside him quietly, her heart still echoing his words.
That night, after dinner, Suho insisted on having soju, and somehow, he managed to convince Hauen.
"Cheers!" he said, clinking his glass against hers.
"I'm going to drink until I'm out tonight," he declared proudly.
Hauen gave him a sharp look. "No, you're not."
"Why not? I'm happy today! And from tomorrow, I'll be hitting the gym again, more hard work!" he said, already pouring himself another shot.
"One bottle is enough," she warned. "Not more. It's not good for your health right now."
"Come on, Hauen… let me live a little," he whined dramatically.
"Stop acting dramatic," she sighed. "And if you drink too much, how will you get to bed? I can't carry you, you still weigh a ton, even after losing weight."
He laughed at that, the sound light and warm. "Don't worry, my nurse… I won't trouble you."
"You better not," she said, sipping her drink.
For a while, there was a quiet comfort between them, the faint clink of bottles, soft music in the background. Then, Suho's gaze wandered to her.
For a moment, his eyes studied her quietly, every little detail of her face, the way the light brushed against her skin. His heart gave a small, unexpected flutter.
He'd been seeing her for months now… almost a year. He'd seen every side of her, her messy mornings, her teary nights, her mood swings, the soft glow when she was pregnant, her playful cheer, her gentle care. He'd even shared his body and pain with her once.
But now… it felt different.
These days, something about her is stirring something new in him. The way her eyes softened when she smiled, the faint curve of her lips, the little lines near her mouth, the delicate shape of her neck and jaw, the tiny earrings swaying with every small movement, even the small mole behind her earlobe, suddenly felt precious to him.
These days, whenever she came close, his heartbeat would start racing for no reason.Every brush of her hand, every smile, all made his chest tighten and flutter at the same time.
His heart fluttered again, fast and confusing.
What's happening to me? he thought. Am I… feeling something for her?
He looked away for a second, flustered. No, Suho. Don't be stupid. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if you lose her by expecting more?
Lost in those thoughts, he didn't even realize he'd been staring at her for a long time until she looked up, catching his gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts, eyes darting away, a little embarrassed.
She frowned, tilting her head. "You okay, teddy bear?"
He glanced at her, hesitant, then nodded. "Yeah…"
She smiled faintly, her eyes hazy, a mix of exhaustion and a little alcohol. "Why aren't you drinking?" she asked, noticing the untouched bottle in his hands.
"Just… thinking," he murmured.
"About what?"
He hesitated, then looked at her. "You remember… in one week our contract ends? And in three weeks, it'll be our first marriage anniversary." His voice was slow, quiet, like he was reminding himself as much as her.
She blinked, then gave a soft, crooked smile. "Oh, right. I totally forgot in all this chaos." She took another sip before adding with a teasing edge, "So my time has come to leave you."
Her words hit him harder than she could ever realize. Something twisted painfully in his chest; he didn't want to imagine this place, his life, without her. She'd filled every quiet space, every lonely corner of his days. The thought of this house without her presence felt… terrifying.
"Stay with me," he said suddenly.
She turned to him, surprised, eyes widening a little.
He swallowed, then added quickly, "Until I recover fully."
She looked at him, studying his face carefully. Something in his expression made her heart ache, that soft, helpless kind of ache that comes when someone's trying not to show how much they care.
It felt like he didn't want her to go. That quiet attachment lingered between them, unspoken but heavy.
"I need you… for some more days," he said softly.
Her gaze dropped for a moment. She could feel her chest tightening, but she nodded slowly. "Okay… I'll stay."
A faint, relieved smile curved his lips. His shoulders seemed to ease as though the air had finally returned to his lungs.
"Thank you, Hauena," he whispered.
She smiled back, small, gentle, because her heart was beating too fast to let her speak.
That night, after she helped Suho to bed and quietly turned off the lights in the living room, Hauen finally went to her room. The exhaustion of the day weighed on her shoulders, but somewhere inside, her heart still felt that lingering warmth from Suho's words earlier. "Stay with me."
She sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her temple, when her phone buzzed on the nightstand. The sudden sound made her flinch a little.
She frowned when she saw the caller ID."Hyunwoo oppa?"
Her brother, who rarely called her, since her marriage to Suho. Usually, it was only her mother who checked on her occasionally, once every couple of weeks at most. Hyunwoo had gone completely silent. And now, suddenly, he was calling her close to midnight?
Something felt off.
She picked up anyway."Yes, oppa?"
"How are you, Hauena?" His voice came through, soft, oddly polite.
"Fine." She leaned back against the headboard, half suspicious, half curious. "You're calling me at this hour? What's the matter?"
"Just… wanted to talk to you."
She raised an eyebrow, staring at the ceiling. "All of a sudden?"
"Yeah, uh… actually, it's about your marriage contract." His tone dropped slightly, cautious, hesitant.
Her stomach tightened. "What about it?"
"It's… almost over, right? The contract you signed with Suho it's about to end?"
"Yes," she said flatly. "Just one more week, and it'll be finished."
There was silence for a moment, and then he sighed."Hauena, you know how much you helped our company… how you saved us from going bankrupt by agreeing to that contract marriage."
She closed her eyes, her voice quiet but steady. "I did it because Appa worked his whole life for that company. I couldn't just watch it fall apart."
"I know, Hauena. I know how much you care about Appa, about Omma… even about your idiot oppa," he said with a forced chuckle.
She frowned, sitting upright. His tone was too soft. Too emotional."Are you drunk, oppa?" she asked.
"No! No, Hauena. I'm completely sober." His voice rushed suddenly. "I just felt… grateful, that's all. I realized how lucky I am to have a sister like you."
Her brows knit tighter. That's not something Hyunwoo says. Not unless he wants something.
She sighed sharply. "What do you want, Hyunwoo?"
There was a pause, a soft, awkward laugh from the other end."What makes you think I want something?"
"Cut the crap and come to the point," she said coldly.
Silence. Then, finally...
"Hauena..." he began, voice low, nervous.
She waited.
"By any chance… could you extend the contract? Just for another year?"
The words hit her like a slap."What?" she blurted, sitting up straight.