CHAPTER 18
San rushed in from the hallway at Chung-Hee’s shout.
“San, help me!” Chung-Hee shouted, dropping to his knees beside Noeul.
His hands were already stained with blood.
“He’s losing too much blood. Rei, help me stop the bleeding.
San, call an ambulance. Then contact Dr. Cho and tell him we’re on our way to the emergency room.
Also call his insurance provider in the U.S. They may cover part of the treatment.”
Rei immediately knelt beside Noeul. Having first-aid training, he raised the injured arm and applied firm pressure to the wound while Chung-Hee supported him.
The apartment fell into a tense silence, broken only by hurried footsteps, ragged breaths, and San’s voice as he spoke with the emergency operator. Blood soaked the floor. It stained their hands. Their clothes. It seemed endless. Noeul never regained consciousness.
The paramedics managed to slow the bleeding before loading him into the ambulance, but his condition remained unstable. They stabilized him as much as possible during the drive, while Chung-Hee sat beside him, his eyes never leaving the pale face lying on the stretcher.
The moment they reached the hospital, the emergency team took over.
Dr. Cho, who had already been informed of the situation, met them in the emergency department. After a brief assessment, he made the decision to operate immediately.
Only then did Chung-Hee call Noeul’s family. He answered their questions as briefly as he could, avoiding any explanation of what had really happened.
Ji-Woo arrived first, with Duri beside him. A short while later, Noeul’s parents rushed into the waiting room, fear written across both their faces.
“What happened?” Ji-Woo asked immediately.
His expression hardened. “Did he hurt himself again?”
Duri remained beside him, silent.
“No,” Chung-Hee replied. “He tripped and instinctively used his hand to break the fall.”
If they learned what had happened, they would take Noeul away from him. He wasn’t ready to let that happen.
Nearly two hours later, the operating room lights finally went out. The electronic board changed from IN SURGERY to COMPLETED. Moments later, a member of the surgical team approached them.
“The operation was successful,” he said, “but Mr. Jung remains in critical condition. He lost a significant amount of blood, so the next few hours will be very important. We’re monitoring him closely.”
The tension in the waiting room eased, if only slightly.
Mr. and Mrs. Jung remained seated, clinging to each other without speaking. Across from them, Ji-Woo stood with a paper cup of untouched coffee in his hands while Duri remained at his side.
Chung-Hee, however, was already walking toward the medical team.
“I want him to receive the best care available,” he said. “Whatever it costs.”
“When can we see Noeul hyung?” Duri asked quietly.
Chung-Hee noticed the concern in Duri’s voice. No one reacted to the way he addressed Noeul, suggesting such familiarity was nothing new to them.
“He’s been moved to the recovery room,” the nurse replied with a reassuring smile. “We’ll continue monitoring him until he wakes from the anesthesia and his condition is stable. Once he’s transferred to his room, we’ll let you know. The surgeon will speak with you afterward.”
Another two hours passed.
Still nothing.
“Damn it…” Chung-Hee muttered, pacing the waiting room.
Then, without warning, he kicked the nearby trash can.
“How much longer?”
The outburst echoed through the corridor.
Duri looked at him before turning to the rest of the family.
“What matters is that the surgery went well,” he said calmly. “He’s in good hands. Monitoring takes time. Let’s wait until we hear from the doctors.”
His steady voice eased some of the tension settling over the room.
Half an hour later, a nurse finally appeared.
“Mr. Jung has been transferred to his VIP room,” she said. “Dr. Cho is waiting for you.”
The family followed her down the corridor.
Dr. Cho greeted them.
“The surgery went well,” he began. “We managed to repair the damage, but recovery will take longer than we’d originally hoped.”
He glanced around the room. “For the next few weeks, he’ll need to keep his arm elevated, avoid using it, and follow the rehabilitation plan carefully.
He’ll need help with many everyday tasks for a while.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but we’re optimistic.
Having all of you here will make a difference. ”
***
Noeul opened his eyes slowly. The familiar smell of disinfectant greeted him before anything else. Then came the sound of someone crying. “Eomma…” he whispered. His throat burned with every word. “Please don’t cry.”
Mrs. Jung immediately covered her mouth. “My boy…” Mr. Jung said softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Relief washed over his tired face. “You finally woke up.” He paused. “We love you. Never forget that.”
Duri turned toward the window. Only after composing himself did he walk over to the bed. “How are you feeling, hyung?” he asked. “Are you in pain?”
Surprise crossed Noeul’s face. The moment their eyes met, he wished they hadn’t. Those green eyes that had once looked at him with admiration now held something far more painful. Worry. Pity. Hurt. He lowered his gaze. He couldn’t bear it.
Ji-Woo reached over and gently rested a hand on his brother’s leg. “Hyung… why didn’t you tell us you were struggling?” Ji-Woo asked, concern and anger tangled in his voice.
Noeul had always been able to read his brother’s emotions. “I’m sorry, Ji-Woo…” The apology barely rose above a whisper. He looked at his younger brother with quiet tenderness. Only when he saw concern behind the anger did he find the courage to ask. “My hand…” He hesitated. “…is it okay?”
“Yes,” Chung-Hee answered before anyone else could. “The surgery went well. Your arm’s in a cast for extra protection, and you’ll need to avoid using it for at least a month.”
Relief escaped Noeul in a slow breath. “Good…” His eyes drifted to the cast. “I still have to work.” He looked up again. “How long was I unconscious?”
“A whole day,” Ji-Woo replied immediately. “I’ll get the doctor.” He left the room.
A few minutes later, Dr. Cho entered and examined Noeul’s arm. “How is he?” Duri asked when the examination was over.
Dr. Cho turned toward Noeul. “The repair looks stable for now, and there are no immediate signs of complications. That’s encouraging. You’ll still need plenty of rest. Don’t use the hand, keep it elevated, and let your body recover. We’ll continue monitoring your progress over the next few days.”
Noeul nodded automatically. The words reached him…
but they didn’t stay. Seeing his family, and Duri, had awakened something far heavier than physical pain.
Guilt. Shame. Regret. The room slowly blurred around him.
Voices faded into indistinct murmurs. Thought slipped away. And, once again… sleep claimed him.