By Zephyria 
Their best. A nice phrase. While I understood the importance of the process regardless of the result, on the other hand, there was no better phrase to evade responsibility for the outcome.
Of course, life and death are in the hands of heaven, and there are diseases that cannot be cured by medical science, so it wouldn’t be the doctor’s fault if she died. Still, it didn’t feel great, as it seemed like an attitude of glossing over the situation with vague explanations. Well, I suppose the doctor is probably just walking on eggshells around the Grandfather and Father.
“Still, she’s held on for a long time. Fifteen years as a vegetable is really just barely clinging to breath. I’ve seen many people who couldn’t even last a year. She’s only alive because they have the money and doctors are all over her.”
I wondered if this caregiver even realized I was the patient’s family. It was a good thing I was Min Jae-hee; if I had been the real Cha Soo-kyung or another family member, I might have replaced the caregiver for such a scathing assessment.
“Looking at the doctors, it seems she’s really on her last legs. There’s nothing more they can do, and they just have to sit back and monitor her state, so they’re restless. The old man must be quite something; everyone trembles at a single word from him.”
“Yes. Grandfather is impressive in many ways.”
Especially his temper.
“I have children too, so I know that feeling well. Everyone around says there’s no hope, but there’s always that ‘what if.’ If my child collapsed like that, I’d sell my house just to keep them alive a little longer. That’s a parent’s heart. Children never truly understand a parent’s heart.”
It was that “parent’s heart” being too excessive that caused the current disaster, according to Grandfather. I didn’t know what accident had turned her into a vegetable, but I doubted the Grandfather hadn’t played a part in the cause of that accident.
What’s the point of having the best hospital, the best room, and the best medical staff? He’s the one who effectively killed his own child.
“I should probably head back in now. I shouldn’t be away from my post for too long.”
“Yes, let’s.”
I returned to the room with the caregiver.
I wondered if they had shared enough while they were alone. The things he wanted to say, the things he couldn’t, the things he had kept in his heart. Had he honestly brought out his resentment and longing?
I wouldn’t know until I heard the answer, but I decided to be satisfied with Kwon Yi-kang’s face, which looked considerably more at peace than when I had left the room.
As I approached and lightly touched his shoulder, light returned to his vacant eyes, and I entered his field of vision. Kwon Yi-kang, who had been spaced out since entering the hospital, finally looked at me.
“Did you talk to her a lot?”
“Yeah.”
“Did she like it?”
“Who knows.”
I tapped the back of Kwon Yi-kang’s hand, suggesting he could answer such things with more confidence.
Facing the woman who was the only weakness and the only trauma of the great Kwon Yi-kang, I felt a strange emotion. Should I show kindness to the person who gave birth to Kwon Yi-kang, or malice to the person who abandoned him? Kwon Yi-kang probably felt something similar to me.
“Um, listen.”
He probably guessed it to some extent from the doctor’s words, but I thought it was better to be clear about these things. Things like “best effort” or “trying” were nothing more than unreachable hope.
“It seems your aunt’s condition is worse than expected. They said it might be a bit dangerous this time. That’s why Grandfather is coming to the room every day.”
It was a stroke of luck that we visited today. According to the caregiver, Grandfather has been coming almost every day lately; if it weren’t for a funeral, we definitely would have run into him. Then I wouldn’t have been able to give Kwon Yi-kang and his mother this leisurely and peaceful time.
“I see.”
“Her condition might improve, but just in case. Talk to her a lot. About how you grew up, how you’ve been living. Tell her about Father, too.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Kwon Yi-kang pulled me onto his lap and smiled, stroking my hair. The faint smile held a bittersweet emotion. I pulled his head toward me, embracing him as we looked at the woman together.
∞ ∞ ∞
It was a fairly long time for a hospital visit, but considering the thirty-four years they hadn’t met, it was also a short time.
Though he didn’t say much, simply sitting and watching the woman seemed enough for Kwon Yi-kang. A face without greed, resentment, or joy. I gazed steadily at his face.
I was satisfied just by the smile he gave me whenever our eyes met. For this moment, it was okay if I wasn’t the first priority for Kwon Yi-kang.
It was a peaceful time. The woman with her eyes closed looked as if she were sleeping, and Kwon Yi-kang, who carefully held her hand, looked a bit relieved, as if he had shed a layer of his shell.
The vibration of the phone in my pocket alerted me; I checked the caller. It was Father. Since thirty minutes had passed and he hadn’t rushed me with a call or sent someone, I answered generously.
“Yes.”
—You’re not still at the hospital, are you?
“I am.”
—Get out of there now! I’ve just entered Seoul. Your grandfather is stopping by the hospital before heading home, so get away quickly.
“He must be quite terrifying. It’s not like I came to see someone I’m not allowed to meet, so why avoid him?”
—Do you never want to see her again? If the Chairman finds out, do you think you or that guy will be able to step foot in there? What will you do when Hee-ryeon is moved home?
That was a fair point. He probably said it just to avoid immediate anger, but Father wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t meeting someone forbidden, nor had I done anything wrong, but there was no need to make things loud and difficult.
And I didn’t know how much time was left to see a woman who was on her last legs. It was best in every way to quietly visit while avoiding Grandfather.
“Alright.”
—Get out now.
“I said alright. You really have a way with words. Do you enjoy speaking in such a commanding tone?”
As I hung up with a huff of annoyance, Kwon Yi-kang looked at me. Seeing him, who had become remarkably quiet today, I let out an awkward laugh.
“He said he’s back in Seoul. It seems he’s heading straight to the hospital.”
“Right. I should go then.”
“Let’s come again. I’m unemployed, so anytime is fine. If you’re okay with it, even tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
The smile pulling at his lips lacked strength. Even as he stood up, Kwon Yi-kang’s gaze remained fixed on the woman. I knew the lingering regret in that gaze, but there was nothing I could do in this situation. Frankly, if his mother were healthy, I would have kidnapped her for him, but regardless, what a patient needs is a hospital.
“Ma’am.”
“Yes?”
“We’ll be going now. Thank you.”
“What is there to thank me for?”
“You’re taking care of my aunt. And…”
I borrowed the caregiver’s phone and typed in my number. After confirming the short vibration in her pocket, I returned the phone and naturally took out Kwon Yi-kang’s wallet, handing her a few checks.
“I heard caregiving requires a lot of physical strength. Please buy yourself something delicious, and I ask you to keep taking good care of my aunt.”
“Oh, you don’t have to give me this. I’m already paid for the work.”
“Still. Please don’t tell Grandfather that we visited today. Don’t even mention it. And the number I entered is mine. From today on, please text or call me to let me know when Grandfather comes and goes from the hospital.”
“That’s a bit…”
“I’ll give you a separate thank-you payment. Both Grandfather and we want to say our goodbyes to my aunt quietly. You understand, right?”
I gripped the caregiver’s hand holding the checks and asked, “Yes?” After a moment of hesitation, the caregiver reluctantly nodded.
“Yes, I’ll do that. But if the Chairman finds out, it’ll be a disaster…”
“If that happens, just tell him the truth—that I told you to. But I’d prefer if he didn’t find out.”
“I’ll be as careful as possible. It’s been lonely since there are no visitors, so the patient will like it too. Come often.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As for the doctors and other staff, Father would handle their discretion. I just needed to keep the caregiver on my side to block the times I’d run into Grandfather.
Leaving the room satisfied, I stealthily slid the wallet back into Kwon Yi-kang’s pocket.
“I’ll let you know when I get the account number, so send some money. Not too much, though—about a month’s salary for a caregiver should be fine. You have to feed them first so they don’t change their tune later. Send it under my name.”
I needed to save money, but did I really have to do this? I pondered for a moment, but a few million won wasn’t more important than the time between Kwon Yi-kang and his mother.
As I pressed the elevator button and waited, I felt a steady gaze and turned my head. Black eyes were staring at me quietly.
“What? You don’t have to say thank you.”
“Thank you? You’re acting all generous with someone else’s wallet. Your skill in stealing the wallet was top-notch.”
“I made a living doing that before I became Cha Soo-kyung.”
Former pickpocket, current Cha Soo-kyung.
I opened and closed my hand like a child playing a game, speaking proudly. He took the wallet out of his pocket, checked the inside, and gave the back of my head a gentle, painless tap with the wallet, laughing softly. Seeing a smile return to the face that had been expressionless all day, I felt a bit more at ease.
“Let’s go home and rest.”
At my words, I grabbed Kwon Yi-kang’s wrist as he checked his watch and pulled it down.
“Don’t think about going back to the office. Take the rest of the day off.”
“I’ll get fired.”
“Let’s use the privilege of being the Chairman’s son today. Go home, wash up, eat something delicious, and sleep early. Deeply, without thinking about anything.”
Even if I said this, Kwon Yi-kang’s mind would likely be a mess. He seemed to need time to organize his complicated thoughts. That was a more important issue in Kwon Yi-kang’s life than company work.
When I prompted him for an answer with an “Hmm?”, Kwon Yi-kang eventually nodded.