Reasonable Loss - 12

“It seems like PTSD, a form of avoidance symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. We need to do a brain scan to be sure, but it could be a side effect of the surgery.”

“So, it’s like memory loss or something?”

“Yes.”

Kiho, Myunghee, and Eunsoo sat in front of the doctor. Eunsoo stared at the doctor with a bewildered face, Myunghee glared at the doctor as if ready to pounce, and Kiho nervously showed signs of anxiety.

“How much memory loss are we talking about?”

“Based on the patient stating his age as thirty, it seems to be around four years ago.”

“Four years? Not four months but four years? Then he won’t remember Eunsoo…”

“When will he recover? Here, our Eunsoo is pregnant. And it’s in the early stages, a very risky time.”

“Right. If the baby’s father can’t remember, it’s not good, right?”

“Just bring him back. Do whatever it takes.”

Kiho and Myunghee bombarded the doctor with questions. The doctor wiped the cold sweat on his forehead and cleared his throat.

“I can prescribe medication, but it won’t have a dramatic effect. PTSD varies depending on how much impact the trauma had on the patient. Side effects from surgery also differ from person to person.”

It could be back in a week or even a few years. I can’t give you a definite answer on when he’ll recover.”

“…So, are you saying there’s nothing we can do in such a long-winded way?”

Myunghee couldn’t hide her displeasure as she spoke. The attending physician quickly added, raising his glasses.

“We will proceed with medication and psychological therapy. If the patient has the will, it could happen anytime…”

“The will is there. Dokwon doesn’t just love Eunsoo normally.”

“That… Having a problem with memory is the same as having a problem with the brain…”

“The same?”

“In the end, love is something the brain does.”

Eunsoo, who had been silent throughout, took a deep breath. So, to sum it up. Love is something the brain does. Dokwon’s brain was injured, causing four years of memories to vanish. In other words, he wasn’t in a state of loving me now.

“Sigh…”

Eunsoo let out a short sigh. At that moment, everything spun before his eyes. His head throbbed, and his stomach churned. Eunsoo slumped in his chair, and Kiho quickly supported him.

“Baby, come on. Let’s go out. We’ll finish hearing and let you know.”

Eunsoo obediently got up at those words. It seemed like it would only get more tragic if he heard more. Anyway, since treatment wasn’t immediate. Sitting here sulking wouldn’t change anything.

Eunsoo chose a breath in the hallway. Then, he slid down against the wall.

He couldn’t gather his thoughts at all.

It felt like becoming a widow overnight. It also felt like being left alone in a desolate world.

Oh, it was similar to how he felt at his parents’ funeral home. None of it felt real.

Anyway, Dokwon had woken up. So, he should remember me soon. The clumsy heart was sad, even resentful of Dokwon for carelessly forgetting me.

In reality, he hadn’t done anything wrong. There was an accident, he got hurt trying to protect me. In a way, it was my fault too. The feeling of resentment was inevitable.

Eunsoo absentmindedly stroked his stomach while staring into space. The unborn child, who hadn’t even entered the world, was pitifully silent.

Eunsoo sat in the hospital corridor for a few minutes. Doctors, nurses, and patients passed by in abundance, but no one paid attention to him.

It was as if they had seen countless people like Eunsoo before.

But for some reason, that indifference made him feel better.