Small and Fragile Things - Chapter 65

Rabbit.

His voice echoed.

Irang.

It sounded like he was urging her to open her eyes quickly, and for a moment she almost fell for it again. But she knew, if she opened her eyes, he would not be there.

What did you do today?

The moment she swore she wouldn’t be fooled anymore, the voice softened, sweeter than before, whispering as if to soothe her, carrying a faint smile.

Don’t worry. I will never leave your side.

…Lies. All of it was lies.

Do you think anyone else could kiss and taste you like this? Promise me, you’ll only let me hold you.

She bit down hard, resisting, resisting—until tears broke through.

Don’t cry.

He always won.

Maybe… maybe he really was here. She ached to open her eyes, pretending she had no choice. But why—why wouldn’t he show his face, even in a dream? If he was going to be so merciless, he shouldn’t have been so tender. If it was truly over, he shouldn’t appear like salvation at the edge of despair.

Yes. He was not a good man. If only she had never known him, it wouldn’t hurt like this. The moment sobs burst in the suffocating dark, the soft voice turned into thunder.

Save your own life yourself.

“…!”

She jolted awake, a blaze of white light pouring into her vision. The sting of alcohol, the familiar beeping of machines. The cold, sterile air. The rough feel of hospital sheets beneath her fingers. This was a hospital.

“Doctor, the patient is awake.”

A stranger’s voice pulled her back to memory. She recalled—morning or afternoon, she couldn’t tell—being suddenly surrounded by people, lifted onto a gurney. If she’d had even a little strength left, she would’ve fought. But her exhausted body couldn’t move a finger. All she could do was call for her doctor.

In the ambulance, they’d given her a sedative. Later, the physician had told her she would soon undergo surgery. His worried face had blurred, fading into darkness. That was the last thing she remembered.

Is it over?

The pain wasn’t sharp. Just a strange discomfort, dulled by heavy medication. Turning her head slowly, she found her doctor smiling faintly, as always. But his face looked more haggard, as if he’d aged years overnight.

“Do you recognize me?”

Her heart clenched. So they didn’t take my heart after all. Such a trivial fact, yet relief flooded her. Pitiful, humiliating relief. Still, it made her smile.

“I… I’m alive…”

“Yes. And now that you’re awake, you’ll recover well. You’ve done so well, Illy.”

Part of her thought bitterly. What a stubborn life, clinging on when all that awaited was another surgery table. Perhaps it would’ve been better not to wake at all. Her eyes burned.

“The pain must be intense.”

Though he knew she had plenty of painkillers in her system, the old doctor pretended not to, gently wiping her tears away.

“You donated part of your liver. The surgery went well. You’ll feel pain, pressure, bloating. But to recover, you’ll need to move bit by bit. Eating will be hard for now, so it’s better you rest more.”

His eyes were red, his voice thick with guilt, as if confessing a sin.

“This old man shamelessly prayed—for you to live.”

“Doctor…”

“Maria will scold me harshly when I see her. Perhaps I won’t see her at all. Not after committing such a heavy sin.”

She didn’t need to ask. She understood. He, too, must have had his reasons for helping with this. Perhaps a sick wife he was desperate to save.

Why was the world this way? Why did misfortune always strike the good, forcing them to sin simply because they wanted to live? Looking at his tearful face, she remembered Muk-hyun’s words.

The doctor, too, only tried to save his own life.

A painful clarity welled up in her, stirring defiance.

“Doctor… I have a request.”

She knew, her life would never hold a rainbow-colored tomorrow. So just once, she wanted to act for herself.

Save your own life yourself.

If it had been him, he would never just endure.

“Illy, if this is about what we discussed last time—”

“No… I want to see someone.”

The instant she made up her mind, something hot twisted in her stomach. A spark that had waited ignited into a storm, surging through her whole being.

“I must see him.”

***

“Who could be luckier than me?”

Soohwan, who had slept a full day in recovery, was now laughing, his condition improving rapidly. His pale skin had regained its healthy tone.

“You’ve got some nerve. Nearly dying again, and you call yourself lucky?”

“But I lived. And the perfect liver match just appeared. If luck had a world ranking, I’d be number one. Must’ve saved the nation in my past life.”

“Because of you, my lifespan’s been cut short by half. What crime did I commit?”

“Really? Though I admit, your skin looks a bit dull now. Don’t worry, when I’m discharged, I’ll treat you head to toe with the full spa package.”

Watching her son’s shameless grin, Moon Heesook finally let out the breath she’d been holding. The last two weeks had been a living hell. For Soohwan to collapse just when Illy was gone… each second until they got her back had bled her dry.

“Mrs. Moon, you look worse than the patient. You should go home and rest a bit.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m just going to sleep now anyway. Director Park, right? Please take her home.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“I’m not fine. If you want me to rest easy, go home. This isn’t my first hospital stay. You know I’m the veteran here.”

At last, worn down by her son’s coaxing, she agreed to leave briefly.

Once alone, Soohwan carefully held his side and rose. Step by step, he walked to the drawer, pulled out his phone. When the sound of the door opening froze him.

He glanced back, spotted a doctor’s white coat, and gave an awkward smile.

“I couldn’t sleep, and it was so boring. Just wanted to read some webtoons. I moved very carefully, so don’t scold me, okay?”

He braced for nagging. But the atmosphere felt… off. This wasn’t the doctor from morning rounds. His hair was white with age. And the person standing behind him kept their head bowed low.

“Um… which department are you from?”

“Well…”

The old doctor hesitated. Then the person behind him stepped forward and quietly locked the door.

“What the—who are you?”

Alarmed, Soohwan backed away quickly, pain searing through his side.

“Kim Soohwan, please calm down,” the old man said. “I was personally hired by Chief Prosecutor Kim Deok-gyu. I’ve worked at this hospital for forty years. I even observed your transplant surgery the other day. I only came to speak with you.”

“How can I believe that? My father hired you? What does that even—forget it. I’ll confirm with him directly.”

Soohwan raised his phone, ready to call his father.

But he never pressed dial, because of what happened next.

“You—what are you doing—!”

The woman who had been hiding behind the doctor suddenly stepped forward. In one swift motion, she stripped off the white coat and yanked up her top. Before anyone could stop her, she tore away all the bandages across her abdomen. And there were the raw, unhealed scars of surgery.

“…!”

Soohwan froze. Even if no one else understood, he recognized those scars instantly. He knew exactly what they meant.