CH 72

“Director…”

“CEO Cha asked us to ensure the plan’s success. So let’s focus on that right now.” Muyeol pulled his own ring out of the pocket and slipped it on his ring finger. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to work… I’ll be working from home for now. Also, give me all the reports that Jaeho receives.”

Muyeol had decided to sacrifice his position as the project leader in favor of looking after Yiyoung as her husband. Tears pooled in Mr. Hong’s eyes as the gravity of the situation sunk into him; things were even more complicated for Muyeol now. His project, the company, and his wife…

Blocking another call from Gong Heesu, Muyeol reprimanded Mr. Hong, “The game isn’t over until I say so. Get it together, Mr. Hong.”

“Okay!”

“Now, go. You’re going to support Chief Kang well.”

“Got it,” said Mr. Hong before leaving.

Then, Muyeol sat down on a chair and called Sangsu.

* * *

Sangsu and Honghee were short-winded; as soon as they got a call from Muyeol, they dropped everything and rushed to the hospital. The operation was already over, and Yiyoung was in the recovery room. Muyeol sat outside the room, standing up to greet them once he spotted them.

“What happened?” Sangsu unconsciously raised his voice, “What the heck is going on?”

On the way over, they had taken the opportunity at every red signal to look up the viral video of the incident which the guardian of one of the patients at the ER had happened to capture. Sangsu and Honghee couldn’t believe what they were watching, the footage was so violent. Apparently, the suspect had been arrested, but what about the pain Yiyoung was suffering from?

“The weapon stabbed through her spleen, but the operation was successful,” explained Muyeol, “About her immune system… There are great medicines to help her heal. So, as long as she rests and doesn’t work too much, she’ll be fine.”

“I’m going to see her,” Sangsu declared.

“Yiyoung needs to rest right now. The doctor and nurses are in the room with her, so please wait patiently,” Muyeol said rather calmly.

Sangsu’s head snapped up, in shock by the lack of emotions in Muyeol’s voice. It was not like he wanted to see Muyeol panic, but he at least expected him to be angry or sad about the incident. Muyeol’s stoic demeanor upset Sangsu. “Are you talking about some stranger? You’re talking so calmly about Yiyoung! Is she a stranger to you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Aren’t you the president of this hospital? How could you let this happen!”

“Sangsu, don’t be like this!” Honghee interrupted, “How is it Muyeol’s fault?”

But Sangsu didn’t need Honghee to remind him of that. He was well-aware that Muyeol wasn’t at fault. But the incident had delivered a blow so hard that Sangsu couldn’t control his anger. After all those harsh days in the past… he only wanted Yiyoung to be happy, so why had something so awful happened?

“I’m sorry.” Muyeol lowered his head. “This is all my fault.”

Sangsu recalled the perfection Muyeol had carried himself with when they first met; even the wind couldn’t mess up his hair then. And now… His hair was all over the place, his suit jacket was gone, the tie was askew, and his shirt was blood-stained.

Sangsu turned around and took a deep breath. Softly exhaling, he looked at Muyeol. “I’m sorry for being too emotional.”

Muyeol didn’t respond, just stood quietly in his place.

Honghee then asked him in a friendly voice, “Did you eat something? Do you want to drink some coffee?”

Muyeol didn’t even realize when the sky had turned dark. A bit exhausted, he said, “I’m fine.”

The three of them sat down on the bench in the hallway. Immediately, Honghee and Sangsu began discussing how to look after their niece, “We’ll take some days off from work to take care of her.”

Muyeol shook his head. “I’ll do it.”

“Of course, you’d want to look after her, but she would need someone to take care of her all the time, so…”

“I’ll be by her side for all 24 hours.”

“But you…” Honghee hesitated.

‘As a director, doesn’t he have a lot of things on his plate?’ Honghee didn’t know how directors worked, but Muyeol didn’t seem like a person who would ever waste his time when it came to work.

“I’ve already requested to work from home.” Muyeol sounded so stern and insistent that the older couple couldn’t help but give in. But they were still worried.

Would Muyeol be able to take care of her as well as they could? They had only known him for a little while, it wasn’t enough to completely understand the kind of person he was. Yet, Sangsu didn’t know how to express his concern.

Suddenly, Muyeol said, “A long time ago, I asked you to take care of Yiyoung as if you’re her real uncle.”

Sangsu’s eyes widened, finally realizing that the man in front of him was the same person who had requested him to protect Yiyoung back then.