Love is better than pain

26. A person who chose the beginning, not the end

Hospital corridor. At the end of the dark corridor.

Myungho was still sitting there.

Without even knowing how many minutes or how many hours it was.

With his head bowed, as if he had lost the ability to breathe, he simply pictured Siyeon's face.

A face that smiled happily. A figure sleeping, leaning against a pillow. Lips that nodded and said, "I'll wait."

The fingertips that played while eating,

The voice that whispered, "Thank you for being with me"... Every moment of that moment pierced my heart.

Only then did Myeongho's gaze sharpen. He raised his head and quietly—but firmly—opened his mouth.

디에잇(명호)

“…I can’t give up. Even if…it takes six months.”

***

Myeongho immediately got up from his seat and headed to the hospital's administrative office window.

He spoke naturally at the busy counter just before closing time.

디에잇(명호)

"Oh, this is Kang Si-yeon's protection. I'm here to collect some hospital bills."

The employee looked up in surprise.

???

“Huh…? But Kang Si-yeon said she didn’t have a guardian? What’s her relationship…?”

Myeongho did not avert his eyes.

디에잇(명호)

“…He’s my spouse. Since he’s sick, I think he hid it from me too.”

The employee nodded in surprise at those words, and he quietly handed over the card.

디에잇(명호)

“Please provide the medical details, payment processing, and receipt.”

???

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

While the payment was being made, the clerk asked cautiously.

???

“I… but.

???

I'm sure you haven't told your guardian directly, but... Your current situation is... very..."

디에잇(명호)

"Is it bad..."

The employee nodded, his expression displeased, then something occurred to him and he continued.

???

“The cancer cells have metastasized quite a bit…

???

But, the first chemotherapy treatment was better than expected, so the doctor was a bit surprised."

Myungho's eyes widened. The employee added cautiously.

???

"Actually... they said that if things continue like this, there's a chance of a complete recovery, even if it's only a small percentage. I haven't told Kang Si-yeon yet..."

디에잇(명호)

"...."

Myeongho was silent for a moment.

After completing the payment, the moment I held the receipt and medical records in my hands— my fists slowly clenched.

Myungho, who was walking near Siyeon's hospital room

디에잇(명호)

“…Siyeon.”

He leaned against the wall and quietly bit his lip.

디에잇(명호)

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Even for a moment, I tried to let you go... This is what I regret the most right now."

The corners of his eyes turned red.

디에잇(명호)

“But now— I will never give up on you.

디에잇(명호)

"Whether it takes a few months, or a few years, if there's even a miracle... I'll make it happen."

Myungho's eyes grew hot again.

Those eyes, were not the end, but the beginning of a life together.