Love Born of Pity Chapter 14

Kwon Jiho grew anxious as Do Yeonjae’s touch felt akin to foreplay, as if something might start at any moment. He asked casually, but his voice trembled at the end.

“It should be good news for Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

“News? What kind…?”

Do Yeonjae paused for a moment. Considering there hadn’t been much good news in recent years, Kwon Jiho wondered why he was dragging this out so much…

“Your younger sibling, Kwon Heeyeon.”

“My sibling… Heeyeon?”

It was surprising because Do Yeonjae rarely mentioned his sibling’s name. Kwon Jiho couldn’t even guess what this was about.

“I got a call saying she woke up.”

The calm tone of the answer felt unfamiliar.

“Woke up,” the voice repeated, and Kwon Jiho blinked his large eyes before widening them as if snapping back to reality.

“What? No, that’s a lie… No, no… W-when? Heeyeon, Heeyeon really, really woke up? Really…!”

“They say it happened three days ago, but the message was delayed because of my rut. I explained to your sibling why you couldn’t come right away, so there’s no need to worry.”

“T-Thank you. Thank you. What do I do…! Thank you. T-To the hospital… I-I want to go. Quickly…”

Even though he hadn’t been told about his sibling right away, Kwon Jiho kept bowing his head, expressing his gratitude repeatedly. His joy was so evident that Do Yeonjae, for some reason, stroked Kwon Jiho’s hair with a displeased expression. The way his body moved, as if trying to break free from his hold, began to irritate him.

“You’re not planning to go right now, are you?”

“What? Of course, I was going to go now… I need to tell our parents too; they must have been so shocked. If Heeyeon woke up and no one was there, she’d be scared. I need to go, explain things slowly, and help her adjust—”

“Didn’t we hire a caregiver, spending millions a month, so she wouldn’t be alone? All while adding to your debt, Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

Do Yeonjae’s gaze turned cold. Sensing his displeasure, Kwon Jiho shut his mouth. Long fingers slowly traced his lips, behind his ear, and down his neck as Do Yeonjae spoke.

“I don’t think you rushing over there right now will lessen her shock. It’s not like your sibling will fall back into a coma if you don’t go today. Am I wrong?”

“…”

“Besides, you’re not exactly in a state to walk properly right now, are you?”

“Won’t Heeyeon look for me? If you let me go see her today…”

Tears began to well up in his large eyes as his voice spilled out like a plea. Should he scold him more for being so oblivious and shut that mouth? The fleeting thought of feeding him something and taking him to the hospital evaporated in an instant.

His mood soured. He couldn’t pinpoint why. Seeing Kwon Jiho so overjoyed, forgetting his physical discomfort, rubbed him the wrong way.

“…Director?”

The trembling voice calling him sounded pitiful. He hadn’t intended to torment Kwon Jiho’s body any further, but his mind changed. Do Yeonjae laid the body that turned to face him back onto the bed.

“My rut hasn’t fully subsided yet.”

“…”

“What a shame. You’ll have to go tomorrow. So what should you do about that?”

Tears pooled in his eyes and slid down the corners. The hands clasped in front of his chest reached out toward Do Yeonjae. Clutching his neck, Kwon Jiho silently hoped his actions would please him enough to let him go tomorrow.

♬⋆.˚

It was two days after hearing the news of Kwon Heeyeon waking up that Kwon Jiho finally went to see her. He followed behind Do Yeonjae, wearing a cream-colored turtleneck that covered his hands and reached up to his ears.

At times, he pressed hard on his eyelids, where the double crease had blurred, struggling to see. Walking was far from easy, his steps slower and more unsteady than usual. Despite his efforts, his heels kept dragging.

Do Yeonjae strode ahead confidently, waiting for Kwon Jiho when the distance grew too wide but never offering support. He merely stared at the legs Kwon Jiho dragged along.

Since Kwon Heeyeon had woken up and moved from the ICU to a regular ward, it wasn’t the usual wing or floor they’d frequented. Carefully navigating so as not to stumble from his weakening legs, Kwon Jiho finally stopped in front of a room. Cold sweat beaded on his pale forehead.

“Go in.”

“…Thank you.”

“I suppose so. I let you come this far on foot, after all.”

Hearing the sarcastic tone, Kwon Jiho gripped the door handle tightly and let out a long sigh. Before opening it, he bowed once more to Do Yeonjae, not forgetting to thank him for bringing him here. With a push, the door opened smoothly, barely making a sound, and Kwon Jiho slipped inside impatiently.

He hadn’t said when he’d come out, which nagged at him, but he didn’t have the mental space to dwell on it. As he passed the short hallway, he saw the caregiver who’d been looking after Kwon Heeyeon. Kwon Jiho reflexively bowed.

“Oh my! Mr. Jiho’s here! Goodness, your brother’s here!”

“Hello. I’m so late… I’m sorry.”

Kwon Jiho’s eyes darted around. Dragging his aching legs to approach quickly, he saw Kwon Heeyeon’s shoulders flinch as she gazed out the window. A thin face with prominent bones slowly turned toward him.

“Heeyeon-ah.”

“Oppa…”

The voice was so clear that all his worries about it being a dream on the way here felt unfounded. Seeing tears well up in Kwon Jiho’s eyes, the caregiver smiled and spoke.

“We finished Ms. Heeyeon’s tests. She was so brave. It’s okay.”

Kwon Jiho, who had paused, began moving again slowly. With his gaze fixed on the floor, all he could see of Kwon Heeyeon was her fingers peeking out from under the blanket. Though thin, they weren’t pale and bloodless but faintly flushed. That alone overwhelmed him with emotion, and tears gathered.

“Are you… okay?”

Kwon Heeyeon nodded at the cautious question. It was hard to believe she’d been in a coma for three years, but the difference between the Kwon Jiho in her memory and the one before her now forced her to acknowledge that time. He used to have chubby cheeks, looking younger than his age.

“…Yeah, I’m okay.”

Her voice, hoarse from years of disuse, sounded strained, as if speaking itself was a struggle.

“I’m sorry… I was late, oppa.”

Kwon Heeyeon frowned at Kwon Jiho, who stood like a guilty man. She’d resented him for not coming right away after waking up, but seeing him now, he looked pitiful. Was he always this small? The round, cute face had lost its flesh, stripping away its innocent charm.

His swollen, teary eyes and cracked, scabbed lips made it seem like someone had hit him, though his pale, almost translucent cheeks bore no signs of violence.

Kwon Heeyeon let out a sigh as she compared the last memory of him with the Kwon Jiho before her. Beyond vague resentment and confusion, her emaciated brother looked pitiable.

“They said it’s been three years… I guess it’s true. I didn’t believe it.”

“Yeah, you must’ve… been really shocked, huh?”

“You’ve… changed too. A bit…”

Unlike Kwon Jiho, who had come joyfully, Kwon Heeyeon remained awkward and uncomfortable. She leaned back as if there was nowhere left to retreat whenever he got closer. The caregiver watched, worried that Kwon Jiho might get hurt by it.

“Have I…? Changed? I guess…?”

Life hadn’t been particularly busy or hard. Since meeting Do Yeonjae, the way he paid off his debts had changed, so it hadn’t really been tough. Then what did “changed” mean? Kwon Jiho’s eyes began to tremble. The comment about something external changing felt like it implied, “I know what you’ve been up to.”

“Your vibe… or something…”

Kwon Heeyeon trailed off, staring at Kwon Jiho. By the way, it was summer—why was he dressed like that? Her dark eyes began scanning his outfit.

The turtleneck covering his hands and reaching his ears didn’t just look hot—it looked stifling. Following the sleeves down, her gaze landed on his pale fingers sticking out. Still long and pretty… What’s that?

“…Did you get hurt?”

“Huh?”

“Your finger…”

“Oh, no. Yeah. It just happened. It’s fine. Almost healed.”

Kwon Jiho hid his hand behind his back and smiled awkwardly.

“Okay, then… that’s fine.”

Kwon Heeyeon seemed to struggle with every word. Her raspy breathing didn’t sound good. The caregiver tactfully helped her lie back on the bed.

“I’m a bit… tired. Even doing nothing…”

“Yeah, it’s okay. Don’t worry about me.”

Having spent so long bedridden, her body was skeletal, with protruding bones, and her face had sharp cheekbones. The rosy cheeks had sunken, leaving her gaunt, but just being awake brought life to her. Unable to contain his rising emotions, Kwon Jiho instinctively reached out and gently grasped Kwon Heeyeon’s hand.

“…”

“…Ah, sorry. You got startled.”

Kwon Heeyeon shook off the grip as if brushing it away and tucked her hand under the blanket. Kwon Jiho’s expression stiffened.