Love Born of Pity Chapter 23

Kwon Jiho cautiously continued speaking, then quickly closed his mouth. He turned his head to look out the window, his profile looking forlorn. Do Yeonjae sighed deeply and massaged his temples.

Gripping the steering wheel with one hand, he wondered what excuse Jiho had been about to give him earlier. Where had he been? He knew Jiho would spill everything if asked, yet he didn’t bother to ask.

They arrived at the hospital without another word. To Jiho’s dejected question of whether Yeonjae would come in with him, Yeonjae shook his head, and Jiho replied that he would be back soon.

“Go on.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Jiho bowed his head to Yeonjae and opened the passenger door. Eager to return quickly, his movements were hurried. Passing through the entrance, he instinctively looked back and saw Yeonjae getting out of the driver’s seat. Their eyes met briefly, and Jiho bowed his head again, but Yeonjae ignored him.

He bought a mask at the convenience store on the first floor and went up to the hospital room. Visiting hours were over, so the hospital was relatively quiet. After getting off the elevator, he practically ran, only stopping when he reached his sister’s room. He caught his breath and checked that his mask was properly in place before opening the door.

“Heeyeon.”

There was no answer. Could she be asleep? Jiho moved quietly. He quickly walked down the short hallway. Anxious, he craned his neck to look ahead and saw Heeyeon huddled under the covers on the bed.

Jiho dimmed the lights and approached the bedside. Heeyeon’s breathing was shallow and weak in her sleep. One hand poked out from under the blanket. Even when she ate, she didn’t gain weight easily, so her hand was still bony and thin.

Jiho felt a pang of affection and sorrow. He always felt sorry for his sister, who was going through something she shouldn’t have to because of him. Unconsciously, Jiho reached out and gently held Heeyeon’s fingertips for a moment before sitting down. Then he heard the door open.

“Mr. Jiho, you’re here?”

The caregiver entered, drying her wet hair with a towel.

“Oh my, she’s already asleep. She must have been tired today.”

“I should have come tomorrow.”

“No, it’s good that you came. You’re family.”

“…Did she eat well?”

Jiho whispered, worried about waking Heeyeon. The caregiver nodded emphatically.

“She ate well. Better than I expected. Really.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. But Mr. Jiho, do you have a cold? You’re wearing a mask. You did the same last time. Summer colds are nasty.”

“Yes, I feel a bit under the weather.”

The caregiver looked at him sympathetically and took an energy drink out of the refrigerator.

“Heeyeon seems like she’ll get better soon. She’s transferring to a rehabilitation hospital this week, right? I hear their program is excellent. Recovery will just be a matter of time.”

“I hope so. Please take good care of her there.”

“Don’t worry, I will. Rather, it’s you, Mr. Jiho, who’s having a hard time. Thinking about the hospital bills…it must be tough on you. What does someone in the hospital have to worry about? Heeyeon should know how much her older brother is struggling for her. I don’t understand why she’s so cold to you.”

“I’m… okay. I’m not upset with Heeyeon, really… I’m okay.”

Jiho, who had been holding just Heeyeon’s index finger, let go and tucked her hand back under the covers. Even though he knew Heeyeon was asleep, her closed eyes still sent a pang of fear through him.

“When Heeyeon is asleep… I get a little scared.”

The caregiver’s gaze softened at his hushed words. Jiho gave her a weak smile and quietly confessed his innermost feelings, which he had kept bottled up. The gentle curve of his eyes looked sorrowful.

“…I’m afraid it’s all a dream. So I want to see her awake as much as possible, but I guess I always come too late…”

“I think it’s probably because she’s been lying down for so long. You’re too kind, Mr. Jiho. From now on, I’ll take lots of pictures and send them to you. Pictures of her during the day, and of her receiving her therapy. Heeyeon doesn’t like it, but I’ll take them secretly and send them to you.”

“…Thank you.”

Jiho stared at Heeyeon for a moment longer, imprinting her sleeping face in his memory, before getting up. He was worried about leaving Yeonjae outside alone.

“I should get going.”

“Leaving so soon? You should wait until she wakes up.”

“It’s okay. Let her sleep. Please take good care of Heeyeon.”

“Don’t worry about your sister, take care of your own health. How can you look paler than before she woke up?”

Jiho smiled at her concerned scolding and left the room. He closed the door carefully, trying to compose himself. He stood there for a while. Then he heard the caregiver’s surprised voice, faint but clear. Why didn’t he greet his sister when she was awake? she asked.

Heeyeon’s voice was too quiet to hear, but Jiho could guess the reason without hearing it. He blinked slowly, then quickly walked away.

They hadn’t been particularly affectionate before, so what was the point now? He fought back the tears that welled up in his eyes.

As soon as he was outside, Jiho removed his suffocating mask. He got into the car, which was parked where he had left it, and told Yeonjae he was back. Yeonjae started the car without a word.

There was no conversation on the way home, nor after they arrived, nor during their late dinner. As soon as he finished eating, Yeonjae retreated to his study as if he couldn’t bear to be in the same room as Jiho. Jiho lingered in the living room for a while, then turned off all the lights and took a long shower in the en suite bathroom.

He had planned to explain why he hadn’t answered the phone and why he had gotten out of another man’s car, but the opportunity never arose.

Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, Jiho didn’t even bother drying his hair. He sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. An hour passed as he sat there, elbows on his knees, chin resting in his hands, just blinking.

A sigh escaped his cracked lips. He thought about just lying down, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, so he stood up.

He left the bedroom and stepped into the dark living room. He walked quickly to the study, where a faint light seeped from under the door. He hesitated for a moment, hand on the doorknob, before knocking softly. After a heavy silence, Yeonjae’s voice told him to come in.

“Go to sleep.”

Yeonjae spoke dismissively without looking up from his tablet. Jiho asked quietly, “…When will you?”

At the soft sound of his voice, Yeonjae looked up at him. Jiho’s cheek was still swollen, and his eyes were red-rimmed, as if he might cry. His lips, especially red today, opened and closed repeatedly, as if he had something to say. His gentle eyes glanced at Yeonjae’s desk before taking a cautious step closer.

“I… I told you I had a fever and was going to stop by the hospital before going to the academy today.”

A faint memory of Jiho’s voice surfaced in Yeonjae’s mind. Jiho had said he was fine, and it was Yeonjae himself who had told him to go to the hospital.

“…I got medicine for a fever. I didn’t ignore your calls on purpose…”

“…”

“I dropped my phone while taking it out…”

Remembering the spiderweb of cracks on the screen, Jiho’s eyes welled up. He fought back the tears and continued speaking slowly. Despite his efforts, tears began to fall, dripping onto the floor. His voice trembled as he spoke.

“I checked, and it wouldn’t turn on, so I wanted to get to the academy quickly… I was running, and the father of one of the students at the academy… he happened to be driving by and offered me a ride, s-sniffle, a ride. I said it was okay, but the cars behind… kept honking, sob.”

Do Yeonjae, who had been watching him with a displeased expression, put down his tablet and reached out. He didn’t say anything, but Jiho understood the gesture and approached him. As he drew closer, Yeonjae pulled him down, settling him on his lap.

The look in Yeonjae’s eyes wasn’t the usual displeasure, but something familiar. Not quite affection, but something akin to it.

Yeonjae’s gaze lingered on Jiho’s red cheek, the spot where his hand had landed so harshly.

“…It hurts.”

Jiho whimpered before Yeonjae could even ask, tilting his head as if asking to be touched. He was like a clueless bear when dealing with his sister, but with Yeonjae, he was like a fox. Yeonjae let out a chuckle and cupped Jiho’s warm cheek.

“You should behave. So I don’t have to worry about things like this.”

“I will. I don’t want you to hit me again.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Yeonjae’s long fingers traced the cut at the corner of Jiho’s lips. It was covered with a thin scab that looked like it might bleed again if pressed too hard. Jiho winced as Yeonjae’s finger brushed over it, a soft moan escaping his lips.