POV: Female Lead (Jung Ha-neul)
Ha-neul's breath caught in her throat.
"What do you mean… my father?"
The doctor on the phone hesitated. "Your father was in a car accident. He's in critical condition, and… he won't survive."
Ha-neul's body went cold.
Her father—**the man who had ruined Min-jae's life, who had pushed her away, who had never accepted her love for him—**was now the only person who could save Min-jae.
The irony was cruel.
Her hands trembled as she clutched the phone. "Does he know?"
There was silence. Then—
"He already signed the donor consent form."
Her heart clenched.
Her father had spent years trying to separate her from Min-jae. Now, in his final moments, he was… saving him?
It didn't make sense.
"Where is he?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
---
A Final Goodbye
The intensive care unit was eerily quiet.
Ha-neul stepped inside, her chest tightening at the sight of her father lying in the hospital bed. Tubes and monitors surrounded him, his face pale and lifeless.
He was barely holding on.
She swallowed hard. "Dad…"
His eyes opened slightly. For the first time in years, they held no anger. Only regret.
"I'm sorry…" he rasped.
Tears stung her eyes. "Why now?" she choked out. "Why… after everything?"
A weak, broken smile crossed his lips. "I was… wrong. About everything. I thought I was protecting you. But all I did was… push you away."
Her vision blurred.
"I should have… trusted you," he whispered. "Loved you… better."
Ha-neul covered her mouth, trying to suppress a sob.
His gaze softened. "Tell Min-jae… he has my blessing."
Her heart shattered.
The father who had fought so hard against their love was now giving his life for it.
"Dad, please…" Her voice broke. "I don't want to lose you."
He reached for her hand, his grip weak.
"This is the only way… I can make things right."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Then, slowly, his eyes fluttered shut.
The monitor let out a long, final beep.
---
The Transplant Begins
Ha-neul stood in the observation room, watching as her father's heart was removed… and placed into Min-jae's chest.
She had just lost one man she loved.
And now, she could only pray that she wouldn't lose another.
Her fingers dug into her palms as the hours passed. Every second felt like an eternity.
Then—
The lead surgeon looked up.
"The transplant was successful."
Ha-neul's knees almost gave out. Relief flooded through her as she pressed her hands to her chest, whispering a tearful, "Thank you."
But it wasn't over yet.
Min-jae still had to wake up.
And when he did… she would have to tell him whose heart was beating inside him now.
---