"Zara is physically stable," the surgeon's voice, calm echoed in his consulting room. "However, she's experienced retrograde amnesia, she lost her teenage incidents and memories." He pointed to the head scan on the monitor, the bright images pop against the plain white of the room.
Dante Winter, Zara's Father, his jaw tight, cut through the doctor's words with a sharp and demanding voice." Lost? 'What do you mean doctor, she can't remember anything."
"Yes, Mr. Winter, but she may regain those memories in time by taking medicine. For now," the doctor said as he sat in his chair, "she requires complete rest. No stress, no strain."
Selena Winter, Zara's mother's eyes, sat near his husband, her hands trembling as fear clouded her eyes, asked. "Can we see her now?" she asked, her voice low.
"Yes," the doctor replied, offering a reassuring smile "but please, be gentle when you talk."
Dante and Selena walked towards Zara's ICU room, their bodyguards bowing as they passed. Dante reached the door and pushed it open, his gaze shifted to Zara, who lay still under the neat white sheets, connected to all sorts of machines. The steady beep… beep… beep of the heart monitors sound filled the quiet room. A white bandage wrapped around her head, and her eyes were closed. As they stepped in quietly, her eyelids slowly started to flutter.
Selena sat on the chair beside the bed and gently folded Zara's right hand in hers. "Zara, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice thick with tears in her eyes.
Zara's hazel eyes opened slowly. Her gaze moved to her mother's gentle smile and then shifted to her father. "Dad… Mom…" she whispered, her voice low and unsteady. Confusion clouded her eyes.Why am I here?
"Dad… what happened to me? Why am I here?" she asked as she tried to push herself up.
Selene gently supported her with a steady arm. 'Nothing, sweetie. Just a minor accident,' she said, her smile wavering.
"Accident...."Zara said, her brow furrowed as she tried to recall the accident, but her mind was a blank slate. Then a blinding flash of light, followed by a sickening thud. Panic ran over her spine and clawed at her throat; tears fell from her cheeks. "Dad… I can't remember anything… What happened?" her words slurring in fear, her fingers digging into his hands.
"Zara, it's alright, sweetie. Please don't strain yourself. It'll only make things worse. The doctor said you'll get your memory back," Selena reassured her and hugged her gently.
Dante's eyes, hard as polished stone, flickered to Zara's vibrating phone, Min-Jun's name flashing across the screen with a kissing wallpaper. The message pops up continuously and the display shows the text "I am outside Zara." After reading the message, what if he gets inside it makes everything worse, he thought as He gripped Selena's arm, his fingers tightening her wrist. "Zara.... We have to settle the documents. We're leaving for Boston." His voice was clipped, devoid of warmth. He pulled Selena away, his back a stiff wall of dismissal.
"Okay. Dad," Zara said and lay back on the bed slowly, her gaze drifting to the ceiling, her eyelids drooping, the sleeping injection pulling her under. "It hurts… "she whispered into the silence.
Outside the room, Selena's voice, raw with confusion, broke the silence. "That hurt me, Dante… Why? What happened?" She gestured her wrist, the bruise appeared on his fingertips.
"Shit! That ass*ole calling her. If he opened his mouth, it only made our daughter's life a living hell." Dante said, his hand running over his perfectly styled hair in frustration.
"Is that him? Min-Jun? "Selena asked, her eyes narrowed, suspicion etching her features as hearing a shard thud in the hallway.
Before Dante could reply, Min-Jun's voice, was a raw plea and cracking with emotion. Echoed down the hallway. "I want to see her, Zara... Zara..." He shouted, struggled against the bodyguards restraining him.
After watching Dante, Min-Jun ran towards him. "Please... Dante, I want to see Zara! How is she? Is she okay?" a ton of questions spilled from his mouth, his face filled with worry, and his eyes were swollen and red from weeping.
Dante exhaled slowly, disheveled shirt with a forced gentleness. "Before you see her, Lee. We need to talk privately," he said, turning and moving towards the muted gleam of the cars in the parking lot.
Min-Jun followed him back with some hope. The jet-black car gleamed under the bright hospital lights, its surface reflecting the cold, clinical glow. The leather seats, sleek and comfortably cool, exuded a sense of expensive aloofness. A sweet, synthetic rose scent lingered in the car. Dante's voice was cold after they were seated inside "Look, Min-Jun. I understand. You both cared for each other, but now Zara's condition has changed things."
Min-Jun's voice, thick with pain, cut him off." I know I don't have much, Mr. Winter, but I can keep her happy. I'm graduating in a few months. I have an internship lined up. I'll work tirelessly; I can buy her anything she wants." He paused, his gaze imploring. "We made promises. Please… don't hurt her feelings. She can't even handle a small pain. Right now, without me…" he trailed off, the unspoken fear hanging heavy in the air.
Before he could finish his sentence, A cruel smirk twisted Dante's lips. She even can't remember you bast*rd. This is the only chance to cut off his connection, he thought. "Sorry, Lee. You don't understand. I just want to end this for your good."
Dante said, opened his car drawer, pulled out a blank check, and signed it. "Fill in how much you want but leave my daughter alone. Ever contact her again." He opened his car door, the soft click echoing in the tense silence. Before stepping out, turned towards him, his expression clearly judging him. "You can't even afford her hospital bills. Just think about that check. Never angel will knock on the door twice...." Dante said with a smile as he stepped out and shut the door.
Min-Jun was stunned by his words, watching the empty check on his trembling hand, his mind raced past, a whirlwind of memories " Jagiya....," Zara's voice, warm and playful, echoed in his ears, hugging him from behind.
"Ah! You know what that means right?" he asked, while he was roasting the chicken. "Yeah.... Yeobo.... " She'd replied, kissing his back neck gently.
Min-Jun closed his eyes as satisfied with her care kiss, a smile appeared, turned towards her, placing his hands on her shoulder. "You seem in a good mood or Are you starving for my ramen?" he leaned in, grabbed her face, kissed her cheeks gently, and returned to the frying pan. "Zara... If one day, I vanish completely, what would you do?"
Her brow furrowed in confusion clouded her eyes. "What do you mean?" she asked, drawing closer.
"What if I abandoned you, marrying another girl and having..." he began, his voice low, teasing. He didn't finish.
Zara yanked his shirt towards her, her eyes dark and narrowed "I will kill you...., and after killing you, I take my own life too." she dragged his shirt closer, and his breath hitched. "Don't.... ever think of another girl..." she said, her voice a low growl before her lips crashed onto his. "This is mine." She'd released his shirt, leaving him slightly breathless.
Min-Jun let out a deep breath "Omg, I'm scared. My wife is so serious" he joked, laughter filling the kitchen. The memory faded, replaced by the sting of tears. He wiped them away, opened the car door, and left the check on the seat.