The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 72

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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72.
“He didn’t show up yesterday either, and now he says he’ll come today. He’d better actually come this time.”
“Yes, I’ll head over right away.”
But the mere thought of food brought on a wave of nausea, and in the end, she couldn’t go.
When Hye-jung returned to the office, she set a kimbap roll and two mandarins on the desk. “Eat something. You’ve barely been eating lately.”
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
She seemed about ready to collapse.
Seong Do-ah unwrapped the kimbap and popped a piece into her mouth, then stuffed the rest into a drawer the moment Hye-jung turned away.
It was Friday evening. The final concept for the year-end campaign was due Monday, so she’d stayed late.
As her teammates left one by one, Do-ah found herself alone in the office.
“I never thought I’d be grateful for overtime.”
After eight o’clock, the building’s heating shut off and the temperature in the office plummeted.
Do-ah layered a cardigan under her coat, but her fingertips grew stiff, and her typing slowed to a crawl.
Between drafts, she’d cup her hands and blow warm breath across them as she finished the proposal.
It wasn’t until past ten that she saved the file and shut down her computer.
When she turned off the office lights and stepped outside, wind slipped between the lapels of her coat.
On an empty stomach after a day of barely eating, the cold air cut through her like a knife, and her abdomen cramped as if wrung by an invisible hand.
Two blocks still separated her from the subway station. As she waited for the signal to change at a crosswalk, the streetlamp’s glow began to flicker.
‘I’m so dizzy. I should have forced myself to eat that kimbap.’
Even blinking several times didn’t bring her vision back into focus. The moment the light changed and she stepped forward, her knees gave out.
Her body swayed, the pavement rushing up to meet her. She tried to catch her balance, but her limbs wouldn’t obey.
The instant cold asphalt touched her cheek, a scream rang out from somewhere distant.
* * *
In the living room, Jeong Hye was sipping jujube tea.
Just as Cha Kyung settled onto the sofa across from her and began reading documents, her phone suddenly rang. An unknown number.
“Hello?”
— This is the emergency room at XX Hospital. We have a patient named Seong Do-ah who collapsed and lost consciousness on the street and has been brought in. Your number was the most recent call in her phone, so we reached out.
“What? Do-ah is at a hospital? What happened? What’s her condition now?”
Jeong Hye’s voice shot up. Her hand trembled as she set down her teacup.
Across the sofa, Cha Kyung’s hand, which had been turning pages, had gone still.
* * *
The moment her eyes opened, a white ceiling filled her field of vision.
The smell of disinfectant and the cold touch of an IV drip running down her forearm. It felt oddly familiar.
‘Am I in a hospital again? How did I get here?’
When she turned her head to the side, she saw someone curled up asleep in the visitor’s chair.
It was Jeong Hye.
A cold, damp washcloth lay folded across her lap, and a basin half-filled with water sat on the nearby table.
She’d fallen asleep after wiping Do-ah’s forehead through the night.
Now that she thought about it, Jeong Hye had called her during last night’s overtime.
Asking if she’d eaten dinner, telling her to take a taxi home once she finished work. Just a brief check-in.
Could it be that because Jeong Hye was the last person she’d called, the hospital had contacted her instead?
“Do-ah? You’re awake?”
Jeong Hye’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of movement.
“You haven’t even fully recovered from your accident surgery, and you’re treating your body like this. Malnutrition and dehydration — in this day and age. What were you thinking?”
“…Did Mother contact you about my condition?”
“Of course she did. My heart nearly stopped when I found out.”
“I’m so sorry, Mother. I’m sorry for making you come all this way.”
“What are you saying? When you’re unwell, of course I come. Don’t talk as if I shouldn’t. Are we not close enough for that?”
Jeong Hye reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind Do-ah’s ear. As the back of her hand brushed against Do-ah’s cheek, a faint scent of hand cream wafted over her. The hand was smooth and warm as always, but today only her fingertips were cool — the body temperature of someone who’d gone without sleep all night.
‘They’re such good people.’
Neither Gyu-sun nor Jeong Hye had any obligation to care for her the way they did.
Even though her relationship with Cha Kyung had ended, they’d still come running in the middle of the night, wringing out washcloths and standing vigil at her bedside.
Watching them, Do-ah’s eyes grew hot. She lifted her IV-threaded arm above her eyes. But beneath the burning tears, a chill of doubt seeped in.
‘Do I deserve their kindness? I’ve already caused them enough trouble from the accident, and besides, Cha Kyung and I have already broken up.’
“…Does Cha Kyung know? That Mother came to see me?”
Jeong Hye’s hands, smoothing the blanket, froze for a moment.
“Well, that boy is… the way he is.”
“I didn’t tell Mother that because I wanted Cha Kyung to come to the hospital. Do-ah and Cha Kyung have already broken up. What worries me is…”
Do-ah’s fingers curled tight around the edge of the blanket, and difficult words spilled out. “I don’t think he’d want his ex to keep getting involved with his family. I’m truly grateful, and I apologize, but going forward…”
The smile faded from Jeong Hye’s face.
“What kind of talk is that? He’s his own person, and I’m my own person. Whether that boy broke up with you or not is none of my business. I had only that cold, distant son, and having you come into our lives brings me so much joy.”
Jeong Hye’s sincere words sank deep into Do-ah’s heart. Her nose grew tight with emotion.
She knew in her mind that she shouldn’t take advantage of their kindness, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go of this warmth.
* * *
At that same moment, in the hospital underground parking lot.
Cha Kyung sat in the driver’s seat, staring up at the building.
When Jeong Hye had grabbed her coat and rushed to the hospital, he too had abandoned his tablet on the sofa and stood up.
Almost unconsciously, he’d grabbed his car keys and driven straight there, but since parking, he hadn’t been able to open the door.
It was the same as when Do-ah had been hospitalized after the traffic accident. Back then too, he’d circled the hospital grounds but couldn’t bring himself to go in.
‘Idiot.’
He could go up now. What was a mere superstition? He hadn’t believed in it even when he’d nearly died, so why was he so afraid?
The tendons stood out clearly on the back of his hand resting on the steering wheel.
Cha Kyung bit his dry lip once. The dashboard clock showed two in the morning.
Three hours had passed since he’d sat down in the car.
Finally, Cha Kyung turned the ignition back on.
The moment he shifted into reverse, the glow from the hospital lobby reflected briefly in the rearview mirror before vanishing as the car turned.
Even as he pulled out of the parking lot, Cha Kyung’s eyes lingered on the mirror one more time.
* * *
Hyunsin Department Store Headquarters Grand Conference Room. Hyunsin Group quarterly shareholders’ meeting.
The meeting had taken a brief recess. As coffee was being served and people shifted in their seats, Myung-sik approached.
“Cha Kyung.”
His voice was slick.
He held out one of the two cups of coffee he was carrying to Cha Kyung.
To anyone watching, he looked like a caring uncle looking after his nephew.
“You’ve been doing well lately, haven’t you? Business going smoothly, no accidents to speak of. Seems like your girlfriend is bringing you good luck. Keep her close by your side.”
His mouth was curled in a smile, but his eyes remained cold.
He was sneering at Cha Kyung for treating his girlfriend like a talisman, worried only about his own security.
Cha Kyung took the cup and set it down on the table.
“I don’t believe in superstitions. Who would trust or follow someone swayed by mere superstition?”
Cha Kyung’s gaze pierced directly into Myung-sik’s eyes.
“Whether it’s people or business, I’ve never seen anyone achieve good results by putting their faith in baseless things.”
Myung-sik’s smile hardened. Though Cha Kyung had spoken in roundabout terms, the blade was clearly aimed at him.
“Well, now that’s quite the business philosophy to pull from a simple joke. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
Myung-sik raised both hands in mock surrender.
“Still as touchy as ever, I see.”
As he turned to leave, Jeong Hye appeared in his place.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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