"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, " Now she requires complete rest. No stress, no strain. "
Selena Winter, Zara's mother, sat near his husband, her hands trembling as fear clouded her eyes, and asked. "Can we see her now?" she asked, her voice low.
"Yes, of course," the doctor nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "But please, be gentle. Don't press her about anything she might not recall."
Dante and Selena left the room and walked towards Zara's ICU room, their movements firm and calm, their bodyguards bowing with respect 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 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's face etched with guilty and regret, 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, watching the light after 3 days. Her gaze moved to her mother's gentle, forced smile and then shifted to her father. "Dad… Mom…" she whispered, her voice soft and unsteady. Confusion clouded her eyes. Why am I here?
"Dad… what happened to me? Why am I here?" she asked as she looked around, confused, and tried to push herself up to sit.
"Wait, dear...." Selene gently supported her with a steady arm. The doctor's words echoed on her mind, her smile wavering. "Nothing, sweetie. Just a minor accident," she murmured.
"Accident...."Zara whispered, 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? Dad...." 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. Nearby nurse took injection from the table to inject her.
Dante's eyes, hard as polished stone, flickered to Zara's vibrating phone in his hand, Min-Jun's name with a heart and hug emoji 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… What the hell is wrong with you?" She gestured with her wrist; the bruise appeared on his fingertips.
"Shit! That ass*ole is 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 she heard 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 screamed, struggled against the bodyguards restraining him.
After seeing 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, a flicker of small disappointment etched on his face. With a forced gentleness, he adjusted Min-Jun's disheveled shirt." Before you see her, Lee. We need to talk privately," he said, his voice was deep and thread, he turned and moved towards the muted gleam of the cars in the parking lot.
Min-Jun followed him back with some hope after watching Dante's gentleness. 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 loved.... cared for each other, but now Zara's condition has changed things. You're in different worlds now."
Reality crashed down on Min-Jun, his 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 pleaded with his eyes. "We made promises. She needs me. Please… don't do this to her. She can't handle any more pain. Not 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, bastard. 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 his name on 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, he turned towards Min-Jun, his expression 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 an evil smile as he stepped out and shut the door.
Min-Jun was stunned by his words, his gaze remained on the empty check in 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 in the oil.
"Yeah.... Yeobo.... " Zara replied, smelling his cologne mixed with the strew smell, kissing his shoulder gently.
Min-Jun closed his eyes as satisfied with her caring kiss; a happy smile appeared on his lips. he turned towards her and placed his hands on her shoulder, looking into her hazel eyes. "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. "I have a question?" he started.
"Umm," Zara murmured in curiosity, peering into her eyes.
"Zara... If one day, I vanish completely, what would you do?"