How come she's not answering the phone? Where are you,Kaelynnee?

A gnawing unease settled in the pit of his stomach when she hung up the phone. He dialed her number repeatedly, his heart racing with each ring, only to be met by the chilling sound of her voicemail instead of her warm, familiar greeting. Frustration bubbled up within him as he approached the front desk, where the clerk seemed to shuffle through papers at an agonizingly slow pace, oblivious to his growing anxiety. He spotted his assistant conversing with the clerk, their heads bent together in whispered conversation, but time seemed to congeal as he waited.

Impatience clawed at him, propelling him into action as he surged through the hospital's bustling corridors like a man possessed. In his frantic haste, he collided with a nurse who, startled, caught his phone just before it slipped from his grip.

As she glanced down at the device, her eyes widened. She recognized him instantly; he was the eldest son of the CEO, a figure often whispered about in the hallways. Her gaze shifted from the phone's screen, where a photo of a woman smiled back at her, to his anxious face. "Are you looking for her?" she inquired, her voice soft yet urgent.

"Yes, please! Could you tell me where she is?" he implored, desperation edging his tone.

The nurse's demeanor shifted, her empathy shining through. "She's waiting outside the operating room. Her brother is in surgery right now," she informed him, her eyes filled with compassion.

"Thank you," he breathed out, relief washing over him like a cool wave.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," she replied, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks as she recognized the sincerity in his voice.

Finally, I found you

He let out a sigh of relief upon spotting her outside the operation room, a fleeting sense of hope washing over him. But as he drew nearer, his footsteps faltered, the weight of her expression pulling him down. Her eyes, usually vibrant and full of life, now held a haunting distortion. Desperation gripped her features as she screamed, clutching her blouse tightly, tears cascading down her cheeks like silent witnesses to her turmoil. In that moment, she felt a profound numbness, as if the world around her had faded into a distant haze. The crushing burden of the decision she had made for her brother weighed heavily on her heart, each heartbeat echoing the torment of 'what if'—what if he don't make it?

Kaelynnee turned instinctively at the sound of footsteps behind her, her heart racing as she met the gaze of Kyosuke Nakmaru. The sight of him momentarily steadied her, but the strength in her legs faltered, as if the very ground beneath her had shifted. With a soft whimper escaping her lips, she choked back a sob, her voice cracking, "I don't know what to do," she cried, her words laced with desperation.

Kyosuke felt an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms, to shield her from the pain he had inadvertently caused. The memory of that fateful night loomed over him—a night blurred by alcohol, where he thought he had struck a deer, only to discover that he had hit a person. The reality of his actions haunted him, a shadow he couldn't shake. He hesitated, afraid that his presence would only deepen her anguish, unwilling to jeopardize the fragile friendship they had nurtured over the years. Just as he contemplated taking a step back, she rushed towards him, her face burying itself in his chest, seeking solace in his presence.

Each moment in the waiting room felt like an eternity, time stretching indefinitely as Kaelynnee sank deeper into her thoughts. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed softly, creating a sterile ambiance that only heightened her anxiety. After what felt like seven interminable hours, the surgical doors swung open, and the doctor emerged, his scrubs stained yet clean, a sign of the painstaking work he had just completed.

Kaelynnee, startled awake from her restless slumber on the stiff chair beside Kyosuke, blinked rapidly, her heart racing. She had dozed off, exhaustion overtaking her in that dismal place. She sprang to her feet, her entire being leaning into the moment, desperate for news. The doctor removed his gloves with a deliberate motion, then peeled off his mask, revealing a grave expression that made her pulse quicken.

"Good news!" he announced, but the words felt weighted. "The surgery was successful. However, we encountered some complications. While removing the blood clots, we found a small tumor. It's too risky to remove it at this stage, but if he continues his medication, it should shrink over time, allowing him to lead a long and healthy life."

A flicker of hope ignited within her, but it was quickly overshadowed by dread as she questioned, "When will he wake up?" The fear tightened her throat like a vice, her heart plummeting into the depths of despair.

"I'm afraid I can't provide a definitive answer. Recovery can range from days to weeks, or even longer," the doctor replied, his voice calm but imbued with the weight of truth. "Given the severity of the brain damage, it may be some time before he regains consciousness."

"Oh." Disappointment washed over her, an unmistakable shadow darkening her features.

"Miss Anderson, I encourage you to go home and get some rest. You've been here all night. You can return in the morning," the doctor advised gently, his eyes sympathetic.

"Please, just let me see his face, doctor! Just for a minute – no, even a second or less!" Her voice trembled with raw emotion, the glimmer of sadness pooling in her eyes like unshed tears.

"I'm truly sorry; it's against hospital policy," he replied, his tone apologetic yet firm.

As Kaelynnee faltered, caught in a storm of desperation, Kysouke sat silently in his chair, absorbing the painful exchange between her and the doctor. He could not bear to see her in such a shattered state. "Come on, Kaelynnee," he urged, his voice steady yet gentle.

Suddenly, a hand wrapped around her wrist, firmly guiding her forward against her hesitations. Kaelynnee looked up to see Kyosuke striding ahead, a mixture of fury and determination etched across his face. Without a second thought, he pushed past a hospital employee blocking their path, the tension rising as they entered the post-anesthesia care unit.

The sight hit her like a tidal wave. She gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she beheld her brother lying unconscious, the sterile white sheets contrasting sharply with his pallid skin. Fear and concern flooded her senses, and she felt a world of emotions crash over her, a torrent she could barely hope to comprehend.

Hideaki!