The emotional toll of his visit left Wonwoo numb as he walked home, his mind still reeling from what had just transpired. He couldn't understand why Jain had rejected him so forcefully. He felt hollow inside, the guilt and shame threatening to pull him under. But his personal turmoil was about to be overshadowed by something far more urgent.

When he arrived home, the sight of his mother lying on the floor sent a jolt of panic through his body. His younger sister, Hana, was standing beside her, crying loudly. Wonwoo's heart raced as he rushed to his mother's side.

"Mom!" he shouted, kneeling beside her. Her skin was clammy, and her breathing shallow. "Mom, please—hold on, we need to get help!"

His hands shook as he grabbed his phone and dialed the hospital, his voice frantic as he requested an ambulance. Within minutes, paramedics arrived, loading his mother into the ambulance. Hana clung to Wonwoo, her small body trembling with fear.

"Don't worry, Hana. Mom's going to be okay," Wonwoo said, though his own heart was heavy with doubt. He didn't believe the words himself, but he had to reassure his sister.

The hours that followed were a blur of hospital staff, beeping machines, and the sterile smell of antiseptic. Wonwoo felt his strength waning, each minute that passed making him feel more helpless. But after eight long hours, a doctor finally approached him.

"Your mother is stable now," the doctor said, his voice calm but serious. "However, her heart is very weak. I need you to make sure she doesn't overexert herself. Stress can be dangerous for her health. You'll need to monitor her closely."

Wonwoo's chest tightened with worry. His mother, the one who had always worked tirelessly to support their family, now had a condition that would change everything. He felt the weight of responsibility heavier than ever before.

In the days that followed, Wonwoo took on extra part-time jobs whenever he was free. Between school and helping his mother recover, he barely had time to think about anything else, including Jain. The emotional exhaustion from both his family's crisis and his personal struggles left him numb.

Despite his constant work and worry, Wonwoo never complained. He knew his mother had been through so much to provide for him and Hana, and he couldn't bear to add to her burden. He worked harder, trying to ease her stress, even as his own body grew more fatigued.

David noticed the change in Wonwoo. He saw how exhausted his friend was, and he knew something had happened. When David found out about Wonwoo's mother's condition, he tried to offer financial help.

"Wonwoo, I know things are tough right now. I... I want to help," David said one afternoon, pulling out his wallet.

Wonwoo quickly shook his head, his pride flaring up. "No, David. I can't accept your money. I have to do this on my own. My mom wouldn't want me to rely on anyone."

David looked at him for a long moment but didn't argue. He respected Wonwoo's decision, even if it was difficult to watch his friend struggle.

"Alright," David said quietly. "But if you ever change your mind, I'm here for you, okay?"

Wonwoo nodded, grateful for David's understanding, but the weight of everything—his mother's health, the financial strain, and his unresolved feelings about Jain—pushed him further into silence. He had no time to think about Jain anymore. The emotional and physical toll of supporting his family left him little space for anything else.

The days blurred together, and Wonwoo began to forget the intensity of his past with Jain. His focus shifted entirely to his family, and in some ways, it felt like his old life had been erased. The feelings of guilt, the longing for closure, seemed less important as he watched his mother slowly recover, one day at a time.

But somewhere deep inside, Wonwoo knew that Jain wasn't gone from his heart. Though he couldn't afford to think about it now, the path ahead was uncertain, and maybe, one day, he would find the time to face the past. Until then, he would continue to carry the weight of responsibility, hoping that someday, everything would fall into place.