“He does have a father.”

Hearing those words, Ye-jin’s heart lurched. For a moment, it seemed as though he was acknowledging that he was Hope’s father.

“I gave her my liver, but for you, I could give my heart. I could give you everything.”

Their gazes met, firm and unyielding. Then, as if embarrassed by his own words, he turned his gaze towards the window and muttered softly,

“I just mean… I love you.”

A tingling warmth spread through her chest. Whenever this arrogant man spoke of love, her heart fluttered like a bird in springtime.

‘I love you too.’

Her heart whispered the words, but her lips refused to utter them. She didn’t know what to do. Such an intense mix of elation and confusion was aching her chest that she felt she might lose her mind.

The moment she had always dreamed of had finally arrived, yet her heart was adrift, unable to find its footing.

She was afraid. She was afraid that if she gathered her courage and confessed, he would become cold again and mock her feelings.

Maybe the only reason he thought he loved her was because she hadn’t fully given herself to him yet. He was a man like a wild beast — relentless once he set his sights on his prey. And when he’d finally sunk his teeth in and claimed her completely, perhaps he would move on to hunt something new, like all beasts.

“Just to be clear, this isn’t l*st.”

He turned his gaze back to her, his voice low and resolute.

“I went through that surgery even knowing I’d have to give up s*x for a while. That’s how you know it’s not about desire.”

A small, involuntary laugh escaped her lips. Had he sensed her unease? His words were an attempt to reassure her and slowly dispelled her confusion. Warmth began to rise in her chest once more.

“…Thank you.”

Ye-jin said softly, clasping his hand.

“And I… I love you, too.”

“I’ve liked you since the first time I saw you. I thought… you were an incredible man.”

Although the words were slightly different to what she had intended, they were true nonetheless.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

After two full days of bed rest, he finally started moving around again. Walking alone was still too dangerous, of course, so Ye-jin had to support him at all times. The doctor had recommended short walks around the hospital to aid his recovery.

However, whenever she saw him shuffling slowly down the corridor with the IV lines dangling from his arm, her chest would tighten with pain.

They took a short walk and returned to the room just as lunch was brought in. Ye-jin placed a bowl of warm porridge on the table and handed him a spoon.

He took a single bite, then put the spoon down again. His mouth felt dry and rough, and the pain made eating unbearable.

“I’m done.”

“With just one bite?”

Ye-jin frowned. The previous morning, he had barely eaten a spoonful. The day before that, he had barely touched his thin rice gruel. On the day of the surgery, he hadn’t managed to drink any water.

He had practically gone days without eating or drinking.

He needed food to heal. Why wouldn’t he eat?

“Try a little more.”

“I don’t want to.”

His voice was curt and final.

But Ye-jin didn’t back down.

After all, this man had saved Hope’s life.

She owed it to him to care for him properly and help him recover quickly.

And that meant getting him to eat, no matter what.

She picked up the spoon, blew softly to cool the porridge, and held it close to his lips.

“Come on. Don’t be stubborn. Open up.”

He lowered his eyes, staring silently at the spoon so close to his mouth.

“Go on.”

She urged again, lifting the spoon slightly.

At last, he parted his lips and accepted the bite.

“See? That’s better.”

Ye-jin said smiling brightly. Her voice was full of relief. She scooped up another spoonful, blew on it, and fed him patiently until the bowl was empty.

Each bite felt gritty and his mouth felt dry as sand, but if Ye-jin was feeding him, he could have eaten sand — or even poison — and smiled all the same.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

The afternoon sun streamed softly through the window. Lying in bed, he gazed at the gently shimmering blue river outside.

The scenery quickly became dull, so he turned his head towards Ye-jin instead. Unlike the river, this view never bored him.

She sat on a stool, crocheting with quiet concentration. Her small hands moved delicately, twisting the yarn and hook in perfect rhythm. She looked adorable when she concentrated like that.

“What are you making?”

“A doll—for Hope.”

“That kid sure is lucky.”

His tone was sharper than he had intended. It hurt to realize that he would never be her first priority. If Hope weren’t in the isolation ward, Ye-jin would be at his side, not him.

Jealousy — irrational and ugly — burned inside him, even though the child was his own flesh and blood. He wanted to keep Ye-jin to himself forever, never to share her with anyone else.

The obsession was only growing worse. And there was no cure for it.

“Should I… make something for you too?”

Ye-jin asked hesitantly, eyes flicking up toward him.

He gave a faint laugh.

“Don’t bother. I’m a little too old to be playing with dolls.”

But before she could reply, his brows knitted together, and a quiet groan escaped him. He pressed a hand over his abdomen, a sharp wave of pain radiating from the surgical wound.

“Jung-hoo!”

Ye-jin dropped the crochet she’d been holding and rushed to his side.

“Does it hurt a lot? Should I call the doctor?”

Her voice trembled with worry, her eyes wide with panic. He gave her a faint, reassuring smile.

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

But the beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead suggested otherwise. Ye-jin quickly found her handkerchief and gently wiped his brow.

Her chest ached. Whenever she saw him in pain, it felt as though her heart were tearing apart. She had hated him once and had even wanted to run away, but no matter what, she never wanted to see him like this.

“It’s nice.”

He murmured suddenly, squeezing her hand.

She blinked, incredulous.

“Nice? You’re drenched in sweat from the pain, your side has been cut open, and yet you still think this is nice?”

“Mm. It is.”

His answer came without hesitation, and a faint jolt ran through her chest, like electricity.

She stared at him for a long moment, then whispered,

“What is it that you like so much about me?”

She was still baffled by how a man like him — a man at the top of his game — could have fallen for someone like her.

What had made him swallow his pride, declare his feelings, and even sacrifice part of his body for her?

“How should I know? You bewitched me somehow.”

“Bewitched you? I didn’t do anything!”

She retorted sharply, her eyes flashing.

He looked at her, his dark eyes calm yet heavy with unspoken emotion, and reached up to touch her cheek.

There were too many things to list: her soft features, her bright lips, her delicate hands that moved with quiet strength…

Instead of answering, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

Perhaps that embrace could serve as his answer.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

On the third day after surgery, they changed his dressing for the first time.

When the bandages came off, the wound was raw and deep, far worse than she’d imagined.

“Ah…”

Ye-jin turned her face away, crying softly, unable to look. Her eyes burned and tears streamed down her cheeks.

He already had so many scars on his body, and now, because of her, he had another, greater than all the rest.

When the medical staff left the room, she was still sniffling, unable to stop crying.

He reached out and took her wrist, pulling her gently into his arms. Her small frame pressed against his chest.

“I’m the one who got cut open, so why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying. It’s just… sweat.”

She tried to sound indignant, but her trembling voice betrayed her.

He chuckled softly, brushing a kiss against her damp lashes.

“Right. Even your sweat, Yoo Ye-jin… tastes sweet.”

His tongue traced the tears from her eyes as he whispered playfully against her skin.