“It seems she’s resting at home.”
“Why is she being so stubborn and not going to the hospital?”

Tsk. Se-hyeon clicked his tongue in frustration at Tae-hoon’s report.

He had just returned from a week-long business trip. That morning, he had stopped by the house briefly to change clothes before heading out again—and that’s when he noticed Ji-an. Her complexion was visibly pale.

As it turned out, she’d been down with a cold for several days.

“Stop being stubborn and just go to the hospital.”
“Okay. I will.”

She had replied so obediently at the time—yet here she was, still at home.

Normally, he wouldn’t have paid much attention to how she was feeling. But for some reason, the sickly look on her face lingered in his mind throughout the day, even in the middle of work.

Eventually, he ended up instructing Tae-hoon to find out what she was doing.

“Ah, and your brother-in-law, Yoo Ji-min—he regained consciousness three days ago.”
“How is he?”
“Not great, from what I heard. They say he still needs close monitoring.”

Ji-an’s younger brother, Yu Ji-min, hadn’t been well since his surgery. She had been transferred back and forth between the ICU and the general ward, and even after Ji-an’s marriage to Se-hyeon, Ji-min had never regained full consciousness.

“Given that she’s just recovered from a trip and caught a cold, I assume she’s avoiding visiting the hospital.”

It meant Ji-an was likely staying away so she wouldn’t risk passing the cold to her brother.

“Get in touch with Professor Shim. She’s probably going to stay home again today. Ask him to stop by and check on her.”
“Understood.”

After offering a respectful bow, Tae-hoon left the office.

Se-hyeon turned back to his documents but paused, lost in thought for a moment.

***

An awkward air hung between them.

It had been nearly two years since Se-hyeon married Yoo Ji-an, yet this was the first time he was meeting her family.

Her older brother had cut off all contact, and her grandmother was no longer in a sound state of mind.

Her younger brother, who had been hovering between life and death for so long, wasn’t in the best condition either.

“It’s our first time meeting. I’m Woo Se-hyeon. Maybe it’ll be easier to understand if I say I’m Yoo Ji-an’s husband.”

In the end, it was Se-hyeon who broke the silence first. His greeting was stiff, but he wasn’t the type to feign warmth—especially not in such an unfamiliar and delicate situation.

“H… hello.”
From his hospital bed, Ji-min managed a faint response.

“Unnie got married. To the man Dad found for her.”
They had spoken briefly a few days ago, and Ji-min had heard the news—his siter was now married. And now, the man standing before him was apparently that husband.

He had a tall, striking figure and broad, commanding shoulders. Even at a glance, he was undeniably handsome—someone who naturally drew the eye.

“How are you feeling? Anything uncomfortable?”

Ji-min was still too weak to speak much, so he only gave a small nod.

Two whole years had passed while she lay unconscious. It still didn’t feel real. Everything was confusing.

“You may have heard, but Ji-an couldn’t come today—she’s down with a cold.”

He was explaining why his sister hadn’t come. The more he spoke, the more awkward the conversation felt. It wasn’t just that Ji-min couldn’t quite believe his sister was really married—he had always been shy around strangers, and this entire situation made him feel uneasy.

“If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Whatever it is, I’ll make sure you have it.”

“…Thank you.”

His cracked voice barely escaped his dry lips.

From what he’d been told, Ji-an’s husband had arranged for the best medical team available.

And just one look around the room was enough to see it—this was no ordinary hospital ward. Everything about it spoke of quiet care and attention, far beyond the standard.

There were so many things he wanted to ask this man—his brother-in-law—but his strength was still lacking. The words just wouldn’t come.

So, burying all those thoughts for now, Ji-min simply looked at him in silence.

“I’m sure having me here is a bit uncomfortable for you, so I’ll take my leave now. Get some rest.”

Just as Se-hyeon turned to go, a small voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Wait…”

He paused and glanced back.

“Go ahead.”

He said gently, watching him closely. Although Ji-min looked different to his sister, he had a similar air about him — something soft and familiar.

“Please… take good care of my sister.”

A quiet breath. His words came out slowly, with effort.

‘Our unnie… she’s been through so much since Dad passed away.’

Why his sister had suddenly decided to marry that man—Ji-min felt like he didn’t even need to ask. Somehow, he already knew.

Still, now that she was married, all he wanted was for his sister to be happy.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth, though. He couldn’t shake the feeling that her decision had something to do with him—because of his condition, because of their grandmother.

Thinking about his sister made his throat tighten.

“Right. For now, don’t worry about anything else. Just focus on getting better, alright?”

Se-hyeon wasn’t good at comforting people, and this was the best he could offer.

The fact that Ji-min, upon waking up, had asked him to take care of Ji-an—his sister—was something that stayed with Se-hyeon. As someone who grew up without siblings, that kind of bond was unfamiliar… and maybe even a little enviable.

He did have a half-brother, but they were basically strangers.

With his usual reserved demeanor, Se-hyeon offered what little comfort he could before quietly stepping out of the hospital room.

***

He hadn’t expected to come again.

And yet, here he was—for the third day in a row.

Ji-min, still lying in bed, looked up quietly at Se-hyeon standing beside him.

“How are you feeling today?”

He had already heard an update from the attending doctor on his way in, but he asked anyway.

His day was packed as usual, with barely a moment to spare. But there was one reason he made time to come today.

Ji-an had been admitted to the hospital.

After being sick for several days, her condition had worsened. Last night, without bothering to argue with her protests, Se-hyeon had made the decision himself and had her hospitalized.

Now that she wouldn’t be able to visit for a while, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy—so here he was again, using whatever time he could find to check in on Ji-min.

“I’m doing okay… but… is noona really sick?”

At that, Se-hyeon let out a soft laugh under his breath.

Who was supposed to be worrying about whom here?

He had known from the first day just how close the two siblings were—but this much?

It was his third visit, and Ji-min still only talked about his sister.

They had told him Ji-an had practically raised Ji-min after their mother passed away, and hearing him speak, that bond was plain to see.

“She’s alright. Really. She just didn’t want to risk getting you sick, so she’s staying away for now.”

“I see…”

“That’s why I came instead. But… does my being here make you uncomfortable?”

“No, not at all… it’s not like that.”

Ji-min’s eyes darted around in flustered confusion, and the sight of it drew a small, amused smile from Se-hyeon.

His visits didn’t last more than ten minutes, and he wasn’t the type for warm, friendly conversation anyway. He came simply to check in, just to see the boy’s face for a bit.

“If you’re that worried about your sister, then get better soon.”

The doctor’s prognosis hadn’t been promising. They said Ji-min’s brief moment of lucidity was likely temporary.
That might’ve been why Se-hyeon was even more worried than usual. Ji-an needed to get well quickly and come visit her brother herself.
And yet she’d been too stubborn, pushing herself to the point of getting worse.

“I’m glad.”

Ji-min’s sudden words caught him off guard, and Se-hyeon turned to him with a puzzled expression.

“Glad about what?”

“That my sister married someone… who seems like a good person.”

“…”

A few days ago, Ji-min had quietly worried over Ji-an. Though her financial situation had clearly improved since the wedding, something about her expression seemed dimmer than before.

But now, seeing this man—his brother-in-law—visit him for three days in a row, Ji-min thought: maybe he wasn’t such a bad person after all.

“Why do you think that?”

Se-hyeon asked, genuinely curious. Ji-min looked like he had a reason.

After thinking for a moment, Ji-min gave a faint smile.

“I don’t know… I just do.”

He didn’t explain further. He simply smiled.

It was the first time Se-hyeon had seen him smile like that… and somehow, it reminded him of Ji-an. The resemblance in that soft expression made him blink in quiet wonder.

***

Seated in the passenger seat, Ji-an stared quietly at the bouquet in her hands.

It had been a long time since she last visited her brother.

Lately, Ji-min had been on her mind more often, and now, she was on her way to see him—with Se-hyeon beside her.
With her condition worsening from the pregnancy, it had been difficult to find the energy for much of anything, so this visit had been long overdue.

“I think… this is our first time going together.”

Ji-an murmured, still gazing at the bouquet.

When Ji-min passed, Se-hyeon had been away on a business trip. The same was true when their grandmother died.

It had been one of the busiest periods of his life.

He’d told her to spare no expense, to make sure everything was prepared without fault—and she had done just that.

But the truth was, back then, what she needed more than fine things or expensive arrangements… was someone to lean on.

Because it had been such a lonely, painful time.

“I was really careless… I’m sorry.”
Se-hyeon apologized without hesitation. He had been busy, yes—but it was also true that he hadn’t taken the time to be there for her in the ways that truly mattered.

Looking back, he couldn’t understand why he had been so caught up in work. The regret hit him now—realizing he hadn’t even noticed the weight his wife had been carrying.

“I wanted to visit Ji-min together with you… it still feels a little sad that we never got to do that.”

A faint, bitter smile formed on Ji-an’s lips as she recalled the past.