Chapter 38

The room was still silent. Jaejun stood beside Mrs. Hyelim, gently stroking her fingers and softly urging her to wake up. The door opened again, and my smile was small as I saw each of Jaejun's best friends there.

He stood up, not surprised, but seemingly relieved to see them. The first to hug him tightly and silently was Jackson. The others joined in a collective hug, while I could hear my Jeong crying softly again.

Hajun and JiHo entered the room shortly after. Both stayed away from the group but gazed at the woman in the bed and sighed. Hajun smiled at me, so I stood up and followed him to one of the doors in the room, leading to an adjoining room that provided privacy for the patient and those accompanying them.

I sat on one of the white sofas there and saw JiHo take a seat in one of the chairs at the table, while Hajun sat beside me. He hugged me, too, so tightly that I understood why Jaejun felt comforted having all his friends with him in that way.

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