Hope, The Visit
1140 Words
Monday morning arrived, and the hospital was already alive with activity.
Nurses in neatly pressed uniforms hurried through the hallways, while doctors, dressed in their white coats, moved from one patient to another. Every department was busy carrying out its responsibilities.
Inside his office, Dr. Kyunmin sat across from one of his patients' guardians.
The middle-aged woman clutched her handbag tightly, her hands trembling with anxiety.
"So... he only needs surgery?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Yes, ma'am," Kyunmin replied gently.
"Please don't panic. Right now, he needs your support, your prayers, and your signature on the consent form."
He offered her a reassuring smile.
"I'll be performing the surgery myself."
The woman lowered her head.
"If I had listened to you a year ago, we wouldn't be here today."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I should have agreed to the surgery then..."
Kyunmin quietly reached for a box of tissues and placed it in front of her.
"It's not too late."
He waited until she wiped her tears before speaking again.
"We can still go ahead with the operation."
"Eunwoo will be fine."
The woman looked at him with grateful eyes.
"Thank you so much, Doctor."
"Eunwoo always tells me how well you take care of him."
"He says you treat him like your younger brother."
"I truly appreciate everything you've done."
Kyunmin smiled modestly.
"It's nothing, ma'am."
He picked up a folder from his desk.
"If you've made your decision, please sign these papers so we can schedule the operation as soon as possible."
Without hesitation, the woman accepted the documents.
She carefully signed every required page before handing them back.
Kyunmin looked at her and gave a firm nod.
"I promise you..."
"We'll do everything we can."
"Your son will be alright."
The woman stood up and held both of his hands.
"With you as his doctor..."
"I know the surgery will be successful."
She smiled weakly before leaving the office.
The door clicked shut.
Kyunmin leaned back in his chair and released a quiet sigh.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The office door slowly opened.
The first thing Kyunmin noticed wasn't the person's face—
It was a pair of polished black shoes.
His eyes slowly traveled upward.
A tailored suit.
A perfectly tied necktie.
Standing beside the man was a woman in elegant heels.
The moment he recognized them...
His expression changed.
Kyunmin immediately stood.
"Director."
He stretched out his hand.
Director Doohyun smiled knowingly before returning the handshake.
"I see you're doing well."
"Please, have a seat."
All three of them sat down.
Doohyun glanced between Kyunmin and Miah before smiling faintly.
"I don't think introductions are necessary."
"You already know each other."
Silence.
Neither of them responded.
"Miah's transfer wasn't intentional," Doohyun continued.
"You know how unpredictable hospital assignments can be."
Kyunmin remained quiet.
He simply listened.
"So..."
"I hope you won't misunderstand us."
Before Kyunmin could answer, Miah finally spoke.
"I'm not here to make you uncomfortable."
Her voice was calm.
"I'm here to work."
"Nothing more."
"I'll stay in my lane."
Kyunmin lowered his gaze and slowly tightened his fists beneath the desk.
He still couldn't bring himself to look at her.
Doohyun stood first.
"I'll show you around."
Miah stood as well.
"So... we'll be leaving."
Kyunmin nodded politely.
The office door closed behind them.
For several seconds...
Silence.
Then Kyunmin unclenched his fists and whispered to himself,
"Control yourself..."
"This too shall pass."
---
Doohyun walked beside his sister through the long hospital corridor.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
Finally, Doohyun broke the silence.
"How do you feel?"
Miah answered without looking at him.
"Normal."
Doohyun smiled.
He stopped walking and bent slightly to meet her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
Miah immediately looked away.
"Stop it."
"Mind your own business."
She finally met his gaze again.
"We're not that close."
Her cold tone didn't surprise him.
"I'm sorry," Doohyun said softly.
"I won't ask again."
"Good."
"So..."
"Where's my office?"
"I'm tired of walking."
A small smile escaped Doohyun.
"It's far away from Kyunmin's office."
Miah simply nodded.
The two continued walking.
---
Within hours, the news had spread throughout the hospital.
The director's sister had transferred there.
Whispers echoed through every department.
"I heard she's Dr. Kyunmin's ex-wife."
"Really?"
"They say he left his previous hospital because of her."
"I heard they met in medical school."
"No, someone told me it was an arranged marriage."
"Didn't they lose a baby?"
"I heard she cheated on him."
"They say she's spoiled."
"I wonder if it's true."
Rumors spread faster than facts.
And by lunchtime...
Almost everyone had heard one version or another.
---
Inside the HR department...
Lisa hurried into Ayan's office.
"Unnie!"
Ayan looked up from the files she was reviewing.
She smiled knowingly.
"What did you hear this time?"
Lisa immediately looked down at her skirt.
"Before I tell you..."
"Does this skirt look okay?"
"I shortened it this morning."
Ayan looked her over from head to toe.
"Pull it down just a little."
Lisa obeyed immediately.
"Perfect."
Lisa grinned.
"Thank you, Unnie."
The two walked into Ayan's office together.
Ayan returned to her desk while Lisa settled into a chair opposite her.
For a while...
Only the sound of turning pages filled the room.
Eventually, Ayan looked up.
"Say it."
"I know you're dying to."
Lisa scratched her cheek.
"It's just a rumor."
"What rumor?"
"It's about your cousin."
Ayan closed the file in front of her.
Lisa leaned closer.
"I probably shouldn't tell you this..."
"But everyone in the hospital is talking about it."
She lowered her voice dramatically.
"They're saying Dr. Kyunmin's ex-wife is the director's younger sister."
Ayan remained calm.
Lisa leaned even closer.
"And that's not even the shocking part."
"She's been transferred here."
"They also say Dr. Kyunmin left his previous hospital because of her."
She clasped her hands together excitedly.
"Is it true, Unnie?"
Ayan stayed silent for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
She didn't want Lisa to think she was avoiding the question simply because it involved her cousin.
Finally, she smiled.
"Oh... you mean Dr. Miah?"
Lisa nodded eagerly.
"You already know I handle the transfer documents."
"So yes..."
"They used to be married."
Lisa's eyes widened.
"Wow..."
"I also heard she's really wicked."
"Is that true?"
Ayan smiled faintly.
"She's here now."
"So instead of believing rumors..."
"Let's wait and see for ourselves."
She stood up and picked up a stack of documents.
"I need to print these."
"Have you finished your assigned work?"
"Yes."
"The university hospital also sent another list of students."
"Good."
"I'll be right back."
As Ayan stepped out of her office, she took a slow, deep breath.
Her thoughts immediately drifted to Kyunmin.
How is he feeling right now?
Without realizing it, her feet carried her toward the printing room.
- Writer
