Lost in translation

Chapter 27: Between Love and Loss

Min-Jun arrived home from work, exhausted but determined to clear his mind. He headed straight to the bathroom for a shower. The warm water cascaded over him, offering a brief moment of solace. As he dried off, he noticed the bathroom bin was still full. With a sigh, he took the plastic bag to the larger bin outside.

As he emptied the bag, he noticed some objects that seemed like highlighters. Curious, he picked them up and was stunned to realize they were pregnancy tests. His heart raced as he hurried back inside, dialing Evelyn’s number. Each ring felt like an eternity, but she didn’t answer.

Panic set in. Min-Jun grabbed his car keys and drove to Busan, his mind racing with questions. He felt a whirlwind of emotions—anger, confusion, fear. How could Evelyn keep something so significant from him? He thought about their future, the plans they had made, and how this news could change everything.

Upon arriving at Evelyn’s apartment, he knocked on the door. Evelyn opened it without hesitation, expecting Mrs. Cha.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice sharp.

Min-Jun pushed past her, his face a mask of anger. “When were you going to tell me?” he demanded, sitting down and placing the pregnancy tests on the coffee table.

Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

Min-Jun’s voice rose, his frustration palpable. “Don’t play dumb with me, Evelyn. When were you going to tell me?” He banged the coffee table, making Evelyn flinch.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “You’re scaring me, Min-Jun.”

He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “When did you find out about the pregnancy?”

“Two days ago,” she whispered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, pacing around the lounge.

“I was planning on telling you once I was sure, I am so sorry,” she replied, her voice trembling.

Min-Jun threw a punch at the wall, his knuckles turning white. “An apology doesn’t make anything better. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t found the tests in the trash.”

Evelyn stood up, her voice rising in anger. “What difference would it make? Your mother doesn’t even like me.”

“Don’t use my mother to cover up your childish behavior,” Min-Jun shot back.

Evelyn’s frustration boiled over. “I wasn’t going to tell you because I’m planning to terminate the pregnancy. I’m not ready to be a mother.”

Min-Jun walked towards her, his eyes blazing. Evelyn backed up until she hit the wall. He grabbed her arm, his grip tightening unknowingly. “Repeat what you just said.”

Evelyn looked into his eyes, seeing the pain hidden behind his anger. “It was never my intention to tell you because I was planning on terminating it.”

Min-Jun punched the wall again, close to her face. “You’re hurting me,” Evelyn cried.

“You disgust me,” he spat, turning to leave. “If you terminate this pregnancy, you’ll see my worst side.”

As he reached the door, Evelyn’s vision blurred, and she fainted. Min-Jun’s anger turned to panic as he rushed to her side, scooping her up and driving her to the hospital. Min-Jun’s heart pounded as he drove to the hospital, Evelyn unconscious in the passenger seat. The city lights of Busan blurred past him, his mind racing with fear and guilt. He couldn’t believe how quickly things had escalated.

When they arrived at the hospital, Min-Jun rushed inside, carrying Evelyn in his arms. The sterile smell of disinfectant hit him as he entered the brightly lit emergency room. Nurses and doctors moved swiftly, their faces masks of calm efficiency.

“Help! I need help!” Min-Jun shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.

A nurse quickly approached, assessing the situation. “What happened?” she asked, guiding him to a gurney.

“She fainted. She’s pregnant,” Min-Jun explained, his voice trembling.

The nurse nodded and called for a doctor. “Let’s get her to an examination room.”

Min-Jun followed as they wheeled Evelyn down a long corridor. The walls were lined with medical posters and equipment, the air filled with the soft beeping of monitors and the murmur of voices. The atmosphere was tense yet controlled, a stark contrast to the chaos in Min-Jun’s mind.

In the examination room, a doctor introduced herself. “I’m Dr. Kim. We’ll take good care of her.”

Min-Jun watched anxiously as they transferred Evelyn to a hospital bed and began their assessments. He felt helpless, standing in the corner, his hands clenched into fists. The room was filled with the hum of machines and the rustle of medical gowns.

Dr. Kim turned to Min-Jun. “We’ll need to run some tests to ensure both mother and baby are okay. Please wait outside.”

Reluctantly, Min-Jun stepped out into the waiting area. The chairs were hard and uncomfortable, the fluorescent lights harsh. He sank into a seat, his mind replaying the confrontation with Evelyn. He felt a mix of anger, regret, and fear. How did it come to this? he wondered.

Minutes felt like hours as he waited. The hospital’s ambiance was a constant reminder of the gravity of the situation—the distant cries of a baby, the soft footsteps of nurses, the occasional announcement over the intercom.

Finally, Dr. Kim emerged from the examination room. “Mr. Min-Jun, you can see her now.”

Min-Jun hurried back inside, his heart in his throat. Evelyn was awake, her face pale but conscious. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

Min-Jun’s anger melted away, replaced by a deep sadness. He took her hand, squeezing it gently. “We’ll get through this together,” he said, his voice soft but determined. Min-Jun’s anger melted away, replaced by a deep sadness. He took her hand, squeezing it gently. “We’ll get through this together,” he said, his voice soft but determined.

Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Min-Jun. I was just so scared.”

Min-Jun nodded, understanding the fear and confusion she must have felt. “I know, Evelyn. But we need to face this together. No more secrets.”

Dr. Kim approached them, her expression calm and professional. “Evelyn, we’ve run some tests, and both you and the baby are stable. However, it’s important to monitor your health closely.”

Evelyn nodded, her grip on Min-Jun’s hand tightening. “Thank you, Dr. Kim.”

Dr. Kim gave them a reassuring smile. “I’ll leave you two to talk. If you need anything, just press the call button.”

As the doctor left, the room fell into a heavy silence. Min-Jun sat down beside Evelyn, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions. He looked at her, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes.

“Evelyn, I need to know what you’re thinking,” he said gently.

Evelyn took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what to do, Min-Jun. I feel so lost. I never imagined being in this situation.”

Min-Jun nodded, his heart aching for her. “We can figure it out together. But you need to be honest with me. Do you really want to terminate the pregnancy?”

Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears again. “I don’t know. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat… it made everything so real. But I’m terrified of becoming a mother. I don’t know if I can do it.”

Min-Jun squeezed her hand. “It’s okay to be scared. But you don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll find a way, whatever you decide.”

Evelyn looked at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. “What if I make the wrong choice?”

Min-Jun shook his head. “There is no right or wrong choice, Evelyn. It’s about what feels right for you. And whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

Evelyn nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. “Thank you, Min-Jun. I just need some time to think.”

Min-Jun kissed her forehead. “Take all the time you need. We’ll get through this together.”

As they sat in the quiet hospital room, the weight of their situation hung heavy in the air. But for the first time, Evelyn felt a glimmer of hope. With Min-Jun by her side, she knew she could face whatever came next. The next morning, Evelyn was discharged from the hospital. Min-Jun stayed by her side, helping her back to her apartment. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts. As they entered the apartment, Evelyn felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She sank onto the couch, her mind still reeling from the events of the past few days.

Min-Jun sat beside her, his expression softening. “Evelyn, we need to talk about what happens next.”

Evelyn nodded, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “I know. I just… I don’t know what to do, Min-Jun. I’m so scared.”

Min-Jun took her hand, squeezing it gently. “It’s okay to be scared. But we need to make a decision together. Whatever you choose, I’ll support you.”

Evelyn looked at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

Min-Jun’s heart ached for her. “You don’t have to decide right now. Take some time to think about it. We’ll figure it out together.”

Evelyn nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. “Thank you, Min-Jun. I just need some time.”

As the days passed, Evelyn found herself constantly thinking about the baby. She would often place her hand on her belly, feeling a connection she hadn’t expected. Min-Jun was always there, offering his support and love, but he knew this was a decision Evelyn had to make for herself.

One evening, as they sat together on the couch, Evelyn turned to Min-Jun. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the baby. I don’t know if I’m ready to be a mother, but I don’t think I can go through with the termination.”

Min-Jun looked at her, his eyes filled with understanding. “Whatever you decide, I’m here for you. We’ll face it together.”

Evelyn took a deep breath, feeling a mix of fear and determination. “I want to keep the baby, Min-Jun. I don’t know how we’ll manage, but I want to try.”

Min-Jun smiled, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “We’ll find a way, Evelyn. We’ll make it work.”

As they held each other, Evelyn felt a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with Min-Jun by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.