Chapter 27: The Price of Redemption

The wail of sirens filled the night air as the ambulance sped through the city streets, its flashing lights casting eerie shadows on the buildings they passed. Inside the vehicle, paramedics worked frantically to stabilize Jae-min. Min-ho sat beside him, his hands covered in blood, his eyes never leaving the pale, unconscious face of the omega he loved.

"Stay with me, Jae-min. Just a little longer," Min-ho whispered, his voice choked with emotion. His mind was a whirlwind of fear and hope, every second feeling like an eternity. The paramedics worked with practiced efficiency, their hands moving quickly as they applied pressure to the wound, administered pain relief, and started an IV.

"Hang in there, buddy," one of the paramedics said, his voice calm but urgent. "We're almost there."

The ambulance pulled into the emergency bay of the hospital, and the doors swung open to a flurry of activity. Doctors and nurses rushed to the vehicle, their faces set in determined lines as they assessed the situation. Jae-min was carefully lifted onto a stretcher and wheeled into the hospital, Min-ho following closely behind, his heart pounding with fear and hope.

The fluorescent lights of the emergency room were harsh and bright, casting everything in a stark, clinical light. Min-ho watched helplessly as Jae-min was taken into surgery, the doors swinging shut behind the medical team. He was left standing in the hallway, his hands shaking, his mind racing with the enormity of the situation.

Time seemed to stretch and blur as Min-ho waited, each minute feeling like an eternity. The stark white walls of the waiting room closed in around him, the silence broken only by the distant hum of medical equipment and the soft murmur of voices. His thoughts were consumed with Jae-min, the promise of forgiveness, and the desperate hope that they would survive this ordeal.

Hours passed, and finally, a doctor emerged from the operating room. His face was calm but serious, and Min-ho's heart skipped a beat as he braced himself for the news.

"He's stable," the doctor said, his voice steady. "The wound was deep, but we were able to repair the damage. He's lost a lot of blood, but he's young and strong. With rest and care, he should recover."

Min-ho felt a wave of relief wash over him, his legs almost giving way as he leaned against the wall for support. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "Thank you so much."

The doctor nodded, his expression softening slightly. "He'll need time to heal, both physically and emotionally. And he'll need your support. But he's a fighter. He'll pull through."

As the doctor walked away, Min-ho felt a mixture of relief and dread. Jae-min was safe for now, but the ordeal was far from over. He knew what he had to do next, and the weight of that decision settled heavily on his shoulders.

A group of police officers entered the waiting room, their uniforms crisp and authoritative. Min-ho straightened, his heart pounding with a new kind of fear. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

"Are you Min-ho?" one of the officers asked, his voice calm but firm.

"Yes," Min-ho replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "I'm Min-ho. I'm the one you're looking for."

The officer nodded, his expression serious but not unkind. "We need to ask you some questions about what happened tonight."

Min-ho glanced toward the room where Jae-min was recovering, his heart aching with a mixture of love and regret. "I'll answer everything," he said quietly. "But first, I need you to know that I killed a man tonight. I did it to protect Jae-min. He's pregnant, and Hyun-woo...he tried to kill him."

The officers exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of surprise and understanding. "We'll need to take your statement," one of them said, his tone gentler now. "But let's start with what happened."

Min-ho recounted the events of the night, his voice steady as he described the confrontation with Hyun-woo, the threat to Jae-min's life, and the desperate fight that had led to Hyun-woo's death. The officers listened intently, their faces solemn as they took in the gravity of the situation.

When he had finished, one of the officers placed a hand on Min-ho's shoulder. "We'll need to take you into custody," he said quietly. "But given the circumstances, we'll make sure you're able to see Jae-min before we leave."

Min-ho nodded, his heart heavy but resolute. "Thank you," he said softly. "I just want to make sure he's safe."

As they led him toward Jae-min's room, Min-ho felt a strange sense of peace settle over him. He had done everything he could to protect the omega he loved, and now he would face the consequences of his actions. But no matter what happened, he knew that Jae-min would survive, and that was all that mattered.