Chapter 29: Desperation

The hospital room was quiet in the early morning hours, a stark contrast to the turmoil in Jae-min's mind. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts a chaotic whirl of fear and despair. The past few days had been a nightmare, and the absence of Min-ho weighed heavily on his heart. The pain of his wounds was nothing compared to the agony of knowing that Min-ho was facing the consequences of his actions alone.

Jae-min's thoughts grew darker with each passing moment. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and the overwhelming guilt that gnawed at him. Min-ho had done everything to protect him, risking his life and freedom, and now he was paying the price. Jae-min felt like he was drowning in his own despair, unable to see a way out.

As the morning light began to filter through the blinds, Jae-min made a decision. If he couldn't be with Min-ho, if Min-ho couldn't be free to be with their baby, then there was no point in continuing. His heart ached with the finality of his thoughts, but he felt a grim sense of resolve.

Jae-min struggled to sit up, every movement sending waves of pain through his body. He reached for the drawer next to his bed, where he knew the nurses kept some of the stronger painkillers. His hands trembled as he fumbled with the bottle, the tears blurring his vision.

"I'm sorry, Min-ho," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I can't do this without you."

Just as he was about to open the bottle, the door to his room burst open. Director Kang and Ji-won rushed in, their faces pale with shock and fear. They had come to check on him, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

"Jae-min, no!" Director Kang cried, rushing to his side and grabbing the bottle from his trembling hands. "What are you doing?"

Jae-min's tears fell freely as he looked at her, his heart breaking. "I can't live without him," he sobbed. "I need him. Our baby needs him. If he can't be with us, then there's no point in going on."

Ji-won sat on the edge of the bed, taking Jae-min's hands in his own. "Jae-min, please, don't do this. We'll find a way to help Min-ho. We won't let him stay in jail. Just...please, don't give up."

Director Kang's eyes were filled with tears as she spoke, her voice trembling. "Jae-min, we'll do everything in our power to get Min-ho out. I promise you. Just hold on a little longer."

Jae-min's sobs shook his body, his heart torn between hope and despair. He wanted to believe them, to hold on to the promise of a future with Min-ho, but the pain was overwhelming. He clung to Ji-won's hands, his desperation evident in every tear that fell.

"Please, just make sure he's okay," Jae-min whispered. "I can't lose him. I can't do this alone."

Director Kang nodded, her determination clear. "We will, Jae-min. We'll get him out. I promise you, we won't let him stay in jail."

As the room fell into a tense silence, the door opened again. Min-ho entered, his eyes red and swollen from crying. He had been released on bail, his heart breaking when he heard what Jae-min had tried to do. The sight of Jae-min, so broken and desperate, made his chest tighten with grief.

"Jae-min," Min-ho choked out, rushing to his side. He took Jae-min's hand, holding it tightly. "I'm here. I'm so sorry. Please don't do this. I need you."

Jae-min looked up at Min-ho, his eyes filled with tears. "Min-ho...you're here," he whispered, his voice trembling with relief and sorrow. "I thought...I thought I'd lost you."

Min-ho's tears fell freely as he held Jae-min's hand to his chest. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this together, I promise. Just please, don't leave me."

The room was filled with the sound of their sobs, the weight of their emotions overwhelming. Director Kang and Ji-won stepped back, giving them space, their hearts heavy with the gravity of the situation.

As the morning light grew brighter, the promise of a future together seemed fragile but possible. The road ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but in that moment, Jae-min and Min-ho held on to each other, their love and determination giving them the strength to face whatever came next.