Chapter 2: The Bloom of Shadows

I lay in the stiff hospital bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling tiles. No matter how hard I tried to distract myself, the cries of that child haunted me. The sound echoed relentlessly in my mind, twisting my insides with guilt and helplessness. My chest tightened, the weight of failure suffocating me.

The nurse's cheerful entrance cut through the gloom. She carried a bouquet of flowers, vibrant and almost unreal. My eyes widened as I caught sight of them—glowing petals blending shades of reddish-pink and gold, shimmering faintly under the hospital lights.

"These just arrived for you," the nurse said, placing them on the bedside table.

My brow furrowed. Flowers? For me? That didn't make sense. "Who sent them?"

She smiled, clearly amused. "Oh, a young man brought them. Very handsome. He wore elegant clothes, almost like formal wear, but he had this mysterious mask on that only showed his eyes."

My heartbeat quickened, unease settling deep in my chest. My lips parted to respond, but nothing came out. I swallowed hard, trying to push the suspicion away. *Was it him?*

"He didn't stay long," the nurse added, clearly enjoying the memory. "Just said to make sure you were cared for and left. Oh, and you won't believe this—he paid ten thousand U.S. dollars in advance to ensure your recovery. Even arranged for your transportation home."

"What?" I blurted, stunned. "That's ridiculous. Why would anyone spend that kind of money on me?"

The nurse laughed lightly. "Maybe he's your secret admirer? Are you sure he's not your boyfriend?"

"Absolutely not!" The words flew out before I could stop them, sharper than I intended. I saw her flinch slightly, and guilt prickled at me. "Sorry. It's... complicated."

The nurse gave me a polite smile and excused herself, leaving me alone with the strange bouquet.

I glanced at the flowers again. Their fragrance filled the room, sweet and earthy, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. It was... calming. Against my will, I felt myself begin to relax. My eyes drifted to my leg, and I froze.

The swelling had gone down. I could barely believe it. The pain, which had been an ever-present agony, was now faint—almost nothing. My bruises, raw and purple just hours ago, had faded like days had passed.

The flowers seemed to pulse with life, their soft glow soothing something deeper within me. It didn't make sense, but my body welcomed the strange magic. My eyelids grew heavy, and before I realized it, I slipped into the most restful sleep I'd had in years. No nightmares. Just peace.

The taxi ride home felt surreal. My thoughts refused to settle, jumping between the mysterious flowers and the man who delivered them. I wanted to forget him, to erase everything he'd done for me, but his presence lingered like a shadow I couldn't escape.

When we reached the apartment, I felt an odd comfort in seeing the familiar, modest building. Soojin and Eunji greeted me at the entrance, their smiles wide with relief.

"Kim! Finally!" Soojin called out, rushing to hug me.

Eunji took the handles of my wheelchair, her usual sarcastic grin in place. "We were starting to think you'd decided to live at the hospital. Anyway, let's get you upstairs."

The three of us approached the narrow staircase together. Between Soojin's chatter and Eunji's occasional jokes, the mood felt lighter. But as we started lifting the wheelchair step by step, things became... complicated.

Halfway up, Soojin's grip slipped. I felt the wheelchair tilt backward, and my heart leapt into my throat.

Time slowed. I braced myself, expecting the worst, but it never came. Instead, a strong hand pressed firmly against my back, steadying me effortlessly.

I twisted my head, already knowing who it was. There he stood, his face hidden behind that familiar hood. My stomach churned with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"You," I hissed, my voice trembling. "Why do you keep doing this? Why are you always following me?"

Eunji's mouth fell open as she stared at him. "Okay... who the hell is this guy?"

I ignored her, my frustration boiling over. "Let me go!" I snapped, my voice sharp. "I don't need your help! You... you heartless monster!"

The words seemed to hit him harder than I expected. His hand faltered, just for a second. I felt myself slipping again and panicked.

"I didn't mean it!" I cried out, desperate.

He regained his grip without a word, his touch steady once more. The silence between us was unbearable. There was so much I wanted to say—so much I didn't understand—but none of it came out.

Without waiting for permission, he lifted me out of the chair and carried me effortlessly up the remaining stairs. His strength was infuriatingly effortless, as if I weighed nothing.

Soojin and Eunji stood frozen at the top, their eyes wide. "Kim, seriously. Who *is* this?" Soojin whispered, breaking the stunned silence.

But before I could answer—or even think of how to explain—he was gone. He disappeared as quickly as he had come, melting into the shadows without so much as a backward glance.

I sat in the wheelchair, my emotions a storm inside me. Anger, confusion, and something I couldn't name churned in my chest. Why did he care? What did he want from me? I didn't ask for him to save me—so why couldn't he just let me be?