The Second Big Lie

As soon as Yeo Ri arrived at Hyuk's room, she stopped at the door and adjusted her facial expression.

She took a deep breath, and finally stepped inside.

"Lee Yeo Ri!" Seeing the girl, Hyuk erupted. His voice was so loud that even the passers-by stopped to look. "Just where have you been?!"

He had been pacing back and forth once he realised that she was late. He was about to call Gun to yell at him, but held himself back. Maybe she was fine. Maybe she just went to play in town with Min Chae and lost track of time.

Yeo Ri lowered her head apologetically, "Sorry, Oppa. It started snowing so I got distracted for a bit..." She had lied to her brothers so many times that it had become so easy for her to do it again. At this rate, she might become good enough to be an actress, she absentmindedly thought.

"Snowing?" Hyuk turned to look out the window. His eyebrows raised in surprise. He had been so caught up in his worry that he hadn't realised that it had started snowing. "So you've been playing in the snow this whole time?" He asked incredulously.

"Sorry..." Yeo Ri's cheeks reddened. Although she had lied, it made her feel rather childish and immature when Hyuk thought she had played in the snow. She was already 14, after all. That was too old to be frolicking in the snow.

Hyuk sighed, dropping his tensed shoulders. "Come here—what the?!" He moved closer to Yeo Ri and touched her cheeks, but was surprised to find out that she was freezing! His hands reflexively retracted from her cold skin.

"You, are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

Yeo Ri smiled faintly, "I'm fine."

"Liar," he mumbled. He took a good look at her face. She seemed so fragile with her drooping eyes and pale lips. The only colour left on her face was a slight hint of blush from her earlier embarrassment.

"I'm really fine," she insisted.

Hyuk ushered her to sit down on one of the beds as he called for a doctor.

"You don't have to," Yeo Ri touched his arm. "I'm fine."

"Stop being so stubborn," he replied.

Yeo Ri tightened her grip on his arm, "I'm really fine, Oppa. I think I just played around too much. I'll probably feel better after drinking something warm."

Hyuk furrowed his eyebrows. She didn't look fine at all. Even with all the clothes bundling her, she was still shivering and pallid. But still, he chose to believe her. "Fine, have it your way," he says with difficulty. "If you feel bad, just call for one of the doctors or nurses. We're in a hospital. They're here to help you."

"Mm. Then, I'll go to the mart... I'll be right back, Oppa," Yeo Ri flashed him a tired smile. Acting as if nothing was wrong, she exited the room.

However, she barely lasted a few steps.

Her body that had been fuelled by adrenaline and willpower suddenly lost its strength like a puppet with its strings cut.

"Oh my god—!" A nurse's scream rang in the hallway. "Excuse me, student?! Student?!"

People surrounded Yeo Ri's barely conscious body, asking if she was alright.

Hyuk's door opened abruptly after hearing the noise. His tunnel vision zeroed in on Yeo Ri. Seeing Yeo Ri lying on the floor, Hyuk sprang out of his room and pushed his way to her.

"Yeo Ri?! Yeo Ri-ah! Get a hold of yourself, Yeo Ri-ah!" He shook her with panic. "Doctor! Doctor, please help her!" Hyuk loudly called out. All he could think about was Yeo Ri's unconscious figure.

His limbs were becoming limp like noodles, but he pushed on. It felt as if there was something stuck in his throat as worry seized his heart. He felt sick at the thought of something bad happening to Yeo Ri. He rushed for a doctor, yelling like a madman.

He didn't think twice before placing an arm under her neck and below her knees, carrying her into his ward and placing her onto the empty bed next to his.

A doctor rushed to her side, flanked by other staffs. Hurriedly, they kicked out other unrelated personnel, including Hyuk, and began their work.

Hyuk was forced to watch by the sidelines as people rushed in and out of the room.

He paced back and forth in front of the door, occasionally looking inside every once in a while to check what was happening.