Chapter 119: Chapter 119: She's what?
"Where is she?"
Alex glanced over his shoulder "She's outside, with Alexa," he replied, but there was a hint of something else in his tone.
Seojun noticed Alex's expression, the way his face seemed tight with worry,
"What's wrong?" Seojun asked, but Alex just shook his head, looking down at his feet. Without another word, they pushed their way through the bustling crowd, heading toward the exit.
When they reached the corner, Seojun saw Alexa standing near an older woman, her face partially turned away, looking off into the distance. Alexa seemed tense, glancing between the woman and Seojun as they approached.
Seojun's heart began to pound in his chest. He took a deep breath, his hands starting to tremble. He could feel it—a connection, something deep and unexplainable pulling him toward the woman. He closed his eyes, listening. Even amidst the noise of the crowd, he could hear it—the familiar, rhythmic beating of a heart he once knew so well.
His breath hitched. His hands shook as he slowly reached out and touched the old woman's shoulder.
"Mom...?" he whispered, his voice breaking, tears welling up in his eyes. The woman turned around, slowly, her face coming into view.
Seojun's breath caught in his throat as he looked at her.
"W-who are you?" he stuttered, taking a step back, his voice thick with confusion and shock. "What is this? I thought you found Mom?"
Alexa responded, holding up a small gadget. "This device," she said, "Helps to find Auntie by the heartbeat, It's hard to explain but It led me to her."
Confusion and fear clouded Seojun's eyes as he demanded, "What do you mean?"
The old woman, with a somber expression, spoke softly, "Last year, I had a heart surgery, and someone donated this heart to me."
As the realization dawned, Seojun's face went pale. His voice cracked, "N-no, it can't be,"
Alex gently placed his hands on Seojun's shoulders and handed him a letter. "W-What is this?" Seojun asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"That is the donor's letter. The surgeon gave it to me, asking me to pass it to her son."
Seojun's hands shook uncontrollably as he opened the letter. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to hold back the flood of emotions, and when he finally opened his eyes to read, he was overwhelmed by the sight of the familiar handwriting. His tears flowed freely as he recognized the words and collapsed to his knees. The letter was one of several.
The first letter read:
"Seojun, my beloved son, if you're reading this, I'm so glad you're finally back. I've been waiting for you, hoping and praying every day for your return. I even sought help from the Ford, but I couldn't find you. Today, I celebrate your 21st birthday. Happy birthday, my precious son. I had a cake made just for you.
Please come back. Mommy misses you so much."
Seojun opened the next letter, his heart heavy:
"I feel weak more than the usual and I don't know if you will see me when you return. If I'm gone before you get back, please don't worry about me. I will be watching over you from above. Live your life, Seojun. I am proud of you, always."
Tears streamed down Alexa's face as she watched Seojun's anguish. She started crying openly, and Alex embraced her, offering her comfort.
Seojun's hands shook violently as he read the final letter, which was stained with blood. The letter contained a message that broke his heart even further:
"I love you My baby. Always and forever."
Seojun's world shattered as he clutched the letter to his chest, his body wracked with sobs. He cried out desperately, calling for his mother, his voice filled with raw pain and longing. The old woman, seeing his suffering, knelt beside him and wrapped her arms around him, offering what little comfort she could.
In a whisper, she said, "Your mother was involved in a hit-and-run accident. Her heart was healthy, but her liver was not. She was so kind to donate her heart to me so I could be with my son a little longer. I'm deeply sorry. I never wanted to accept it, but circumstances forced my hand, and she was declared brain dead."
As the weight of the old woman's words sank in, Seojun's cries grew more intense.
The old woman looked at Seojun with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, I know this won't make it better, but I'll carry her love with me, always."
Seojun didn't respond. His eyes stayed on the letters in his hands, his face blank. Alexa wiped her own tears and whispered, "Thank you," to the woman, her voice choked with emotion.
Alex gave a curt nod, his face tight with concern. "We appreciate you sharing this with us. We'll… take it from here,"
The woman gave a final nod and walked away. Seojun sit still, lost in his grief.
Alex and Alexa exchanged a worried look. "Let's get him to the car," Alex said, gently guiding Seojun. Seojun followed, moving like he was on autopilot. The ride to the hotel was silent. Alexa sat next to Seojun, watching him hold the letters tightly.
She reached out, touching his arm. "Seojun… if you want to talk, I'm here," she whispered. He didn't react, staring at his mother's handwriting, his eyes empty.
Alex glanced at him in the mirror, worry growing. When they reached the hotel, they quickly checked in. "This is your room, Seojun," Alex said softly. Seojun stepped inside and locked the door.
Alexa's eyes filled with panic. "What if he harms himself, brother?" she whispered, holding Alex's arm tightly. "He looked so… broken."
Alex sighed. "Auntie was his only family. He's an only son, and his father is dead," he said quietly. "We have to give him some space, let him process this."
Alexa bit her lip, looking at the door. "I hope he doesn't do anything that will harm himself."
"We'll stay right here," Alex assured. "If he doesn't come out soon, we'll get in. I promise."
Inside, Seojun sat on the bed, still staring at the letters, hearing his mother's voice in his mind. His chest tightened, but he held back his tears. He gripped the letters harder, feeling numb.
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Outside, Alex and Alexa waited, listening for any sound, ready to act, hoping Seojun would open the door or at least make a sound.
But all they heard was the quiet hum of the air conditioner, while Seojun remained lost in his grief, alone with his pain and his mother's final words.
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