Two Worlds, Two Lives

CHAPTER 6: Everything Was Over

The echoes of laughter drifted down the hallway, soft and fleeting, like a melody carried by the wind. Nurses and doctors passed by, stealing curious glances into the room where Marie and Sarah sat chatting.

When I got the call from Dr. Julian — about Sarah, my boyfriend’s mother — being sick, my heart sank. I could only imagine how he must have been feeling. Without a second thought, I flew back to New York City, desperate to be there for him. It was disappointing not to find him at the hospital, but at least now I understood why he hadn’t answered my calls these past few days.

As much as I had loved staying with my Halmoni in Korea, I couldn’t ignore the ache of missing him — his bad-boy charm, that mischievous smile with the deep dimples, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me. I missed everything about him. I was sure his mother’s illness had broken his heart into pieces.

Still, his absence gave me something unexpected — the chance to grow closer to his mother, my future mother-in-law. She was beautiful, kind, and gentle. It hurt that our first lunch together had to be here, in a hospital room. But in those quiet moments with her, I finally understood why Jones adored her so deeply.

“Are you okay, my darling?” Sarah asked, studying me with a tender, scrutinizing gaze.

“No, I’m not,” I admitted softly. “Jones isn’t here yet. I hope he’s okay.”

“Ooh, my darling, he’s fine,” she said, smiling. “He’ll be here soon. Don’t bother that pretty head of yours, alright?”

“Okay, Mom,” I murmured shyly.

She reached out, her hand warm against my cheek, tilting my chin up. The touch felt so full of love, it almost made me tear up.

We sat there in comfortable silence until the door opened. And then — there he was. The man I could wait an eternity for.

I froze for a moment, torn between running to him and simply standing there to take him in. But I knew exactly what I wanted.

“What are you waiting for? Go get your man,” Sarah whispered, smiling.

That was all the permission I needed. I ran — as if running toward the last breath of life itself — and threw myself into his arms. Every thought I’d imagined came alive in that moment: a tight, desperate hug… and more.

I pressed my lips to his, hungrily, shamelessly. He deepened the kiss almost instantly — as he always did — his hands threading into my hair, pulling me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling his heartbeat thunder against mine. When his teeth grazed my tongue — not enough to hurt, but enough to send sparks through my body — the world vanished around us.

And then—

“Ahem.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat yanked us back to reality. Dr. Julian stood by the door, a male nurse beside him, both trying (and failing) to hide their grins.

“Oh, shit,” I whispered, mortified. I hid my face in Jones’s shoulder, wishing the ground would just swallow me whole.

Julian coughed lightly. “We just came to check how your mom’s feeling,” he said, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Jones only chuckled, giving me a sideways glance. I could tell he was enjoying my embarrassment far too much.

The rest of the visit went by in a blur of laughter and soft conversation. Time passed quickly — too quickly. Eventually, I had to leave.

“Mother,” I said softly, “I should get going before my dad rains down thunder and brimstone for coming home late.”

She chuckled, her eyes warm. “You’re right, it’s getting late. Thank you so much for your time, darling. It means a lot to me — seeing how you and Jones care for each other.”

Her words touched me deeply. She knew how I felt about her son.

“It’s fine,” I murmured shyly, glancing down, unable to hide my smile.

“I’ll see her off,” Jones offered.

Outside, the cool air wrapped around us. I got into the car and blew him a kiss through the open window. He caught it with a grin, mimicking the gesture. As the car pulled away, I turned back — he was still there, watching, waving, just as I’d left him.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The fact that she came to see me first after her trip still excites me. Her presence, the way she talked to my mom — it gave me hope again. Those shy, nervous smiles she gave after kissing me were adorable. I could almost picture how she’d paced the hospital halls when she didn’t find me there.

It’s those little things she does that made me fall for her — the small, quiet gestures that say more than words ever could. Mom must’ve seen it too. That’s why she made us promise: We won’t break up.

The thought made me smile as I approached her room. The familiar scent of lavender hit me the moment I stepped inside. I placed the chicken noodle soup and burger Max had sent on the nightstand, arranging them neatly.

“Mom,” I said, my voice light, “Max sent you your favorite — chicken noodle soup and a burger. And there’s good news. We found a heart donor, and I’ve already paid half for your surgery. Julian said treatment starts tomorrow. You’re going to be fine, Mom. You’ll see.”

But she didn’t answer.

I turned toward her. Her eyes were closed, her face peaceful. I smiled faintly — she must be resting. But then, something felt wrong. Too still. Too quiet.

“Mom?” I called softly. Nothing.

Panic clawed at my chest. I rushed closer, shaking her gently. “Mom!” Still nothing. My pulse raced. Fear roared in my ears. I’d already lost Dad — I couldn’t lose her too.

I called her name again, voice cracking. “M-Mom! Mom! MOM!!!”

A nurse burst into the room, pulling me back as Julian hurried in, stethoscope in hand. The look on his face shattered me before he even spoke.

“T-time of death?” he asked quietly, tears threatening to spill. Then he turned and walked out.

I stood there, frozen. Everyone else left, leaving just me and Mom. The room felt unbearably empty. When the nurses came to cover her body with a white sheet, it felt like they were taking my whole world away.

I was too drained to cry. Too hollow to scream.

Everything… was over.