A few moments later, I came out of the bathroom. Drying my hair, drops of blood that fell on the floor suddenly made me stunned. I touched my nose and saw my fingers with a lot of blood on the tips.

I smiled meaninglessly, revealing a depth of sorrow about my worsening condition. I didn't know whether God would give me one more chance so that I could feel the warmth of spring in the next year or not at all.

But, why should I live long if I only keep grieving and suffering in my life?

I sighed heavily. If I got another chance in the next life, I would live a better life than now.

After a few moments of silence, I looked up so that the bleeding could stop as soon as possible, then immediately went to the bathroom to clean my face in the sink.

However, it was already a minute, but the flowing blood didn't stop yet. Instantly there was panic rising in my chest which I tried to suppress.

A few seconds later, the right side of my stomach felt sore along with my throat which suddenly felt a little itchy. I coughed while gripping my stomach tightly, enduring the pain that was getting worse.

At first, it was just a normal cough, but moments later, the cough was mixed with a clot of blood.

I slowly sat on the floor like a helpless and self-defeating person, curling up with the pain and blood that was continuously flowing from my nose.

Fortunately, about two minutes later I felt better. I slowly tried to stand up carefully, then cleaned my face, and washed the clothes I wore so that Daehyun wouldn't know how I was when he came back. That would worry him even more.

It was enough for me to make him worry about my condition and not want to burden him anymore.

...

After lunch a while ago, I sat by the window with a cup of hot chocolate that I occasionally sipped while gazing at the beautiful natural scenery outside.

All around this place was full of beauty and very comfortable, following the engraved writing about "Beauty & Serenity".

At night, we would be presented by the views of the city with flickering colorful lights that amazed the eyes. Meanwhile, during the day, we would be spoiled by the expanse of nature with its soothing natural beauty.

However, I couldn't enjoy it due to my deteriorating eyesight. I wasn't a myopia sufferer, it's just that as long as I had Glioblastoma, my eyesight was getting worse.

In the solitude, suddenly a series of knocks on the door was heard along with a female voice, "Excuse me, Mr. Park, are you in there?"

Hearing that voice, I immediately stood up and put my hot chocolate on the table. But, before I reached the door, a young woman was standing in the living room, smiling when she saw me. "Ah, Mr. Kim asked me to give you something, sir."

She handed me two cards, but something else caught my mind. I asked, "Um, but who are you? And how did you get in?" Even though this woman's face was so familiar, I asked just to make sure.

"Ah, Mr. Park, sorry." She immediately bowed before introducing herself, "I'm A Yeong, Assistant of President Kim. He asked me to come here and give you these cards. Also, I'm sorry for just walking in without your permission, sir. I used the card lock to enter this place."

"What card are they?"

"Ah, this?" She showed me a black card with the local bank logo. "This is Mr. Kim's debit card and this one is a card lock."

"What's the debit card for?"

A Yeong chuckled. "Maybe if you feel bored and want to go out to buy something, you can use it, sir."

"Why did he leave that? Around this place there are only pine forests."

"I don't know, sir. President Kim really likes to do odd things that no one else can understand," A Yeong replied, holding back from laughing.

I took a deep breath. "I'll take this card lock and return the other card to him. Tell him that I don't need it."

Her expression turned worried. She slightly lowered her gaze before saying, "Sir, but Mr. Kim said, if I return both or one of these cards, he won't give me any bonus this month."

Hearing these words, I couldn't help but smile. "He won't do that."

"..."

Seeing A Yeong's face turned sullen, I sighed softly and took these two cards reluctantly. "Alright, if you're worried about that."

She exclaimed, "Thank you, sir! I can't imagine how Mr. Kim scolded me when I returned these cards to him."

I smiled. "Come on, sit down. I'll make a drink for you."

"Ah, no need, sir. I'm in a hurry. I have to go right away."

When she was about to step outside, I exclaimed, "Wait!"

A Yeong stopped walking.

"You were the manager at the finance department before, weren't you?"

Hearing this question, A Yeong was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Looks like you still remember me, Mr. Park. I thought you forgot me because you asked my identity earlier." She then explained, "Mr. Kim personally appointed me to be his assistant after a few days of your resignation. It surprised me. At first, Mr. Commissioner didn't approve of it and tried to persuade Mr. President, but the boss's decision was absolute. But, I didn't mind either as long as he gives me consecutive monthly bonuses of course."

I nodded slightly. "Of course I still remember you. I just wanted to confirm that it was really you. But, did you come all the way to see me here just to give the cards?"

He rolled his eyes and said in a sighing tone, "Yes, sir. This is an order from Mr. Kim and I can't refuse it."

"Yeah, I see." I asked, "Then, what about Go Hyunjae, do you know her?"

She frowned, pondering the name in his head before replying, "She's in the personnel department, right? If I'm not mistaken during the restructuring of the company, she was appointed as manager of the finance department to replace me, but she declines."

"Um, but is she okay?"

A Yeong nodded. "I think so."

"Oh, I see."

"Um, then, I have to go right away."

Without saying a word, she hurriedly left the house. I stared at her until he disappeared through the door. After that, I put the cards that A Yeong just gave me on the table before taking my hot chocolate, sitting by the window while gazing at the scenery outside as before.

I didn't think Daehyun would ask A Yeong to go that far, just because those two cards were what I didn't need.

He's too heartless I thought.

...

9:30 p.m.

In front of the TV, even though my eyes were focused on the screen, my thoughts were focused on something else, which seemed to take my soul for a walk through the dark and beautiful past, leaving my body in this place.

Sometimes, this thought made me smile, then sulked; happy, then sad; and excited, then suddenly sluggish.

If someone was looking at me right now, they might think of me as a lunatic!

Drifting deeper into my own thoughts, made me unable to tell whether this thought was a hallucination or a dream that seemed real.

A few moments later, I slowly opened my eyes and saw Daehyun who was pulling the blanket on my body. I immediately turned my eyes to the ceiling, staring at a different room before asking in a hoarse voice, "Since when did you come back?"

He smiled, "Almost an hour ago." With a pause, he continued, "Why did you fall asleep on the sofa?"

I sighed before answering, "I was waiting for you, but I fell asleep."

"What's the matter? Why are you waiting for me so late? Didn't I tell you that I'll be home late today, as well as tomorrow?"

"I don't know. I just wanted to wait for you."

Daehyun sighed silently. "Next time, don't do it again, okay?"

I was silent.

"Okay, go sleep."

"Um ...." I asked, "What time is it?"

"It's eleven o'clock — get some rest — stop thinking about doing something at night."

I paused for a moment before saying, "Daehyun, why did you give me your card? I'm not your sugar baby. Take it back. I don't need it, and never order someone to come here again just for something that isn't such an important thing."

He smiled. "I don't know and I don't care. It's yours. I will never take it back. It's all up to you to use it or throw it away. If you've considered it, it's in the table drawer."

He immediately laid down beside me and turned his back facing me while pulling the blanket.

However, when I heard the word "table," I suddenly thought of something and immediately got up, setting my eyes on the table. Not seeing what I was looking for, I shouted, "Huh, my ring!"

Don't tell me that I lost my ring!

Daehyun was surprised because of my voice. He immediately turned towards me and asked worriedly, "Chunghee, what's wrong?"

With a tearful face, I said while sweeping a feeble glance at him, "My ring ... did you see it? I put it on the table this morning ... Did you see it?"