Page 93 of XOXO

Before I can answer, the call drops and the elevator arrives at the eighth floor.

Just as I’m stepping out, my cell phone pings with a flurry of texts, the topmost from Gi Taek:Jenny, where are you?

At the hospital, I quickly type back and send.

“Go Jenny-ssi?” A woman in teal scrubs stands before me. “The nurse downstairs called and said you were coming up.”

I pocket my phone. “I’m looking for my halmeoni. Kim Na Young. Is she okay? Is she all right? I was told to come immediately.”

The nurse’s eyes widen. “Oh, yes, she’s fine. Your halmeoni is actually out of surgery now.”

“She’s... fine?”

My knees give out and I collapse to the floor. The nurse crouches down beside me, one hand on my shoulder. “Poor child, you must have been so frightened.”

I sniffle. “Is she allowed visitors? Can I see her?”

“Yes. Your mother is with her.”

I let the nurse help me to my feet.

“Room 803,” she says and I nod, taking the last few steps on my own. Outside the room, I pause. The door is slightly ajar and I can hear Halmeoni and Mom talking softly inside.

I press my hand to the door only to hesitate when I hear a sob. It takes me a moment to realize it’s my mother. She’s... crying, something she hasn’t done since Dad passed away.

“You didn’t come,” Mom says. “I needed you, and you didn’t come.”

“Nae saekki,” Halmeoni is saying, “my baby. Eomma is sorry. I should have been there for you. I did wrong. Forgive me, forgive me.”

My mom is sobbing, heaving sobs, harder than I’ve ever seen her cry.

“You—You didn’t have the means to come, and I didn’t help you. But it’s been so hard, Eomma. I had no one.”

“You have me. You will always have me. And your daughter. Your beautiful daughter.”

“I’m so scared, Eomma. I drive Jenny to be stronger but sometimes I think I’m pushing her away. I just want to protect her.”

“Like I protected you? You’ve seen what a terrible job I did. Keeping out the people you love isn’t protecting them, Soojung-ah. Loving them. Trusting them with your heart. That’s all you can do.”

I step away from the door.

My phone buzzes in my pocket for the gazillionth time and I finally take it out.Whyare my friends texting me so much? I’m grateful they’re concerned, but I’m a bitbusy.

Gi Taek: Jenny, why aren’t you answering your phone?

Angela: Are you okay?

Sori: Which hospital?

Jaewoo: I called the clinic. I’m on my way.

Gi Taek: Jenny, this is serious. Are you somewhere safe?

I frown.Whatis he talking about? Then a series of links appear in quick succession, sent from each of them.

Angela: “BREAKING NEWS: K-Pop Idol Bae Jaewoo’s Secret Girlfriend.”

Gi Taek: “XOXO’s Bae Jaewoo Dating Scandal.”

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