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Chapter 14
At Hyun-jung’s question, the doctor looked a little surprised, but he quickly composed his expression.
“Yes, that’s correct. Do you not remember anything at all?”
“…No, not really…”
“You mean you don’t remember your name or the accident?”
“……”
Seeing Hyun-jung quietly nod her head, the doctor gave quiet instructions to the other doctors standing nearby before turning back to her.
“Your family was here until yesterday evening, and we already explained the tests to them. We received prior consent, so please understand that we’ll be moving forward with them.”
“Tests? What kind of…?”
“It’s nothing serious. The surgery on your torn leg muscle went well. But we need to figure out why your memory has disappeared, don’t we?”
Though his tone was dry, it somehow carried warmth. Hyun-jung felt the tension in her shoulders ease without realizing it.
When the doctors filed out of the room, a middle-aged woman who had been standing quietly in the corner approached the bed with care. Hyun-jung didn’t know who she was, but one thing was certain—she wasn’t her mother or any other family member.
“Hello. I came by while you were asleep, so this is our first time meeting. I’m your caregiver.”
“Oh, yes. Hello.”
“I asked earlier, and they said you can drink a little water now that you’re awake. Would you like some?”
Her throat was indeed dry, so Hyun-jung nodded and tried to sit up. The caregiver quickly raised the bed’s backrest and placed a cushion behind her for support.
“Thank you.”
The caregiver handed her a straw cup filled with lukewarm water. Hyun-jung wanted to gulp it down immediately, but her body was too weak—even taking a sip was difficult.
When the throbbing headache paused for a moment, her whole body ached as though every muscle had been strained. Had the car rolled over several times in the accident? From what the doctor said, it sounded like a major crash. Wouldn’t it have been on the morning news? The doctor had mentioned her family gave consent—did that mean they had been in the car with her? Were they hospitalized in this same hospital?
Her mind was in chaos. She couldn’t remember who she was, what her family looked like, nothing. It felt suffocating.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
“Yes?”
“Could you turn on the TV news?”
Her head felt empty. Maybe if she watched something, it would trigger a memory. As the caregiver picked up the remote, she added a small comment.
“Oh dear, you wouldn’t believe how much snow fell yesterday. They said it was the heaviest snowfall in 50 years. With roads like that, no wonder the accident was so big. This area is where several highways meet. There was another accident on the road from Seoul, and apparently, there were many fatalities there.”
The caregiver clicked her tongue.
“But they said you were lucky. Apparently, there was a good Samaritan at your accident site.”
“A good Samaritan?”
“Yes. Before the paramedics arrived, someone helped get people out, so the damage wasn’t as bad.”
Hearing that made Hyun-jung feel strange. Was it relief that she had survived such chaos? Still, she couldn’t remember experiencing something so catastrophic. Just as she tried to think harder, a special news broadcast about the accident appeared on the screen.
“There, it’s on now.”
Watching the scene, Hyun-jung couldn’t help but wonder. She looked down at her bandaged right leg and asked the caregiver:
“Do you know who saved me?”
“Of course. They said it was your fiancé.”
“…My fiancé?”
“Yes. You were on a trip to a villa in Gangwon-do with your fiancé when the accident happened.”
“……”
Was it because the word “fiancé” felt so foreign? Or because fragments of the accident were trying to surface? Goosebumps broke out all over her body, and she shivered as if struck by a chill.
She couldn’t remember her name, age, or family—but apparently, she had a fiancé. The thought made her chest tighten with unease.
“Then… my fiancé, was he hurt too?”
“No. They said despite the cars exploding around you and flames spreading, he somehow managed to pull you out.”
The caregiver added that it was practically an act of life-risking love. Her expression was deeply moved, as if she had just witnessed the most touching story.
On the TV, cars were strewn chaotically across a highway blanketed in snow, flames erupting here and there. CCTV and black box footage showed swirling snowflakes, more like a blizzard than snowfall, obscuring visibility. Even without the details, the danger was palpable.
And yet, her fiancé had saved her. He must love her very much. Who was he, this man who risked everything for her? Hyun-jung felt curiosity so strong it almost made her forget the pain.
“By any chance… is he…?”
“Who, your fiancé?”
“Yes.”
“He went with your family to a nearby hotel yesterday.”
Having just woken up, Hyun-jung felt like a chick hatched from an egg, knowing nothing of the world. The caregiver’s words were the only things she could cling to. They were her entire reality.
“My family…”
Sensing her curiosity, the caregiver poured out everything she knew.
“Three family members came. Your father, mother, and older sister. Your mother was so worried seeing you lying there that she cried so much. I have a daughter myself, so I cried with her.”
“……”
Wouldn’t most people feel something when they heard the word “mother”? Warmth, tenderness, or at least a pang of longing? But maybe memory loss erases even those emotions.
Even after hearing that her mother had wept by her side, Hyun-jung felt nothing—no tenderness, no yearning, not even resentment.
“Your mother couldn’t calm down, so your fiancé took her to the hotel. She wanted to stay here to care for you, but she was too distraught.”
“Thank you for telling me all this.”
“Don’t mention it. Your family said they’d be back this morning, so they should be here soon.”
The caregiver, having said everything she wanted, sat in a chair and turned her attention back to the news. The accident coverage had already passed, but Hyun-jung’s mind was still filled with burning cars.
Her fiancé. The man who saved her. Who was he? Something flickered in her mind, as if a memory was about to surface, but it never came. Her chest felt tight with frustration.
“Um, there’s something I want to ask.”
The caregiver nodded, ready to answer anything.
“My fiancé’s name is…”
She thought maybe hearing his name would trigger something. Just as she was about to ask—
There was a knock, and the VIP room door opened. A man walked in.
He had a narrow forehead, small slanted eyes, a long nose and philtrum, thin lips, and prominent cheekbones. His face was not gentle.
Nothing about him felt familiar. She was certain he wasn’t her fiancé. But then the caregiver leaned close and whispered something shocking.
“Miss, that’s him. That’s your fiancé.”
Hyun-jung stared at the man approaching her bed without blinking. He didn’t feel familiar or comforting—instead, her stomach churned uneasily.
“Oh, you’ve come. You came alone. Is Miss’s mother doing better?”
The caregiver greeted him politely, but the man didn’t respond, didn’t even glance at her. His discourteous manner made Hyun-jung frown slightly.
“Since your fiancé is here, I’ll step out for a while. Call if you need anything.”
Looking a little embarrassed, the caregiver quietly left the room. Hyun-jung’s eyes followed her until the door closed, leaving her feeling like a lost child.
Like a hatchling imprinting on the first being it sees, she felt overwhelmed and uncertain. Her hands gripped the blanket tightly, heart pounding with unease.
“Are you alright?”
