The doctor arrived not long after Minah was moved to her room. A private space—quiet, with soft lighting, and fresh sheets pulled neatly around her pale, motionless frame.
Her breathing was uneven. Cold sweat still beaded on her forehead.
Jaewook stood at her side, arms crossed, eyes unreadable.
The doctor gently adjusted Minah's blanket and began his examination—checking her pulse, her reflexes, the tension in her neck.
Then he leaned in closer, brushing her hair back.
And paused.
His fingers hovered just behind her ear.
A scar.
Small. Precise. Faint—but noticeable to a trained eye.
He frowned.
"Has she had any surgery before?" he asked, glancing at Jaewook.
Jaewook's eyes narrowed. "She had an accident when she was a child. A brain injury. She's been selectively mute since."
The doctor nodded slowly, continuing to examine the scar with a quiet hum of concern.
"Usually… mutism from a brain injury only occurs with very specific damage. But what I'm seeing? This doesn't look accidental."
Jaewook's posture stiffened. "What do you mean?"
The doctor looked up, serious now.
"The scar on the top of her head—likely from trauma or surgery after the accident, yes. But this one... behind the ear?"
He paused.
"It looks like an incision. Clean. Precise. Almost surgical. But it's not a standard medical placement. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone put something in rather than took something out."
Silence blanketed the room.
Then the doctor straightened, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Honestly… this is above my pay grade. You should get her to a neurologist. Preferably one with clearance and discretion."
He reached into his bag and pulled out two bottles.
"For now, these will help. One's for the headaches. The other is mild pain relief. Let her rest for a few days."
Jaewook took the bottles, eyes still fixed on Minah's sleeping face.
The scar. The flashback. The number.
He'd been right all along.
Someone had tampered with her past.
And now, they'd have to tear the truth out—piece by piece.
-----
After the doctor left, the villa returned to stillness.
Hyun Soo and Kang Ho walked the doctor out in quiet conversation, but Jaewook stayed behind—sitting beside Minah, watching her breathe, steady and soft.
He didn't leave her side.
Didn't move until she stirred.
Minah's eyelashes fluttered.
Then slowly, she opened her eyes.
The room was dim, lit only by the bedside lamp. Her head still throbbed faintly, but the pain had dulled to something manageable.
She turned slightly, wincing, and saw Jaewook across the room. He stood with his back to her, quietly speaking into his phone.
She didn't catch the words—but his tone was calm, clipped. Probably business. Or... something more.
Minah reached for her phone and checked the time.
10:30 p.m.
Just then, Jaewook ended the call and turned around.
His eyes met hers immediately.
"You're awake," he said, a flicker of visible relief softening his usually stern features. "How are you feeling?"
Minah blinked, then typed into her phone with slow fingers:
"Better. Still a bit of dull pain."
Jaewook offered a faint smile. "The doctor left two medications. One's for the headache, the other for general pain. I'll get them for you in a bit."
She signed a quiet thank you.
Before he could respond—
BANG!
The door burst open.
Hyun Soo and Kang Ho strode in like an overly dramatic rescue squad.
"MINAH!" Hyun Soo practically shouted, eyes wide. "You're awake!! Do you need water? A pillow? A heating pad? Emotional support bubble tea??"
Kang Ho, slightly calmer but equally tense, followed behind.
Minah blinked, startled.
Jaewook slowly turned his head toward them, exhaling.
"I know you're both worried," he said dryly. "But next time... maybe knock."
Hyun Soo blinked. "...Right. Knocking. That's fair."
Minah's lips twitched.
Even in the fog of pain and questions...
She wasn't alone.
-----
Before Jaewook could mention the neurologist he had just arranged to meet, Hyun Soo dragged over a chair and plopped down in front of Minah like he was about to hold a press conference.
"You scared us," he said, letting out a breath that sounded like it had been held since the kitchen incident.
Kang Ho stood nearby, arms crossed, nodding. "You gave everyone a heart attack."
Minah lowered her eyes, then quietly signed sorry.
Both Hyun Soo and Kang Ho blinked.
Jaewook, still standing by her bedside, translated smoothly. "She said she's sorry."
Their eyes widened.
"You know sign language?" Hyun Soo asked, incredulous.
Jaewook raised an eyebrow. "Enough to understand her."
Kang Ho leaned slightly toward Minah. "Minah, did you... remember something? Any flashbacks?"
Minah hesitated.
Then gave a small nod.
The mood shifted instantly.
"What did you see?" Kang Ho asked gently.
Minah looked at Jaewook, then at both of them. Her hands moved slightly, but she paused.
Instead, she picked up her phone and typed slowly, carefully.
"I need a whiteboard."
------
And just like that, the room fell silent.
Because now—she wasn't just remembering.
She was ready to tell.