"All set?"
Ren asked as he saw Serena coming out of her room with a backpack slung over her shoulders.
"Yes,"
Serena answered briefly.
Her face still held traces of worry, even though Ren had tried to explain Elena's condition as clearly as possible. However, Serena didn't seem fully convinced—not until she could see her mother with her own eyes. Her worry clung to her like a shadow, impossible to sweep away with mere words.
Ren then approached Rendy and gave him several instructions regarding the tasks he had to handle while Ren was away. Once everything was set, they hurried to the airport.
At first, Serena thought she would be going home alone. But Ren kept following close behind, prompting her to glance over her shoulder. That was when Serena noticed he was wearing casual clothes, not his usual business suit.
"You're coming too?"
she asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Of course. I'm going with you,"
Ren replied firmly.
Serena fell silent, her brows slightly furrowed, her expression unreadable.
"I can go by myself,"
she mumbled softly, almost not wanting to be heard.
"I know. But I'm still coming,"
Ren answered calmly, without a hint of doubt.
Serena fell quiet again. Her eyes lingered on Ren, deep and searching, as if trying to uncover something hidden beneath his resolve. Only she and God knew what went through her mind at that moment.
---
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Elena was trying to calm Darian, who continued to look anxious.
"I'm okay,"
Elena said with a small smile, trying to reassure Darian, whose face had turned pale.
"Okay? Your head is bandaged!"
Darian protested, his voice trembling slightly.
Elena looked at him and finally realized his eyes were red—not just from worry, but from fear. The fear of almost losing someone important.
She gripped Darian's hand tightly, realizing just how deeply he felt it.
"Even though it looks bad, it's not as serious as it seems. Just bruising from the impact," she said gently, trying to convince him.
"But if it's just bruising, why the bandage?" Darian asked, still skeptical.
Elena sighed softly, then pressed the nurse call button. Soon after, a nurse entered the room.
"Nurse, please explain my condition to him," Elena requested wearily.
The nurse patiently explained Elena's injuries in medical terms to ease Darian's mind. He listened carefully, occasionally asking questions when unfamiliar terms came up.
After the lengthy explanation, the nurse left the room. Elena looked at Darian with a flat gaze.
"Now do you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you. But you still need plenty of rest. Don't push yourself, just to be safe."
Elena rolled her eyes, then pretended to sleep. She was truly tired—not just from the accident, but also from Darian's overthinking.
Darian was about to speak again, but seeing Elena had closed her eyes, he held his words back. He chose to wait until she genuinely fell asleep.
At first, she was only pretending, but minutes later, Elena was fast asleep.
---
Not long after, the door opened slowly. Serena entered hurriedly, her face filled with panic. Her breath was uneven.
"Shhh... she just fell asleep,"
Darian whispered, raising a finger to his lips.
Serena lowered her head, then approached quietly.
"How is she?"
she asked in a hushed voice, as if afraid the answer would shatter her heart.
Darian explained Elena's condition just as the nurse had. Serena nodded and let out a relieved breath. Still, her hands trembled, revealing the lingering fear inside her.
Seeing Serena almost collapse from weakness, Ren quickly came over and helped her to the sofa in the room.
"Careful,"
Ren said softly as he gently supported her.
Darian, who had been watching, just realized Serena wasn't alone. His gaze now turned to Ren, sharp and questioning.
"You?"
he asked, his tone slightly harsh.
"Ren Shield, Serena's friend,"
Ren replied calmly, introducing himself.
Darian frowned, as if the name sounded familiar.
"Are you a postgraduate student?"
Darian asked, trying to recall where he'd heard the name before.
"No," Ren replied briefly.
Serena noticed Darian's confusion.
"Ren is Iril's cousin," she explained.
Darian suddenly found the missing puzzle piece. No wonder the name sounded familiar—he had often read about Ren in international business articles, especially related to Shield influential family.
However, one more thing prompted Darian to ask, this time in a more serious tone.
"Why did you come together?"
Serena and Ren fell silent. Serena looked irritated, thinking the question was inappropriate.
"Can you stop?" she snapped. "Ren's not my boyfriend, so don't even try to lecture us."
Her words silenced Darian. He had intended to advise Serena and Ren, but the thought froze immediately. Serena's piercing gaze made him realize he had crossed a line.
Darian looked at Serena sharply, but she only rolled her eyes, showing she had no interest in dealing with Darian's childish behavior.
Ren observed their interaction calmly. He picked up on something important—though Darian was only her mother's boyfriend, Serena already saw him as part of the family. Maybe not as a father, but still someone significant enough to be heard.
"If I want to win Serena's heart, I also need to win over the people around her. Darian… might be one of those challenges. But that's okay. Because I know I'm the only one who deserves to be by Serena's side,"
Ren thought to himself.
He looked at Serena, now sitting quietly on the sofa, her expression more composed, though her eyes still held many questions.
And amid all the pain and worry that had just unfolded, one thing became clear to Ren:
Serena had acted as if she already knew something was going to happen to her mother.