After 12 long years, Dohyun Kang made his inevitable return to Korea. He’d booked his flight from Japan quietly, hoping no one would know he was back in Seoul… at least, not yet.

But he knew it wouldn’t last long.

The moment he stepped out of the terminal, Dohyun hailed the first taxi he saw—a black “luxury” cab. The driver, an older man with thick, furry gray eyebrows and wrinkled eyelids, eyed him curiously through the rearview mirror as Dohyun slid into the backseat.

Feeling the man’s gaze linger, Dohyun kept his head low and said, “Seoul Medical Facility.”

To most, Dohyun appeared to be wearing a simple sweatsuit, but to anyone familiar with luxury brands, the quality screamed wealth. A hat pulled low over his head, hood up, and thick-rimmed black glasses hid his features. Combined with his tall, athletic build, it wasn’t unusual for people to mistake him for a celebrity.

The driver’s eyes stayed on him for a moment longer before the engine finally roared to life, and the car took off.

Dohyun let out a slow breath, not realizing how tense his body had been until he felt his muscles slowly relax as they sped down the highway. Thankfully, there was no traffic. The sooner he got to the hospital, the better.

When the taxi pulled up to the hospital drop-off zone, Dohyun handed the driver a 50,000 won bill (roughly $40) and quietly bowed without waiting for change.

Seoul Medical Facility—Korea’s largest hospital, renowned for treating rare and uncommon illnesses.

‘If I’m going to find her, this is where I’ll get the information.’

Dohyun entered the hospital, sunlight streaming through the glass windows, but even the light couldn’t chase away the shadowy feeling that clung to the place. He’d visited this hospital countless times as a child, after all.

Approaching the front desk, he carefully selected the youngest nurse of the three sitting behind the counter. She might be less likely to bend the rules, but at least there was a chance she wouldn’t report back to his father.

“Could I have some help?” Dohyun leaned casually against the counter, giving her his most approachable smile.

The nurse blinked, looking up at him from beneath her bangs. With his chiseled face and sharp eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was a celebrity. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I’m looking for information on a patient.”

“Has the patient been admitted recently?”

“Not exactly.” Dohyun put on a naively sad smile. “I’ve been overseas for a few years, but she was a patient here before I left. I’m trying to find her.”

“What’s the patient’s name?”

“Haewon Kang,” Dohyun said in a low voice, glancing at the older nurse who was watching them from the corner of her eye.

The younger nurse’s fingers clicked rapidly across the keyboard as she searched. Meanwhile, the older nurse picked up the phone, casting suspicious glances at them while making a brief call.

“Ah…” The young nurse paused, her brow furrowing slightly. Her expression told him everything before she even spoke. “I’m sorry, but this patient’s file is sealed. It requires approval to access any information.”

The older nurse hung up the phone and strolled over to them, glancing at the screen. She smiled politely. “I can help with this matter.”

I didn’t think Father’s reach extended this far, he thought, cursing himself for his recklessness.

“It’s fine.” Dohyun straightened. “I’ll come back another time.”

“I insist,” the older nurse pressed, her smile widening. “It will only take a moment. Why don’t you follow me to the office?”

She’s stalling. They’re already close. If I don’t get out now, I won’t have a chance to slip away. Dohyun’s mind raced, searching for a way out. He needed a distraction, and fast.

His answer came barreling through the hospital doors in the form of a lean young woman around his age, dragging a small, exhausted-looking friend behind her.

“Excuse me!” The tension in her voice was impossible to miss. “My name is Gomi Kim, and I just received a call about my father, Muyeong Kim!”

Gomi… ?

Her golden brown hair fell in gentle waves around the soft lines of her face. Even though it looked like they’d run all the way to the hospital, Gomi didn’t seem out of breath, unlike her half-dead friend panting beside her.

“Please, can someone help me?” Gomi’s voice cracked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “They said it was urgent!”

“Nurse Shin!” A nervous nurse called out to the older woman, her hands shaking.

This is my chance.

The moment Nurse Shin’s attention shifted to the commotion, Dohyun slipped away.

Though you don’t know it, Gomi Kim, I’m grateful. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to repay this debt.