collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•thirty-four•

~~~~~Haerin

Naeun Unnie is answering all the questions the doctors are asking. Mi-Hi is just sitting on my lap with her fingers stuffed between her lips. She looks at the strangers with suspicion, and honestly I can't blame her. I feel judged every time they ask why we haven't gotten her treatment started sooner. I feel my body getting hot, as my anger begins to build at their questions.

"Mama?"

Mi-Hi's squirming, and questioning tone, makes me realize I am squeezing her too much. I relax my grip, and softly apologize before planting a kiss on her head. She leans into me and I let myself enjoy the feeling of her cuddles. I have tuned out the annoying doctors at this point, until I hear a question that makes me snap my eyes to them.

"Where is this child's father?"

Unnie looks at me, and I turn to the doctor who asked this.

"He is working and couldn't be here."

I state things simply, but feel my blood boil when the same doctor comments further.

"He couldn't find time to be here for this? Tch... His priorities need to be adjusted I'd say."

My blood races, my body trembles, and my head explodes in pain. The room around me starts to go fuzzy as I fight to control my anger... Black dots float around my vision, and voices become muffled. No no no no... Not again...

~~~~~Naeun

I want to take Haerin out of here, but how would I explain that? I see her anger rising as she fights to keep control of herself. Then it happens... The inconsiderate doctor says something about Jeongguk not having his priorities in the right place, and Haerin loses the battle.

The groan leaves her lips and I pull Mi-Hi into my lap as Haerin/Raven flies her hands to her head. The doctors all look concerned, but I hope they don't make this worse. I speak to Haerin quietly, and try to soothe her, hoping for her to calm down.

"Is she alright Naeun-ssi?"

"She suffers from migraines... Maybe if we could take a small break, she could get some fresh air. This usually soothes her."

They agree and I grab Haerin gently to get her to stand from her seat. We leave the room, and I take her hand, leading her outside. We take a seat on a bench in a garden near the hospital.

"I'm sorry Haerin... I should have told them to mind their own business. I was surprised they were that judgemental."

"It's alright Unnie... Those fuckers don't have a clue what we've gone through to make the money for her treatments.... Assholes..."

I know Haerin is gone, and it makes me nervous. If we go back in there, she'll create a scene, and I don't want that for Mi-Hi, or for Haerin. I wish we had let Jeongguk know about this appointment, but Haerin didn't want to interfere in his life. I should have told him anyway, so he could have helped.

"Why don't you go and get some rest Hae? I can go back and finish up here, and schedule her first therapy."

She fixes me with a cool stare, but nods and stands from the bench. I watch her pull out her phone, and as she walks away, she's making a call. Knowing that Raven is in control, it's likely she's going to Rush. I hug Mi-Hi to me as she watches the figure of her mother leaving. A tear slips from her eye, and she whines out 'mama' while I try to fill the void.

"Let's get back Mi-Hi... Aunty Naeun will make this quick and then we'll get ice cream."

Her beam when I mention her favorite treat makes my heart happy. We walk back inside, and I sit down again to continue the consultation. After another 30 minutes I've answered all their questions, scheduled the first therapy, and explained that the father is actually an idol with a busy schedule. This bit of knowledge shuts them up pretty effectively, and I wished we had just said it to begin with.