The Secret Heart|Jisoo|Haein|Taehyung

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ 43: ᗷᖇᑌIᔕEᗪ ᗩᑎᗪ ᗷᖇOKEᑎ ᗷOᑎEᔕ

With a spatula in one hand and a pan in the other, Elena expertly flipped the pancake while simultaneously stirring the scrambled egg. Multitasking came naturally to her, even in the chaotic realm of the kitchen. Though she may not have been a culinary genius, she made up for it with her efficiency.

As soon as the pancakes reached the perfect shade of golden brown, Elena switched off the stove with a swift motion. Placing the fluffy pancakes on a plate, she followed with the scrambled eggs. Carrying her coffee and breakfast to the nearby table, she sat down and dug in with a pleasant smile, devouring the food as if she hadn't eaten in days.

Her eyes flicked between the morning news on her tablet and her plate, absorbing both simultaneously. Elena's ability to juggle tasks seamlessly was truly a sight to behold.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Elena's lips burned as she read the headline of an article on her tablet.

"What in the world?!" Elena exclaimed in surprise as she read the article about Jack, the mayor's son, which was the top developing story in the country's news. Her eyes blinked in confusion as she absorbed the shocking information.

"The mayor's son, Jack Carter, was discovered near death at the outskirts of the abandoned steel factory, The Circles Townhouse," Elena read aloud from the article. "The 30-year-old man, known for his prestigious background and family upbringing, is currently battling for his life in the hospital with fractured bones, severe blood loss, and facial injuries. Paramedics came to his aid late at night. The mayor is expected to address the situation later today."

Elena's eyes widened in shock as she read further, "In addition, the head of the federal police department has issued a statement regarding the ongoing investigation to apprehend the suspect." She held the tablet tightly in her hands, the gravity of the situation sinking in as she reflected on how surreal everything seemed since her last interaction with Jack.

Struggling to recall her last interaction with Jack, Elena found herself unable to remember, leaving a strange and uncomfortable void in her mind. Closing her eyes tightly, she tried to delve into her memories, urging her mind to recollect, but the sudden sound of her front door opening startled her.

"Mom?" Elena muttered in disbelief as she saw her mother entering her home. Martha's eyes reflected sorrow as she approached her daughter.

"My Elena! I was so worried about you! I feared the worst after hearing about your fiancé!" Martha muttered, pulling her daughter into a tight hug.

"Mom! Is it really true? He's in the hospital?" Elena asked, her voice filled with uncertainty as she struggled to come to terms with the unfolding events. Martha took a step back, meeting Elena's confused gaze with a solemn expression.

"Yeah, I just spoke with Lea, Jack's mother, and she confirmed everything about the terrible situation," Martha replied, her voice heavy with concern.

"He's in critical condition and fighting for his life at this very moment," Martha said, gently stroking her daughter's hair. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her heart, reminding her of a time when she had faced the fear of losing a child herself.

"That's just terrible. Who would do such a horrible thing to him, and why?" Elena muttered, her eyes filled with frantic concern as she tried to make sense of the unfolding situation.

"Go and get yourself ready to head to the hospital. We should be by their side, especially since you're technically his fiancée," Martha said anxiously, tears welling up in her eyes. Elena gave her mother a quick nod before rushing towards her room to get dressed.

As they approached the hospital, dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting mysterious shadows on the ground. Elena's gaze lingered on the pack of paparazzi gathered near the entrance, a sense of apprehension growing within her as she realized this would mark the soft launch of her relationship with Jack to the media. Martha observed her daughter's unease and, sensing her discomfort, reached out and gently took Elena's hand, causing her to meet her mother's reassuring gaze.