Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 116

Episode 116. I’m Sorry, Dad

-Here’s the next news. We will bring you the news of child abuse that caused a stir across the country a few days ago.

As Tae-kyung entered the hospital, Do Han-yeon’s news was playing on the TV in the waiting room.

“Oh! That woman’s all over the news. Oh my. I feel so angry whenever I see her.”

“Why feel sorry? That woman isn’t even worth cursing. She should get a harsh punishment.”

“I just hope she suffers the same way, regardless of the punishment.”

“Me too. All they do is eat three meals a day in prison and serve their time. What kind of punishment is that?”

“Ugh. When you look at it, the sentences in our country are too lenient.”

The employee strongly agreed with the paying patient, and everyone’s attention, including Tae-kyung’s, was focused on the TV.

* * *

“Do Han-yeon, the main culprit in the child abuse case, is awaiting transfer to the prosecution. Reporter Gu Young-jae is on the scene.”

“Kill her!”

“Sentence Do Han-yeon to death!”

“It’s a waste to send that woman to prison.”

“She needs to feel dozens of times the pain the child felt.”

“That’s right! Please punish her severely!”

“This is [station name] Police Station. As you can see, the scene is packed with reporters and angry citizens.”

“What trial? Just kill her!”

“[Station name] Police Station has been flooded with calls demanding Do Han-yeon be placed in a photo line during her transfer to the prosecution. Attention is focused on whether the police will comply, a practice usually reserved for heinous criminals who have committed violent crimes.”

“A curse talisman on a child? How can anyone do such a thing without being crazy?”

“Put Do Han-yeon in the photo line!”

“Oh! Here comes the trash.”

“Amidst the great resentment of the citizens, Do Han-yeon is now appearing for transfer to the prosecution.”

Amidst the angry shouts that drowned out the reporter’s voice, Do Han-yeon finally appeared.

Do Han-yeon, escorted by two police officers, had her long hair obscuring her face and wore a hat pulled down low.

Do Han-yeon, who covered her handcuffed hands with a towel and walked out with her head bowed, stopped at the photo line with the police. The reporters, who had been waiting, bent their knees and thrust microphones forward.

“What are your feelings right now? Please say something.”

“…….”

“Is it true that you intentionally approached the Go family from the beginning?”

“…….”

Do Han-yeon remained silent despite the flashing cameras and the reporters’ questions.

“The victim child had surgery. Are you aware of that fact?”

“Do you have anything to say to the child?”

“I’m really… sorry.”

Do Han-yeon, struggling to speak, finally conveyed her apology.

“I resent myself for leaving an indelible scar on Sera, and I regret the past. I also sincerely apologize to the child’s father. And above all, I am sorry to the child. If I have the opportunity, I would like to convey my apology directly. I was also clumsy because it was my first time being a mother. Sera, I’m really sorry. I have nothing to say, even if I had ten mouths.”

“I have a question for the police. Is Do going straight to the prosecution?”

As the police officer holding Do Han-yeon’s arm was about to answer the question…

“Yes, right now to the prosecution…”

“Hey! You poisonous woman!”

A woman standing behind the safety line, unable to contain her anger, broke through into the photo line.

“First time being a mother? What nonsense are you spouting, and why are you even wearing a hat!”

“Ah!”

The woman snatched off Do Han-yeon’s hat, grabbed her hair, shook her head, and spewed harsh words.

“Are there people who are mothers for the second or third time? Aren’t you really crazy?”

“You’re going to suffer the same way today!”

As one person entered, others followed, pushing past the police officers.

“You’re human trash who isn’t worth living!”

“Don’t talk about regrets! And why would you apologize to Sera with that face!”

“How could you starve that young child!”

Most of the people gathered were mothers, so their anger was especially intense.

“You can’t do this!”

“Stop it!”

“Quickly clear the scene!”

The police officers rushed to separate the people and Do Han-yeon, but it was not easy.

“Do Han-yeon, who apologized to the victim child, is scheduled to be transferred to the prosecution immediately. This has been SBC’s Gu Young-jae in front of [station name] Police Station.”

Faced with the unexpected chaos, the reporter quickly wrapped up his report and ended the broadcast.

Although it was no longer on the news, Do Han-yeon was surrounded and physically assaulted before she could board the escort vehicle.

* * *

That evening-

“Here it is, Father.”

Sergeant Kim said, turning to Go Young-cheol as he got out of the car.

The man, wearing work clothes, with short, dark stubble and a fishy smell, was Go Young-cheol.

As soon as he arrived at Incheon International Airport, he wanted to rush to the hospital. However, he had to undergo an investigation, so he headed to the police station with Sergeant Kim.

Fortunately, he completed the investigation quickly with Sergeant Kim’s help.

“That place is…”

He stared at Our Hospital, dazed.

“Is that the hospital where our Se-young is?”

“Yes, Father, that’s right. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Go Young-cheol’s steps were heavy. He felt like he had a lump of iron on his feet.

The closer he got to the hospital, the more he wanted to see his daughter, but he was also filled with guilt for what had happened to her.

“Ha!”

“Father, just a moment.”

Sergeant Kim stopped Go Young-cheol, who was walking with a deep sigh.

“Father, can you see that?”

“…….”

“Stop looking at the ground and look at the hospital wall.”

“……!”

Go Young-cheol’s gaze turned to the hospital’s front gate wall. His pupils, filled with guilt, trembled.

-Sera, I love you.

-Sera, we will be with you.

Seeing the messages of support for his daughter made his heart ache.

“This, is this all for our Se-young…?”

“Yes, Father. It’s all a message of support for Se-young.”

Team Leader Choi had said he would let him enter through the back door, but Sergeant Kim deliberately parked near the front gate to show Go Young-cheol this.

‘Because of me… because of me, our Se-young, sob!’

He wanted to comfort Go Young-cheol, who had been writhing in pain throughout the investigation.

“I’m really grateful.”

“Right? So Father, cheer up and let’s meet Se-young with a bright face. That way, Se-young will cheer up quickly too.”

“Yes, I will.”

Sergeant Kim patted Go Young-cheol on the back, and they entered the hospital together.

* * *

“Doctor, should I have surgery?”

The man, who had been lying on the examination table in a fetal position, sat up, pulling up his pants.

“No. There is no need for surgery. Your anus is a little swollen due to diarrhea.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Avoid spicy foods, drink plenty of fluids, and take a sitz bath [a warm water bath to soothe the anal area]. I’ll prescribe oral medication and ointment.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Please pay and get your prescription.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Doctor, Sergeant Kim is here, and it looks like the father is here too.”

Nurse Lim Jeong-sook, who was guiding the patient out, saw Sergeant Kim heading to the examination room. Seeing Go Young-cheol following behind, she knew he was Se-young’s father.

“Really?”

“Director, I’m here.”

“Welcome, Sergeant Kim.”

“This is Se-young’s father. Father, this is the doctor who treated Se-young.”

“Hello, I’m Kim Tae-kyung.”

“Thank you. Thank you for saving our Se-young.”

Go Young-cheol expressed his gratitude with all his heart.

“No, Father. You must have been worried. You should go meet Se-young soon.”

Tae-kyung guided Go Young-cheol to the 3rd floor and headed to Se-young’s hospital room.

* * *

“Se-young draws well. Who is it?”

The nurse who came to check on the child asked Se-young, who was drawing at the bedside table.

“It’s Dad. My dad.”

“It’s Dad. He’s so cool. And the friend holding Dad’s hand is Se-young, right?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“Where are you going with Dad?”

“No.”

Se-young shook her head.

“This is home.”

“Home?”

“Yes. I’m holding Dad’s hand so he can’t go fishing. Because I don’t want to be separated from Dad.”

“Ah… But when Dad comes, he will be with Se-young now.”

“Really?”

Knock knock-

While Se-young was asking, a knock was heard.

“Yes.”

“Se-young!”

Go Young-cheol called his daughter’s name and opened the door. Se-young turned her head.

“Ah, Dad!”

“Se-young!”

As soon as Se-young saw Go Young-cheol, she jumped out of bed and ran barefoot to hug him.

“Dad…”

The nurse quietly left the room, and Tae-kyung and Sergeant Kim waited outside.

“My baby, how much did it hurt?”

“I missed you, Dad.”

“Dad too… Dad missed our Se-young a lot too.”

“Really?”

“Of course. How much did Dad miss you?”

Let’s not cry.

Let’s never cry in front of Se-young.

The vow I had made countless times in the car was broken.

Go Young-cheol, holding his daughter, was heartbroken. Se-young was so thin.

“Se-young, Dad… Dad is sorry. Dad was wrong. Sob!”

Afraid of hurting her, Go Young-cheol cried, unable to hold the emaciated Se-young tightly.

“Dad… sob! Heuk!”

“Dad, don’t cry.”

Unlike Go Young-cheol, Se-young did not cry. She was happy to see her dad.

Se-young wiped away the tears flowing down her father’s face and comforted him.

“I’m okay now. So Dad, don’t cry.”

“Oh, okay. Dad won’t cry. I’m sorry. Weren’t you scared of the surgery?”

“I wasn’t scared at all. The doctor made it not hurt.”

“That’s great.”

“But Dad, you know…”

Se-young trailed off.

“Do you have something to say to Dad?”

“Yes. I have.”

“Tell me anything. Dad will do anything you want.”

“You’re not going anywhere now, are you?”

“Of course. I’m not going. I’m never leaving Se-young behind.”

“Really? You’re going to live with Dad forever now, right?”

“Of course. Of course.”

“But Dad, you know… I want to live with just Dad.”

Go Young-cheol’s heart ached. He felt sorry that she seemed worried about living with that woman again.

“Dad promises.”

“Promise!”

Small fingers hooked onto large hands, and thumbs touched.

“Let’s live happily together, just Se-young and Dad, from now on. Dad will make you the happiest in the world.”

“Yes. Se-young and Dad will live happily.”

Go Young-cheol finally held Se-young tightly and felt relieved. He vowed to live the rest of his life for his daughter.

He vowed to live only for the health and happiness of his child so that the smile would never leave Se-young’s face.

“My daughter, Dad loves you so much.”

“Dad, I love you.”

Se-young smiled as warmly as the sunlight in her father’s arms, just like in the picture she drew.