Chapter 29: Glares of Odium
Sorry for the long wait, Violet! Am so sorry! This is the promised chapter for you XD Happy new year!
Rin could hardly hear anything else except the erratic pounding of her heart as she marched towards her father's office, taking brisk strides. She was partially aware of the fact that Hyun, Ji Hoo and Woo Bin were by her sides, trying to keep up with her. Hyun was trying to tell her something but his words bounced off her.
I'll settle this my own way…
Before she knew it, a hand reached out and took hold of her arm, forcing her to stop. She glared up at Hyun. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, struggling to free herself from him.
Hyun strengthened his grip on her and stared down at her. "Were you even listening to me, Rin-ah?"
"Let go of me," she ordered, eyeing his hand that was on her wrist.
"No," Hyun answered flatly. "I'm not going to let you go unless you calm yourself down first."
She tried to yank herself free but he used her unstable momentum against her and pulled her closer to him. The doctor clutched her shoulders tightly. "Do you have any idea what Linden is going through right now?" he demanded, shaking her lightly.
Rin's eyes widened and her arms fell uselessly by her sides as his words sank into her. He was right, she had not even thought about Linden…not even once. The nineteen-year-old looked away from him.
"I'm sure the person that he needs most right now, is you, Rin…" Hyun told her softly and gently steered her towards Linden's ward.
Her fingers vacillated slightly as she took hold of the door handle. After a long moment of staring at it, Rin slid the door open. There, he was, sitting on the window seat, gazing out of the window. The eight-year-old turned at the sound and his eyes widened when he saw who it was however, he was not fast enough to wipe his tears away.
"R-Rinnie…" his sister's name escaped his lips in a weak whisper as he climbed down from the seat. He looked so lost as he stood there, staring at her.
"Sweetie…" Rin held her arms wide open.
This was the invitation he needed and the boy jumped into her arms, breaking down in loud sobs as he buried his face into her shoulder. Rin stroked his hair and made soothing noises.
"I was so happy to see Mummy and Papa…but all they came here was t-to have me transferred to another hospital," he blubbered. "T-They didn't even say hi…"
Her eyes darkened in anger but she did not reply. She was terrified that if she did, profanities and hurtful words would be unintentionally released and she did not want the eight-year-old to get disturbed than he already was. She squeezed him, trying to placate him. Just then, the door of the ward open and both Rin's parents came in followed by Linden's parents. Linden's eyes widened and he clutched his sister's hand tightly, trying to take comfort in the fact that she was here with him. The nineteen-year-old glared at the two of them. Linden had an American mother and a Korean father. The woman glared right back at her while the father only looked away.
"Stand down, Rin. We're not trying to start a fight here…" Woo Bin whispered into her ear.
She was not aware of his presence behind her until he did that. The girl did not turn around nor take her eyes of Linden's mother.
"We're taking him back to America with us," she spoke up in English taking on a complacent tone. "He'll be able to get an advanced treatment there."
Her hauteur made Rin even more annoyed and she stiffened. "Are you trying to imply that our staff is incompetent?" she demanded brusquely, back in perfect English after being educated in overseas for a few years before she came back to Korea to complete her university medical degree.
"Rin!" Ayane chided.
"Isn't it true? I mean, you practically left him here for almost two years and now you're uttering rubbish?" Rin continued furiously, her fist clenched. "What were you even thinking to have left a vulnerable and ill child like that?"
Mrs. Sha folded her arms across her chest, showing disapproval. "I'm only saying that my son needs further treatment and who are you to even object to of it?"
"Then tell me where you have been for the last two years?" the younger girl sneered.
"That's enough, Rin!" Professor Jong Won interrupted, shaking his head with obvious displeasure.
The nineteen-year-old looked at him with both an injured and shocked expression. She had never seen her father, getting so mad at her before. There was silence after that. Ayane moved to stand beside the poor Linden who looked so lost and perplexed by their argument. She picked him up in her arms and left the ward.
"You said some things that shouldn't be even mentioned with Linden around, Rin…" her father continued. "What would he think?"
The girl looked away, shamefaced. She forgot about Linden again, even after Hyun had reminded her of it earlier on. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. She felt someone's arm resting on her shoulders but she did not need to see who it was.
"The proposal that you have spoken to us about earlier on, we have to think about it," Linden's father said coolly, ignoring Rin completely.
The director of the hospital nodded considerately. "A fair point, I see."
"I would appreciate it if you could see to it that he'll be discharged before Christmas Eve," his mother spoke up.
Rin's eyes widened. "But that's –" she was unable to complete her sentence as Ji Hoo squeezed her shoulder in a warning.
"Yes, it will be taken care of in due time," Professor Jong Won answered professionally.
"Well then if that's settled, we'll just take our leave now," Linden's father announced and began to escort his wife towards the door.
The nineteen-year-old could all but glare accusingly at the retreating backs of her dearly adored brother's parents in the end.
