Page 48

With no hesitation, I pull him into my arms and hold him. His body stiffens and then he melts into me. “No matter what, I’m here for you.” I kiss his temple.

“Thank you.” He pulls out of my arms and says, “I better go back to see what Halmeoni wants to do.”

“We will be here.” I look Lyric in the eyes, hoping that he sees how earnest I am. He nods in understanding and heads back to his grandmother.

It’s not even been a week since I got to Korea and at every turn, a whirlwind of chaos in one way or another has happened. But in the end, I’m getting to know Lyric better, and I’m finding that my feelings for this ex K-pop singer run far deeper than I realized. Love? I don’t know if that’s the word I would use for the emotion I’m feeling, though the idea of leaving here without him sets me in small panic.

As Fig and Ji stand on opposite sides of the room, I start pacing. When my phone rings, I pull it out of my pocket and check the screen. It’s Dante. “Hey⁠—”

“Danny told me to call you,” Dante cuts me off. “It’s Ron. You have to come home right away. He’s dying.”

Chapter Eighteen

Lyric

Halmeoni is in bed, finally sleeping. Thirty minutes ago, the nurse administered medication for her pain, which I’m grateful for since she was hurting.

Now we’re waiting on further tests the doctors are running before they decide if she is fit for surgery to fix her foot. If she is, she will be moved to a hospital.

I’ve pulled a chair up beside the bed, and now I’m sitting here, watching her, all the while my knee is bouncing up and down like a jackhammer. I’m so nervous and I hate seeing her in this condition. I’m also frustrated because I want to be the one taking care of her. She was so proud when I completed nursing school.

And isn’t that why I’m here?

I stare at the woman who has been my rock for all these years—who raised me to be a good person, to be kind. With her stubborn streak, I assumed she would live forever. But as the truth hits me like a battering ram to my chest, tears begin slipping down my cheeks. Halmeoni isn’t the exuberant, strong woman I remember.

Though she is a lot more vibrant and has more energy than most people her age, one thing still remains. She’s old. And with this fall, and her foot, there’s no way she should continue living alone. What if we hadn’t been there to help her? Or if the fall led to something much worse?

Maybe my father is right. Even though the idea of agreeing with him is making my stomach churn like I drank sour milk, the fact is evident. Halmeoni can’t always take care of herself anymore.

With that, there’s only one thing to do. Call my father. As I pull out my phone, Rafe rushes into the room. His face is white as a ghost and his eyes are filled with pain.

“What’s wrong?” I stand and grip his outstretched hand.

“Ron is dying. Dante called me. I need to go home,” he says, stress coating his words like the tears covering his cheeks.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry,” I say as tears well up in my own eyes and begin to fall.

“I have to go. I’m sorry.” His grip gets tighter.

“Don’t say sorry. Go—call me and let me know you made it safe. And…” I gulp. “Give Ron a hug and kiss from me.” That churning in my stomach becomes a full-fledged storm.

“I will.” With those parting words, he gives me a kiss, releases my hand and hurries out of the room.

I drop into my seat, wiping away the wetness on my face with the back of my hand. My eyes land on my grandmother, and the pain in my chest escalates.

Now my fear is not only for my grandmother’s health, but also for a good man who is about to die of cancer. A man who is well loved by a group of younger men who look up to him like a father.

I have heard each member of Warrior Black talk so fondly of Ron and what he has done for them. Not only as a manager, but also as a friend and mentor. Ron will be missed, and I only wish I had been able to know him like the band did.

Taking a deep breath, I wipe at my eyes again before I center myself. Once my hand and my voice are steady, I make the hardest call I’ve ever made.

I tap his contact and place the phone to my ear. The call rings five time before my father picks up.

“I’m busy Yeong. What do you want?”

I take another calming breath and say, “Halmeoni fell in the garden this morning. We are at the Dong-Eui Medical Center.”

Knowing my father is about to boom out an I told you so, I quickly leave the room and head outside.