Saeko stepped into the hospital with hesitation. After the team-building weekend, she had to take a week of sick leave just to pull herself together. But she couldn't avoid facing the others any longer.
By now, everyone surely knew about what happened. That she had spent the night with Sota and then left separately. Just as they knew about his scandalous relationship with the highly esteemed patient being treated here.
She expected whispers, judgmental stares. She expected to be branded as an easy woman. She expected Mr. Aoki to threaten her with firing her and accusing her of tarnishing the hospital's reputation. Saeko braced herself for all the scorn and condescension that was surely coming.
Yet something entirely different awaited her.
Most of them seemed to be pitying her. As if she were a poor victim of a heartless scumbag.
The news about Sota being an ungrateful son had turned everyone against him.
This was worse than she had expected.
She turned to her gossip-loving colleague. The same woman who used to show her Sota's videos, a self-proclaimed huge fan of his. Maybe she would react differently.
But no. Even she looked at Saeko with regret.
"I feel guilty for trying to ship you two at the beginning," she sighed. "I had no idea what kind of man he was. He must be a master manipulator to have fooled even someone as level-headed as you."
"It's not like that," Saeko insisted. "He didn't deceive me. I know exactly what kind of person he is. He's not a bad man."
Her words only made them pity her more.
"Of course, honey," her colleague cooed. "I'm sure it's hard to accept the truth. You just need some more time."
Saeko clenched her fists.
She needed to see Mr. Fujimoto. He would cheer her up. But when she looked for him, he was nowhere to be found.
"That traitor, Mr. Fujimoto," someone muttered.
"Haven't you heard? He quit and took a position at his wife's private hospital instead."
"They say he wanted to support her. Please, don't make me laugh..."
"It's easy to get a cushy position like that," said another.
Saeko rubbed her temple.
Not too long ago, people were accusing his wife taking advantage of him. Now, it's the other way around. No matter what the truth was, people would always talk.
Mr. Fujimoto was gone. The realization hit her like a disaster.
As if things weren't bad enough, Mr. Aoki soon summoned her. Saeko braced herself for a scolding, maybe even a threat of dismissal. But instead, he regarded her with sympathy. He reassured her that he would do everything in his power to divert the media's attention from their romantic involvement. And, of course, he advised her to sever all ties with Sota completely.
Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Now, come with me. Someone wants to see you."
He led her down the hallway, his expression unreadable.
Saeko barely had time to brace herself before a familiar voice greeted her.
"It really is you," the woman said, eyes widening.
Saeko froze.
"I'm sorry for calling you here like this," she continued, voice dripping with sweetness.
It was Sota's mother.
"But when I heard that my son's latest… fleeting romance involved a nurse from the hospital that saved my life, I just couldn't ignore it. I wanted to apologize on his behalf," she bowed slightly, her expression full of sympathy.
Saeko tensed.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Saeko replied, her voice distant, almost impolite.
"Saeko," Mr. Aoki muttered in warning, urging her to be more respectful.
Sota's mother let out a weary sigh. "I imagine you despise me too, because of his behaviour."
Before Saeko could respond, she pressed on.
"And I suppose I only have myself to blame for the way he turned out," she admitted, her voice trembling.
"I dedicated my entire life to giving him the best of everything. But it was a mistake. I spoiled him. I put his needs first. Always. And over time, he stopped considering others. He started chasing nothing but pleasure."
She shook her head, her sorrow deepening.
"I worked hard to give him every opportunity. But in high school, he fell in with the wrong crowd, and he started spiralling. He almost committed suicide. Then he said I ruined his life and ran away from home. I knew it wasn't his true feelings, just some teenage confusion, so I played along, keeping my distance, as he wished. I couldn't risk losing him."
"I hoped he would come to his senses eventually. He could have attended the best universities, built a brilliant future. But he wouldn't even hear of it." She paused; her eyes filled with pain. "I was so worried, I bought him a house, a car, thinking it would give him some stability, but he refused everything. They're all still waiting for him. And so am I. Ever since, I've been waiting… hoping that one day, he'll realize how much I love him. That he's always been my priority."
She suddenly stopped, as if just realizing how much she had said.
"Ah, dear, I'm sorry," she murmured, a tinge of embarrassment in her voice. "I got carried away."
Saeko exhaled slowly, watching the woman in front of her.
I guess I get it now, you don't have to say another word.