Chapter 1: Prologue

“Hello.”

The voice was low.

The eleven digits he couldn’t forget were definitely familiar, but the voice on the other end of the receiver sounded like a complete stranger.

“Is this Seo Jeong-won?”

“Yes, it is. Who’s speaking?”

“This is Kwon Tae-hee.”

As Jeong-won didn’t respond to the unfamiliar name, he added an explanation with a sigh.

“I’m your brother’s ex-fiancé.”

“Ex-fiancé?”

“Yes, ex. We broke off the engagement.”

His calm explanation took Seo Jeong-won by surprise.

He never imagined he would hear from his brother—who had left home as soon as he became an adult—in this way.

“Ah… What is this about?”

“There was a fall accident a year ago. Since then, Gyu-won has been in a coma.”

At his composed voice, Seo Jeong-won unknowingly held his breath.

“In a coma?”

His trembling voice asked.

The man paused briefly before continuing slowly.

“The hospital suggested removing the respirator, but they need family consent. That’s why I contacted you.”

His emotionless tone made it hard to respond.

Why is he telling him now that his brother is in a coma?

If there was an accident, shouldn’t they have informed him back then?

Doubtful, he hesitated to agree to meet.

A mocking laugh came through the phone.

“If you don’t want to come, I can handle it on my own.”

“Wait… you haven’t told me the location.”

Only then did the man sigh.

“I’ll send the hospital address in a message.”

That was the end of their call.

2 minutes and 15 seconds.

His first conversation with the man who claimed to be his brother’s ex-fiancé.