Twenty Five

Haru opened her eyes and blinked multiple times in order to gain her focus. She groggily looked around and noticed that she was in a hospital room. Her eyes widened and she was about to sit up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Shh, take it easy. Everything's okay, baobei. You're okay." Haru turned her head to the side and spotted a tired looking Kris smiling softly at her. "Kris?" she called and he nodded. "I'm here, baobei. Everything's okay." he assured her and she sighed in relief before relaxing on the bed.

"What happened?" she asked. "You fainted in your office," he told her. "Baekhyun and Kyungsoo found you and brought you here." He then sighed and gave a subtle shake of his head. "You got me so worried, Haru. Don't ever do that again." Haru felt herself softened at the desperate plea in his voice. She could feel how much he had worried about her and despite the guilt in her heart, she was filled with joy and happiness. "I'm sorry," she muttered and her husband threw her an assuring smile. "It's fine, baobei. But you've really got to stop worrying me like that." Haru managed a small chuckle before nodding her head.

"How are you feeling?" Kris asked. Haru sighed and tried to sit up, but Kris held her down with a frown. She pouted at him and he rolled his eyes but eventually giving in and helping her sit up. "I feel so light headed," she admitted with a frown before eyeing her husband. "You look so tired," she muttured guiltily. "I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about." he told her as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm okay, Kris. I'm sorry I-" Kris silenced her with a kiss and she tilted her head to deepen it. She suddenly had the urge to keep her husband close and felt desperate to feel his touch. Kris sensed it and chuckled against her lips, causing her to blush and pull away.

Kris decided to save her from her own embarrassment and played with her hair. He got up from the chair and moved to the foot of the bed as the nurse came in to check on her and moved back to his original position once she left. The two said nothing and simply enjoyed each other's presence; they exchanged kisses from time to time but not a word was spoken. That is until Kris recalled the sleepless nights she'd had and the possible cause of it. "Haru," he callled. "Hmm?" "Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked and she tensed. After a while, she shook her head but Kris was not buying it.

"Haru, when's the last time you spoke with your mother?" he asked. She hesitated but the tight grip on her finger told her that Kris was in no mood for games. She sighed and tried to recall the last time she had ever spoken to Hanna. "On our wedding day," she answered quietly and the tight grip loosened. "She's not here, is she?" he asked and she nodded. "The maids said she went on a trip with friends. I tried calling her but she didn't answer." Kris sighed. "When were you planning to tell me?" he questions and Haru smiled bitterly. "I was hoping she'd be back before you noticed."

"Is that why you've been having nightmares?" Haru bit her lip and nodded slowly. "Were they the same ones I used to catch you having before we wed?" he asked again and she repeated her actions. "They're like memories - bad memories playing like a broken record in my sleep. At first, I just see Mother neglecting me as usual and soon, I became to recall-" She could feel the lump in and her eyes were beginning to water. Kris got up and sat with her on the bed before engulfing her in his arms. She silently wept at his chest while caressed her back and kissed her head to soothe her.

"I thought everything was going to be okay," she whispered. "She said she was proud of me during our wedding. I thought... I just thought that everything w-will be okay again." Kris kissed her temple and held her closer. He could feel her fingers gripping his shirt tightly in her fist and her body trembled as she cried. "I m-miss her. I m-miss her, Kris." she sobbed and his heart tightened in his chest at her broken whimper. "Everything's going to be okay, baobei." he whispered and kissed her temple. "Shh, everything will be okay." Eventually, her sobs died but she continued to cling to him. Kris didn't complain and held her closer as she seek comfort. They sat in that position for almost an hour until she slowly lifted her head from his shoulder and he stared painfully at her red face.

"Kris, I want t