When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 2

"What happened?" I asked, keeping my voice professional as I reached for the sutures.

Han Wool smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Lost a bet."

I shot him a sharp look. "A bet?"

He shrugged, as if getting into a car accident was a casual Tuesday for him. "Race gone wrong. Nothing serious. My car took most of the hit."

I pressed down slightly on the bruise, making him flinch.

"Ow—!"

"Serves you right," I muttered.

He scoffed but didn’t argue.

I began stitching the wound, my hands moving quickly, efficiently. Despite his reputation—the wealth, the recklessness—he stayed still as I worked, only letting out a quiet sigh when I finished.

"All done," I said, cutting the last thread.

Han Wool lifted his head slightly, glancing at my work. "Not bad."

I rolled my eyes, starting to clean up. But before I could turn away, his voice stopped me.

"So, about earlier—"

I stiffened slightly, my fingers tightening around the tray.

Han Wool leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. His eyes studied me, curiosity flickering behind them. "Why did you act like you knew me?"

I turned to him slowly. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to stay calm.

"You really don’t remember?" My voice was quieter than I expected.

Han Wool’s expression didn’t change. "Should I?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "We—"

But before I could finish, a voice called from outside the curtain.

"Han Wool, you done? We’re waiting!"

One of his friends.

Han Wool exhaled, glancing toward the door before looking back at me. "Guess I should go."

I bit the inside of my cheek, my hands curling into fists.

That’s it?

He slid off the bed, moving with the relaxed confidence of someone who had no idea what he had just done to me. As he walked past, he stopped briefly, turning slightly.

"Guess you mistook me for someone else," he said casually. "Try not to run in front of cars again, though."

Then he walked away.

I stood frozen, my chest tight, my breath shallow.

He really didn’t remember me.

And worse—

He didn’t even care.

I stood in the middle of the hospital hallway, my hands curled into fists, my heartbeat a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

He left. Just like that.

As if I was no one. As if I had never mattered.

The rational part of me screamed to let it go. To accept the truth. He doesn’t remember you, Ye Na.

But my legs refused to listen.

Before I could stop myself, I ran.

The hall blurred as I weaved through nurses and patients, my breath uneven. My heart pounded louder with every step, drowning out reason, drowning out the years of waiting.

By the time I reached the exit doors, he was there—standing by his car, laughing at something his friend said. His presence was effortless, as if he belonged in a world where nothing had ever been broken.

I came to a stop just outside the hospital entrance, suddenly frozen.

What am I doing?

I had chased after him, but now, I had nothing to say. My throat felt tight, my mind blank.

Han Wool must have felt my gaze because he turned slightly, his expression neutral at first. Then, he raised an eyebrow.

"You again?"

My fingers curled into my coat. "I—"

His friends noticed me now, exchanging glances, smirking slightly as if they knew something I didn’t. I hated it. I hated this distance between us.

"You need something, doctor?" Han Wool asked, his tone light, teasing.

I swallowed. Say something, Ye Na.

"Nothing," I said quickly, forcing a small shake of my head. "Just… take care of that wound."

His smirk deepened, almost amused. "Worried about me?"

I flinched. "I—It’s my job."

Han Wool studied me for a second longer before shrugging. "Noted."

Then, just like before, he turned, sliding into the driver’s seat.

And just like before, he left.

I stood there long after his car disappeared down the road, my breath visible in the cold air.

I had waited for years to see him again.

Now that he was here… I didn’t even know how to reach him.