When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 19

I blink. That almost sounded like... trust.

"Of course," I say quickly, before she has a chance to take it back.

Dr. Choi checks his watch. "Alright, let's prep for surgery."

I nod, stepping forward. "We'll take good care of you."

His grandmother gives me one last look before allowing the nurses to wheel her toward the OR.

Just as I turn to follow, a warm hand wraps around my wrist.

I freeze.

Han Wool.

I look up, startled, only to find him staring at me with an intensity that makes my breath hitch.

"Please do a good job," he says quietly.

There's something in his voice. Not doubt. Not skepticism. Just... something else.

I swallow hard. "I always do."

For a moment, neither of us moves. Then, slowly, he lets go.

I nod once before walking into the OR.

Because for the next few hours, my focus is only on one thing-saving his grandmother.
__________

The operating room is cold, sterile, and filled with the steady beeping of monitors. The bright overhead lights cast stark shadows on the pale green walls, and the faint hum of the ventilation system is the only sound accompanying the rhythmic movements of the surgical team.

I stand at the head of the operating table, my gloved hands adjusting the flow of anesthesia. The endotracheal tube is already in place, connected to the ventilator, ensuring that Han Wool's grandmother breathes steadily throughout the procedure.

"All vitals stable," I announce, keeping my eyes on the monitor.

Dr. Choi, the lead surgeon, nods as he makes the first incision. The moment the scalpel touches her skin, everything outside of this room ceases to exist. There is no Han Wool. No complicated emotions. No past.

Just the patient. Just the work.

I carefully adjust the dosage of the anesthetic, monitoring every single fluctuation in her heart rate and blood pressure. I have to ensure she remains completely unconscious and doesn't feel any pain-but at the same time, I can't give her too much. Balancing the medication in real-time is an intricate process, and one mistake could lead to complications.

"Her blood pressure's dropping slightly," a nurse says.

"I see it," I respond, immediately adjusting the IV fluids and oxygen levels. Within seconds, the numbers on the screen stabilize.

Dr. Choi gives me a brief glance. "Good job, Ye Na."

I exhale, but there's no time to feel relieved. We still have at least an hour left before the surgery is complete.

The next hour feels both fast and agonizingly slow. The procedure itself isn't too complicated, but every surgery comes with risks. Still, Dr. Choi is an expert, and before long, he's finishing the final sutures.

"Alright," he announces, stepping back. "Surgery is a success."

I let out a quiet breath, my shoulders finally relaxing as I begin the process of bringing Han Wool's grandmother out of anesthesia. It takes a few minutes for her vitals to normalize as I slowly ease her off the medication.

"Start decreasing the isoflurane," I instruct the nurse.

As the final steps are completed, I remove my gloves and step back, my body suddenly feeling the exhaustion of standing for so long.