The Rebirth of a soul : Redemption Story ( eng ver )

After the police officer finished taking Elena's statement, they said their goodbyes. The three people who had been waiting outside her room—Darian, Serena, and Ren—finally came back in to keep her company.

From her hospital bed, Elena watched the three of them. Darian busied himself preparing what she needed, checking her IV drip, adjusting her pillows, even making sure the room temperature was comfortable. Serena was changing into more casual clothes, getting ready to stay the night at the hospital. Meanwhile, Ren helped her pack some things into a backpack.

Seeing how Ren looked at Serena, Elena couldn't help but smile. As a mother, her instincts never failed—Ren was clearly interested in her daughter. Unconsciously, she realized that the little girl she once watched play with dolls had now grown into a young woman. Serena was already 20 years old, but in Elena's eyes, she would always be that cheerful, spoiled seven-year-old.

The presence of a man who liked Serena made Elena realize how much time had passed. Her daughter was no longer a child. She was now ready to love and be loved.

Suddenly, someone held her hand. She turned to find Darian next to her, frowning—but it only made him look endearing to her.

"Don't look at another guy for more than four seconds,"

Darian said, brows knitted.

Elena stifled a laugh.

"Have you forgotten you're a lecturer? Why are you acting so childish?"

she replied, though she couldn't hide her smile. Deep inside, she liked Darian's silly possessiveness.

"I still don't like it when you look at another man. Period,"

Darian said firmly.

Elena giggled and pinched his cheek.

"You're such a baby."

"Ahem…" a fake cough interrupted their moment. Serena stood near the bed with a flat expression, staring at them dramatically.

"Can you not flirt with each other when I'm right here?" she protested.

"Absolutely not!"

Darian replied quickly, almost defiantly.

Elena just smiled. She was used to seeing Darian and Serena bicker like this. They often looked like annoying siblings, yet it was clear they cared about each other.

Serena glared at Darian, and he nonchalantly returned her look. Ren, witnessing the little drama, could only smile faintly.

"Serena, you should go home tonight,"

Elena said suddenly.

Serena looked surprised, her eyes widening a bit.

"But… I want to stay with you tonight, Mom…"

"It's okay. Darian will stay with me. You go home and get some rest," Elena interrupted softly but firmly.

Darian nodded in agreement, looking quite pleased with the decision.

"Mommm…"

"Go on. If you stay, you'll just keep protesting every time we flirt,"

Darian added, glancing at Serena.

Serena gave Darian a sharp look, clearly unimpressed.

"She's my mom, you know!" she protested again.

"Still. But when you get married one day, the one staying by her side will be me. You'll be busy with your husband, and your husband might not even let you stay long with your mom," Darian said bluntly.

Serena was about to argue when Ren suddenly spoke up.

"Of course I'll let her," he said calmly.

The room instantly fell silent. All eyes turned to Ren.

Each had a different reaction. Elena gave him a teasing look, as if saying, Aha, caught you!

Darian, on the other hand, looked less than thrilled—like someone had just stolen his precious daughter.

Serena… stared at Ren sharply, silently warning, You better shut up!

Ren simply smiled, lifted his hands in surrender, and nodded as if to say, Got it, I'll be quiet.

________________

Eventually, Serena agreed to go home—accompanied by Ren, of course. From her bed, Elena watched them leave, her heart full of an indescribable warmth.

As soon as they were gone, Darian started grumbling about Ren "kidnapping" their daughter. Elena just smiled and seemed to recall something.

"Ah, now I remember!" she exclaimed.

"Remember what?" Darian asked curiously.

"Ren! I remember where I've seen him before."

"Where?"

"At the playground," Elena answered quietly. "When Serena was in elementary school, she used to play at the park near our apartment after school. Since I was the only one in the building with a young child, she didn't have anyone to play with. One day, she hadn't come home even though it was getting late. I panicked and rushed to the park. And there she was—playing with a little boy. I was relieved she had a friend, even if they were different in age."

Darian narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me…"

Elena grinned widely.

"That little boy was Ren."

Darian raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Do you know what they were playing that day?"

Elena asked with a nostalgic smile.

"What?"

"House. Serena was the wife and Ren was the husband."

Elena chuckled as she said it, but Darian frowned deeply, his expression shifting.

"So… he's been planning to steal my daughter since childhood?!" Darian muttered in disbelief.

Elena simply shook her head, laughing softly.

"And do you know what Serena said when I found them?"

Darian sighed. "What now?"

"She said, 'Mom, look! Now you have a son-in-law!'"

Darian fell silent for a moment before exclaiming, "WHAT?!"

Elena nodded, still laughing.

"You heard right. Serena said it herself. And look at them now… Seems like her childhood words might just come true."

Darian stared blankly into space, as if the world was slowly falling apart. He felt betrayed by his little girl. Even though he and Elena weren't officially married, he had long considered Serena his daughter.

Elena patted Darian's back gently, trying to comfort him. But the smile on her face never faded.