As the doctor examined me, I felt the weight of the room pressing down. The air was thick with tension, each heartbeat echoing in my ears as the doctor asked me a series of questions about how I was feeling. I could see Jun's jaw clenched tight, and Seong stood close, ready to pounce if needed. The sudden intrusion of the medical professional had distracted everyone from Minji, who lingered in the corner, her expression a mixture of concern and delight at the chaos unfolding.
"Censia, are you experiencing any pain? How's the baby?" The doctor's calm demeanor was a balm amidst the storm.
"I felt a tightening in my stomach, and then I fainted," I managed to explain, my voice trembling slightly. "But I don't feel any pain now."
He nodded thoughtfully, checking my pulse and temperature. "It's not uncommon for pregnant women to experience stress-related symptoms, especially during chaotic situations. Let's make sure everything's okay."
As the doctor continued his examination, I couldn't help but notice Minji's eyes narrowing, her smile now more of a smirk as she leaned against the wall, clearly enjoying the spectacle. I wanted to shout at her to leave, to understand how inappropriate her presence was, but I couldn't let my emotions spiral out of control.
After a few tense moments, the doctor turned to Jun and Seong, his expression serious but reassuring. "Censia is stable now, but I'd recommend she take it easy. Stress can impact her well-being and the baby's, so let's minimize any chaos for the time being."
"Of course," Jun said, his voice steady as he gripped my hand tighter, the heat radiating from his palm grounding me.
As the doctor left, Minji chimed in again, "Oh dear, this is quite the holiday disaster, isn't it? You really should take better care of yourself, Censia. It's not just about you anymore."
I felt a surge of anger rise in my chest. "What do you know about me? About my life?" I shot back, my voice sharper than intended.
Her expression shifted, feigning surprise, but I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes. "Just trying to be helpful, sweetie. You might want to consider hiring a nanny or something when the baby arrives. I'm sure your life will be chaotic enough without adding a toddler to the mix."
"Why are you even here?" Seong interjected, his voice low and filled with disdain. "You were never a part of this family, Minji. You have no right to be here."
"Oh, I'm just here for the festivities. You know how it is," she replied with a wave of her hand, clearly unfazed by Seong's words. "Besides, it's not my fault that Censia fainted at Christmas. I thought she'd want to enjoy this special occasion."
As her words hung in the air, I felt the anger boiling within me. I wanted to scream at her to leave, to stop taunting me in my moment of vulnerability. But I also didn't want to draw attention to myself again, so I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling.
"Maybe you should check on the other guests instead of harassing Censia," Jun said, his tone clipped, sending a clear message.
"Fine, I'll go," Minji replied, her voice dripping with mock disappointment. "But I'll be watching you, Censia. You know I care."
With that, she turned on her heel and sauntered away, her laughter echoing in the distance.
"Ugh, I can't believe her," I muttered, feeling frustration wash over me.
"Don't let her get to you," Seong said gently, his eyes full of concern. "She's just trying to stir up drama. You've got enough on your plate without her nonsense."
Jun nodded, his expression softening as he turned to me. "You don't have to deal with any of that tonight. Let's focus on taking care of you and the baby."
I smiled weakly, grateful for their support but still shaken by the confrontation. "Thank you. I just want a peaceful evening."
A few moments later, Jun suggested we relocate to a quieter area away from the chaos. "Let's find somewhere comfortable for you to relax," he said, his voice steady as he helped me stand.
With Jun's arm around me and Seong at my side, we made our way to a cozy den tucked away from the party. The dim lighting and soft furnishings provided a calming refuge, and I sighed in relief as I sank into a plush armchair.
"Are you feeling better?" Seong asked, concern etched on his face.
"Yeah, a little," I replied, leaning back and closing my eyes. "It's just overwhelming. I'm still adjusting to everything."
"We're here for you," Jun reassured me, taking a seat on the arm of the chair, his presence radiating warmth. "If anyone gives you trouble, just let us know. We won't let them ruin our Christmas."
I nodded, appreciating their protective nature. As the laughter and chatter from the party echoed in the background, I found myself drifting into a more relaxed state.
However, the moment was short-lived. A commotion erupted from the main room, and I could hear raised voices, laughter, and something that sounded like a crash.
"What's happening out there?" I asked, frowning.
"Let's go check," Jun said, standing up and offering his hand.
Together, we stepped back into the fray, only to be greeted by an unexpected scene. A group of children had gathered around the Christmas tree, where one of them had managed to pull off a few ornaments and scatter them across the floor. The parents were rushing to gather their kids, while Jun's mother looked on in a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"See? It's already chaotic!" Seong said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
As we approached, Jun's mom caught sight of us and waved us over. "Isn't this a lovely sight? It wouldn't be Christmas without a bit of madness, right?"
I smiled at her, feeling a sense of camaraderie amidst the chaos. "I suppose that's true."
Just then, another child bumped into me, almost causing me to stumble. I caught myself, but a wave of discomfort rippled through my body, reminding me of my earlier episode. I took a steadying breath, determined to stay composed.
"Censia, are you alright?" Jun's mother asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm okay," I assured her, but the unease lingered.
Suddenly, Minji reappeared, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Looks like you're in the thick of it now, Censia. Just wait until the real fun begins. You know what they say about Christmas—what goes up must come down."
Before I could respond, a loud crash erupted from the dining area, followed by laughter. My heart sank as I turned to see what had happened.
A tray of food had toppled over, sending a cascade of appetizers flying through the air. Guests erupted into laughter, but the commotion only intensified my anxiety.
"Let's clean this up!" someone shouted, and the chaos escalated further as everyone jumped into action.
"Stay here," Jun said firmly, his eyes filled with concern as he turned to me. "I'll help them clean up."
"Okay," I replied, settling back into my chair, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of noise and activity surrounding me.
Seong lingered for a moment, his gaze darting between the chaos and me. "I'll be right back. Just breathe."
As they both hurried to help, I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. I glanced around the room, taking in the sight of the festive decorations that suddenly felt suffocating. The laughter of children, the clinking of glasses, and the chatter of guests all combined into a cacophony that made my head spin.
I closed my eyes, trying to ground myself amidst the chaos. I had hoped for a peaceful Christmas, a moment to celebrate the holiday with the ones I loved, but it felt as though everything was spiraling out of control.
Minutes passed, and as the noise continued to escalate, I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. Panic set in as I pressed a hand to my stomach, willing the discomfort to pass. I could feel the tension coiling inside me, and I realized I needed to step away for a moment.
Rising unsteadily, I moved toward the hallway, seeking solace away from the fray. As I walked, I could hear the echoes of laughter and chatter growing fainter, but my heart raced as I rounded the corner and found a small balcony overlooking the twinkling lights of the city below.
Stepping outside, the cool night air washed over me, calming my nerves. I leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths as I gazed at the shimmering lights, trying to find some peace amidst the chaos of the evening.
"Censia?"
I turned to see Seong approaching, a look of concern etched on his face. "There you are. I was worried about you."
"I just needed a moment," I admitted, trying to shake off the anxiety that had settled in my chest. "Everything is just so… overwhelming."
He nodded, understanding written all over his features. "It's a lot. You don't have to force yourself to be part of everything. Just focus on what makes you comfortable."
"I know,"