In a bustling city brimming with hope...
A hospital room bathed in soft light. A newborn baby girl's soft cries echoed through the air. A man stood over the bed, looking down at the baby with a beaming smile.
"Look, doesn't she look just like you?" the man whispered, his voice thick with joy.
The woman on the bed smiled weakly, exhaustion clear on her face, but happiness overwhelmed it.
"She's perfect," she whispered back.
For the next few days, the family remained at the hospital to ensure the mother recovered. But when the day came, they took the baby home, a quiet house now filled with the sounds of laughter, cries, and joy.
The man and woman named their daughter Lily. From that moment on, their lives revolved around her, treating her like a princess and fulfilling her every wish. Lily grew into a lively, beautiful little girl.
---
Five years later...
David sat beside his wife, Emily, nervously tapping his fingers on the edge of the hospital bed. The room was silent except for the rhythmic beeping of machines. Lily lay quietly under the covers, her once-lively self now subdued.
"The doctors all say the same thing," David muttered, his voice strained. "Her heart is failing. If we can't find a donor soon..."
Emily wiped away her tears with trembling hands. "There has to be a way... We can't lose her."
David clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll find one, Emily. I promise."
---
David traveled from hospital to hospital, searched across regions, but every door closed. No compatible heart donors were available. As days went by, Lily's condition worsened.
One day, the doctor's words hit him like a hammer.
"Mr. David... there isn't much time left. We need a compatible donor immediately."
The world felt like it was crumbling around David and Emily. Sitting outside the hospital room, Emily's face was pale but strangely calm.
"There is one heart," Emily whispered, almost too softly.
David stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
Emily's lips trembled, but her voice steadied. "Mine. My heart matches hers."
David froze. "Emily... No. I can't—"
She reached out, cupping his face in her hands. "It's the only way. Please... you know this is what I have to do."
Tears streamed down David's face as he buried his head into her shoulder, his heart breaking. "I can't... I can't let you go."
Emily smiled gently. "Promise me, David. You'll take care of her. Give her the life she deserves... even if I can't be there."
The next morning, Emily's decision was final. David arranged everything, numb with grief. The operation took place in silence, and by the end of it, Emily was gone.
---
Weeks later...
Lily slowly regained her strength. She could finally walk around, her small hands clutching toys as she tried to return to normal life. But David carried a heavy burden.
Every time Lily asked, "Where's Mommy?" his heart twisted. "She's... resting," was all he could say.
But he knew he couldn't keep the truth from her forever.
---
In the hospital cafeteria...
David sat across from his old friend, Jason, stirring a cup of coffee absentmindedly.
"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up," David admitted quietly. "What do I tell her?"
Jason leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Why don't you come work at my place? Move to a new city. Tell Lily her mom is staying here... It'll give her some time to adjust before she learns the truth."
David hesitated, his fingers drumming against the table. "I don't know..."
Jason leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "Look, she'll have to know someday. But this will at least give her time to heal. It's better than just dropping it all on her at once."
David exhaled, conflicted. "I'll think about it..."
Jason smiled. "Good. I'll tell you more about my company later—"
Jason's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and gave David a quick nod before stepping aside to take the call.
---
On the phone...
"Did you convince him?" a cold voice asked from the other side.
Jason smirked. "Yeah, I've got him."
"Are you sure he's the one we need?"
Jason's grin widened. "He'll do exactly what we need. I wouldn't have gone this far otherwise."
"I'll trust you on this... for now."
The call ended abruptly. Jason slid his phone back into his pocket and returned to the table with a bright smile as if nothing had happened.
---
In Lily's hospital room...
David walked in slowly, his heart heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Lily was sitting up in bed, playing with a stuffed bear. When she saw her father, her face lit up with a big smile.
"Dad! You came!"
David forced a smile, walking over to her bedside. He knelt down beside her, brushing a hand through her hair.
"Yeah, princess. I'm here."
David smiled softly and moved to sit in the chair beside Lily's bed.
"What are you doing, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Lily looked up, clutching a doll tightly. "I'm playing with Jasey," she replied, her eyes sparkling with childlike joy.
"Have you eaten yet?" David asked, tilting his head.
Lily shook her head, her small lips pouting. "No."
"Why haven't you eaten?" he pressed gently.
"I want Mommy to feed me," Lily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
David's heart sank. "Why hasn't Mommy come to see me?" Lily asked, her eyes searching his.
David's smile froze, the weight of her question heavy in the air. He needed to think quickly. "You see, Lily, I went to work for a few days and didn't come back home, right?"
Lily nodded, her expression confused but trusting.
"Well, Mommy has gone to work too. She'll come back to you as soon as she finishes," he said, trying to sound reassuring.
Lily looked uncertain but accepted his words with a small nod. "Okay."
"Now you need to eat. I'll bring you some food. Just wait for me, okay?" David said, standing up and heading toward the door.
---
As he stepped outside, he overheard some nurses in the hallway.
"Did you hear? The mother of the kid in that room hasn't come to see her," one nurse said.
"Really? I wonder if she even likes the kid. They say she left the family and divorced the husband," another replied, their voices low but cutting through the air.
David felt his blood boil. He stormed into the hall, his anger bubbling to the surface. "What are you talking about?" he shouted, his voice harsh.
Inside, Lily sat frozen, the doll in her lap. She seemed deep in thought, her innocence beginning to shatter.
"Did Mommy really not like me?" she wondered aloud, her small voice trembling.
David's heart raced with worry. He stepped into the room, seeing her play with the doll as if she hadn't heard anything.
"Come, sweetheart. It's time to eat. I brought your favorite food!" he said, forcing a smile to mask his turmoil.
Lily looked up, her face brightening at the sight of kimbap. "Yay! My favorite!" she exclaimed.
David sat beside her, carefully feeding her bites of the delicious rolls. But as she finished, she looked up, a question lingering in her eyes.
"When will Mommy come to see me?" she asked again, her innocence piercing through David's heart.
He froze for a second, struggling to find the right words. "Tell me, Lily. What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Lily thought for a moment, her face lighting up. "I want to be an astronaut and go to the moon!"
David's heart warmed at her dreams. "Just like your ," he replied, trying to steer the conversation gently. "She also had a dream. She said she'll come to you after she fulfills it."
"What's Mommy's dream?" Lily asked, her curiosity piqued.
David hesitated, the weight of the truth heavy on his tongue. "I can't tell you right now."
"Please! Tell me!" Lily pleaded, her big eyes wide with expectation.
"When you get bigger, I promise I'll tell you," David smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Lily pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "But that's not fair!"
David thought to himself, "Should I ask her now?"