Sophia's world was turned upside down in an instant. One moment she was laughing and smiling with Min-woo, and the next, she was fighting for her life. The sound of screeching tires, the smell of smoke and burning rubber, and the feeling of weightlessness still lingered in her mind.
It was a fateful night, just a week after their picnic in the park. Sophia had been driving home from a family dinner when a reckless driver had rammed into her car, sending it spinning out of control. Min-woo had been on his way to meet her, and he had witnessed the entire accident.
He was the first one to reach her side, his face pale with fear. "Sophia! Sophia, oh my god, Sophia!" he had screamed, his voice hoarse with panic.
Sophia had been unconscious, her body limp and unresponsive. Min-woo had held her in his arms, tears streaming down his face as he waited for the ambulance to arrive.
The days that followed were a blur of hospital visits, surgeries, and endless tests. Min-woo had been by Sophia's side every step of the way, holding her hand, talking to her, and praying for her recovery.
But the unthinkable had happened. Sophia had suffered a severe head injury, and the doctors had warned Min-woo that she might not recover fully. The words had echoed in his mind like a nightmare: "Severe brain damage, possible paralysis, and memory loss."
As Sophia lay in the hospital bed, her once beautiful face swollen and bruised, Min-woo had felt like his world was crumbling. He had never felt so helpless, so powerless.
The days turned into weeks, and Sophia showed slow signs of improvement. She had regained consciousness, but her personality had changed. She was no longer the vibrant, intelligent, and witty Sophia he had fallen in love with. She was now a shadow of her former self, struggling to remember simple things, unable to walk or talk properly.
Min-woo had been told that Sophia's condition was permanent. She would require constant care and attention, and her future was uncertain. The words had hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him stunned and numb.
Despite the crushing news, Min-woo had vowed to stand by Sophia, to care for her, and to help her recover. He had meant every word, but the reality was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated.
Sophia's family, especially her brother, had been pressuring Min-woo to distance himself from her. They believed he was not good enough for her, and that his presence would only serve as a reminder of her condition.
But Min-woo would not be swayed. He had meant it when he said he would be there for her, no matter what.
As Sophia lay in her hospital bed, her eyes vacant and unresponsive, Min-woo would sit beside her, holding her hand, and talking to her. He would tell her stories, share his dreams, and whisper his fears.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Sophia's fingers would twitch, her eyes would flutter, and a faint smile would appear on her lips.
Min-woo would smile, his heart filled with hope. "I'm here, Sophia. I'm here for you," he would whisper, his voice trembling with emotion.
The days turned into months, and Sophia's condition remained unchanged. Min-woo had become her caregiver, her friend, and her everything. He had moved into her family's estate, much to their dismay, and had taken on the responsibility of caring for her.
It was a tough road ahead, but Min-woo was determined to help Sophia recover, to bring back the spark in her eyes, and to make her laugh again.
As he sat beside her, holding her hand, he would whisper, "I'll be here, Sophia, waiting for you to come back to me. I'll be here, no matter what."
The world outside was moving on, but for Min-woo, time had stood still. He was trapped in a moment, waiting for Sophia to come back to him, to the life they had built together.
And as he looked at her, he knew he would wait forever.