Five long years had passed.
The world had continued to move forward.
Seasons changed.
Buildings rose.
Children grew into teenagers.
People fell in love, got married, and started new lives.
But for one person…
Time had stopped.
Jade Lee remained exactly where she had been five years ago.
Lying silently in the same hospital bed.
Neither awake…
Nor gone.
The steady beeping of the heart monitor had become the only sound that proved she was still fighting.
For five years…
Daniel Ooman never missed a single day.
No matter how busy he was.
No matter how many meetings awaited him.
No matter which country he had to travel to.
He always came back.
Every evening.
Always at the same hour.
He refused to visit when Madame Lee or Gabriel were there.
Not because he wanted to avoid them…
But because he couldn't bear to face them.
Especially Madame Lee.
Every time he saw her crying beside Jade's bed, guilt consumed him.
He couldn't look her in the eyes.
Even if everyone called it an accident…
Daniel never believed it.
In his heart…
Jade had been hurt because of him.
So he learned their routine.
Madame Lee usually visited during the afternoon.
Gabriel often came after work.
Daniel always waited until they had left.
Only then would he quietly enter Room 307.
He would replace the flowers.
Sit beside her.
Hold her hand.
And whisper the same words every single day.
"…I'm sorry."
Sometimes he talked about his work.
Sometimes about his parent asking for her.
Other times…
He simply sat there in silence.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Praying for a miracle that never came.
.
.
.
One evening…
Dr. Anderson entered the room.
"Mr. Ooman."
Daniel looked up.
The doctor stood quietly at the door before walking closer.
"You know…" he began with a gentle smile, "I've been observing you for the past five years."
Daniel remained silent.
"I've seen husbands disappear after a few months."
"I've seen fiancés give up."
"I've seen families lose hope."
He paused.
"But you…"
His eyes softened.
"You never abandoned Miss Lee."
Daniel lowered his gaze.
"I made her a promise."
The doctor sighed.
"I'm afraid I also came to tell you something difficult."
Daniel felt his chest tighten.
"What is it?"
The doctor's expression grew solemn.
"Medically speaking…"
He hesitated.
"After five years in a coma…"
"The chances of Miss Lee waking up are extremely close to zero."
Silence.
"We've done everything we possibly could."
Another pause.
"I think…"
He inhaled deeply.
"…it may be time to consider withdrawing life support."
Daniel felt as if his heart had stopped beating.
The room suddenly became suffocating.
"No."
His answer came immediately.
Firm.
Without hesitation.
"I'm not giving up on her."
The doctor looked at him sympathetically.
"Mr. Ooman—"
"No."
Daniel repeated quietly.
His fingers tightened around Jade's hand.
Then, after a long silence, he spoke again.
"…Please."
The doctor looked at him.
"Don't tell her mother."
His voice trembled for the first time.
"Not yet."
"She's already suffered enough."
"If she hears this…"
He couldn't finish his sentence.
Dr. Anderson slowly nodded.
"I understand."
He quietly left the room.
.
.
.
For days…
Daniel couldn't stop thinking about the doctor's words.
"It may be time to consider withdrawing life support."
They haunted him.
Every hour.
Every minute.
Every second.
One evening, he finally spoke about it with Luccianho.
The two men sat in silence for a long time.
Finally, Luccianho spoke.
"…Chefe."
His voice was unusually gentle.
"Maybe…"
"…maybe it's time to let her rest."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Luccianho lowered his gaze.
"I don't want to admit it either."
"But…"
"If Jade could choose…"
"Would she really want to stay like this forever?"
Silence.
Daniel stared at the floor.
His mind understood.
His heart refused.
"…Maybe."
His voice was almost inaudible.
"…maybe you're right."
He let out a bitter laugh.
"But no matter how hard I try to convince myself…"
He slowly clenched his fists.
"…I can't."
He looked at neither of them.
"Deep down…"
"I don't want to let her go."
.
.
.
That night…
Just like every other night…
Daniel sat beside Jade's bed.
The room was silent.
Only the rhythmic beeping of the monitor echoed softly.
He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"I came again," he whispered.
"I'll keep waiting…"
"…no matter how long it takes."
A soft knock echoed.
Without waiting for an answer…
The door slowly opened.
Camilla stepped inside.
She stood there quietly for a few seconds before speaking.
"Daniel…"
He slowly turned his head.
"I've been calling you for weeks."
"You never answered."
Daniel remained silent.
Camilla walked a little closer.
"I understand your pain."
"I really do."
She glanced at Jade.
Then back at him.
"But…"
"You can't keep living in the past forever."
She gently placed a hand over her stomach.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm pregnant."
For the first time in days…
Daniel looked directly at her.
Camilla smiled warmly.
"…We're going to be parents."
"What?"
Silence filled the room.
Then…
Camilla's smile suddenly disappeared.
Her eyes widened.
"D-Daniel…"
He frowned.
"What is it?"
She slowly raised a trembling finger toward the bed.
"Jade…"
Daniel instantly turned around.
His heart nearly stopped.
Jade's fingers twitched.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
Then…
Her emerald-green eyes opened.
Daniel froze.
He couldn't breathe.
"…Jade?"
His voice came out as a whisper.
Camilla gasped.
"Daniel…"
"…She's awake!"
"Doctor!"
His voice echoed through the corridor.
"Doctor! Nurse!"
"She's awake!"
Within seconds, doctors and nurses came running toward Room 307.
After five long years…
Jade Lee had finally opened her eyes.