Background (1/1)

“Dad, please don’t cry. Mommy is fine. The doctors are with her. She’s going to be fine.” Taeyeon clenched her jaw hearing the hopeful remark from the little guy outside the green curtain. He had been saying the same statement to his father over and over. The chance for this woman to return of spontaneous circulation was very slim. Bullet sweats had dropped from her forehead to her eyelashes, blurring her vision. However, Taeyeon didn’t stop trying. “Let’s change. You’re tired.” “No. I can do this.” “You need to rest. Let me.” “No, Doctor Hwang, back off.” She glared at the intern and kept compressing. “Twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty.” The chief resident quickly examined the jugular vein, wishing for pulse – even the weakest one. She cursed inwardly when she felt none. The medical team stared at the monitor expectantly.  “Pulseless electrical Activity.” Tiffany spoke. “Doctor Kim…” “Push 1 amp of epinephrine.” Taeyeon ordered firmly then went back to compressing.  “Injecting 1 amp of epinephrine.” The nurse announced.  All of sudden, the curtain was opened by a man. His face was wet with unending tears. His lips trembled as he watched what the doctors did to his wife. “Stop. Please… just, stop.” He went to his wife’s side and hugged her head. “It’s enough. Stop.” Taeyeon discontinued her effort under his decision.  “It’s too much.” He said, looking straight to Taeyeon’s eyes. “She’s had enough.” Taeyeon nodded slightly. “Would you mind to step aside for a second, sir?” He did as he told.  Tiffany printed the ECG as it showed a perfect flat line and gave it to Taeyeon. “Time of death; 17.06 p.m.”  ----- “I knew I’d find you here.”  Taeyeon didn’t move from her current spot. “Wanna go get something to eat?” “I’m not hungry.” Tiffany puffed a breath as she stuffed her hands deep in her pocket. “It’s freezing out here.”  “You can go back inside.” Taeyeon replied emotionlessly. “You don’t have to be here.” “I would love to be where it’s warm. But you’re going to get sick.”   “Since when do you care?” Tiffany only shrugged.   Taeyeon stayed silent. “She’s not your first death case. I don’t get why you’re struggling this much.” “I’ve been in his position. The kid.” “What do you mean?” “My mom passed away when I was ten. I watched the doctors performed the resuscitation. I thought my mom was okay. I thought when they were done I’d be able to talk to her again. But my dad cried so hard it made me confused. Suddenly, a doctor said ‘time of death; 00.18 a.m.’”  “Oh…” Tiffany was taken aback from