When the Sky Falls, Part 1
“Mom, try to relax. Grandpa’s just trying to make up for lost time with you. Just enjoy the conversation.”
“I know, but even at my age, I can’t help but feel nervous in front of him. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”
Standing outside the hospital room, my mother took several deep breaths to calm herself. Though she was nearing fifty, she looked like a young bride about to meet her future in-laws for the first time.
I gently knocked on the door and led her inside.
Grandpa, who was reclining on the bed, sat up with the help of a nurse.
“Is that you, Seohyun?”
“Father…!”
I was taken aback, but my mother was even more so. She couldn’t bring herself to approach him.
Our Seohyun? Grandpa had never called any of his daughters-in-law by name, let alone in such a gentle tone.
I couldn’t just stand there in shock. When Grandpa gestured for her to come closer, my mother finally moved forward.
I realized I wasn’t needed there. Their eyes were already glistening with tears. Tears that would wash away years of unspoken words. Not wanting to intrude on their moment, I quietly stepped outside.
I waited for my mother in the hospital café. Thankfully, it was a special ward, so there were no other people around, allowing me to wait in peace.
It was over two hours before my mother emerged from the room.
“Did you have a good talk?”
“Yes, I stayed until he fell asleep.”
I didn’t ask for more. Her bright smile painted a vivid picture of the past two hours.
“Is he sleeping again?”
“Yes, it seems even sitting up to talk is too much for him now. It’s hard to watch.”
“It’s unfortunate, but we have to be prepared.”
We couldn’t ignore the reality that was closing in on us. Once Grandpa’s funeral was over, everyone who had been hiding their true intentions would reveal themselves. I needed to be ready, not to show my claws, but to protect myself from theirs.
“Mom, let me take you home.”
“Alright.”
She held onto my arm tightly and said, “Your grandfather told me that you’re on a difficult path, but he said not to stop you. Instead, he asked me to find you a good wife who can take care of you.”
“Mom, it might seem tough to you, but it’s the path I chose, so I’m happy. Don’t worry too much.”
“Taking over Sunyang Group isn’t easy, but since it’s your choice, I’m not too worried.”
Her words surprised me. I expected her to tell me to be content with what I had.
“And if you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m your mother, after all.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just held her hand tightly.
As we left the hospital and got into the car, a forgotten memory suddenly resurfaced.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Remember that land you bought in Ilsan about ten years ago? It’s probably worth a fortune now. Or have you already sold it?”
Her flustered expression was almost endearing.
— “Sir, you need to get to the hospital immediately.”
As soon as I received the late-night call from Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-seok, I started getting dressed.
— “The security guard at the hospital called. It’s an emergency. It seems serious this time. The hospital director has already contacted your father and Director Lee Hak-jae.”
I rushed to the hospital.
In the room, there was only a security guard with a worried expression. Grandpa was nowhere to be seen.
“Is he in surgery?”
“Yes, he just went in.”
I ran to the operating room and found the hospital director.
“Director!”
“Oh, Do-jun, how did you know…?”
“More importantly, how’s Grandpa? Is it serious?”
The director hesitated before speaking.
“We’ll need to contact the family once the surgery is over. Even if he wakes up, it might only be for 48 hours, maybe three or four days at most.”
“And if he doesn’t wake up?”
I had prepared myself, but hearing it out loud made me tremble.
“We’ll have to decide whether to extend his life with a ventilator or let him go peacefully.”
My legs gave out, and I collapsed into a chair.
Is this what it means to have your mind go blank?
Time seemed to stand still.
I came back to my senses when my father and Director Lee Hak-jae arrived and patted my shoulder.
“Father, Director.”
“You got here early. Wait a bit. I’ll talk to the director.”
My father stepped aside with the hospital director, but Director Lee stayed with me.
“You’ve heard, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Recovery is unlikely, right?”
I nodded, and Director Lee let out a long sigh.
“Damn, I still have things left unsaid…”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure Grandpa already knows.”
“Funny how you’re the one comforting me now.”
“I want to believe that too.”
Director Lee gave me a light pat on the back.
“Yeah, let’s believe the chairman knows our hearts.”
We sat in silence for a while.
Though Grandpa was in surgery, it was more of an emergency measure than a life-saving operation.
The hospital director’s estimate of Grandpa’s remaining time seemed accurate.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“Be prepared. When the chairman passes, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki might make a move.”
“I understand.”
“Understanding isn’t enough. You might need to pour money into acquiring shares from the subsidiaries.”
“Have you heard something?”
“They plan to oust you and fight for the chairman’s position. They’re thinking of converting to a holding company structure. If that happens, your controlling shares will be reduced to mere stocks in an unlisted company.”
I didn’t want to discuss this now, but I steeled myself.
Even with death looming, Grandpa never stopped thinking about the group. I must do the same. As his successor, I can’t afford to delay, no matter how difficult the situation.
“Did you hear this directly?”
“Yes, they asked for my help with the transition to a holding company.”
“Since you’re telling me, I assume you refused.”
Director Lee nodded.
“You promised me the chairman’s position at Sunyang Group, but they only offered me the presidency of Sunyang Electronics. I lost interest.”
His slight smile revealed another emotion—wounded pride. Even though Electronics is the group’s flagship, it’s still just a subsidiary.
For someone who wielded all the power in Grandpa’s stead, it was an insufficient offer.
He’s not bringing this up to secure my promise. He hasn’t decided what to do in a Sunyang Group without Grandpa.
“Thank you for telling me. I need to be more prepared. Ready to fire back if necessary.”
“I’ll do everything I can to maintain the status quo. That’s what the chairman would have wanted.”
“Even that much is appreciated.”
I wanted to gauge his intentions further, but there was no opportunity.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway as two people approached.
My father returned with the hospital director, looking devastated.
“Brother, shouldn’t we call the family?”
My father’s voice trembled, but Director Lee shook his head.
“Let’s decide after the chairman comes out of surgery. It won’t be too late. Right, Director?”
Director Lee asked the hospital director, who nodded in agreement.
“It won’t make a difference.”
Nothing would change.
48 hours.
That’s how long Grandpa had left.
All we could do was wait outside the operating room, losing track of time.
I thought hours had passed, but it had barely been an hour.
The doctors emerged from the operating room, their expressions grim, saying nothing. The hospital director exchanged a few words with them before approaching my father and shaking his head slightly.
“You should prepare, Chairman.”
“Tonight…?”
“I don’t know. As I said, 48 hours at most.”
We trudged back to the hospital room.
Grandpa lay there, breathing heavily through an oxygen mask, eyes closed. We couldn’t tell if he was asleep, unconscious, or fully aware but unable to move.
All we could do was watch as his life slowly faded away.
My father began calling the family, and Director Lee was on the phone endlessly.
As their calls dragged on, they stepped outside the room.
The doctor and nurse monitored the medical equipment by the bed.
“Doctor, is there any chance he’ll wake up, even briefly?”
The doctor bit his lip, looking troubled.
“I can’t promise anything, but it’s unlikely.”
“So, he’ll just…?”
“Most likely. I’m sorry I can’t offer more.”
“It’s not your fault, Doctor. No need to apologize.”
The doctor, holding the chart, bowed slightly and excused himself.
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
Once the doctor and nurse left, I found myself alone in the empty hospital room.
The sound of my grandfather’s labored breathing, struggling through the oxygen mask, tore at my heart.
No matter how hard I tried to hold them back, tears kept streaming down my cheeks.
As I reached to wipe them away, holding my grandfather’s frail hand, I felt a slight movement. It seemed like he was trying to hold my hand in return.
“Uh… uh… huh….”
Seeing his half-open eyes, I started to get up to call the doctor, but I felt a gentle tug on my hand.
He kept shaking his head, weakly tapping the mask with one hand, as if it was suffocating him.
I lifted the oxygen mask slightly, and a faint voice escaped his dry lips.
“Do… Do-jun….”
“Yes, Grandpa. I’m right here.”
I leaned in closer, squeezing his hands tightly, almost touching his face.
“Do….”
Watching him struggle for breath, fighting with all his might, was unbearable.
“Grandpa, please don’t try to speak.”
As I moved to replace the mask, he frowned and shook his head ever so slightly.
Then he spoke again, slowly but with crystal clarity, as if delivering his final words.
“Don’t let them take a single thing from you.”
I felt a surge of strength in his grip.
“Live like a villain.”