Scene: Hospital Room – Morning
The soft beeping of the heart monitor echoed through the white walls.
MK blinked slowly, his vision blurry, the smell of antiseptic thick in the air.
Beside him sat Hanaya, her eyes red but dry now — like someone who had already cried all night and run out of tears.
MK whispered, his voice fragile.
MK: "M-Mommy…"
Hanaya looked at him. Her lips trembled before she forced a faint smile.
Hanaya: "Don't call me that, MK. Not anymore."
He stared at her, confused.
MK: "Why…? Did I do something wrong?"
Hanaya shook her head slowly.
Hanaya: "No. You did everything right. It's me… I'm the one who couldn't be what you needed."
She looked out the window, the early sun reflecting faintly off the hospital glass.
Hanaya (softly): "Maybe… I can't be your mommy. Because I didn't give birth to you. And maybe it's better… if we stop pretending we're something we're not."
MK turned his head away, tears gathering in his eyes.
MK: "But… you said you'd never leave me again."
Hanaya: "I know," she whispered, voice shaking. "But promises… don't always survive reality."
Silence filled the room.
The monitor kept its rhythm, the only sound between them.
At the door, Malaa stood quietly, her hands trembling as she watched.
She wanted to say something — anything — but the weight in the room held her voice back.
MK's real mother entered, carrying a blanket.
Her eyes met Hanaya's — two mothers, divided by fate and guilt.
MK's Mother: "He'll need rest. And… time. Please don't make him cry more."
Hanaya nodded, then leaned closer to MK.
Hanaya: "You'll be okay, my boy. You have your real mom now… She'll take care of you. You'll heal, you'll grow… and one day, you'll forget me."
MK shook his head weakly, tears rolling down his cheeks.
MK: "I can't forget you. You're my mommy."
Hanaya smiled sadly.
Hanaya: "Then keep me in your heart… not in your life."
She stood up, her steps slow and hesitant.
Malaa caught her arm.
Malaa: "Hanaya, are you sure? You'll regret this."
Hanaya's voice was almost a whisper.
Hanaya: "I already do. But sometimes… loving someone means leaving before you break them more."
She walked to the door, sunlight falling over her shoulders — a quiet farewell.
MK (crying softly): "Mommy… if we were strangers before, why does it hurt so much to say goodbye?"
Hanaya stopped.
Her hand tightened on the doorknob. She didn't turn around.
Hanaya: "Because sometimes, strangers love each other more deeply than family ever could."
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence.
MK lay there, staring at the ceiling.
He could still feel her warmth on the bedsheet where she'd sat.
He turned his face into the pillow and whispered,
MK: "Goodbye, Mommy…"
His mother came closer, brushing his hair gently.
MK's Mother: "She cared for you, but now it's time to live, MK. Please… live."
Outside, Hanaya stepped into the sunlight, her bag in hand.
The taxi door opened.
She looked up at the sky one last time and said quietly to herself,
Hanaya: "Take care of him, God. He taught me what true love is — even if I wasn't the one meant to keep it."
The car drove away.
Snow began to melt.
And inside that quiet hospital room, MK pressed his hand to his heart —
where her voice would live forever.