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Episode 6 – "The Fifth Breakdown"
Taeyang's POV
I was still crying when I heard the soft hum of a car pulling into the driveway.
I froze.
I recognized that car instantly—it was the self-driving one Kim insisted on getting, the one we used to ride together in late at night, windows down, laughter echoing in the dark.
My heart stopped.
No… it couldn't be.
But then I saw him step out.
Kim.
My Kim.
And I swear—I forgot how to breathe.
He looked so fragile… even more than I remembered. His once radiant skin was pale like porcelain, and though he tried to smile, I could tell he was forcing it.
That smile broke my heart.
I wanted to run to him. Scoop him into my arms. Apologize for every minute of pain I'd caused.
But then Shinwoo's hand caught mine.
"Don't," he whispered, shaking his head. "If you go out there now, you might trigger his condition. Let me talk to him."
I hesitated.
One more second staring at the boy I loved.
Then nodded.
And hid myself… in my own closet.
Like a coward.
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Shinwoo's POV
As soon as Tae disappeared into the closet, I tried to think of something—anything—to distract Kim.
Before I could move, I heard the door click.
Aunt Min-ju's soft voice greeted Kim in the hallway. I let out a quiet breath of relief.
But that relief was short-lived.
Because just moments later, the door to Tae's room creaked open… and Kim stepped inside.
He stopped in his tracks.
His eyes locked on me. Then flickered to the room. To the closed closet.
I saw it. The exact second his heart cracked again.
Betrayal.
He said nothing, but his eyes screamed everything.
I was too late.
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Kim's POV
When I woke up, I wasn't in Tae's room anymore.
I was in my second home—the hospital.
Funny, right?
I let out a weak chuckle, but it didn't last.
Because the pain in my chest… it was unbearable.
But Tae kissed me, didn't he? He was there. He held me. I felt his warmth. I tasted his lips.
I smiled, holding onto that moment.
The door opened and I turned, hoping it was him.
But it wasn't.
It was Jiang.
She walked in slowly, brushing my long brown hair back and kissing my forehead.
"Where is Taeyang?" I asked, voice hoarse.
She smiled sadly. "It was just a dream, baby. He never came."
No.
No.
"No, I saw him," I insisted, gripping the bedsheets.
"You were sleeping, Kim. You passed out, and when I found you, you were crying."
I shook my head. "I went to his house."
She hugged me tightly. "Darling… you never left home yesterday."
I gasped.
My chest began to throb violently.
"No… no, I was there," I whispered, panic rising. "I saw him. He was there. Please don't lie to me—!"
"Kim!" Jiang's voice cracked. "Please… please calm down, okay?"
I clutched my heart.
The pain.
It was everywhere.
"You want Taeyang, right?" she said, her voice trembling. "I'll… I'll bring him to you. I promise. Just stay alive for me."
Her words were a thread I held onto.
Because this…
This was my fourth breakdown.
And I only had one left before I… before it's over.
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Two Weeks Later
I was finally discharged.
The sky was blue, but all I wanted was him.
When Jiang parked the car, I didn't wait.
I ran.
And the second I stepped into the house, I saw him—standing in the middle of the room, eyes glistening.
My knees gave out as I jumped into his arms, sobbing into his neck.
"You big baby! Where did you go?" I cried, clutching him like I was afraid he'd disappear.
He laughed softly, lifting me up with ease. "I missed you too, baby."
I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his scent. I was home again.
"If you ever leave me again…" my voice cracked, "I'll die… Tae, I'll kill my—"
He stopped me with a deep kiss.
"Don't say that," he whispered. "I left because I wanted to protect you."
I kissed his neck in return, holding him tighter. "Let me be selfish now."
He chuckled.
"Then let's be selfish together," he said. "And deal with the consequences later."
A soft cough interrupted us.
Jiang stood in the doorway with crossed arms.
"Are we invisible ghosts now?" she teased.
I blushed furiously. "Sorry… and thank you, Jiang. Thank you for bringing back my big baby."
She smiled warmly. "Anytime."
The room filled with laughter—finally. The kind of laughter that healed.
The kind of laughter that meant home.
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End of Episode 6