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Chapter Title: His Last Breakdown
Kim's POV
We were sitting quietly on my bed, wrapped in the warmth of each other. Yohan had me cradled between his legs, his jaw resting gently on my shoulder.
"I was almost driven crazy without you," he whispered, pressing a kiss into my neck. "I was so devastated, Kim... I couldn't think straight."
I giggled, my voice soft. "I don't think I need to explain how I felt, right?" I paused, then added, "Yohan... do you think I'll die before the year ends?"
The question made him stiffen instantly. I could feel it—his entire body went cold behind me. In a heartbeat, he turned me around to face him. His eyes... they were full of fear. Raw, undiluted fear.
"Don't say that, Kim," he snapped. "If you die... I swear, I'll kill you. Don't ever say that again. I'll die if you leave me."
He pulled me into his arms, trembling, desperate. I was stunned—his reaction was so intense it nearly shook me.
But then... it happened.
I felt my heart skip.
Then stutter.
Then fade.
My body went limp in his embrace.
And for a moment... I was happy.
Happy to die in the arms of the man who never stopped loving me.
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Tae's POV
No.
No no no—
"Kim... Kim!" I shook him gently, then harder. His body sagged in my arms.
Fuck.
This was it—his fifth breakdown.
I held him tighter, trying to will him back to life with just the strength of my grip. But he didn't move.
We had just found each other again after a year apart... and now he was slipping away from me.
I ran out with him in my arms. Jiang followed behind but stopped in shock when she saw me holding Kim.
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Hospital
I sat by Kim's side, my hands clutching his. His fragile frame was hooked to an IV drip, his skin almost translucent. He looked too still. Too peaceful.
Then the doctor walked in.
"I need to speak with young master Woo's entire family," he said.
"I'm not leaving his side," I snapped.
But they insisted. I followed them to a private room. Everyone was already there. The room felt heavy with silence—like the world was holding its breath.
I sat down next to Old Woo.
An unfamiliar old man caught my eye. Who...?
Then the doctor spoke.
"First of all, I want to express my deepest condolences, especially to Mr. Taeyang Jinsik... I'm so sorry it ended this way."
My breath caught. My heart stopped. My ears rang.
No.
No, please.
But then I heard it. Loud and clear.
"He's dead. I'm sorry."
I screamed.
"NO!"
I ran. I burst through the doors and back into Kim's room.
He was still lying there.
So peaceful.
So... beautiful.
I collapsed at his feet, my whole body shaking uncontrollably as the tears ripped out of me. My heart... it shattered into pieces I couldn't gather.
Some time passed—I didn't know how long. But when I woke up, he was still there. Still not moving.
I smiled through my tears and leaned in to kiss him.
"Such a good prank, baby..." I whispered. "Fine, you got me. I fell for it. But I thought I could bear it... turns out I was fucking wrong."
I brushed a lock of hair from his face and kissed his cheek.
"You're just tired, right? I understand. Rest now, okay?"
Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Aunt Jiang, her face red from crying.
"Why are you crying?" I asked softly. "Shhh... you'll wake him."
She couldn't answer. She just sobbed.
Then the old man stepped forward.
"I'm your boyfriend's grandfather," he said kindly.
I smiled and bowed. "Annyeonghaseyo, sir. I'm sorry I didn't know."
He smiled back gently. "Let's let him rest now."
Yoongi tried pulling me out, but then—no. No no no—
The nurses covered him with a white sheet.
What are they doing?
I ran to the bed and threw it off.
"ARE YOU ALL INSANE? WHY WOULD YOU COVER HIM?! CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S SLEEPING?!"
I lost it.
I pushed the nurses away, not caring about anything. "He's fine! He's just exhausted! Don't you dare touch him again!"
"Kim!!" Old Woo called out to me.
I turned around.
His face was stoic, but his eyes were drowning in sadness.
He grabbed my arm to pull me back as the nurses tried again.
"Stop! Don't touch him!" I screamed. "He'll wake up! He's just resting! I swear he'll be mad if he finds out you played a prank on me!"
"Taeyang," Old Woo said sternly, "Kim is dead."
I froze.
Then... I laughed.
Of course! A prank! A ridiculous joke.
"Kim told me he'd wait for me... stop pulling my legs," I said, chuckling.
But no one laughed with me.
Aunt Jiang wept in the corner, and the nurses began pushing Kim away.
I ran and stood in front of them.
"You're all mad. He's exhausted, that's all."
I cupped his face.
"Baby... you're tired right? I get it. Just wake up soon, okay? Everyone's acting weird."
Their eyes were filled with pity. Disbelief. Sorrow.
Then the doctor stepped in.
He touched my shoulder.
And asked, with authority: "Why are you taking Mr. Woo away?"
For a second, I smiled.
Finally... someone who believed me.
Someone who could see... my Kim was still alive.
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