The night pressed down like a velvet cloak over the city, but Ra-hee's mind was restless, unable to find peace. The hospital's chaos had left scars deeper than bruises, and the weight of Tae-hyun's world pressed heavily on her heart.
She was no stranger to pain—years in medicine had taught her that—but the danger surrounding Tae-hyun was unlike anything she'd faced before. It wasn't just physical wounds she worried about; it was the darkness in his past, the enemies lurking in the shadows, and the fragile thread that connected them both.
The Morning After
Sunlight filtered through the hospital blinds as Ra-hee entered Tae-hyun's room, carrying fresh coffee and a hesitant hope.
He was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, his dark hair tousled, eyes sharp but tired.
"Good morning," she said softly, setting the cup down.
Tae-hyun looked at her, a faint, almost vulnerable smile touching his lips.
"Morning, Doctor. Did you sleep?"
"Not well," she admitted, pulling a chair close. "Too much on my mind."
He studied her quietly, then reached out, his hand warm as it found hers.
"You don't have to carry it all alone," he said. "Let me share the burden."
A Confession in Shadows
Ra-hee hesitated, then nodded.
There was a fragility in this moment — a rare pause in the storm surrounding them.
"I want to help you," she whispered. "But I don't know how to fight your battles."
Tae-hyun's gaze darkened, haunted.
"My life is a maze of enemies, betrayal, and blood debts," he confessed. "I wasn't always this man — once, I was someone else. Someone who dreamed of peace."
He paused, swallowing hard.
"But peace slipped away. And now… the only way to protect you is to face the past head-on."
The Past Revealed
He told her about his beginnings — a boy raised in a world of violence, forced to learn cold survival. The family he lost, the choices he regretted, and the empire he built to keep himself alive.
"But even with all that," Tae-hyun said, voice raw, "I never thought I'd find someone like you. Someone who sees the man behind the mask."
Ra-hee's heart ached with sympathy and something deeper — a fierce desire to be his anchor.
A Sudden Threat
Before she could respond, the phone on the bedside table buzzed violently.
Tae-hyun's face hardened as he glanced at the screen.
A single message:
"You're both targets now. Tonight. Be ready."
Preparing for Battle
The day slipped away in a blur as Ra-hee helped Tae-hyun prepare.
They moved with quiet urgency — gathering what they could: phones, keys, a small bag of essentials.
Despite the fear tightening her chest, Ra-hee felt a strange thrill.
This was no longer just a job or a secret attraction.
It was survival. Together.
The Night of Reckoning
As darkness swallowed the city, they slipped out of the hospital through a hidden service exit.
The night air was sharp, every shadow a potential threat.
Tae-hyun kept close, his hand firm around hers — a steady pulse in the storm.
They reached a safe house, a small, nondescript apartment guarded by loyal allies.
A Moment of Tenderness
Inside, Ra-hee finally let her guard down.
Tae-hyun's intense gaze softened as he pulled her close.
"You saved me, Ra-hee. More than my body — you saved my hope."
Her breath caught as he brushed his lips against her forehead.
"I don't want this life without you."
A Promise in the Dark
They stood together, the city lights casting a soft glow through the window.
In that moment, surrounded by danger and uncertainty, they found a fragile peace.
"I don't care about the past," Ra-hee said fiercely. "Or the enemies. I only care about us."
Tae-hyun smiled — a rare, genuine smile.
"Then we fight. For our future. Together."
To Be Continued...