𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥-𝗜𝗡-𝗟𝗔𝗪

part 29 (healing touches)

Chapter 29: Healing Touches and New Beginnings

Jisoo’s head felt heavy, and her vision blurred as the warmth of the café began to fade. The comforting aroma of tea and the soothing sound of Hae-in’s voice were distant memories, drowned out by the overwhelming exhaustion that consumed her. Her body gave up on her, collapsing into Hae-in’s arms, her consciousness slipping away like sand through fingers.

Hae-in reacted quickly, his strong arms catching her before she hit the ground. Panic flashed in his eyes as he called out to the café staff for help. “Somebody call an ambulance! She’s passed out!”

As the minutes ticked by, Hae-in’s worry deepened. He could feel Jisoo’s weak, irregular pulse beneath his fingers, and her skin was clammy and cold. When the ambulance finally arrived, he stayed by her side, his hand never leaving hers as they rushed her to the hospital.

Hours passed in a blur of sterile corridors and beeping machines. Hae-in refused to leave the hospital, pacing the waiting room with an intensity that betrayed his fear for a woman he barely knew. Yet, something about Jisoo had touched him deeply, her vulnerability igniting a fierce protective instinct within him.

When the doctor finally approached him, Hae-in held his breath, fearing the worst.

“She’s stable,” the doctor said, his voice professional yet gentle. “But she’s severely exhausted, both physically and emotionally. We’ve started her on an IV and will keep her here for observation. She’s been through a lot, and her body simply couldn’t take any more.”

Hae-in exhaled, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. “Can I see her?”

The doctor nodded. “She’s still unconscious, but you can stay with her. She needs rest and care, and it seems like you’ve been taking good care of her so far.”

Hae-in thanked the doctor and made his way to Jisoo’s room. The sight of her lying so still and pale in the hospital bed tugged at his heart. He pulled up a chair beside her and sat down, his eyes never leaving her fragile form.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, watching her breathe, but time seemed irrelevant. All that mattered was that she was alive, and he was there to make sure she didn’t feel alone when she woke up.

Eventually, the gentle rise and fall of her chest brought him a sense of peace. He leaned forward, resting his head on the edge of the bed, his hand still wrapped around hers.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, Jisoo,” he whispered softly, more to himself than to her. “But I promise, you won’t face it alone. Not anymore.”

The night passed quietly, with the soft hum of hospital equipment the only sound in the room. Hae-in stayed by her side, watching over her as she slept, never once prying into her past, simply being present for her in the moment.

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Meanwhile, across the globe in Russia, Taehyung and Jennie were trying to rebuild what they once had. It wasn’t easy. The wounds were still fresh, and the scars ran deep. But they were determined to make it work.

After endless discussions, filled with both tears and laughter, Taehyung finally moved into Jennie’s small apartment. It was a decision they both knew was necessary if they were going to start over.

On the day he moved in, Jennie stood in the doorway, watching him unpack his suitcase. The sight of his clothes hanging in her closet, his toothbrush beside hers in the bathroom—it was surreal.

“Feels strange, doesn’t it?” Jennie murmured, her voice soft as she approached him.

Taehyung looked up, catching her gaze. “Yeah… it does. But a good kind of strange, I think.”