our crossed paths | jww.

two.

The emergency department buzzed with activity. Nurses and doctors moved swiftly, their voices mingling with the rhythmic beeping of monitors.

The air was thick with urgency, but amidst the chaos, Dr. Kang Jiwoo stood still, her gaze distant and unfocused.

Her thoughts were far from the bustling hospital around her, haunted by memories from just a week ago.

Last week, her best friend had been rushed into this very department after a tragic car crash.

The scene replayed endlessly in her mind, a nightmare she couldn't escape.

"Jiwoo, are you okay? You seem... off," Dr. Lee asked gently, noticing her detached demeanor.

Jiwoo forced a smile, shaking her head as if to clear it. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Let's focus on our patients."

Before Dr. Lee could respond, a nurse rushed in with a gurney, carrying a young man doubled over in pain. "New case coming in! Severe abdominal pain."

Jiwoo snapped back into focus, her instincts kicking in as she guided the team in assessing the patient.

But beneath her professional exterior, her hands trembled slightly, her eyes betraying her inner turmoil.

"Dr. Jiwoo, you're really pale. Do you need a break?" a nurse asked, concern lacing her voice.

Jiwoo sighed, shaking her head. "No, I'm fine. Let's keep going."

As she examined the patient, she struggled to concentrate, her mind constantly drifting back to Haejoon—his laughter, their last conversation, the aching void left by his absence.

"Doctor, how is he? Is he going to be okay?" a worried woman asked, her voice trembling.

Jiwoo looked at the woman, and the sight of her anxious face painfully reminded her of how Haejoon's mother had looked that night.

Her composure wavered, but she managed a soft reply. "We're doing everything we can. We'll have updates for you soon."

Her voice cracked slightly, and she turned away, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

"Jiwoo-ah, I'll take it from here," Dr. Lee said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Go freshen up in the staff room."

Jiwoo nodded, her steps heavy as she walked to the staff room, her thoughts spiraling.

Inside the room, she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.

The memories of Haejoon flooded her mind—his voice, his laughter, the dreams they had shared. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"Jiwoo, you can't keep this inside. You need to take care of yourself too," came a voice from the doorway.

Jiwoo turned around to see Dr. Lee Seokmin, her superior and a close friend. Despite his position, their similar ages had fostered a deep friendship.

"I know, Seokmin. It's just so hard. I keep seeing him everywhere—in every patient, in every room. It's like a shadow that won't leave me," she admitted, her voice choking with unshed tears.

"It's okay to grieve. It's okay to remember. But you also need to find a way to balance that with your work. We're all here for you," Seokmin said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. He hesitated, clearly wanting to say something more.

Jiwoo noticed his reluctance. "What is it, Seokmin? Is it the investigation results? Has the hospital decided what to do with me?"

Seokmin took a deep breath before continuing. "Apparently, Haejoon was taking warfarin prior to the surgery. That's why he bled more than we expected. But this information wasn't in his medical history. So it's not entirely your fault, Jiwoo-ah."