The Way I Loved You

Don't Let Go

"But, it's those who have something to hold on to; hope, desire, love, or even hatred who desperately fight for their lives. Even if your wife gets another chance, it will only be meaningful if she has something worth fighting for."

The doctor's words echoed over and over again in his head, getting louder each time. Hyunwoo was afraid, terrified actually. After seeing what Haein tried to do the night before, he barely slept a wink, living in constant fear that she might decide to end her life herself instead of waiting for her illness to take her. Suddenly, the tumour didn't seem like her biggest obstacle anymore.

"If this happens again, don't save me."

Ever since last night, his mind replayed the scene over and over in his head, each time more tortuous than the last. He'd never seen this sad before. Even when she was upset, it had always been mixed with anger, an emotion that she constantly relied on to keep herself going, but this time, there was nothing but pure, suffocating sadness in her dark eyes.

"Where are you going?" He asked when she sped out of the hospital, walking blindly as if she didn't care where she was going.

"The treatment fell through, so what?" Her tone was flat, as if she couldn't even be bothered. She refused to make eye contact, keeping her gaze on the ground.

He stepped in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. "What he means is that we need time. Let's go back to Korea, raise your WBC then return-"

She scoffed. "You're despicable. I know you're happy that I'm dying and have given up everything." Her voice was steady as she spoke. Last night, she'd already gotten her heart ripped out of her chest and trampled on, nothing in the world could hurt her now. She'd laid in bed for hours, staring up at the ceiling as she let the sadness consume her and swallow her whole. Nothing mattered anymore, the suffocating anxiety over her life had vanished, leaving an empty void in its wake. Why would she be worried about living when she had nothing to live for?

Not giving him a second glance, she pushed past him, not wanting to be in his presence. Her heart may not have been in it, but her instincts still urged her to protect whatever there was left of her soul. She didn't want to see him anymore, not when he was the one who betrayed her cruelly and brought all this upon her.

His heart dropped. "You've given up everything? So you won't bother trying anymore?" He felt the air rush out of his lungs as his mind began desperately grasping for straws. Around him, the world seemed to slow to a standstill. His worst fear had come true; she was giving up on herself. What had he done? He was so wrecked with guilt that he couldn't think straight, trying to think of something, anything that could convince her otherwise.

He ran up to her, stopping her once again. "What about a lawsuit? I'd be grateful if you divorced me without filing a suit."

Anger. That was the only thing powerful enough to overshadow the debilitating sadness in her heart. Hong Haein was nothing without her infamous temper. Having been on its receiving end for three years, he knew exactly how powerful it was and how to ignite it.

"What?"

It worked. For the first time since last night, she finally looked up at him and made eye contact.

"You know everything now."

She blinked in confusion. "So?"

"You wouldn't let me go that easily. It was unbearable to live with you anyway. Don't act like you had no idea Haein ah. You know what kind of person you are."

"I know what kind of person you are, you're nothing like the horrible person your mother makes you out to be."

Those same words that had comforted her at the time came back to stab her in the back. She'd drawn so much strength from his words, she'd felt less guilty about not measuring up to her parents' expectations. His casual statement had had a huge impact on her, yet he was using them against her now.