The days at the hospital had been relentless, but whenever Dahyun and Dong Joo had a moment of peace outside of their hectic shifts, they’d find solace in each other’s company.
Whenever they both got time off, they would either head over to Dong Joo’s place or he’d crash at Dahyun’s house, where the other interns—Sana and Jungkook—were living as well. It had become a kind of routine: Dahyun trying to cook something, Dong Joo offering moral support, and Sana quietly stepping in to save the day when things got too chaotic in the kitchen.
One particular evening, they were gathered at Dahyun’s house. Dong Joo sat on the couch with his sleeves rolled up, watching as Dahyun busied herself in the kitchen. Sana was chopping vegetables with a focused expression, while Jungkook lazily reclined in a chair, eyeing the kitchen activities with suspicion.
"Dahyun, how’s that coming along?" Dong Joo called out, amusement in his voice.
"I’m fine! Just give me a second," Dahyun replied, a little too enthusiastically as she stirred something in the pot, trying to maintain control over the kitchen.
Jungkook chuckled from the side. "You sure? Last time you almost burned water."
"I did not!" Dahyun shot back, though she couldn’t help but laugh. She knew cooking wasn’t exactly her strong suit.
Jungkook’s grin grew wider as he leaned forward. "Then explain how the meal you made last week was actually edible? I don’t believe it."
Dahyun hesitated, her eyes darting toward Sana, who was now pointedly avoiding eye contact, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. Jungkook caught the silent exchange and sat up straighter, his eyebrows raising. "Wait a minute... Sana? Did you…?"
Sana finally laughed, throwing her hands up in mock defeat. "Guilty. I may have been the one cooking, but Dahyun picked the recipes! That counts for something, right?"
The room burst into laughter. Jungkook nearly doubled over in his seat. "So, all this time, you’ve been taking credit for Sana’s cooking? Wow, Dahyun, I’m impressed."
Dahyun groaned, hiding her face behind her hands. "I was just helping!" she protested, though she couldn’t help but laugh at herself. "Besides, it was a team effort."
Dong Joo, still sitting on the couch, chuckled softly. "I had my suspicions. The food was a little too good for a beginner."
"Hey!" Dahyun shot him a playful glare, crossing her arms. "At least I’m trying."
"That’s true," Sana said with a grin, passing Dahyun a cutting board. "Here, you can help by chopping these. Slowly."
Jungkook smirked as he watched Dahyun nervously take the knife. "I’ll order takeout, just in case."
---
A week had passed since that chaotic dinner night, and the hospital’s whirlwind pace had returned in full force. The end of the week marked a much-needed break for both Dahyun and Dong Joo, and they had planned to spend their free evening together.
The day had been long, filled with back-to-back surgeries and cases, but Dahyun felt a lightness in her chest as she stepped out of the elevator, spotting Dong Joo waiting for her in the lobby. He stood near the entrance, scrolling through his phone, wearing his usual calm, composed expression.
Dahyun smiled to herself as she approached him, and he looked up just in time to meet her gaze. His eyes softened, and a small smile spread across his lips.
"Hey," Dahyun greeted, her voice light. "Waiting long?"
"Not really," Dong Joo replied, putting his phone away as she drew closer. His eyes flickered over her, taking in the scarf wrapped around her neck. "You look good."
Dahyun flushed at the compliment, laughing softly. "Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself."
Dong Joo stepped forward, his hands gently adjusting the scarf around her neck. "It’s cold out. Make sure you’re bundled up."
Dahyun raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. "You’re getting bossy again."
Dong Joo chuckled, his fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment before he dropped his hands. "Just looking out for you."
They stood there for a moment, exchanging quiet smiles, the world around them falling away for just a brief second. It was in these small moments, when the chaos of the hospital wasn’t looming over them, that Dahyun felt the closest to him. The comfortable silence, the unspoken understanding—it was something she cherished.
But just as they were about to leave, the atmosphere shifted.
A woman’s voice cut through the lobby, elegant yet sharp. "Kang Dong Joo?"
Dong Joo’s entire body stiffened at the sound, and Dahyun immediately sensed something was off. She turned to see a strikingly beautiful woman approaching them, her presence commanding, almost regal. She was dressed in a tailored coat, her hair perfectly styled, and there was an air of confidence around her that made everyone stop and stare.
Dong Joo’s face drained of color, his eyes widening in shock. "Jisoo?" he breathed, barely above a whisper.
The woman—Kim Jisoo—smiled, though there was a coldness in her eyes as she looked at him. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"
Dahyun stood frozen, her mind racing. Who was this woman? And why was Dong Joo looking at her like he had seen a ghost?
"I…" Dong Joo stammered, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. "Dahyun, I… I’m sorry."
Dahyun frowned, completely bewildered. "Sorry for what? What’s going on?"
Before Dong Joo could respond, Jisoo turned her attention to Dahyun, her smile growing wider—mocking, almost predatory. "Oh, so you must be the little intern I’ve been hearing about."
Dahyun’s confusion only deepened as she met Jisoo’s gaze. "What?"
Jisoo tilted her head slightly, her eyes scanning Dahyun in a way that made her feel small. "Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Kim Jisoo. Double board certified OB-GYN and neonatal surgeon," she said smoothly, her tone dripping with superiority. "And… Kang Dong Joo’s fiancée."
The word hung in the air like a bomb, detonating between them.
Dahyun felt the ground shift beneath her. Fiancée? Her mind scrambled to process the words, but before she could even begin to react, Jisoo continued, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Well, forgotten fiancée, I suppose," Jisoo added with a bitter laugh. "I didn’t realize I’d been replaced so easily."
Dahyun’s chest tightened, her breath hitching in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Everything around her felt surreal, like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
