Jisoo's Pov:
There's something about hospitals-the long, sterile corridors, the faint hum of machinery, the murmur of voices that never quite reach a full conversation-that forces you to confront your truths. No matter how much you try to compartmentalize your personal life, it always finds a way to bleed into the work. Especially when your personal life is the subject of every whispered conversation around you.
But here, in this building of hope and despair, you learn something vital: you don't get to escape the messes you've made. The mistakes, the lies, the love-it all finds you eventually. And when it does, the only question left is, who will you be when the reckoning comes?
---
Dahyun stood in the hallway outside Dr. Kim Jisoo's office, a heavy knot forming in her stomach. She had been assigned to Jisoo's service today, and the irony was not lost on her. Word had spread through the hospital like wildfire-Dahyun had been involved with Jisoo's fiancé, Kang Dong Joo. It was humiliating enough to have her personal life on display, but now, even patients were picking up on the gossip.
As Dahyun entered the room to help with the patient, she could already sense the tension. The pregnant woman, lying on the bed, eyed her with distaste.
Jisoo, in her usual calm and professional manner, introduced Dahyun. "Dr. Kim Dahyun is here to assist with your case today. She's one of our brightest interns."
The patient didn't bother to hide her disdain. She turned to Jisoo, her voice sharp. "It must be difficult working with someone who sleeps with your lover behind your back."
Dahyun froze, her breath catching in her throat. She kept her gaze steady, refusing to let her emotions show. She wasn't allowed to give in to the anger or the shame that welled up inside her. Professionalism, she reminded herself. She had to be professional.
Jisoo, however, didn't miss a beat. Her tone was even as she continued with the examination. "Let's focus on your health, shall we? Your baby's health is our priority."
But the patient wasn't done. She sneered at Dahyun, her voice dripping with bitterness. "I'm just saying. I wouldn't be able to tolerate it if I were in your shoes, Dr. Kim. Having to work with someone like her."
Dahyun felt the sting of every word, but she swallowed it down, nodding curtly. "I'll request the necessary labs," she said quietly, turning to leave the room, but not before catching a glimpse of Jisoo's steely expression. The weight of the humiliation was almost too much to bear.
---
On the other side of the hospital, Jihyo stood in the OR gallery, her eyes fixed on Dr. Kim Jun-wan. She had always been fascinated by his skill as a surgeon, the way he moved with such precision and confidence. As a mentor, he was brilliant. But as a person, she couldn't stand him. He was cold, arrogant, and dismissive.
Yet, something about him intrigued her-maybe it was the way he commanded the room, or the fact that despite his gruff demeanor, he never faltered under pressure. Jihyo leaned forward slightly, watching intently as he performed a complex heart surgery.
As the procedure ended, Jihyo noticed Dr. Kim glance up at the gallery, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. His expression was unreadable, but she felt a strange tension pass between them. She quickly looked away, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.
"Dr. Shin," Jun-wan called as he addressed the attending in the room with him. "Make sure Dr. Park gets the full breakdown of the post-op care. I want her to review this case in detail."
Jihyo's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure if this was his way of recognizing her abilities or just another way to push her to be better. Either way, she wouldn't let her personal dislike of him get in the way of her respect for his talent.
---
Hours later, after the ultrasound was finished, Dr. Jisoo stood by the patient's bedside. "Everything looks fine with your babies," she reassured the mother. "You're in good hands. Dr. Dahyun will be back later to check on you."
But the patient wasn't satisfied. She glanced at Dahyun, then back to Jisoo, her face twisted in distaste. "I don't want her on my case anymore," the patient said coldly.
Jisoo raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"
"Because she reminds me of my husband's filthy mistress," the patient spat. "Shouldn't you be angry at her for that? I mean, she's sleeping with your fiancé."
The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Dahyun stood still, waiting for the inevitable fallout, bracing herself for Jisoo's reaction. But to her surprise, Jisoo's face remained calm, composed.
Jisoo turned to the patient, her voice cool but firm. "I don't know where Dr. Dahyun is getting her patience, but let me be clear-I am impatient." She took a step closer to the patient, her tone growing more serious. "You don't know the situation between us, so I suggest you focus on your own. And for the record, Dr. Kim has been nothing but professional. She's an excellent doctor who deserves your respect."
The patient blinked, momentarily stunned. "But... aren't you mad at her? She's..."
Jisoo cut her off, her eyes flashing. "If you must know, I cheated on Dr. Kang first. Dahyun had nothing to do with it. She's not the villain here. In fact, she's the victim in all of this."
Dahyun's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected Jisoo to defend her like that-especially not in front of the patient. Jisoo continued, her voice softening as she turned toward Dahyun and back to the patient. "So, I suggest you say your sorry to her "
Dahyun swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She gave Jisoo a small nod, unable to find the words to respond. For a moment, the air between them was heavy with an unspoken understanding. Despite everything, they were still professionals. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.
---
There's no escaping the past. It follows you like a shadow, sometimes fading, sometimes growing larger, but always there. In a hospital, where life and death intertwine, where mistakes are made and lives are saved, the truth has a way of revealing itself when you least expect it.
Dahyun wasn't my enemy. She wasn't the cause of the chaos in my life. I was. I'd made choices that led us all here. And maybe, in time, we'll find a way to move past this.
But for now, we have our jobs to do. Because in the end, we can't afford to be defined by the personal wars we wage. Not when there are lives at stake.
