Jackson sighed, barely hiding his frustration as he leaned back in the chair beside Taehyung’s bed. From the moment he’d stepped into the room, Taehyung had been going on and on about Dr. Jeon — his smile, the way he cared for his patients, and how he’d reluctantly agreed to that “friendly outing.”
“Are you serious?” Jackson finally muttered, rubbing his temples as if it would block out Taehyung’s voice. “You’re like a broken record. I’m about to call Dr. Jeon and beg him to come here so you can talk to him directly instead of wearing out my ears.”
Taehyung just grinned, unbothered by Jackson’s complaints. “You don’t get it. He’s different from anyone I’ve met. He’s got this… quiet warmth. And he’s so genuine.”
Jackson rolled his eyes, half amused, half exhausted. “Yeah, yeah. Dr. Pretty Dora, the miracle worker. But...Look, Tae,” he said cautiously, leaning forward.
“All this… excitement over Dr. Jeon? Don’t let it spill outside these walls. If the media even sniffs a hint of you having a thing for a hospital doctor, They’ll eat it up. Headlines about the ‘mystery doctor’ and ‘hidden romances’... it’ll be relentless.”
Taehyung sighed, leaning back against his hospital bed. “I know,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “Every time I breathe near someone, they turn it into some grand love story.”
Jackson nodded, crossing his arms and looking Taehyung in the eye. "Exactly. Just… be careful, alright?"
Taehyung let out a dry laugh. “It’s ridiculous. They’ve tied me to every actress I’ve ever shared a scene with, and now, just a routine check-up feels like it’s about to become tabloid fodder.”
Jackson softened, seeing the frustration on Taehyung’s face. “Look, I get it, man. This whole thing with Dr.jeon… it’s new, it’s different. But remember, the media doesn’t care about that. They care about stories and headlines, not people.”
Taehyung nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’ll be careful.” Yet, despite Jackson’s warning, he couldn’t help but feel that he’d be willing to risk the gossip, the headlines… if it meant having just one moment that was real.
In the middle of conversation with Jackson when the door swung open without so much as a knock. He didn’t need to look up to know who had entered. Only one person in his life had the habit of bursting in unannounced, with that unmistakable confidence that only came from years of familiarity.
“Mom,” he said with a soft smile, his tone a mix of surprise and fondness.
Taehyung's mother had been in Spain, focused on a high-stakes business deal, when the news about her son’s accident reached her. The moment Jackson had called with the details, she was ready to drop everything and return to Seoul. Her heart raced as she imagined her son in pain and all alone in the hospital.
However, her husband—Taehyung’s father—had calmed her down. He reassured her, his voice steady and composed, that there was no need for her to rush back. "Don’t worry," he had told her. "Taehyung will be fine. Stay focused on the deal. I’ll take care of everything here. I’ll go check on him myself."
Now, standing in front of her son in the hospital, the guilt and concern rushed back to her. She couldn't help but feel that she should’ve been there for him. But her husband was right there by his side, checking on him every day. He kept her updated, making sure that Taehyung was well cared for while she handled her business in France.
She walked over to his side, her gaze scanning him over to make sure he was doing okay. "Taehyung, my dear," she said, her voice laced with a hint of guilt. "I’m so sorry I couldn’t be here sooner. I heard about your injury, but your father insisted I stay for the business deal. He said everything was under control here, but... I should’ve been with you."
