Wonyoung sat in a wheelchair, her gaze distant as Sunghoon crouched beside her, holding her hand tightly. Dahyun and Dr. Kang Dong-joo stood nearby, ready to answer any final questions.
"I'm not ready to die," Wonyoung said, breaking the silence. "But I'd rather die than become just Sunghoon's bed warmer again. After years of marriage, this is the first time in my life I felt we're actually a couple. After I got sick, he gave me all his attention and I'm afraid that I'll lose that again as I get rid of this diagnosis that I have."
Dong-joo crouched to meet her eye level. "This surgery gives you a chance to keep both and you got to have a long years to enjoy your marriage. I know it's terrifying, but you have to trust us."
Sunghoon nodded fervently. "We'll get through this. Together."
She looked at him, her eyes softening. "Okay. Let's do it."
---
Wonyoung was wheeled into the OR, her eyes scanning the room nervously. Dong-joo was already scrubbed in, standing beside Dahyun.
"Dr. Kim," Wonyoung called softly.
Dahyun stepped closer. "I'm here."
"Promise me," Wonyoung whispered. "Don't let me die."
Dahyun squeezed her hand. "I promise."
---
The surgery began with tense focus. Dong-joo worked meticulously, guiding the team through the complex double-barrel brain bypass procedure.
"Clamping," he instructed, his voice steady.
Dahyun monitored Wonyoung's vitals closely. "BP stable. Heart rate holding."
As Dong-joo navigated the delicate pathways in Wonyoung's brain, a sudden alarm blared.
"V-fib!" Dahyun shouted.
"Prepare to defib," Dong-joo ordered, his hands never leaving the instruments. "Charge to 200."
The defibrillator pads were applied. "Clear!" Dahyun called.
Wonyoung's body jerked as the shock was delivered. The monitor beeped... then settled back into a steady rhythm.
"She's back," Dahyun breathed.
Dong-joo nodded. "Let's finish this."
---
Sunghoon paced outside the recovery room, his hands shaking. Dahyun emerged, pulling off her surgical cap.
"She's stable," Dahyun said. "The surgery went well."
Sunghoon sagged in relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Dahyun smiled. "She's tough. You both are."
---
Wonyoung's eyes fluttered open, taking in the sterile white ceiling. Sunghoon's face appeared above hers, his eyes red-rimmed but joyful.
"You made it," he whispered.
She smiled weakly. "Philippines?"
He laughed, tears streaming down his face. "Anywhere you want."
"I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
The doctors then left the room for the two to have their privacy.
---
Later that evening, Kang Dong-joo entered their apartment quietly. The soft glow of a lamp lit the living room, and Kim Jisoo sat on the couch, a book resting in her lap. She looked up as he closed the door, offering a small smile.
"Long day?" she asked, setting the book aside.
Dong-joo sighed, dropping his bag and collapsing onto the couch beside her. "You could say that. We almost lost a patient today-young, full of life. But we pulled her through."
Jisoo nodded, reaching for his hand. "You've always been good at bringing people back from the edge."
He looked at her, his expression softer than usual. "I wasn't always good at bringing myself back. Or us."
Jisoo tilted her head, studying him. "What brought this on?"
"I've been thinking," he admitted. "About New York. About how you end up up Seungtak because I was absent most of the time."
Jisoo's gaze softened. "You weren't the only one. I was... I haven't been understanding either. It's not all on you."
He shook his head. "No, but I ran away. I left New York and actually planned my life in Seoul, without you. I'm sorry for that. I'm trying to be better now."
She squeezed his hand. "I see that. And I'm still here, aren't I?"
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Dong-joo spoke again.
"I want us to be more than just here. I want us to feel alive again, like Wonyoung and her husband. They're planning to live fully because they know how precious time is."
Jisoo smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Then let's do that. Let's stop holding back."
He kissed the top of her head, a sense of peace settling over him. "Deal."
As they sat there, the city lights were twinkling outside the window, it felt like the beginning of something new-something worth fighting for.
---
Dahyun was finishing her last patient of the day, gently explaining post-op care instructions to a nurse when a shadow fell across the doorway. She glanced up, her expression immediately softening as she recognized the figure standing there.
Kim Taehyung leaned casually against the frame, his signature boxy smile lighting up the otherwise sterile room. His presence felt like a breath of fresh air in the bustling hospital.
"Dr. Kim," he greeted with a playful bow, his voice deep but warm. "Or should I say hoobae?"
Dahyun blinked, momentarily stunned. "Dr. Kim? What-when did you get back?"
"Just now. Thought I'd surprise everyone, but it seems everyone already left," he grinned. "But seeing your face is already worth the trip."
She rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Still as cheesy as ever, I see."
"I aim to please," he chuckled, stepping closer. "I missed this place. And... maybe I missed you too."
Dahyun raised a brow. "Maybe?"
He smirked. "Okay, definitely."
The nurse, sensing the personal nature of their conversation, gave a polite nod and left. Once the door closed, Taehyung leaned against the counter, studying her.
"How was the exchange program?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Intense. I learned a lot, but it wasn't the same," he admitted. "This place feels like home."
"You look good," Dahyun said, her voice softer now. "but seems more full of yourself." she jokingly said.
"I feel good. Ready to jump back in," he replied. "What about you? Still running circles around everyone here, with Mcdreamy?"
"You mean McEngaged?" she chuckled "Well, here I am, tying to keep up," she laughed. "A lot has happened while you are gone."
"Well, I think I need to know that in details," Taehyung said, his gaze lingering on her. "Catch me up over coffee?"
Dahyun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But I'm warning you, hospital gossip is brutal."
"I can handle it," he grinned. "Especially if you're the one telling it."
"But I'm the gossip." she said as she crossed her arms and tilted her head.
They shared a quiet, comfortable moment before she nudged him toward the door.
"Let's go before you get dragged into someone's emergency surgery," she teased.
"Lead the way, Dr. Kim," he said, following her out with a spring in his step.
