I'm Breaking

Bonus - Part 3: Memories

Author PoV

Junghan had a school trip to Daegu for the weekend, and Chaeyoung thought it would be a good time for Jungkook and her to talk about things. 

The weekend was amazingly relaxing. Without Junghan, there's no one running around the house, making a mess with the ornaments and the expensive decorations. It was silent. 

For the first time in a while. 

Jungkook and Chaeyoung spent the Sunday afternoon drinking tea in the balcony. The beautiful spring season made the flowers bloom and the cold but not too cold spring weather was just relaxing. 

They spent their little downtime in silence. Just admiring the view of garden and the green landscape. 

He wanted to talk to her. About his problems, his work, his frustrations. He wanted to just release the piled up things and let it go. But he didn't know what to say, he didn't know where to start. 

But being the wife, Chaeyoung obviously knew what's going on around Jungkook. She tolerated his temper throughout their marriage, she took care of their kids, she was a mother and father. 

Of course, it was all thanks to Jungkook's father who asked Chaeyoung to extend her patience and try to understand Jungkook. 

But understanding, adjusting, listening, and living as a wife who just hears her husband complain, rant and vent, as a wife who just takes care of her kids, worry about them, and guiding them seemed to have a price too. 

She gave up her life as a surgeon, the life she worked so hard to be. She gave up her youth to take care of her family. She gave up a lot of things just to keep this family together. 

Sacrificing so many things and yet she never asked for more. Which is probably why, she's also giving up her life. 

"I got the results from Namjoon-sunbae," she said, breaking the silence. 

Jungkook's eyes were closed, relaxing to the wind. She knew he was listening to her, and she knew it started to scare him. 

"Seems like a year or 2 would be enough time, won't it?" she asks. 

Jungkook's eyes open and he looked at her, "What are you talking about?"

The tears started to well up on Chaeyoung's eyes. He continuously forgets that she's been having a hard time breathing lately, and she's been having chest pains. 

He always forgets. 

"You always forget, my husband," she chuckles, a sad one. 

"I'm sorry, I have a lot of things in my mind," he answers, looking down. 

A tear fell out of its place and Chaeyoung just sighed, "You've had a lot of things in your mind for the past years and yet there's no room for your family? Is that it, Jungkook?"

"Chae...it's not like that at all...you know how my job goes..."

"And I always understand," Chaeyoung says and puts her hand on top of his. "For better or for worse, right?"

His heart clenched. There's something wrong. Like this moment makes the both of them drift apart from each other. This day was supposed to be relaxing and calm, but it turned out to be guilt and regret. 

"I can't take the treatment, Jungkook..." she says. 

His eyes widened. Should he feel angry about it? Sorry? Sad? Why won't she take the treatment? Is she crazy? Has she gone mad? 

He sees Chaeyoung's tears fall on her cheek. And he suddenly understands. 

"If there's anything you'd like to tell me, my love, you can say it," he tells her.