Du-Ho Hospital.

When I arrived, Dr. Jeong was not in his room. He went to check on some patients and his assistant asked me to wait for a while.

As promised, today we would have lunch together. But it didn't match with what was planned due to a patient had chemotherapy scheduled this noon and it was an inevitable obligation. However, it didn't matter. He was a doctor, a hope for those who were struggling for life.

Feeling saturated, I walked while eying the entire room. Observing several objects such as a collection of books, medicines, until a photo tucked between books caught my attention.

I pulled the photo out, observing two people in it. The guy on the left was Dr. Jeong himself, while another one beside him, it could be a friend or even his brother.

Satisfied, I put the photo back in its place. I didn't want to be even more impolite to tinker with Dr. Jeong's personal belongings. He might no longer want to admit me as his patient.

I grabbed one of his book collections, then read it on the small sofa near the cupboard to pass the time while waiting for Dr. Jeong, who had been away for a few hours ago. His assistant said that Dr. Jeong could spend several hours doing chemotherapy on his patient.

It was quite a long time until I opened my eyes slowly and saw that Dr. Jeong was already in his room and sitting with a serious look while examining some of the diagnostic results on his desk.

I immediately got up and exclaimed, "Huh, what time is it?!"

Seemingly, I fell asleep in this room without realizing it. I touched my body and saw a black coat neatly wrapped on my body.

"Ah, you wake up." Doctor Jeong smiled kindly as usual. "Calm down. It's still five in the afternoon. I just finished chemotherapy on my patient a few minutes ago, and when I entered the room, I saw you were asleep. I didn't want to bother you, so I don't want to wake you up."

I was stunned for a moment before asking, "But, the lunch?"

A warm smile crossed his face. He then took off the glasses he was wearing, and said calmly, "I'm sorry about that. I forgot to tell you that I had some patients who want to do chemotherapy today. I'm so sorry. We can have lunch on another day. I'm not that busy on Thursdays. Maybe we can have lunch on that day if you're not busy."

It sounded disappointing, I replied with grit, "Hmm, if it's the case, then it's fine. You're right. We can have lunch anytime if you have time."

He just smiled, then continued his work, observing some of the sheets of paper.

A few moments later, he asked me to do a CT scan to find out the growth of cancer cells in my brain. After resting a few minutes and hearing the young doctor's explanations, I got up from the chair, putting the black coat on the sofa, and started walking toward the door. "I have to go directly."

"Why are you in such a hurry? You want me to drive you home?" Dr. Jeong asked while approaching me. "Ah, doc, thank you. But, you don't have to do that. You don't have to bother yourself."

"I'm not bothered at all. I have a few minutes to spare, so I took the initiative to drive you. That's all."

"Thank you. But, I'm okay." I was about to step out of the room, my hand was already touching the doorknob and was about to turn it, but something suddenly appeared in my head and stopped me. I turned to Dr. Jeong behind me. "Oh, one more thing. I almost forgot. I've decided to do the surgery. When can I start to do a check-up at a neurologist?"

The statement instantly made Dr. Jeong dumbfounded. There was excitement flashed in his eyes. He embraced me unexpectedly and made me gasp in silence. He spoke happily, "Thank God, you finally wanted to break it off." Releasing his embrace, he continued, "I'll contact the neurologist soon, then I'll let you know as soon as I can. Come over in two days because you have to do the last check-up."

I nodded and immediately left this place with a bitter smile on my face. There was a pain as faint as needles piercing my heart. Not because of the decision, but when I remembered that I had to fend for myself one more time, it was so painful and it felt the whole way until I got to the apartment.

I hoped that this decision would be the right thing to fight for our relationship once again.

I immediately entered the room, then took off the scarf and coat I was wearing. I felt exhausted today.

"Hey, Park, where have you been? Why didn't you pick up my call?" The sudden voice appeared when I was in the living room and took me by surprise.

I turned around and saw Donghwa was sitting on the sofa with some papers on the table. It seemed that he kept his promise this time. It made me delighted.

He stood up suddenly and shouted, "Answer me! Where have you been?! Why didn't you pick up my call?!"

I was silent for a moment. Hearing that question out loud over and over again, made me sigh in silence. "I've been in the hospital. I silenced my cell phone, so that's why I didn't hear your calls."

His face immediately darkened and his eyes filled with obvious suspicion. "You don't have another guy over there, do you?!"

"What do you mean by 'another guy'? Stop being suspicious like that. I thought you've trusted me?"

Hearing my words, he came closer to me and touched my arm. His voice grew gentler as he spoke, "I trust you. But, Hoonsik said, you barely go to the hospital. How could I not suspect you that there is someone who's trying to tease you there?"

Sighing, I replied, "You still order Hoonsik to watch over me? Please, stop it. He's extremely swamped for such a thing. It's not funny at all. Who wants to come to the hospital just to have an affair?"

"..."

"Donghwa, come on, I'm tired of repeating the same words. I've been in a relationship with you for many years. It's quite difficult for me to start a new relationship with another guy. I'm not interested either."

Even in my current condition, are you still thinking about something like that? suspecting me by your words? So annoying for what shouldn't be!

I just admired him as he had kept his promise by coming home early. But with such vague suspicion, it was as if he had tricked me with his words once again.

However, unexpectedly, he suddenly pressed my lips with his. It wasn't a kiss of affection from him but a kiss of intense anger and jealousy, which caused pain on my lips. He probably didn't dare to hit me anymore so he could only do this.

Startled, I immediately pushed his body away, wiping my lips with my hand. But, he violently pulled my face back and returned to give a harsh, painful kiss, which crept up my neck.

After feeling satisfied, he finished with a sinister smile. He threw my face away, like licking candy and once he got bored, he threw it away like useless trash.

"Stop going to the hospital. If you just have the flu or headache, don't get used to taking the medicine. It'll be addictive," he said, rubbing my lips with his thumb.

I warded his hand, then walked to the room.

Stop going to the hospital? Do you want me to die right away?

Those were shocking words. How could such words leave his lips so easily? Had he never thought that such words would offend someone?

After saying that heartbreaking thing, he chuckled again and said, "You always go to the hospital. What are you doing there? Do you have relatives that you have to visit there? Don't make them feel tired of seeing you."

Hearing the sentence, my eyes immediately widened. I stared at him with disbelief, and it made him stop laughing with a strange face. I paused when I heard his witty statement, then forced a smile. "Are you tired of me?"

His expression turned shocked. He touched my arm and spoke sincerely, "Chunghee, it's a joke. Don't take it seriously, okay? I'm just trying to cheer you up."

Trying to hold back my tears, I smiled in response to his words. It wasn't difficult for me to deceive myself. I was quite used to faking everything about my feelings.

I knew that those words were just a joke from him, but the question I asked him was a serious one, which I wanted to know the answer to.

'Is he tired of me?'

'Is it because of that he turned away from me?'

'Heh, it doesn't matter if he looks for someone else who is more attractive out there. It pleases me.'