When I woke up in the morning, I sat by the window, sipping a cup of hot chocolate that Donghwa made for me before he left for work.

While staring at the scenery beyond the window, I couldn't help but rubbing the ring on my finger gently.

I smiled weakly. There was something good that had just happened between us and I was thinking about it all night long, which sometimes made me smile, and sometimes I wanted to cry.

However, there was a hope that I wanted the most, which was how these good things could stand to the end. At least, holding on to this broken relationship after so much pain I had been through was a hard thing to do. But, if he could fight for our relationship, then there was no giving up for me.

I wasn't a religious person who was always devoted to worshiping God, but I always prayed to Him for my recovery. Sometimes I could also go crazy by asking for death to come to get me soon. It depended on how Donghwa wanted me to do for him and our relationship.

In the afternoon after doing a check-up, I quickly returned and curled up in the blanket. I had turned on the heating, but I still felt cold in my heart and made me shiver. It kept repeating every day as if I lived in the dimension of the time loop.

On a different day, after Dr. Jeong arranged an appointment with a Neurologist, I routinely had checkups there. Until the last checkup, the Neurologist decided to do surgery next week and asked me to prepare myself. Without refusal, I immediately agreed with him.

Going out of the room, I stopped by Dr. Jeong's room to tell him about the news.

Inside the room, I sat on the small sofa, leaning against it languidly. "Doc, I'll do the surgery next week."

Dr. Jeong, who sat beside me was heard delighted as he replied, "Thank God. So, have you told about this to your family?"

Hearing his words, I smiled bitterly. I couldn't help but have to tell Donghwa about this thing today. I nodded slowly. "I'm going to tell him today."

"Huh? So, you've never told your family all this time?"

I nodded my head weakly. I was tired of covering up everything again. I was tired of lying.

"It's hard to believe," while saying, Dr. Jeong sighed heavily.

I knew that it might be heard strange to him, but that was how it was. All this time I lived with my partner but always felt alone and stupidly, I stuck with this kind of relationship with the hope that our relationship could still be fixed.

I glanced at Dr. Jeong secretly and saw how his face painted a gentle smile. Even though my words had taken him a little by surprise, there was satisfaction that flashed through his eyes.

"Dr. Jeong, a few days ago I found a photo tucked in your bookcase. I was curious about the photo, so I took it out to see it. Sorry," I explained, breaking the silence.

Dr. Jeong turned to me before he reached out to take a book where was the photo in. He showed it to me while saying, "You mean, this?"

I nodded my head.

Dr. Jeong stared at the photo with such a deep feeling in his eyes as if it had precious memories appeared in his mind. "This photo was taken about seven years ago. He is my older brother. Cancer sufferer, just like you."

The words instantly stunned me with surprise.

Dr. Jeong continued and there was a gloom stuck in his throat as he explained, "You know, the reason why I became an Oncologist, was because I wanted to treat him. But, a year after the photo was taken — a year after I graduated from the university — he died. And from then on, I am decided to do what I can so that everyone who goes through the same thing doesn't end up like my brother. Although it is very difficult to do so, it also doesn't discourage me."

I didn't give any response after hearing that bitter story. But, I empathized with him and didn't expect if someone like Dr. Jeong to have such a heartbreaking story.

However, the thing I didn't expect the most, was that he wanted to tell me about his past story. It was hard to imagine if someone as rigid as him would open up to me.

I looked at the clock that was on Dr. Jeong's desk which showed 4:30 p.m. Time flew so fast.

I got up from the chair carefully. "Hmm, I have to come back." I then stood up and took my coat.

"Wait!" Dr. Jeong approached me when I was about to open the door. "After the surgery, you will do radiotherapy, then chemotherapy."

Smiling, I replied briefly, "Yes, I know, doc," paused for a moment, I asked, "Oh um, how long will the post-surgery recovery process take, doc?"

"Ah, that's the decision of the Neurologist. It also depends on how your condition after post-surgery. But, usually not more than two weeks."

I only showed a weak smile after hearing the words and immediately left this place without saying anything.

Hearing Dr. Jeong's explanation, I thought that I would have a long recovery. However, it didn't matter. This was a choice that I had chosen and I must go through it without complaining.

On the way, I felt exhausted. This was unusual. I didn't know if the weather was pretty bad today or because of the many things I was thinking about right now.

A few moments later, after walking quite a distance, I arrived and immediately went up to my apartment.

I hurried toward the door, feeling like my feet had just been hit by a hammer. It hurt so much, spreading all over my body.

However, before I opened the door, I heard something that made me feel as though I wanted to die today immediately.

"Brother Lee, you haven't come to me for several months. You also never want to pick up my calls. I've been patient all this time, but now I can't stand it anymore because I don't get any news from you!"