Sun Woo was a child in the dream.

As usual, Sun Woo got into the car that came to pick him up in front of the school and was reading a book in the back seat.

“Hello, little one.”

Suddenly, at the sound of a man’s voice, everything was enveloped in darkness.

Goosebumps spread all over his body the moment the black hands reaching out from that darkness touched Sun Woo’s small hands.

Realizing it was a dream, he tried to wake up, but his stiffened body seemed paralyzed and wouldn’t move as he wanted.

‘Please, please just disappear.’

Sun Woo’s face contorted in pain. His fingernails dug into the seat, scratching it hard. After several minutes passed like that, only after enduring that time with all his might did his rigid body gradually loosen.

With his whole body drenched in sweat, he was finally able to escape from the dream. Sun Woo struggled to sit up in bed, breathing heavily as he opened the bedside table drawer. He hurriedly took out a pill and swallowed it with water.

“Haa…”

The water he gulped down hastily trickled down his throat and onto his chest, where his disheveled robe had fallen open.

As he calmed down a bit, Sun Woo gripped the edge of the nightstand tightly while catching his breath. Then he slowly got up.

It was a nightmare that visited him once in a while, just when he thought he’d forgotten about it.

“I thought it had been quiet lately.”

Sun Woo stepped into the bathroom, removing his clothes one by one. Water streamed down over Sun Woo’s head as he stood there naked.

Ever since he became unable to have physical contact, he disliked people approaching him.

As that time continued for a long period, he became comfortable being alone, and grew accustomed to it, deliberately not forming relationships with new people.

As a result, he found human relationships particularly difficult.

Afraid of showing such awkward sides of himself, he was desperate to protect himself by putting up thorns all around.

Since skin-to-skin contact was difficult with bare hands, he always had to wear gloves in the hospital where many variables existed, and because of that, his sweaty hands would often swell up.

As his condition gradually improved and he started to get used to it, even when going bare-handed, he would keep his hands in his pockets to avoid touching others.

A vicious and persistent viper.

Already with an insensitive expression and sharp words and actions. Even though it was to protect myself, the somewhat arrogant behaviors added to circumstances others didn’t understand, creating the outward appearance of Yoon Sun Woo amidst people’s misunderstandings.

He’s just that kind of person.

Not to hurt those around him with such unintentionally selfish appearances and his words that knew no way of speaking indirectly.

Hoping that people would neither be disappointed nor expect anything from someone like him.

He maintained an appropriate distance in all human relationships.

As a result, he had a reputation for being rigid and old-fashioned even within the hospital. Sun Woo didn’t mind that rumor.

It was comfortable that people didn’t tiringly ask about him, weren’t curious, and didn’t approach him.

Sun Woo let out a deep sigh and tried to sleep again. He barely fell asleep with the help of medication, but that nightmare wouldn’t easily let go of Sun Woo.

“Little one.”

Go away! Don’t call me, don’t touch my body.

Young Sun Woo shouted and wailed, desperately batting away the black hands reaching out to him. Yet despite this, Sun Woo struggled with all his might to wake from the dream as the unpleasant touch persistently clung to him.

That’s when it happened.

“It’s okay. It’ll be alright.”

Along with a voice that resonated in his chest, a warm and gentle touch met Sun Woo’s forehead.

At that moment, the countless black hands that had been constantly reaching out from somewhere instantly shattered into ash in midair.

His body, which had been as immobile as if a boulder was placed on top of it, loosened up, allowing him to easily escape from the dream he couldn’t wake from no matter how much he had struggled.

How could this be…

Between his eyelids that he painfully forced open, Sun Woo recognized the owner of that voice and touch.

‘Ji Eun Jae…’

Before meeting Eun Jae, it was like that back then.

That eating alone at a hotel was his only pleasure. That the moment of quietly swallowing a glass of wine alone was the happiest.

That’s what he had thought.

The time spent eating at the same table with Eun Jae, the time spent chatting over tea – as the quiet house began to fill with the woman’s warmth, he became scared to even imagine what it was like before Eun Jae.

What are you, really?

In an instant, you shattered the life I had maintained for so long, seeping in as if it was your original place, making me crave things I had never longed for before.

I guess I too had been waiting for someone to reach out their hand towards me.

I was lonely too.

To the point where I don’t want to go back to that time.

Sun Woo got up and pulled on Eun Jae’s wrist as she tried to move away from him. Startled, Eun Jae tumbled into Sun Woo’s arms and they fell onto the bed together.

“What are you doing here?”

It happened in an instant. As she hastily raised her face that seemed about to touch his, Eun Jae found herself straddling the man, her cheeks flushed as she met his deep, dark eyes.

Though he had clearly just woken up, was it because of the sweat, or his disheveled hair? That appearance was so fatally attractive that she was momentarily at a loss for words.

“I asked why you’re here.”

The man’s voice was rather threatening.

Was he angry that she had come into his room on her own?

It was understandable. Wasn’t he someone who strictly separated his personal space?

“I’m sorry. I heard a strange sound…”

Eun Jae couldn’t move an inch, caught by her captured wrist and the man’s gaze that ensnared her whole body. The silent air squeezed her heart tightly.

“You shouldn’t just enter a man’s room when he’s alone.”

The distance had closed so much that even their breaths could be heard. Eun Jae’s pupils shook uncontrollably under the man’s strongly pressing gaze.

“It’s dangerous.”

The sensation of her hand on his chest was tingling.

The clearly defined abs felt through the thin t-shirt, the gaze that stared at her so intensely it could burn, the vibration of the man’s resounding heartbeat transmitted through her fingertips.

Eun Jae struggled to break free from the man’s embrace, but to him it was merely squirming.

“Won’t you let me go…?”

As if mocking that request, Sun Woo pulled the captured hand even closer.

“No, I won’t.”

Following that outrageous answer, Eun Jae was helplessly pulled by the man’s strength and ended up falling into his broad chest.

Sun Woo just watched with an amused smile as Eun Jae’s already large eyes widened even further.

“I don’t want to.”

At the man’s continued words, Eun Jae couldn’t say anything. The time spent in the man’s arms felt like each minute and second lasted an hour, and the man’s body was too hot.

That heat turned Eun Jae’s face and ear tips red. Her heart pounded fast and hard as if it was outside her body. The two hearts pressed together beat at a similar rapid pace.

“…It hurts.”

Despite Eun Jae’s complaint of pain, Sun Woo only loosened his grip on her wrist slightly, but didn’t let go for a long time.

He made her face flush from the morning, yet the man himself remained nonchalant.

He calmly set the table and sat down to eat facing her.

Throughout the meal, she couldn’t remember if the food was going into her mouth or nose, or even what the breakfast menu was, she felt so uncomfortable. But for him, it seemed to be a morning no different from usual.

‘It’s just me who’s uncomfortable, just me.’

After finishing the meal, the man brewed coffee according to his usual routine, and took some time to look over a paper.

7:40 AM.

As if he had set an alarm, the man closed the paper at the exact time, got up, grabbed his jacket and briefcase, and headed for the entrance.

Soon the front door would open and the man would leave the house. As she was fidgeting in the middle of the living room, nervously picking at her nails, the man’s voice rang out from the end of the hallway.

“Ms. Ji Eun Jae.”

“Yes?”

“Come here for a moment.”

At the man’s call, Eun Jae walked to the entrance. From the moment their eyes met at the end of the hallway, she slowly reduced her pace, approaching Sun Woo gradually.

“Aren’t you going to see me off?”

“See you off?”

Looking at Sun Woo with a puzzled expression at his sudden words, the man who had casually thrown the tie he was holding around his neck asked again.

“Do you know how to tie a tie?”

“I’ve never done it before…”

At Eun Jae’s words, Sun Woo raised an eyebrow.

“Try it.”

“You know how to do it yourself…”

“Article 2, During the maintenance of the marital relationship, the wife and husband’s roles—”

“Ah, alright.”

As Eun Jae pouted and stepped closer, the corners of Sun Woo’s mouth twitched. Eun Jae bowed her head deeply, fiddling with the tie in both hands.

She fumbled around for a while, not knowing whether to do this or that, and Sun Woo, who had been quietly watching her, laughed with a “pfft” sound.

“The sun will rise at this rate.”

“I told you I’ve never done it before.”

“Try it, you’ll have to keep doing it from now on.”

“What? Me?”

“I heard all newlywed couples do this.”

While Eun Jae was flustered, asking “Newlywed couple?”, Sun Woo smiled and his warm hands overlapped Eun Jae’s two hands—

“Watch carefully and learn.”

The overlapped hands began the large knot of the necktie together.

Eun Jae’s heartbeat, which had been gradually speeding up, accelerated endlessly. She couldn’t look at the man’s face, let alone the necktie.

When the knot started to get complicated, Sun Woo gently let go of Eun Jae’s hands and tied the necktie himself. After pulling the tie taut, Sun Woo whispered quietly.

“Tomorrow, Eun Jae will do it for me.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Early in the morning, Mi Ran was on the phone with Eun Jae.

[Mom, I didn’t sleep well last night. I might be a little late.]

“You must have been tired. Sleep more and don’t come today.”

[No, I said I’d come today.]

“Your mom won’t die if you don’t come for one day. You must be busy preparing for the wedding. If you have time for that, make one more side dish for your Yoon husband.”

Just then, the door to Mi Ran’s hospital room opened gently and Hye Ji entered. Mi Ran took her face away from the phone and greeted Hye Ji politely.

“Oh my, doctor, you’re here.”

“Was there any discomfort?”

“No, doctor. Ah, just a moment please.”

Mi Ran asked Hye Ji for understanding and hurriedly said goodbye to Eun Jae.

[The rounds are here? Anyway, I’ll come at lunchtime.]

“You’re coming at lunchtime?”

[Yes. Don’t eat the hospital food, Mom. Wait for me. I’ll bring something delicious.]

“No, what are you… Okay, let’s hang up for now. See you later.”

Mi Ran quickly ended the call and smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, you must be busy. She’s my only daughter, so I’m a bit excessive, aren’t I?”

“Not at all. Your daughter is very pretty. I met her in passing last time and exchanged greetings.”

“Oh, did you?”

Hye Ji smiled slightly and said while flipping through Mi Ran’s chart.

“The results of your lung function test from last time are out. Your FCV (Forced Vital Capacity) ratio was 42.3% last time, and fortunately, the number hasn’t dropped further. Even if it’s hard, you need to keep doing rehabilitation exercises. It might be difficult at first, but if you gradually increase the amount of exercise, it will get better.”

“Thank you. Ah, doctor, it’s not much, but please have this.”

Mi Ran picked up the orange juice on the bedside table, placed it in Hye Ji’s hand, and smiled brightly.

Hye Ji smiled brightly as she accepted the orange juice Mi Ran handed her.

“Thank you. I’ll drink it well.”

“Yes, doctor, I’m always grateful.”

As soon as she closed the door to Mi Ran’s room, the corners of her mouth that had been raised dropped coldly.

Hye Ji stared at the orange juice in her hand for a long time before throwing the bottle into the trash can in front of her.

[This is the timeline separator]

As lunchtime approached, Sun Woo, who had finished his consultations a bit early, was stretching to loosen up when he received a call from Eun Jung.

[I’m on my way back from visiting Dad and Eun Jae’s mother.]

This was the reason they couldn’t arrange a separate meeting for introductions with Eun Jae’s mother, who had difficulty moving. Still, thinking they should at least greet her before bringing Eun Jae to the family home, Sun Woo had asked Eun Jung to do so.

“Why, didn’t you stop by?”

[No, you’re in the middle of consultations, and we can see each other later.]

“You’ve worked hard.”

[Hey, Sun Woo.]

Eun Jung, who had hesitated and cut off her words, opened her mouth again.

[About Eun Jae’s mother… She looked quite unwell, is she okay?]

Eun Jung’s voice was full of worry. It seems that even to a layperson without medical knowledge, her complexion looked poor. Sun Woo let out a short sigh before answering.

“She’s suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her lung function has dropped below 50 percent. The situation isn’t good.”

There was a moment of silence. No sound could be heard, but somehow it felt like Eun Jung’s sigh was coming through.

[Does Eun Jae know too?]

“Just that it’s not good.”

The rate at which her lung function was declining was notably fast, and in the worst case, even lung transplantation was being considered. They had even put her on the waiting list just in case.

[Eun Jae is the guardian, she should know.]

“I’m also a guardian. It’s my field after all. It can sufficiently improve…”

Sun Woo unconsciously stopped the words that were about to come out.

Saying it can get better…

In fact, that’s not something I can guarantee, is it?

[That’s not like you, Sun Woo.]

Due to his characteristically direct and blunt manner of speaking, Sun Woo often had conflicts with patients.

Before getting consent for surgery, he always had to explain the worst-case scenario to patients, and there was no way to sugar-coat it.

Sun Woo’s face was deep in thought, but he chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.

“You’re right.”

I don’t know why I’m acting like this either.

I just want to see Ji Eun Jae smile.