T1

Prologue

“That cursed bitch.”

On the way here, Eun-young had been silent — until now.

Tae-woong’s hand, which had been opening the first-aid kit on the table, froze mid-air.

“Ever since I moved into my aunt’s house, that’s what I heard whenever I so much as put a spoon down wrong.”

Tae-woong’s gaze lingered on Eun-young’s face — her half-dried tear streaks, her reddened eyes.

When she clenched her fist, fresh blood welled up between the cracks of her healing wounds.

In a dry, indifferent tone, she went on.

“I hated how that word followed me everywhere like a curse, so I worked my ass off to get into med school. I thought if I became a doctor, it’d finally stop.”

“Are you trying to make me feel guilty or something?” Tae-woong asked, his usual cold, expressionless gaze fixed on her.

“No. Maybe… that word wasn’t wrong after all. I kept wondering why you fired me. Why me, of all people. And now I think I get it.”

Eun-young bit her lip, then spoke again.

“My life’s just bad luck, that’s all. So you can go now.”

Her eyes were dry, empty — void of hope or anger.

To her, this man was no different from her aunt.

Her aunt wanted money.
This man wanted her body.

Both kept her close only out of need.

Tae-woong lifted her chin and ran his thumb slowly across her lips.

Eun-young slapped his hand away, glaring up at him.

“How pathetic.”

“Still think I’m a fool, huh?” he asked quietly.

She gave a small, bitter laugh. “If that’s what you think…”

Before she could finish, Tae-woong’s lips crushed into hers.

Soft, damp lips pressed hard against hers, stealing her breath.

His strong hand clamped her jaw, refusing to let go.

For a brief moment, Eun-young closed her eyes and let herself sink into the sweetness.

A line that never should’ve been crossed.

Even if he cornered her, she should’ve found a way to escape.

When his hands began to roam, she opened her eyes and pushed hard against his chest.

Her gaze was sharp again — sober.

“You said you liked me.”

Tae-woong’s cold, detached eyes didn’t waver.

“…Not anymore,” she said quietly, wiping her wet lips with her sleeve.

“Then what about doing it,” he murmured, unbuttoning his shirt, “with me — even if you don’t like me?”

He lowered his head, brushing his lips against the curve of her neck.

Her body flinched instinctively; every nerve came alive.

A faint, involuntary sound escaped her throat.

“See? You do like it.”

He never needed a doctor.
Never wanted a physician.

He only needed a reason — an excuse to bring her home, using his sick brother as a tool.

Before long, their bodies tangled on the wide sofa.

Pinned beneath him, Eun-young looked like a small, trapped creature — trembling, powerless.

She hated the way her own body responded, betraying her.

“I really hate this,” she whispered.

Tae-woong leaned close to her ear, his voice low and deliberate.

“Keep liking me, Doctor. That’s the only way we’ll keep doing this.”

Chapter 1. Since I Raised Her Well, I Should Bring Her Home

---

Sweat beaded on the shiny bald head of the hospital director.

He sat stiffly upright, waiting for Tae-woong to speak.

The director’s office — usually spacious — suddenly felt cramped once Tae-woong walked in.

Though much younger, Tae-woong’s sharp eyes and cold aura radiated a heavy pressure that the older man could feel in his bones.

His black eyes drifted to the window.

Outside, a banner fluttered in the wind.

“Opening of Lee myung University Hospital Cancer Center.”

Director Kim wiped his forehead with his sleeve and forced a laugh.

“Thanks to your support, Executive Director, we were able to open the cancer center so quickly. I can’t express my gratitude enough, ha ha.”

“There’s no need to express gratitude,” Tae-woong replied flatly.

The director swallowed hard.

“I only invested because I had my reasons.”

Kwon Tae-woong — the man funding Lee myung University Hospital.

Stories about him were everywhere: every subsidiary of the Limyung Group he touched turned to gold, and he was said to be his grandfather’s favorite — the group’s chairman himself.

Six years ago, Tae-woong’s younger brother, Ji-woong, had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

As Ji-woong received treatment at Lee myung University Hospital, Tae-woong’s ties to the hospital deepened.

He funded not only a dedicated medical team for his brother but several other hospital ventures.

“>How is Doctor Myung Eun-young doing these days?”

Eun-young was part of Ji-woong’s care team.

“She’s in her second year of residency in Rehabilitation Medicine. Very bright. She’s doing well.”

Director Kim remembered vividly the first time Tae-woong mentioned her name — six months ago.

For the first time, the man who was usually expressionless had worn an intrigued smile.

Like a predator who’d just spotted new prey after a long, dull hunt.

“>She’s smart,” Tae-woong had murmured that day.

The director had no idea what he was thinking now, only that silence weighed heavily in the air.

Then Tae-woong said it.

“Fire Doctor Myung Eun-young.”

Director Kim blinked in disbelief. For five years, Tae-woong had occasionally asked minor things about her — nothing serious.

This was the first time he’d ever given a direct order.

“May I… ask why?”

There had to be some justifiable reason.

Tae-woong leaned back slightly, his lips curving faintly.

“Since I raised her so well, it’s time to bring her home.”

The words made no sense — and yet they chilled the room.

“Why? You think she’s too talented to lose?”

The director’s blood ran cold under Tae-woong’s stare. He waved his hands in panic and quickly called his secretary.

Through the receiver, his trembling voice ordered Eun-young’s dismissal.

Only then did Tae-woong rise and walk out of the office, leaving behind the heavy silence he’d brought with him.

---

Eun-young nearly spilled her coffee in shock.

She’d just finished her night shift when her supervising professor told her she’d been dismissed.

“It came from above. Nothing I can do. Please pack your things by tomorrow.”

A week after being pushed out, she got a call.

Her professor, Dr. Park, needed her to hand over her unfinished research work for his paper.

So she reluctantly returned to the hospital.

But when she saw who was there to receive the handover, her breath caught.

Her senior from university — and ex-boyfriend — Jung-won.

Their greeting was curt, professional. They talked only about the data.

Thirty minutes later, when everything was done, silence fell.

“>How have you been?” he asked casually.

“Fine.”

The answer was dry, mechanical.

Once, they’d been a public couple. Now, sitting across from him felt suffocating.

She didn’t want anyone to see them — especially not her, Jung-won’s current girlfriend, the hospital director’s daughter.

“>If you need help, just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can.”

Eun-young laughed bitterly.

How generous of the man who cheated on me.

It was humiliating — being pitied by the one who betrayed her.

“Do you even have that kind of power now? Oh, wait — you’re dating the director’s daughter. Guess you do.”

Her mocking tone made his face harden.

When she had begged for reconsideration after her dismissal, the director had only said:

“Did you happen to offend the chairman’s grandson?”

If she’d offended anyone, it was probably this man’s new lover.

“Unless you plan to ask your girlfriend’s dad to rehire me, stop pretending to care.”

“>Hey. Watch your mouth — this is my workplace.”

“Not mine anymore,” she snapped. “What, are you embarrassed because you got caught two-timing?”

Jung-won shook his head, muttering that talking to her was pointless, and left.

Running away when things don’t go his way — just like always.

He walked toward the main entrance.

A sudden rush of anger made Eun-young spring up and follow him.

She called out, “Oppa!” and he turned.

“Why did you do it?”

Months ago, a classmate had sent her a photo — Jung-won leaving a motel with another woman.

He had never once tried to sleep with her.

When she asked that day, he’d said simply,

“Because you don’t turn me on.”

You don’t turn me on.

So blunt. So final.

She stood frozen, unable to respond as he got in his car and drove away.

They’d known each other for six years, dated for one. He’d been her first boyfriend — the one she’d imagined marrying.

And this was the end.

Hollow. Empty.

She’d lost both her job and her lover — and his cruel words echoed in her ears.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Her body trembled with humiliation.

Then a tall shadow fell over her.

She looked up.

A man in a sleek black coat stood there — over 190 cm tall, broad-shouldered, striking.

Thick brows, upward-slanting eyes, a chiseled jawline, and lips that drew attention.

A face too unforgettable — and all too familiar.

“>Doctor Myung Eun-young.”

His low, resonant voice made her skin prickle.

She recognized him immediately — Kwon Tae-woong, executive director of the Lee myung Group, and guardian of her former patient, Kwon Ji-woong.

She remembered the whispers among hospital staff whenever he appeared.

He pulled out a business card and handed it to her.

“I’m looking for a personal physician.”

Eun-young stared, confused.

“>I don’t work at the hospital anymore.”

“I know.”

“I’m not even a licensed specialist yet.”

“That’s fine. Please contact me.”

Polite but firm, Tae-woong ended the conversation and walked away, leaving her standing in silence.

---

Madam Jung was pacing anxiously in front of the door when Tae-woong arrived home.

Sensing something was wrong, he hurried inside.

From the living room came the sound of shattering glass and chaos.

“When did it start?”

“About thirty minutes ago.”

“The doctor?”

“She came, but he wouldn’t let her give the injection.”

Tae-woong frowned and rushed to his brother’s room.

Broken shards of a vase glittered across the floor.

Blood dripped from the attending doctor’s arm, staining the white wool carpet.

Ji-woong was slumped against the wall, pressing a syringe to his neck.

His bloodshot eyes were wild.

“>Don’t come any closer!”

“Put it down, Ji-woong.”

“Don’t tell me not to die!”

“You won’t die from that. Take the shot first — then we’ll talk.”

“You think the shot will cure me?!”

“>I brought you a gift.”

Ji-woong blinked, startled. “What?”

“Are you messing with me right now?”

“>Myung Eun-young.”

Ji-woong froze. The syringe slipped slightly from his grip.

Tae-woong approached slowly and took it from his hand.

Looking his brother in the eyes, he said quietly:

“Didn’t I promise to give you everything you want?”