T5

Chapter 5 – Crossing the Line

“Please be more careful from now on.”

Eun-young looked Tae-woong straight in the eyes as she spoke.

Tae-woong placed his glass of water on the table with a thud.

“Should I apologize or something?”

He leaned forward toward her.

“You walked into a drunk man’s room without a second thought.”

The low voice brushing her ear made Eun-young’s face flush.

He was the one who had overstepped, yet it sounded as if she were the one being scolded.

“I’m kidding, Doctor.”

Tae-woong lightly patted her shoulder twice.

“I’ll be careful from now on.”

With a faint smile curving his eyes, he grabbed his coat and headed toward the elevator.

Once he was out of sight, Eun-young’s body lost all tension.

Mrs. Jung, returning from the main house, saw her face and frowned with concern.

“Did something happen, Doctor? Madam was here a while ago—did she say something to you?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“ughh, just let it go. That woman always talks with a knife in her mouth. Even when she speaks to her sons, I get chills down my spine.”

“I’ll try not to mind.”

“Shall I fix you some breakfast?”

“Just for Ji-woong, please.”

He’d said he’d be careful, yet in her ears, it had sounded more like she should be.

She wasn’t the type to throw herself at a man out of pity — nor was he the type to embrace her anyway.

Eun-young carried the tray Mrs. Jung had prepared and headed toward Ji-woong’s room.

She had no intention of clinging. He wouldn’t reach for her, and she wouldn’t yield.

“This is where I first saw you, Doc.”

“Yeah. I remember only seeing you from afar back then. Never thought we’d end up like this.”

When the VIP ward had first opened, Ji-woong had been hospitalized there, and every department head and resident had gathered to greet him.

She remembered Ji-woong looking embarrassed and Tae-woong’s angry face watching from the side.

Today was Ji-woong’s regular check-up. Only one test remained.

“My brother used to come with me before, but now he rarely does. He’s always busy.”

A faint shadow crossed Ji-woong’s face.

Mrs. Jung had told Eun-young that Ji-woong hated hospital visits — and now that his brother was always away, he dreaded them even more.

“Then from now on, I’ll come with you.”

Eun-young smoothed his messy hair, and Ji-woong’s cheeks flushed.

“Nam Eun-young…?”

A familiar voice called out.

It was Jung-won.

She hadn’t expected to run into him here — not in the VIP ward.

He approached, glancing between Eun-young and Ji-woong.

Ji-woong frowned slightly.

“What brings you here?”

Her tone was sharp, tinged with hostility.

Jung-won greeted Ji-woong briefly and looked around nervously.

“Since we met anyway, can we talk for a bit?”

“I’m working. If you’ve got something to say, call me.”

“You changed your number. How am I supposed to call?”

“…I have nothing to say. Please just go.”

She muttered a curse under her breath. After taking the position as live-in physician, she’d deliberately changed her number — she wanted no contact with anyone from the hospital.

But Jung-won wouldn’t leave.

“Come on, it’ll just take a minute.”

Just then—

“Is there a problem here?”

Tae-woong stepped between them, towering over Jung-won.

Eun-young’s eyes widened in surprise.

“A-ah, no, sir. I was just glad to see her after so long.”

“Glad to see your ex? You’ve got some nerve, considering you were the cheating piece of trash.”

His voice dripped with scorn, his expression cold and amused. Jung-won’s face went red with humiliation.

Without another word, he bowed awkwardly and left.

“Hyung, what are you doing here?” Ji-woong asked brightly.

“Had business nearby. Finished early.”

“Patient Kwon Ji-woong, time for your exam,” a nurse called.

When Eun-young tried to help with the wheelchair, Ji-woong waved her off.

He disappeared into the exam room, leaving only Eun-young and Tae-woong in the hallway.

“Seems you and he still have things left unsaid.”

“No. We don’t.”

“Good. I’d hate to think I interrupted something.”

You saw everything in the parking lot, and you’re still pretending?

“There’s no need for you to come to the hospital. Mr. Kim can handle it.”

“I don’t mind. It’s my job.”

He took a step closer, his brows knitting.

“Do you always argue with people like this?”

“Depends on the person.”

“Am I that easy to talk back to?”

His gaze pressed down on her like weight. Their eyes locked in midair — his expressionless, but chillingly cold.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He answered briefly, said nothing, and walked off.

In the car on the way home, Ji-woong hummed cheerfully — glad the endless tests were finally over.

Outside the window, green leaves shimmered on spring trees.

Eun-young thought to herself how peaceful it looked.

Compared to her aunt, Tae-woong’s roughness was nothing.

Three warm meals a day, her own private room, and just one patient to care for — it was better than running around the hospital caring for dozens.

The generous salary easily covered the allowance she still sent her aunt, with plenty left for herself.

She’d even started studying English, thinking she might work abroad someday.

And yet — sometimes peace feels like walking on thin ice.
You know it might crack any second, but you keep smiling anyway.

Lost in thought—

Screeeech!

The sudden brake made everyone jump.

“What the—? Who is that?”

After checking Ji-woong, Eun-young followed the driver’s pointing finger.

Her aunt, Hee-sook, stood there — glaring straight into the car with icy eyes.

The ice cracked wide open.

“Please leave, Aunt. I work here.”

Eun-young faced her in the yard.

“You said it was some provincial hospital. This look like the countryside to you?”

“How did you even find this place?”

“You stopped answering your phone, so I went to your old hospital. Figured you’d run away.”

Eun-young instantly thought of Jung-won. So that’s who told her.

“How much are they paying you, huh? Enough to keep secrets from your own aunt?”

Hee-sook shoved Eun-young’s head back with her hand.

“I send you plenty every month,” Eun-young said tightly.

Her aunt grabbed her by the back of the neck.

“I asked how much.”

Persistent as ever — must’ve needed money again.

“Looks like a rich house. Bet they pay their private doctor well.”

“I’ll send more next month.”

“Not more. All of it.”

Eun-young sighed and pulled out her phone, opening her banking app.

Only then did Hee-sook release her.

She pulled out a cigarette, but Eun-young snatched it away.

“Here. I sent everything — kept only what I need for clothes and food. You can’t smoke here. Go outside.”

“Eun-young…”

Her aunt’s voice softened — that tone Eun-young could never fully ignore.

“You know I don’t want to be like this. I’m just trying to fix Jong-hoon. I’ll use the money for something good.”

She held Eun-young’s hands.

“Eat, okay? Don’t skip meals. Once your brother’s doing better, I’ll start saving for you.”

That kind voice always came after she’d taken the money — and still, Eun-young fell for it every time.

After putting her aunt in a taxi, Eun-young’s phone buzzed.

[To my office.]

It was Tae-woong.

She walked silently toward his study.

“So… should I just have your salary wired straight to your aunt?”

Through the window behind him, the yard where she’d stood moments ago was clearly visible.

“There’s no need for that, sir. If this isn’t about Ji-woong, I’ll excuse myself.”

She bowed and turned to leave—

“A family that’s nothing but a burden — why cling to them?”

Eun-young straightened.

“A brother with no chance of recovery — why not just let go?”

Her voice was steady when she answered:

“How would you feel if I said that about you, Executive Director?”

His jaw tightened.

“You’re crossing the line.”

He stepped closer, one hand buried in his pocket.

Pride. Arrogance. Possessiveness.

In his eyes, whatever he wanted, he would have — no matter what it took.

Eun-young raised her hand, pressing the back of it to his neck.

“What are you doing?”

He slapped her hand away.

“Wondered if you were feverish again — maybe you wanted another IV.”

Tae-woong exhaled a short, incredulous laugh.

“Then don’t cross the line first, Director.”

She stepped back, gave a polite nod, and left.

Tae-woong stood by the window, one hand still in his pocket.

Touching the spot where her hand had brushed him, he felt the heat rise under his skin.

The urge to break her grew — and with it, desire.

Outside, through the glass, he saw her walking back to her room.

She’d crossed more lines than she realized.

Tae-woong swallowed the fire in his chest and turned away.