[The next day]
Jihyun lingered in his apartment, restless.
He kept walking in and out, glancing at Taewon's door, waiting for the sound of footsteps, the shadow of his return.
But Taewon never came.
(By evening)
Jihyun sat alone at his dining table, his fingers trembling against the wood. His mind spun in circles.
What should I do?
And then, the familiar fear crept in again.
His chest tightened.
He stood abruptly, rushing for his medicine. But even after swallowing the pills, the fear only grew heavier, suffocating.
His eyes darted across the empty apartment, convinced something someone was moving inside with him.
"Jihyun it's okay. It's just hallucinations,"
He whispered, pressing a hand against his chest. But the sound of faint footsteps in his bedroom made his blood run cold.
Step by step, he moved toward the door, his breathing ragged. He pushed it open nothing. Empty silence.
Still, his heartbeat surged to the point of pain, his vision spinning.
His phone slipped into his hands, but when he tried calling his psychologist,
no one picked up.
"Not real… it's not real,"
He muttered, sinking to the floor.
Knees pulled to his chest, hands clamped over his ears.
His whisper broke into a scream, raw and shaking, until it felt as though he'd gone deaf in his own voice.
The world blurred. His heart felt like it stopped altogether.
Panic drove him to his feet, stumbling out into the hall.
He knocked weakly at Taewon's door, voice barely audible, broken.
"They'll kill me, soon"
The door opened.
Jihyun collapsed instantly, body falling backward, eyes shut tight.
"Jihyun!"
Taewon crouched, stunned, as a guard rushed forward. They checked his pulse it was faint, his skin ice cold, his face pale as though drained of life.
Without hesitation, Taewon slid his arms beneath him, lifting his fragile frame. Jihyun's lips trembled, ghost-white against the curve of his jaw.
His weight was so light it startled him.
Taewon carried him inside, laying him carefully on his bed.
The guard, already on the phone, looked up.
"Sir, I've called a town doctor. He'll be here shortly."
Taewon only nodded, his gaze fixed on Jihyun's face.
The hollow eyes, the bruised dark circles, the sharp edges of his thin body it was unbearable to see.
When the doctor arrived,
Taewon greeted him and stepped aside as Jihyun was examined.
Slowly, Jihyun stirred, eyelids fluttering open. He stared blankly at the ceiling before pushing himself up weakly.
Outside the room, the doctor spoke in a calm, professional tone.
"The patient's blood pressure is very low, likely due to stress, poor nutrition, and disrupted sleep.
He's experiencing panic-induced hallucinations and dissociation episodes.
It seems he's been relying on medication, but it isn't enough on its own."
Taewon's jaw tightened.
"What should be done?"
"For now,"
The doctor continued,
"make sure he eats properly, keeps hydrated, and avoids staying alone during his episodes.
He should not be left unsupervised when the fear escalates.
Continue his prescribed medicines, but more therapy sessions are crucial."
Taewon exhaled slowly, eyes drifting back toward the bedroom door.
"Alright. Thank you, doctor."
Taewon entered the room after sometimes, his face expressionless.
Jihyun was already sitting on the bed, shoulders slumped, eyes still clouded from weakness.
The moment he saw Taewon, he slowly pushed himself up, bowed slightly, and made to leave as if nothing had happened.
But Taewon's gaze followed him, heavy with questions, with anger he couldn't voice.
His hand shot out, grabbing Jihyun's wrist.
Jihyun froze.
"Where are you going?"
Taewon's voice was low, edged with something that made the air heavy.
"Me… m..me, to my apartment,"
Jihyun stammered. "Back."
"Is this up to you?"
Taewon's eyes burned into him, sharp enough to swallow him whole.
Jihyun's breath hitched. This wasn't the Taewon he remembered calm, distant, polite. This was someone colder, scarier, his stare unrelenting.
"I..I'm sorry," Jihyun whispered, trembling.
"I didn't mean it."
"Since when is this happening?"
Jihyun blinked, confused.
"What happening?"
"Don't play dumb with me."
Taewon's glare darkened.
Jihyun lowered his gaze, voice barely audible.
"After… after that accident. But it's normal for me now. I'm getting better."
Taewon studied him, then gave a short nod. "If you're fine now, then I have some questions to ask you."
Jihyun slowly pulled his wrist free, his voice weak. "What questions?"
"Outside." Taewon's tone cut off the moment.
"I put some dinner. Eat it first. Then we'll talk."
Jihyun nodded silently, walking out.
He sat at the table, quietly eating.
Taewon didn't join him, staying inside.
When Jihyun finished, he hesitated, glancing toward the room.
"Maybe he changed his mind maybe he doesn't want to talk after all."
He stood, ready to leave.
"Sit."
Taewon's cold voice came from behind. Jihyun sat down again, staring at the floor.
Taewon pulled out the chair opposite him, sitting down. His eyes never left Jihyun's face.
"First. Tell me. What are you doing here?"
Jihyun tried to keep his voice steady, but his insides trembled.
" I'm here for my comfort."
"Comfort."
Taewon's tone was flat, almost mocking. "You're looking for comfort now?"
Jihyun swallowed hard.
"Minjoon hyung went abroad for work. And at the villa, I feel stressed."
Taewon didn't comment, his gaze cutting to the next question.
"Then why are you following me?
What do you want from me now?"
Jihyun forced himself to meet his eyes.
"I… i just want to apologize to you."
"For what?"
Taewon leaned forward, his leg shaking under the table.
"Do you even feel like you were ever wrong?"
"I'm sorry for everything I did back then," Jihyun said quickly, his throat tight.
"I wasn't finding anything for myself.
I was confused. By myself. Lost."
"And now?" Taewon's tone sharpened. "You're not confused anymore?"
The coldness in his voice made Jihyun's chest ache. He shook his head slowly.
"I just really want to apologize. For my behavior."
Taewon stared into his eyes, his leg bouncing harder.
"Fine. I accept your apology. Next."
Jihyun blinked. "What?"
"Yes," Taewon said coldly.
"Now what next?"
Jihyun hesitated, lips trembling.
"I just wanted to apologize."
Taewon's leg bounced harder against the floor, his gaze pressing as if waiting for Jihyun to admit something more.
But when Jihyun only nodded faintly, Taewon's expression turned sharper.
"So, that's all? Fine . Then listen carefully."
His voice lowered, each word like ice.
"From now on, don't mess with my people. Don't block paths for others in my life. You have no right anymore. Stay out of my room. Stay out of my life. And you'd better not interfere with Bora again."
Jihyun's entire body froze. His lips parted. "B… Bora?"
Taewon nodded once, coldly.
"Yes. Bora. The one you stopped yesterday from coming here."
Jihyun's hands shook. " I was just"
"If you're done," Taewon cut him off, his voice final,
"you may leave."
Jihyun's eyes burned with unshed tears.
His lips trembled, the lump in his throat choking him.
He looked straight into Taewon's eyes one last time, nodded faintly, and gulped down the tears that refused to fall.
Silently, he stood. And with a heavy step, he left the apartment, disappearing back into his own.