Na Young clenched her fist tightly. Even if Lee Ju-ah truly didn’t spread any rumors, Na Young had no trust in her. She seemed too cunning and manipulative.

That evening, Na Young decided to visit Tae Hyuk’s home for the first time after work. She felt it was important to have a proper conversation with him, especially after hearing Lee Ju-ah’s remarks about having settled matters with him. Na Young needed to know what promise Tae Hyuk had made to Lee Ju-ah.

Ding-dong.

She rang the doorbell and waited for Tae Hyuk to answer, knowing he had left the hospital. But after a minute, there was still no response. Na Young then tried calling him.

Rrrrrrrrr Rrrrrrrrr[Dash] [The person you are calling is not available and will be directed to the voicemail service.]

Not getting a response from Tae Hyuk, Na Young’s brows furrowed in concern. She couldn’t just give up, so she called Cha Hyun. If Tae Hyuk wasn’t at home, perhaps he was with Cha Hyun.

[Hello?]

“Are you with Professor Tae Hyuk?” Na Young asked as soon as Cha Hyun answered.

[No, I’m at a filming location.]

Cha Hyun’s response darkened Na Young’s expression.

[What’s wrong? Is Tae Hyuk missing?]

“Yes. He’s not at home, and he’s not answering his phone.”

[Did you two fight?]

“No.”

[You’re not suspecting Tae Hyuk of cheating, are you?]

Na Young had never thought of that, but Cha Hyun’s suggestion suddenly filled her with anxiety.

“It’s not easy,” she muttered despondently. Just as she was gathering the courage to advance their relationship, this unsettling incident occurred, eroding her confidence.

[The harder it is, the more joy you feel when you succeed.]

Cha Hyun’s words were undoubtedly true. But whether Na Young could take that step depended entirely on her, leaving her uneasy.

Without another word from Na Young, Cha Hyun tried to divert her attention.

[Do you know why Tae Hyuk is so dedicated to his medical career?]

“Because he’s skilled.”

[Do you think he was always like that? Tae Hyuk chose to go to medical school after a near-death experience. He knows the true value of his path.]

Na Young straightened up, intrigued by this new insight into Tae Hyuk’s life.

[Adversity, if feared, can make us more cowardly, but if faced, it leads to growth. That’s why my movies always have trials. A story without challenges is just too dull.]

Na Young quietly absorbed Cha Hyun’s words. His advice wasn’t just for the moment but resonated with her entire life.

Challenges weren’t merely seeds of misfortune; they could lead to different outcomes depending on one’s attitude. Na Young realized anew why she needed to be brave.
Overcome by the intensity that surged within her, Na Young couldn’t help but tear up, her eyes welling with involuntary tears.

After a moment, Tae Hyuk broke the kiss and noticed the moisture in her eyes. He narrowed his gaze, “Did I just make you cry?”

Embarrassed, Na Young quickly wiped her eyes with her hand. It wasn’t out of sadness but a natural reaction.

Feeling it was better to leave quickly, she got up from her seat, “I’m going home now.”

“No, you can’t. You haven’t finished your coffee yet,” Tae Hyuk objected, gripping her arm.

In response, Na Young took the coffee cup with both hands and drank it in one go.

Thud.

Tae Hyuk alternated his gaze between the empty cup and her face, “You didn’t want to drink it earlier because it was too precious.”

Although she did indeed find it precious, she couldn’t keep the coffee forever. Smiling, she gently unwound his fingers from her arm, “I’ve finished it, so I’m leaving now.”

Tae Hyuk wanted to keep her there, but he had no real reason to. Suggesting they stay together just because he liked her would make him seem desperate.

Thud, thud, thud.

Nam Ho Jin’s urgent footsteps echoed through the hospital corridor, hinting at some major development.

Bursting into the medical office, he exclaimed as if the hospital itself might flee, “Tae Hyuk is in the cafeteria right now, having coffee with some woman!”

The doctors in the office looked at him incredulously, “Really?”

“I saw it with my own two eyes. And she’s a young, pretty woman,” Nam Ho Jin insisted.

The residents, curious to see for themselves, left in groups.

Walking through the corridor, Na Young was surprised by the rush of people and asked, “What’s happening?”

Kim Young Mi, passing by, quickly informed her, “Tae Hyuk is in the cafeteria with a woman, everyone’s going to watch.”

Na Young narrowed her eyes, thinking it over. If Tae Hyuk was really cheating on her with another woman, he wouldn’t do it so openly in the hospital. She decided to follow the residents to the cafeteria to see for herself.
Na Young, suspecting someone, followed the group of residents rushing to the cafeteria.

“See? I told you so!” Nam Ho Jin boasted from a distance, watching the scene.

“That’s the daughter of the VIP ward patient,” he said with certainty.

People dismissed it, “Oh, it’s just a family member of a patient talking.”