(Anxin's POV)
The silence after his words lingers.
"You're standing too close to something you don't understand."
I don't like that.
Not the tone.
Not the meaning.
Not the way he said it like—
He already knows more than I do.
—
"What are you not telling me?" I ask.
He doesn't answer immediately.
Of course he doesn't.
Instead, his gaze shifts past me again.
Still scanning.
Still calculating.
Like I'm not the priority right now.
And for some reason—
That irritates me.
—
"Hedi."
This time, my voice is sharper.
He looks at me.
Finally.
And just for a second—
Something soft flickers in his eyes.
Then it's gone.
"You shouldn't be involved in this."
My brows furrow.
"I already am."
"No," he says calmly. "You're standing near it. That's different."
"That's not your decision."
"It is."
—
I stare at him.
And there it is again.
That wall.
That distance.
The one I hate.
—
"I'm the doctor assigned to that patient," I say firmly.
"I am involved."
His jaw tightens slightly.
And I realize—
He doesn't like that.
At all.
—
(Hedi's POV)
She's arguing.
Of course she is.
She always does.
—
But this isn't like before.
This isn't about food.
Or rest.
Or small things.
—
This is different.
And I don't want her anywhere near it.
—
"Transfer the case," I say.
Her expression changes instantly.
"What?"
"Give it to another doctor."
"No."
"That wasn't a suggestion."
"And I'm not your employee."
—
Silence.
Sharp.
Tense.
—
She's right.
But that doesn't change anything.
—
(Anxin's POV)
"Why are you acting like this?" I ask.
He exhales slowly.
Like he's holding something back.
"Because I don't trust this."
"That's not enough reason."
"It is for me."
"Well, it's not for me."
—
We're standing too close now.
Neither of us stepping back.
Neither of us willing to give in.
—
"You're overreacting," I say.
"And you're underestimating it."
"Based on what?"
Silence.
—
"Exactly," I whisper.
—
(Hedi's POV)
I can't tell her.
Not yet.
Not without proof.
Not without dragging her into something she can't walk out of.
—
And that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
—
"Just stay away from him," I say finally.
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"That's not an answer."
"It's enough."
"It's not."
—
She steps closer.
Just slightly.
But enough.
—
"You don't get to control everything, Hedi."
I look at her.
Really look.
And for a second—
I forget everything else.
—
Because she's not scared.
Not backing down.
Not even now.
—
That's what makes her dangerous.
—
(Anxin's POV)
Why is he looking at me like that?
Like he's trying to say something—
But won't.
—
"What are you hiding?" I ask softly this time.
His gaze softens.
Just a little.
Then—
He reaches out.
—
And grabs my wrist.
—
The same way he did earlier.
Gentle.
But firm.
—
My breath catches.
Again.
—
"You trust me, right?" he says quietly.
The question catches me off guard.
"…Of course I do."
"Then listen to me."
My heart starts beating faster.
Not because of fear.
Because of him.
—
"Stay away from him."
—
(Anxin's POV)
Why does that feel like more than just a warning?
Why does it feel like—
He's asking for something else?
—
"I can't just ignore my patient," I say softly.
His grip tightens slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
But enough to stop me.
—
"You can."
"I won't."
—
Silence.
—
And then—
He steps closer.
—
Too close.
—
"Hedi…"
My voice drops.
Without me meaning it to.
—
"If something happens to you—"
He stops.
Mid-sentence.
—
My heart stutters.
"What?"
—
He looks at me.
And this time—
There's no wall.
No distance.
No control.
—
Just him.
—
"I won't—"
—
"Doctor Anxin!"
—
The moment breaks.
Just like that.
—
I pull my hand back instinctively.
Turning toward the voice.
A nurse.
Running toward us.
Slightly out of breath.
—
"Doctor—Room 312…"
My chest tightens.
"What happened?"
—
"He's back."
—
Silence.
—
(Hedi's POV)
Of course he is.
—
"Where?" I ask.
"In his room."
—
I exchange a glance with her.
And I can already see it—
She's going.
Of course she is.
—
"Don't," I say.
Too late.
—
(Anxin's POV)
"I have to," I say quickly, already moving.
"Anxin—"
"I'll be fine."
—
I don't wait.
I don't think.
I just move.
—
Because this is my job.
Because this is my responsibility.
Because—
I need to know.
—
(Corridor — Fast Pace)
My footsteps echo as I walk quickly toward Room 312.
My heartbeat rising.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Just—
Something intense.
—
I reach the door.
Pause for half a second.
Then push it open.
—
(Inside Room 312)
He's there.
—
Sitting exactly where he was before.
By the window.
—
Like he never left.
—
"You're back," I say slowly.
—
He turns his head.
And smiles.
—
"Yes, doctor."
A pause.
Then—
"I told you…"
—
His eyes meet mine.
Sharp.
Knowing.
Unsettling.
—
"…I was starting to enjoy this."
—
(Ending)
Behind me—
I can feel it.
—
Hedi.
Standing there.
Watching.
—
And for the first time—
The tension in the room isn't just between me and Jisung.
—
It's between them.