If tension had a sound—
It would be this room.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
Kim Monami Anxin stood between two men who clearly didn't belong in the same space... yet neither of them looked like they were planning to leave.
Bad.
Very bad.
Why does this feel like something is about to explode?
She exhaled slowly. "Both of you need to calm down."
No one listened.
Of course.
Seo Jisung leaned back casually, like he was watching his favorite drama unfold.
Wang Hedi?
He looked like he was seconds away from ending it.
"You should leave," Anxin said, looking at Hedi.
Silence.
Wrong choice.
His eyes shifted to her.
Not angry.
Worse.
Hurt... and controlled.
"Come outside," he said.
Not loud.
But not optional either.
"No."
The word slipped out before she could soften it.
And just like that—
The air changed.
Great. Now you've done it.
Jisung smiled slightly. "She said no."
Hedi didn't even look at him.
"That wasn't directed at you."
"Everything here seems to involve me," Jisung replied lazily.
One step.
That's all it took.
Hedi moved closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Dangerous.
"Don't push your luck."
Jisung's smile didn't fade.
"Or what?"
Oh no.
Anxin stepped in immediately, placing a hand against Hedi's chest.
"Stop."
That single touch—
That was the only thing that worked.
He froze.
Not because of the situation.
Because of her.
Always her.
"This is a hospital," she said firmly. "Not your territory."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"And he's your patient," she added, softer this time.
Wrong move.
Very wrong move.
Hedi's eyes darkened.
"Just a patient?"
The way he said it—
That wasn't a question.
That was something else.
Something dangerous.
Anxin swallowed.
Why does this feel like a test?
"Yes," she said.
Too quickly.
Too clean.
Jisung tilted his head, amused.
"Are you sure?"
He's doing this on purpose.
Hedi stepped closer again.
Now they were too close.
Way too close.
"Say it again," he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
"What?"
"That he means nothing to you."
Silence.
Loud.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Why does this matter so much to him?
Because she knew the answer.
And that was the problem.
She met his gaze.
Didn't look away.
Didn't hesitate.
"He means nothing to me."
There.
Said.
Done.
And yet—
It didn't feel over.
Hedi's shoulders relaxed just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But she saw it.
She always saw everything when it came to him.
Behind her, Jisung let out a soft laugh.
"Well... that answers that."
Hedi finally looked at him.
Cold again.
Back to the version everyone else knew.
"Stay away from her."
Jisung raised an eyebrow. "Or?"
A pause.
Then—
"Or I won't be as patient as she is."
That didn't sound like a threat.
That sounded like a warning.
Anxin tightened her grip on his arm.
"That's enough."
He looked down at her.
And just like that—
The edge softened.
"How many times do I have to tell you?" she whispered. "I can handle myself."
"I know you can."
"Then trust me."
Silence.
Again.
But different.
Because this time—
It mattered.
"I do," he said.
"Then act like it."
That hit.
She saw it.
He didn't respond immediately.
Didn't argue.
Didn't push.
Instead—
He stepped back.
Space.
Distance.
Control.
"I'll be outside," he said.
And then he left.
Just like that.
No drama.
No fight.
Just—
Gone.
The door clicked shut.
And the room felt... lighter.
But not safe.
Not anymore.
Jisung watched her carefully.
Too carefully.
"He listens to you," he said.
"I know."
"He doesn't look like the type who listens to anyone."
"He isn't."
A pause.
Then—
"That makes you dangerous."
Anxin frowned slightly. "Excuse me?"
Jisung smiled faintly.
"Because anyone who can control a man like that..."
He leaned back.
"...is the only person who can break him too."
Her chest tightened.
Just a little.
Why does that sound like a warning?
Or maybe—
A prediction.