Broken Paths || Wen JunHui

Chapter 8: Dilemma

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Da-Rae sat in her office, staring at the engagement ring on her finger. The sparkle of the diamond did little to lift her spirits. Her thoughts were consumed by the conversation she had with Jun a few days ago. His raw honesty had touched her, but it also left her feeling unsettled. She knew the boundaries of their relationship had to remain intact, yet she couldn't deny the empathy she felt for him.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from her fiancé, Hyun-Woo.

"Dinner with my parents tonight. Don't be late."

Da-Rae sighed, feeling the familiar weight of expectation settle on her shoulders. Hyun-Woo was a successful businessman, chosen by her parents for his wealth and status. Their engagement was more of a transaction than a love story, a fact that gnawed at her daily.

As she gathered her things to leave the office, her mind drifted back to Jun. His vulnerability, his pain—it was all so palpable. She wished she could do more for him, but she knew that maintaining professional distance was crucial for his recovery and her own sanity.

That evening, Da-Rae sat at a lavish dinner table, surrounded by Hyun-Woo's family. The conversation was filled with talk of business deals and social events, topics that held little interest for her. Hyun-Woo's mother, Mrs. Lee, turned to Da-Rae with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"So, Da-Rae, when will you finally stop working and focus on your duties as Hyun-Woo's wife?" Da-Rae forced a polite smile. "I'm very committed to my work at the hospital. It's important to me."

Hyun-Woo's expression hardened. "We've discussed this, Da-Rae. Your place is at home, supporting me and our family."

Da-Rae felt a pang of frustration. She had always known this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. "I understand, Hyun-Woo. But my work is important to me, and it helps people."

Hyun-Woo leaned closer, his voice low but firm. "Your priority should be our family. My parents expect you to fulfill your role as my wife, not as a doctor."

Back in her apartment later that night, Da-Rae felt a wave of sadness and frustration wash over her. She loved her work and the difference she made in her patients' lives. The thought of giving it up to fit into the mould Hyun-Woo and his family had set for her felt suffocating.

Her mind wandered to Jun again. He was struggling with his own emotions, and she felt a deep responsibility to help him. But how could she do that when her own life felt so out of control? The next day at the hospital, Da-Rae found herself distracted. Her mind kept replaying the dinner conversation, the disapproval in Hyun-Woo's eyes. She was sitting in the garden during her lunch break, hoping the tranquility would help clear her thoughts, when Soo-Jin approached her.

"Hey, you seem off today," Soo-Jin remarked, sitting down beside her. "Everything okay?" Da-Rae sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's just... personal stuff. My fiancé and his family want me to stop working once we're married."

Soo-Jin frowned. "But you love your job. That's not fair to you."

"I know," Da-Rae replied, feeling a lump form in her throat. "But they have certain expectations. And I feel trapped."

Soo-Jin's expression softened. "You're an amazing doctor, Da-Rae. You've helped so many people, including Jun. Don't let them take that away from you."

Later, during her session with Jun, Da-Rae found herself struggling to focus. Jun noticed her distraction and tilted his head slightly.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Da-Rae forced a smile. "Just a bit of a rough day. Nothing to worry about."

Jun's eyes lingered on her, sensing there was more to her words. "You've been helping me a lot. If there's anything I can do to help you..."

The sincerity in his voice touched her, and for a moment, she considered opening up. But she quickly dismissed the thought. It wouldn't be professional, and Jun needed her to be his therapist, not someone who burdened him with her problems.

"Thank you, Jun," she said softly. "But I'm here to help you. Let's focus on that."

As their session continued, Da-Rae found herself more determined than ever. She had to find a way to balance her personal and professional life, for her sake and for Jun's. She couldn't let Hyun-Woo and his family dictate her future, but she also couldn't let her feelings for Jun cloud her judgment.

That evening, Da-Rae sat in her apartment, the engagement ring feeling heavier than ever. She knew she had to make a decision. She could either continue down the path laid out for her, sacrificing her career and independence, or she could fight for the life she wanted, even if it meant facing disappointment and opposition from those closest to her.

Her thoughts turned to Jun once more. His struggles were a reminder of the importance of her work. She had helped him make progress, and she couldn't abandon him now. She needed to be strong, not just for him but for herself as well.

Da-Rae picked up her phone and dialled Hyun-Woo's number, her heart pounding in her chest. As the call connected, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation to come."Hyun-Woo, we need to talk," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

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