Broken Paths || Wen JunHui

Chapter 13: The Breaking Point

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Da-Rae arrived at the hospital the next morning feeling like a different person—like something inside her had cracked open. The words Jun had spoken the day before echoed in her mind: You don't owe them your happiness. She replayed his voice over and over, feeling the weight of those words settle in her chest.

She made her rounds as usual, but her thoughts were elsewhere, and it took all her energy to stay focused. When she saw Jun's name on her schedule, a strange mix of anticipation and anxiety coursed through her veins. She felt her heart quicken, unsure of what she was expecting from their next meeting but certain that something had shifted.

Jun was already seated in his usual spot when she entered the room, his gaze instantly locking onto her. There was a certain intensity in his eyes, an almost predatory focus that made her feel both exposed and inexplicably drawn to him.

"Good morning, Jun," she said, forcing a smile to mask her unease. "How are you feeling today?" He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Better," he replied, his voice soft but deliberate. "Much better, actually. Thanks to you."

Da-Rae blinked, caught off guard by his directness. "I'm glad to hear that. But remember, your progress is your own. You're doing the hard work."

Jun's lips curled into a slight smile. "You're too modest, Dr. Choi. You've done more for me than you realize. You've helped me see things differently... see what's really important."

Da-Rae felt a flush creeping up her neck. She cleared her throat, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "That's good to hear, Jun. But let's focus on how we can continue moving forward. Are there any particular challenges you've faced recently that you'd like to talk about?" He hesitated, his gaze never wavering from her face. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said yesterday... about feeling trapped, like life outside is a prison."

Da-Rae's heart skipped a beat. "I... didn't mean to—"

"You don't have to explain," Jun cut in, his tone surprisingly gentle. "I understand. More than you think." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I want you to know... you're not alone."

Her breath caught in her throat. She could feel the intensity of his gaze, and it felt like he was trying to peer into the depths of her soul. "Thank you, Jun. I appreciate that," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a long pause, the air between them charged with unspoken words. Da-Rae felt her pulse quicken, her palms growing clammy as she tried to think of what to say next. She needed to maintain control, to keep things professional, but Jun's presence was overwhelming, pulling her into his orbit.

"Is there anything else you'd like to share today?" she asked, finally breaking the silence, desperate to shift the focus.

He studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "There's so much I want to say," he admitted, his voice low and earnest. "But I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I just want to help... to be there for you, like you've been for me."

Da-Rae's mind raced. "Jun, I—"

"Please, Da-Rae," he interrupted, his voice more insistent now. "I know it's not my place, but I can't stand the thought of you suffering. I... I want to be someone you can turn to, someone who can help."

She felt a shiver run down her spine. "Jun, you have to understand that there are boundaries in this setting. I'm here as your doctor, and it's important we keep that relationship clear."

Jun's eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "I know that," he replied, his voice taut. "But boundaries don't change the fact that I care about you... that I want to see you happy."

The words hung in the air, thick and heavy. Da-Rae swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm grateful for your concern, Jun. But my personal life... it's complicated. I'm trying to figure things out."

He nodded, but she could see the tension in his posture, the way his hands clenched and unclenched as if struggling to hold back something more. "I just wish... I wish I could do more," he murmured, almost to himself.

That afternoon, after Jun's session, Da-Rae sat in her office, staring blankly at her computer screen. Her mind was racing with thoughts of their conversation. She could feel the subtle shift in Jun's behaviour, the way his words seemed to carry a deeper meaning. She had seen the look in his eyes—the mix of longing and desperation—and it unnerved her.

She knew she had to maintain a professional distance, but something inside her was beginning to crack. She felt drawn to Jun in ways she couldn't explain, and his words had sparked something within her—a yearning she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Hyun-Woo. We need to talk. Now.

Da-Rae felt a rush of irritation. She didn't want to deal with him right now, didn't want to hear his voice or listen to his demands. She put the phone down, ignoring the message, and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. Her mind drifted back to Jun, to the way he had looked at her, as if he could see straight through her defences.

Was it wrong to feel this way? To want to confide in him, even if just a little? She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She needed to focus, to stay professional. But the truth was, she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the façade.

Meanwhile, in his room, Jun stared at the sketch he had started of Da-Rae, his fingers moving almost instinctively across the paper. Her face, her eyes—he captured every detail with a level of care he had never shown before.

His mind replayed their conversation, the way she had seemed so vulnerable, so close to breaking. He could sense it, feel the cracks forming in her carefully constructed walls. He wanted to be the one to break them down completely, to be the one she turned to when everything else fell apart.

He wanted to save her from whatever was hurting her, even if it meant crossing lines he knew he shouldn't. The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that they were meant to be connected—drawn together by some invisible force neither could control.

As he put the finishing touches on the sketch, Jun's resolve hardened. He would find a way to help her, to show her that he could be the answer to the chaos in her life. Even if it meant blurring the boundaries, even if it meant stepping into dangerous territory. He would make her see that he was the only one who truly understood her, the only one who could truly set her free.

⋆˙⟡♡⚕🩺⊹ 🤍