Emergency Instinct - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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When Ji-an lifted her head, Tae-jun’s heated gaze, devoid of any smile, captured her.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Seeing the tenderness contained in his jet-black eyes, Ji-an’s heart lurched as she bit the inside of her lips firmly.

What’s there to be sorry about. When you’re hurt like this.

“…Lie down properly.”

Ji-an spoke as if she were calm, but her voice trembled.

“You shouldn’t be moving like this right now.”

“I was wrong.”

His handsome face fell with a forlorn expression.

He really was cunning.

Looking at his expression, this wasn’t simply an apology for jumping into the car.

Anyway, he never misses an opportunity.

If he asks for forgiveness in this situation, what woman wouldn’t be swayed?

Ji-an briefly considered whether to let this slide.

But the matter of hiding Cha Bo-kyung’s situation all this time was absolutely not something to brush off carelessly. It was a dangerous matter involving lives. He had actually gotten hurt like this because of it.

She briefly lowered her eyes, then gathered her strength to look at him directly and asked straightforwardly.

“What? What did you do wrong?”

At Ji-an’s changed gaze, he answered a beat late.

“…Everything.”

“Tell me specifically.”

He fixed his tender gaze on Ji-an.

Just looking at that made her heart flutter, but Ji-an forced herself to maintain a firm expression. Since he seemed to want to bring up the topic first, she decided to listen again.

“I need trust. I can’t love a man who lies.”

At her words, his face hardened.

He spoke in a low, serious tone with deepened eyes.

“I’m sorry. But Ji-an. This is also my way of loving you.”

“…!”

“Because I love you, I might not be able to be honest. When I know full well that you’ll be hurt, how could I tell you?”

Seeking understanding, he gave a faint smile. His eyes held not a trace of falsehood.

“I wanted to protect you. That’s all. I never intended to deceive you or lie to you. I simply couldn’t leave you in danger under any circumstances.”

Perhaps due to the medication, he forcibly lifted his drooping eyelids to look at her.

The sincerity embedded in his eyes made Ji-an’s heart burn hotly.

“Huu. Ji-an, please forgive me. Hmm?”

Drop by drop.

At his love filled with pleading, thick tears flowed down from her eyes again.

Unable to endure it any longer, she reached out to cup his cheek. As if he had been waiting, he overlapped his hand with hers. Her heart raced and heated up from the spreading warmth.

“I love you. You’ll keep loving me, right?”

Ji-an found herself nodding as if entranced.

Why doesn’t this foolish man understand?

That she acts this way because she feels the same way he does.

She didn’t understand why he thought one person should only protect while the other should only be protected. It pained her that he tried to solve everything alone and bear all responsibility by himself. When they could share it together.

She couldn’t fully understand his love yet. But if they gradually influenced and understood each other like today, wouldn’t they become one?

Perhaps love is when a man and woman who are different from each other meet and find a middle ground.

Isn’t this just the beginning?

Though the road ahead was long, thinking of the man named Seo Tae-jun she had observed so far, she wasn’t afraid.

“Rest a bit now.”

She couldn’t bear to watch him struggle to endure any longer.

He was a patient who got hurt while saving her. What he absolutely needed right now was rest.

“You’ll stay by my side, right?”

Like someone afraid she might leave, he held onto her.

“Of course. You need to rest well for a week.”

“Ah, that’s impossible though.”

Tae-jun shook his head with a despairing expression. Then, after looking at her quietly, he reached out with his other hand to wipe her wet cheek.

“Don’t cry. Don’t abandon me and leave either. Keep loving me more and more. Otherwise, I’ll be in more pain.”

Ji-an burst into laughter at his ridiculous threat.

“I understand, so close your eyes tight.”

“I don’t want to. I’m going to keep looking at you.”

He persisted to the end, muttering lowly. With eyes full of drowsiness.

“I love you.”

Like a warm blanket, Ji-an’s heart settled by his ear. Gently stroking his hair, she whispered again.

“Patient Seo Tae-jun. Close your eyes.”

“Ah, this is too good.”

A murmur like admiration flowed out, and his eyelids completely sank. With a gentle smile spreading across his lips.

Ji-an smiled serenely and stroked his hair even more gently.

Soon, his breathing became quiet. While holding her hand tightly as if he would never let go.

With her chest feeling tight, Ji-an couldn’t help but gently press her lips to his.

Thank you. Let’s go together for a long, long time, holding hands tightly like this.

Outside the window, a brilliant morning sun had already risen.

In the place where the fierce rain and wind had retreated, like winter’s last struggle.

Beside her man, for whom throwing his body to protect was natural, Ji-an slowly closed her eyes.

As comfort for them who had endured the dark night well.

A brilliant new day was quietly, but certainly beginning.

***

One month later.

As clothing became lighter, spring had suddenly approached.

Finally, Tae-jun received a complete recovery diagnosis.

Looking at the perfect rib X-ray, Tae-jun couldn’t hide his smile.

The first week had been the most painful.

Who would have thought mere ribs would prevent him from doing anything?

But more than anything, what made him unable to move was none other than Ji-an.

Taking away his phone and tablet to prevent him from working was basic, and she blocked everything that might even slightly harm his recovery.

Of course, being able to spend almost the entire day with Ji-an was incredibly wonderful.

Watching her focus on him with a worried expression, he lost track of time.

After spending a week like that and being discharged, his desire to quickly handle the backlog of work grew even stronger.

Like someone who had been starving for a long time meeting food, he signed documents even more fiercely.

Dense numbers and tightly packed sentences. It was delightful, like meeting an old friend again. He even enjoyed rejecting substandard reports.

Because he could be with her again once he finished work quickly.

And because he could hold her.

During his recovery, due to her worry, he had to maintain a thoroughly abstinent lifestyle, so he was now extremely hungry.

‘You can’t until the bones heal. Absolutely be careful. And more careful. Health comes first.’

With the doctor’s precautions combined with his lover’s restrictions, he spent exactly one month hearing the word ‘careful’ hammered into his ears.

And finally, today had come.

Unable to hide his smile, Tae-jun sent the X-ray photo to Ji-an as if showing it off.

Along with a message and link that Ji-an couldn’t refuse.

[Tonight’s the night.]

As he smiled contentedly, there was a knock and Manager Kim entered.

“Chairman. The prosecution says they’ve found Cha Bo-kyung’s proxy doctor. They’ve also secured full statements about the illegal medical license acquisition process.”

“Finally, it’s over.”

A smile as satisfying as flesh on bone spread across Tae-jun’s lips.

It seemed like everything was going to work out well today.

Cha Bo-kyung, who was caught at the attempted murder scene, had been detained and subjected to intensive investigation.

She shamelessly claimed diminished mental capacity, saying she was drunk and in a blackout state. But past incidents, recorded conversations with the caregiver, as well as all the criminal acts she committed while driving drunk into the hospital were captured on CCTV and dashcam footage.

The charges were overflowing.

Kidnapping, threats, and attempted murder, as well as violations of medical law committed within the hospital. And finally, the illegal medical license acquisition for which evidence was found.

Given how hard the prosecution was pushing, no matter what she did, she wouldn’t be able to avoid a prison sentence.

That wasn’t all.

Criminal charges for defamation and insult for spreading false information about Ji-an through the hospital’s promotional channels and online, as well as civil damages, were also proceeding simultaneously.

Finally, Tae-jun also proceeded with a damage claim lawsuit in the name of Hanyeong Hospital.

Since the damage caused to Hanyeong Hospital and patients with an illegal license was significant, she naturally had responsibility for compensation. He intended to take everything she had and leave her penniless.

“Good work. Let’s call it a day.”

Tae-jun buttoned his jacket and stood up from his seat.

The appointment time was approaching. He wanted to quickly pick up Ji-an from the emergency room and go far away.

Whirr.

As he headed toward the elevator, his phone vibrated.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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