UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

Chapter 8: The Sound of Rain and Heartbeat

As music plays and rain falls outside, Haein and Chaewoon find themselves letting their guards down, just enough to feel a sense of peace. In each other's presence, they begin to realize trust can be found in the smallest, quietest moments.

“Then I’m just going to stay here as well, so you’re not, you know… bored.” Haein cleared her throat, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

She opened her phone and plugged in an earphone to listen to some music. Chaewoon noticed Haein still preferred using her wired earphones when everyone else had moved to wireless ones. That piqued his curiosity. Was it simply preference? Or did those earphones hold sentimental value to her? For some reason, he wanted to know. He didn’t know why, but somehow, even the tiniest quirks about her made him pause and wonder. Tt’s the little things like that made him want to know her more.

Haein noticed him looking at them and pulled one out, offering it to him. “Would you like to listen as well?”

Haein was sure she must be drunk. She’d been doing and saying things she’d normally never do. Before she could retract her offer, Chaewoon had already taken the other earphone from her hand and placed it in his ear.

And he smiled.

Haein blinked. She had seen him smile before, of course. But this one was a bit different.

“I think we listen to the same music,” he said. “I have a CD of this album back at home.”

Oh.

A CD? In this day and age? But then again, she was also the one still using wired earphones.

That was a new piece of information about Chaewoon. A simple one, but she felt a strange sense of satisfaction in knowing something new about him.

Minutes passed, and before she knew it, Haein had already fallen asleep beside Chaewoon.

She was not normally so at ease like this. She was always on guard. Tense. Suspicious of everyone around her.

But why was it that when she was with him, she felt relaxed? She became more clumsy. She blurted out whatever came to mind. And she was able to fall asleep so soundly like this next to him?

Chaewoon, on the other hand, swiftly moved to catch her head with his shoulder when she dozed off.

Her head was now resting against him. He stiffened.

He could feel her slow, even breathing. How she shifted closer to him because of his warmth.

This was a problem.

Chaewoon let out a quiet sigh, staring straight ahead, careful not to move too much.

This was definitely a problem.

He was supposed to be her bodyguard—her shadow, her protector. Someone who stayed at a careful distance, unseen until necessary. And yet, here he was, sitting next to her, sharing an earphone, with her head resting on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

She really lets her guard down around me now.

It was subtle, but he noticed. The way she talked more freely, the way she wasn’t as cold or distant. How she embarrassed herself around him yet didn’t push him away.

And now, she had fallen asleep.

So defenseless.

Chaewoon swallowed, shifting ever so slightly so that she’d be more comfortable. He could hear the faint sound of the music playing through their shared earphones. A song he knew well. One he had played on repeat when he was younger, back when he still collected CDs.

Haein stirred, shifting closer.

His body went rigid for a moment before he forced himself to relax.

This is fine. It’s just a small thing.

The rain continued to pour outside, tapping lightly against the windows. The warmth between them was unmistakable.

Maybe it was a problem.

But for now, just for now—he decided he wouldn’t think too much about it.

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The rain continued to fall outside, a steady rhythm against the windows. The warmth between them was undeniable, quiet and unspoken.

And before Chaewoon knew it—he, too, had fallen asleep.

It was rare for him to lower his guard. Years of training had made it nearly impossible for him to rest fully, always attuned to every sound, every movement, every potential threat. Even when he slept, it was light, almost restless, ready to wake at the slightest disturbance.

But now, with the soft hum of music in his ear and the steady warmth of Haein against him, his body relaxed before he could even realize it. His breathing evened out, the tension in his shoulders loosening.

Maybe it was the rain. Maybe it was the exhaustion he refused to acknowledge.

Or maybe, it was just her.

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Haein stirred first.

Her lashes fluttered as she blinked herself awake, her mind still hazy with sleep.

And that’s when she realized—her head was still resting against him.

Her brain took a few seconds to catch up. She was warm. Too warm. There was a steady rise and fall beneath her, the familiar scent of his cologne lingering in the air.

She turned her head slightly—only to be met with the sight of Chaewoon’s sleeping face.

Oh.

Haein stilled.

She had never seen him asleep before. Not once.

Chaewoon was always so alert, so sharp—always standing, always watching. It was almost unsettling to see him like this, completely at ease. His features were softer in sleep, his usual unreadable expression gone.

She found herself staring.

His lashes were long, his jaw sharp, his lips slightly parted as he breathed steadily. The dim light from outside cast gentle shadows on his face, making him look even more peaceful.

This is unfair, she thought. He’s supposed to be intimidating.

And yet, there was something endearing about this.

Something that made her chest feel tight.

Her gaze lowered slightly, taking in how his hands were still loosely resting on his lap, how his body had leaned ever so slightly toward hers as he slept.

For someone so disciplined, so constantly aware, it was strange to see him this relaxed.

He trusts me.

The thought struck her unexpectedly.

He wasn’t the only one making her feel at ease.

She made him feel at ease, too.

Her fingers twitched slightly, an unconscious urge to reach out. To touch, to confirm that he was really here like this, unguarded. But before she could even think to move—

His lashes fluttered.

And then, his eyes opened, slow and drowsy, adjusting to his surroundings.

They met hers immediately.

Silence.

Haein’s breath caught in her throat.

Chaewoon blinked, his gaze heavy with sleep, his mind still catching up with reality.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The music still played faintly in the background, the rain still fell outside, but all Haein could hear was the quiet pounding of her own heart. Or maybe it was his. She couldn’t tell.

She should look away. She should.

But she didn’t.

And neither did he.

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Chaewoon felt it first—the subtle shift beside him, the soft stir of movement as Haein lifted her head. He was still half-asleep, his mind floating somewhere between dreams and waking. Normally, he’d be alert at the slightest change in his surroundings. Years of discipline had trained him to be that way.

But not this time.

Even as his senses registered the movement, his body didn’t react. It was as if something within him told him to stay still. To rest. To just be—there, next to her.

He could feel her gaze then, even with his eyes still closed. A quiet presence. Familiar. Warm.

And so, he opened his eyes.

Slowly.

And the first thing he saw was her.

Haein’s face, close to his. Her eyes locked with his, wide and unblinking. Time didn’t just slow—it completely stopped.

He froze.

He blinked once, trying to gather his thoughts, but they scattered just as quickly.

Beautiful.

That was the only word his sleepy mind could offer. No strategies. No logic. Just that one, simple truth.

The sound of rain and music faded quietly in the background, drowned out by the sudden pounding of a heartbeat. He couldn’t tell if it was his or hers.

He watched her breath catch, the way her eyes slightly widened. There was surprise there. Maybe uncertainty. But she didn’t pull away.

And he didn’t move either.

He should have. He knew that.

But for once, Chaewoon let the moment stay. Still. Quiet. Suspended.

And somehow, it felt right.

< Chapter 7 Chapter 9 >

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hi everyone! this chapter is a little short and it ended with a cliffhanger Im so sorry afsghjdkfdsa

I have so much in store for this story, I want to include a moment where Haein has to stay in Chaewoon's place for the time being and she meets his cat, Mansik. They also grow even closer together.

But I think I'm really going to be busy with work for the upcoming weeks. Hopefully, I find the time and energy over the weekends to update at least one chapter each week.

For the meantime, I'm thinking of uploading some of my drafts ><

First Love - my delusional story between Ju Jihoon and Song Jihyo

angst, heart-break, memories, little moments, slow-burn, reunion

What began as young love on the set of their first drama was lost to missed chances, early heartbreaks, and painful regrets. Years passed, but old memories still resurfaced—and they’re left wondering if some first loves are meant to return.

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - a series of one-shot stories between Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk and Dr. Song Hye Joo (my OC played by Song Hye Kyo)

romance, comedy, lots of teasings, slow-burn

When Dr. Baek’s former med school rival, Dr. Song Hyejoo, joins the trauma team, his usual composure is shaken—just a little competitive, and maybe a little shy. As they face emergencies together, they rediscover something they never dared explore before.

I already have a few chapters written with both of this, so I guess for the mean time, while the Unspoken Series takes a little hiatus, I hope you will enjoy these two stories I have prepared ><

taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3

JU JI-HOON as WOO CHAE-WOON Blood Free | 지배종 (2024)

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

CHAPTER 1: A Thorn in Her Side

When Chairman Hong assigns Woo Chaewoon to his granddaughter, Hong Haein, she resents the intrusion. Cold, stubborn, and fiercely independent, she refuses to make his job easy—but Chaewoon isn’t the type to back down.

Woo Chaewoon had been many things—a soldier, a strategist, a ghost in the field. Before stepping into the polished halls of Queens Group, he had served in the 707th Special Mission Group, one of South Korea’s most elite special forces. His skills in infiltration, combat, and intelligence had caught the attention of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), who had recruited him for black ops and undercover missions.

His missions had taken him across borders, through warzones, and deep into enemy lines where failure meant death. He had extracted high-value targets, dismantled covert operations, and played the part of both ally and enemy. Every mission had been precise, every target a calculated move.

Now, he was here. Playing the role of a bodyguard.

His real mission? Gain Chairman Hong’s trust and uncover the secrets buried beneath Queens Group.

But then, without warning, the chairman had reassigned him. “You’ll be watching over Haein now,” the old man had said with an air of finality. “Be her shadow.”

Chaewoon had not questioned it, but he understood what it meant.

And that made her his problem to solve.

Hong Haein was the granddaughter of Chairman Hong and the woman currently managing Queens Department, one of the company’s most profitable divisions. She had built a reputation for being ruthless in business—uncompromising, meticulous, and cold. Every decision she made was calculated, every word spoken with precision.

People whispered about her, called her the ‘Ice Queen’ of Queens Group. But Chaewoon knew better than to take surface impressions at face value.

Chairman Hong was watching her closely, too. Not just as a granddaughter, but as a successor. And if he thought she needed a bodyguard, it meant only one thing—she was in danger.

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The moment Hong Haein walked into the room, Woo Chaewoon knew exactly what kind of person she was.

Cold. Composed. Untouchable.

She was dressed in an elegant white suit, her heels clicking against the marble floor with a practiced grace. She barely acknowledged anyone in the room—until her grandfather gestured toward him.

“This is Woo Chaewoon,” Chairman Hong announced. “Your new bodyguard.”

Haein stopped mid-step. Slowly, she turned to face him, her gaze sharp, assessing.

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” she said flatly.

Chaewoon didn’t react, keeping his posture straight, expression unreadable. He had expected this.

Her grandfather sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew this was going to be difficult. “Haein, this isn’t up for discussion.”

And he did. Better than anyone. Haein despised having people constantly around her. She kept only one secretary, ensured the house staff entered her space only when she was away, and already considered having a personal driver an unnecessary imposition. She had tolerated bodyguards before, but the suffocating presence of someone monitoring her every move, reporting back to her grandfather and parents, shadowing her day and night—it exhausted her. She hated it.

Haein scoffed; arms crossed. “Why? Do you think I can’t handle myself?”

Her grandfather sighed, rubbing his temple. “This isn’t about capability. It’s about precaution.”

“I don’t need a watchdog,” she said, frustration edging her voice. “I’ve been running the department without anyone breathing down my neck. Why change things now?”

Chairman Hong’s gaze sharpened. “Because the higher you climb, the more enemies you make.” He leaned forward, voice quieter but heavier. “And you, Haein, are being watched.” She stilled, her jaw tightening. “By who?”

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t need him shadowing you,” he said simply, gesturing to Woo Chaewoon, who stood silently in the background. “You may not see the threats, but I do. And I won’t wait until it’s too late.”

Haein exhaled sharply, glancing away. She hated this. Hated the feeling of being controlled. “This is unnecessary.”

Her grandfather shook his head. “No. It’s inevitable.” Then, after a pause, he softened. “Just let him do his job, Haein. That’s all I ask.”

Haein realized there was no way to argue her way out of this. Her grandfather was unwavering, his usual air of patience replaced by something far more resolute. She knew that look—it meant the decision was final. She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to remain composed. “Fine then,” she said, her voice laced with quiet defiance. “Let’s see how long he lasts.”

With one last glance at Chaewoon—sharp, assessing, unimpressed—she turned on her heel and strode out of the room.

Chaewoon inclined his head in a respectful bow to Chairman Hong before following after her. The moment he stepped outside, he was met with Haein’s cold, piercing stare. She had stopped just a few steps ahead, arms crossed, waiting for him.

“Report to my grandfather if you want,” she said, voice cool and clipped. “But don’t expect me to make your job easy.”

Chaewoon remained unshaken. “I will be just right behind you, Miss Haein.”

Her jaw tightened at his unwavering response. Her eyes narrowed, irritation flickering beneath the surface. “Fine. If you insist on following me around, at least make yourself invisible.”

Chaewoon met her gaze, calm and detached. “Noted.”

She turned away, unwilling to waste another breath on him. But as he fell into step behind her, silent and unyielding, a thought crossed her mind—he was different. And that, somehow, made him even more infuriating.

She hated him already. Not because he was assigned to watch over her, but because he was unreadable, unfazed. Most men either cowered under her glare or tried too hard to impress her. Woo Chaewoon did neither.

And that annoyed her.

Chaewoon, on the other hand, was already analyzing her—the sharpness in her movements, the subtle tension in her shoulders, the careful way she controlled every aspect of her presence. She was difficult, yes, but not unpredictable. She was used to command, used to distance, used to ensuring no one got too close.

He wasn’t here to befriend her. He wasn’t here to earn her approval. He wasn’t here to be liked. And that made his job easier.

But as she turned on her heel and walked off without another glance, he had a sinking feeling—Hong Haein would be more than just a job. She was going to be a problem.

A beautiful, dangerous problem.

Chapter 2 > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know I said I'll upload on Monday and now it's Tuesday night I'm so sorry adfaghjfdsg I already had 4 chapters written but I had a hard time trying to refine the first chapter before I upload it. And also life has been trying to kill me lately so expect some inconsistent uploads :') This first chapter is also kinda boring Im so sorry for that but I promise the next chapters will be better (I hope) aaaaghjdffn Also! I tried my best to provide more background info because I'm setting it up in QOT's world, and I was rewatching it recently to see if I can use any scenes or characters for this story. For Chaewoon's character, I'm keeping it the same as from the show, a former soldier who became an undercover spy bodyguard BUT!! I'm trying to write more about his motive for accepting this mission, and also the "villains" in this story.

But then again, for some reason, I just want to scratch the "lore" and just focus on chaewoon and haein lmaooaghjf I'm so lazy for world and plot building As you can see from this "author's note" alone my mind is a mess please pray I'm able to finish this story in peace. Thank you so much for waiting🥹 Please let me know your thoughts!

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

genre: workplace romance, comedy, mutual pinning, slow-burn, banter, suggestive

A series of one-shot stories between Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk (Ju Jihoon) and Dr. Song Hye Joo (Song Hyekyo)

When Dr. Baek’s former med school rival, Dr. Song Hyejoo, joins the trauma center team, his usual composure is shaken—just a little competitive, and maybe a little shy. As they face emergencies together, they learn to work in sync, and they rediscover something they never dared explore before.

This will be a series of one-shot stories between Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk and Dr. Song Hye-joo (my OC; played by Song Hyekyo, because why not. Also I badly need the casting directors to pair them for a romcom or melo drama together 👉🏻👈🏻).

It’s not a story where everything is in chronological order or a continuation of what happened to the previous chapters. It’s like a series of moments.

Might include a chapter with their backstory in university and when they met again after many years when Dr. Song is introduced as the new addition to the trauma center team before I upload a series of chapter moments between them ><

I tried to keep Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk’s character as similar and accurate as I can, but you know what, 🎀 I’m just a girl 🎀 who wants to see him be a little clumsy and shy around his (secret) crush. So if it’s a little inaccurate or if you think it’s out of character, then I’m so sorry asdfsghjkg ;—; but isn’t it fun to imagine the cool (sexy) hot-tempered doctor become a fool in love for someone? Like a total loser. Frankly it’s my favorite character trope. He’s all mean and scowly with other people, and then he absolutely melts and malfunctions when a beautiful, strong, and intelligent woman (a.k.a his long-time crush) comes near him.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it!!🥹 I’ve already written A LOT of random chapters. And I might also include a little bit of nsfw, or maybe just suggestive, IDK I have no experience in writing sensual scenes, I feel like it’s gonna sound cringey when I do it wish me luck🥲👍🏻

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Chapter List:

1.1 Early Symptoms of Trouble 1.2 Side Effects May Include... 1.3 Cardiac Complications

Flashback 1: Brief Encounters at Med School Flashback 2: Reunion in the Trauma Bay Flashback 3: Check His Vitals— She's Back

2.1 Diagnosis - Obvious 2.2 Late Night Consultations - Catching Up

3.1 A Prescription for Lunch 3.2 White Coats & Warm Blankets

4.1 The Mom & Dad of the Trauma Center 4.2 Code Blue - Parental Unit 4.3 When Dr. Dad Noticed 4.4 When Dr. Mom Noticed

CHOI SAN: the story of the madman 🥀

PART II - https://purplemountain.tumblr.com/post/662966423069523968/choi-san-the-story-of-the-madman-part2

the way he started the performance as if he had no control over his mind or body

he looked lost as if he's in dazed

he was in pain

he trembled as he grazed his hand across his neck

"save me, please believe me"

desperately trying to hold onto whatever sanity he can reach to

but the grip on him is far too strong

slowly taking over his body

the sadness and desperation in his eyes as he looked up

a man trying to keep himself intact

trying to not give in to the darkness

second part - https://purplemountain.tumblr.com/post/662966423069523968/choi-san-the-story-of-the-madman-part2

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

Chapter 3: Cracks in the Ice

As cracks begin to form in Haein’s carefully guarded exterior, Chaewoon remains a silent observer—watching, understanding, but never prying. Yet, the more she tries to ignore him, the more she finds herself unable to look away.

The ride back home was quiet, save for the faint hum of the engine and the occasional sound of Haein scrolling through her phone. She wasn’t really reading—just skimming through emails and messages, too drained to focus. The exhaustion of the day was settling in, yet a persistent chill crept through her despite the warmth of her coat.

She barely noticed when her fingers trembled slightly, or when she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. But Chaewoon did. Without a word, he adjusted the temperature in the car, subtly raising the heat. A few moments later, Haein realized her shivering had stopped.

Her brows furrowed. She hadn’t even realized she was cold. But he had.

Bodyguards were supposed to follow orders, react when necessary—not anticipate things she didn’t even voice out. She’d had plenty before, and not one of them had done more than the bare minimum. Chaewoon, however, seemed different.

Not that it meant anything. She still didn’t like him.

But annoyingly enough… she didn’t mind him either.

“How long have you been working for my grandfather, Mr. Woo?” Haein asked, her tone casual, eyes still fixed on her phone as she scrolled through unread messages.

Chaewoon, focused on the road, answered without hesitation. “Four months.”

“Such a short time,” she mused, tapping absentmindedly on her screen. “I guess you already gained his trust.”

Chaewoon blinked. Had he? He wasn’t sure. The chairman was a man of few words, his orders absolute yet often unexplained. One day, he was handling corporate security affairs; the next, he was reassigned to shadow his granddaughter—without warning, without justification.

Maybe it was a test. Maybe it was something else entirely.

Either way, Woo Chaewoon didn’t ask questions.

Chaewoon kept his eyes on the road, but he could feel Haein watching him now, her phone momentarily forgotten in her lap. “What did he say when he assigned you to me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Chaewoon didn’t answer immediately. The chairman’s words echoed in his mind, but he settled on the simplest version. “To watch over you.”

Haein narrowed her eyes slightly. “That’s all?”

“Yes.” His response was clipped, unwavering.

She studied him for a moment, as if searching for cracks in his carefully maintained exterior.

“My job,” he continued, voice steady, “is to simply accompany you everywhere you go. Take orders from you, so you can use me as you please, Ms. Hong.”

Something about the way he said it made her pause. It wasn’t sarcastic, nor did it carry any hint of bitterness. It was just… factual. A declaration of duty.

Haein let out a quiet scoff, leaning back against her seat.

When they arrived at the mansion, Haein expected him to stop at the main entrance and let her go on her way. But, of course, he wouldn’t just leave her side that easily.

She reached for the door handle, but before she could open it, Chaewoon was already there, pulling it open for her. Haein stepped out, only to catch sight of his hand hovering above her head again—just like earlier, ready to shield her in case she miscalculated and hit the doorframe.

She pressed her lips together, torn between rolling her eyes and making a sarcastic remark about how she was perfectly capable of getting out of a car on her own. But exhaustion weighed heavy on her, and frankly, she didn’t have the energy for it.

Instead, she exhaled through her nose and turned toward the house. The warm glow from the entrance lights stretched across the driveway, casting long shadows as she made her way inside.

Of course, she wasn’t alone. The soft, steady footsteps behind her confirmed what she already knew—Chaewoon was following her.

I guess he’s going to follow me all the way to my room, she thought, resisting the urge to sigh.

Maybe she should slam the door in his face just to see if he’d stop.

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Chaewoon noticed the way her lips pressed together when he opened the car door. She wanted to say something—he could tell—but chose not to. Instead, she stepped out without a word, her movements slower than usual, her usual sharp posture softened by exhaustion. Even her commanding presence had dimmed, replaced by something quieter, almost weary.

He followed her in silence, his gaze subtly tracking the way she moved. Her steps were unhurried, almost aimless, yet she didn’t head for the main entrance. Instead, she veered toward the garden, taking the longer route despite her obvious fatigue.

Did she always take this way, even when she was this drained? Or was she heading somewhere else?

Chaewoon half-expected her to turn around and demand why he was still following her, maybe throw in a sharp remark about personal space. But she didn’t.

Something about the slow drag of her steps, the slight slump in her shoulders—it wasn’t just exhaustion. There was something else weighing her down. And for once, she didn’t seem to mind his presence.

Haein stopped abruptly, her gaze locked onto something in the garden. Chaewoon followed her line of sight and saw them—her parents, standing amidst the dimly lit hedges, deep in conversation.

His eyes flickered back to Haein, watching as her expression darkened. Whatever she was hearing, it wasn’t something she wanted to.

“Honey, don’t be so harsh on Haein,” her father’s voice carried softly through the night air. “How long will you let the past haunt you? You should let go and move on.”

There was a sharp pause before her mother responded, her tone colder, edged with something unresolved. “That’s what your father said back then.” A bitter chuckle. “Your father didn’t want any issues, so you obliged. I still don’t understand why Suwan had to die.”

At that name, Haein visibly tensed. The fatigue that had weighed her down moments ago disappeared, replaced by a rigid stillness. Her fingers twitched before curling into fists at her sides, and her eyes, already heavy with exhaustion, now reflected something far deeper.

“It was just an accident,” her father said, his voice softer now. “No one is to blame.”

“You’re right,” her mother murmured. “It’s no one’s fault. But Suwan is gone. And I’m still in pain every single day.”

Chaewoon barely had time to process the shift in Haein before she turned on her heel and walked away, her steps quick, almost urgent. He caught a glimpse of her face—her lips pressed tightly together, eyes misted but defiant. She didn’t want to hear more.

Without a word, he followed.

Suwan. Hong Suwan.

Chaewoon recognized the name instantly. It was in one of the files he had read about the Hong family—the Chairman’s eldest grandson, Haein’s older brother. He had died in an accident, a tragedy that cast a long shadow over the family.

The reports were clinical, filled with dates and facts, but standing here, seeing the way Haein’s entire body stiffened at the mention of his name, he realized how little those words truly conveyed.

He recalled one particular detail: Haein had been in the accident too. The only one who survived.

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When they reached her door, Haein didn’t spare him a glance. She stepped inside without hesitation, the door shutting behind her. Maybe he shouldn’t have followed her all the way here. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to see something so unguarded.

But as he stood there in the empty hallway, Chaewoon couldn’t shake the memories of the countless family dinners he had witnessed from a quiet corner of the Hong estate. The family gathered every night, and as the Chairman’s bodyguard, he had been present more than once.

The Chairman rarely attended, but when he did, Chaewoon would stand by his side, silently observing. And each time, his gaze would inevitably land on one family member who always seemed more like a heavy shadow than a presence—Hong Haein.

She barely spoke. She would eat in silence, her expression unreadable, and when she left the table, no one even seemed to notice. It was as if she existed on the fringes of her own family, a stranger in a house that was supposed to be her home.

She was known as the Ice Queen of the great Hong family—sharp-tongued, short-tempered, cold, and untouchable. Whenever she entered a room, it was like a sudden drop in temperature, her presence commanding yet unapproachable, as if daring anyone to stand in her way.

She seemed larger than life, a force to be reckoned with. And yet, inside her own home, she looked so small. Almost as if she might disappear at any moment, swallowed by the very walls that should have made her feel safe.

Did the Chairman notice this about his own granddaughter too?

A part of him hoped he did. Hoped that, perhaps, this was the reason he was assigned to her—not just to protect her, but because someone, somewhere, still cared enough to try.

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The next morning, as Haein stepped out of her room, she found Chaewoon already waiting outside.

Dressed in a navy-blue suit, her hair flawlessly styled, and her heels clicking against the marble floor, she looked every bit the woman the world knew her to be—cold, sharp, and untouchable. Watching her now, Chaewoon couldn’t help but wonder if this was the same Haein he had seen last night—the one with heavy shoulders and misty eyes.

Just as Haein was about to step out the front door, her mother’s voice cut through the vast hall.

“You missed dinner last night.”

From the words alone, it should have sounded like a mother concerned about her daughter skipping a meal. But it wasn’t. The tone was too sharp, too pointed—more accusation than worry.

Haein halted for a brief moment before turning to face her. “I got a bit busy last night. I apologize.” Her voice was even, controlled.

“The least you could do is inform us,” her mother replied, eyes cold with disapproval. “You’re really starting to lose respect just because your grandfather favors you.” Her gaze flickered toward Chaewoon. “Giving you your own bodyguard and everything… don’t start feeling too special.”

Haein sighed.

“Your younger brother should be the one getting special treatment. Is your grandfather not aware of how vulnerable he is?” her mother said, voice laced with disapproval.

“If you want a bodyguard, then take him,” Haein replied flatly. “You’re right—your son needs him more than I do.”

“Don’t give me that attitude, Haein.”

She glanced at her wristwatch. “As you can see, I’m already running late. I’ll inform you next time if I can’t attend dinner. And if Soocheol truly needs protection, inform Grandfather yourself to have Mr. Woo reassigned.”

With a single nod, she turned on her heel and walked out, not giving her mother the chance to argue further.

Chaewoon, who had been standing a few steps behind her, followed without a word. He had no place in their argument, but he had observed everything—the tension in Haein’s shoulders, the way her mother’s words cut deeper than she let on. He saw the flicker of emotion in her eyes before she masked it again, slipping seamlessly back into the persona of Hong Haein, the untouchable executive.

As they reached the car, he opened the door for her. She slid inside without so much as a glance. The drive to the office was quiet, just like the night before. But unlike then, when she had been drained, today she carried a different kind of exhaustion. One that settled deeper, heavier.

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The day unfolded like every other—structured, demanding, and relentless. Haein moved through it with practiced ease, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors.

Meetings filled her schedule, each one blending into the next discussions with high-profile clients, department evaluations, strategy briefings. She skimmed through reports with sharp eyes, making swift decisions, approving proposals, and dissecting financial forecasts with an air of unwavering confidence.

To everyone around her, she was the same Hong Haein—cold, calculating, and in complete control. But beneath the surface, she could still hear the echo of her mother’s voice from that morning, still feel the weight of an unspoken history pressing against her chest.

Chaewoon remained in the background, silent but ever-present. He noticed the way her fingers curled slightly tighter around her pen during certain conversations, the way she rolled her shoulders in between meetings, as if trying to shake off an invisible weight. He followed her through the day, standing just close enough to protect, just far enough not to intrude.

And yet, for someone who claimed she didn’t need him, she never once told him to leave.

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Haein should be bothered by how much Chaewoon was seeing—the cracks beneath her carefully crafted exterior. He had overheard her parents the night before, witnessed the sharp exchange with her mother this morning. These were the moments she despised the most—when the perfect image she upheld slipped, revealing something raw and unguarded. She hated being seen like that. She hated the idea of someone perceiving her as helpless. More than anything, she hated pitiful eyes.

But Chaewoon didn’t look at her like that.

She had been observing him, too. He was frustratingly good at his job, always a step ahead, always more alert than necessary. But what stood out more was his reaction—last night, this morning. No sympathy. No awkward attempts to comfort her. No hushed, careful tone people used when they thought she was too fragile to handle the truth.

He was simply… there.

Silent. Watchful. Unshaken.

It should have irritated her. Maybe it still did. But strangely, his presence wasn’t as suffocating as it should have been. It no longer set her on edge the way it did when he first arrived. And that was what unsettled her the most.

She was used to reading people. She was used to knowing exactly what their motives were. But with Woo Chaewoon, she wasn’t sure. She was wondering maybe he was just too unreadable.

But she could feel it. And most of the time, her gut feeling never betrayed her.

She glanced up from her paperwork, barely registering the voices of the executives droning on around her. Outside the glass walls of the meeting room, he stood—silent, watchful, unwavering.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, trying to decipher him.

Just who are you really, Woo Chaewoon?

Just as she was about to look away, his gaze met hers. Neither of them looked away.

Chaewoon tilted his head slightly, a silent question in his eyes: Do you need something?

Haein blinked, then casually averted her gaze, shifting her attention back to the meeting as if nothing happened.

But Chaewoon caught it—the slight hesitation, the flicker of something unreadable in her expression.

For the first time, Hong Haein was flustered.

< Chapter 2 Chapter 4 >

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a little progress between our leads >< I apologize early if it's too slow or boring asdhjdsldejf next chapters will be more heart fluttering I promise I'm planning on uploading chapter 4 and 5 by today or tomorrow

that said, to the few readers from my twitter account and here on tumblr, I really appreciate you so much!! thank you for leaving a like, reblogging/retweeting, and leaving comments! it motivates me more to not procrastinate and leave this story hanging just like what I did from my past works🥲

also!! please let me know if anyone else wants to be included in the taglist ><

thank you again for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts too ><

taglist: @lvnat1c <3

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

genre: workplace romance, comedy, mutual pinning, slow-burn, banter, suggestive

2.2 Late Night Consultations - Catching Up

It was late—well past the usual shift hours—and the trauma department had finally gone quiet. Most of the lights were dimmed, the hum of machines replaced by the occasional rustle of paper and the distant beep of a monitor down the hall.

In one of the doctor’s offices, Dr. Song Hyejoo was crouched beneath her desk, sleeves rolled up as she tried to organize a pile of tangled files and storage boxes. A pen was tucked behind her ear, and a small sigh escaped her lips.

Leaning lazily against her desk, arms crossed and expression far too amused, stood Dr. Baek Kanghyuk, watching the scene unfold like it was prime-time entertainment.

“Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna help me?” Hyejoo asked without looking up, her voice tinged with faux annoyance.

“Hmm…” Kanghyuk tilted his head thoughtfully, a small smirk playing on his lips. “I think I prefer watching you struggle.”

Hyejoo rolled her eyes with an exaggerated groan. “You’re useless.”

He didn’t answer—but when she reached further back under the desk, Kanghyuk subtly shifted. One hand moved to cover the sharp corner of the desk, shielding her head from bumping into it. With his other hand, he quietly slid her half-full coffee mug away from the edge, placing it on a nearby counter to avoid any potential disaster.

Hyejoo didn’t notice immediately, too focused on straightening a stack of folders—but when she sat up slightly and felt his hand lightly press against the desk’s edge, keeping her from hitting it, she paused.

She glanced up at him, upside down from her position, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you said you were just watching.”

“I am,” he said casually, not moving. “Just… supervising safely.”

Hyejoo snorted, shaking her head as she returned to her task. “Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.”

Kanghyuk stayed put, still shielding the desk edge like it was nothing. But from the way he lingered, his eyes quietly watching over her, it was clear—he wasn’t just watching.

He was looking out for her.

Like always.

Hyejoo finally sat back in her chair, legs stretched slightly as she sorted through the stack of patient files on her desk. She didn’t look up when Kanghyuk spoke, but the sound of his voice still made her pause for just a second.

“So… what have you been up to these past few years?” he asked, casually, but there was something quieter underneath—curiosity laced with something unsaid.

Hyejoo glanced up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Finally asking, huh?”

Kanghyuk shrugged, leaning more comfortably against the desk, arms crossed. “Just catching up with my old student.”

That made her laugh, low and amused. “Wow, pulling the tutor card already?”

“Well, technically, you asked me for help.”

“And technically, I improved your handwriting,” she quipped, raising an eyebrow as she flipped a page.

He rolled his eyes. “You scribbled hearts on my notes.”

“They were diagrams of the human heart,” she grinned, clearly enjoying herself.

He gave a soft scoff, but the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile. “Sure, Song. Keep telling yourself that.”

There was a short pause between them—comfortable, familiar.

Then Hyejoo, still looking down at the papers in her hand, asked softly, “Did you ever think we’d run into each other again?”

Kanghyuk didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her, really looked this time—how she had changed and yet somehow stayed the same.

“…Sometimes,” he said finally. “Didn’t think it’d be like this, though.”

She smiled to herself, then gently pushed a stack of folders aside. Hyejoo leaned back in her chair, arms folded loosely as she stared at the ceiling, her expression unreadable.

“Hm… my life,” she started, voice quiet. “Hasn’t really been interesting.”

Kanghyuk tilted his head, then leaned in slightly, resting one hand on the edge of her desk. He didn’t say anything—just looked at her with that patient, steady gaze of his. The kind that said go on, I’m listening.

She caught it and gave him a soft sigh, lips curling upward faintly. “Let’s see… after transferring to Seoul, as much as my parents were against it, I was able to finish my degree.”

Kanghyuk nodded slowly. He remembered her mentioning her parents back in med school—just bits and pieces, enough to know their expectations weighed heavy on her shoulders.

“I also opened a small clinic in Namhae,” she continued. “It did not last long though, but the time I spent there, the quiet, the mountains, the sea breeze, and especially the townspeople who treated me like family— those were some of the happiest moments in my life.”

Kang-hyuk smiled softly, already imagining what her life had been like.

“Then I got married,” she added, almost casually.

“Oh.” The word slipped out of Kanghyuk before he could catch it. It wasn’t loud. But it sounded sharp in the quiet of the office. Like he’d been slapped by a wave he didn’t see coming.

Then, with a light shrug, she said, “And then we got a divorce.”

“…Oh?” Kanghyuk blinked, his voice a little higher this time, unsure if he should feel relieved or more concerned.

“That was my parents’ condition,” she said, her tone turning more matter-of-fact. “I finish my degree, and then I marry the family they chose.”

Kanghyuk’s brows furrowed slightly.

“It didn’t work out though,” she continued. “My ex-husband’s parents didn’t like the idea of me working—especially not as a doctor, always on call, barely home. They probably expected me to eventually quit my job. They wanted someone who’d support him.”

She gave a dry laugh. “And well… I was always busy.”

Kanghyuk finally spoke, his voice quieter but warm. “Busy saving lives.”

That made her pause.

She glanced at him, and for a split second, the corners of her mouth twitched. It wasn’t a full smile, not yet—but there was something soft in her eyes.

“Yeah,” she said, almost a whisper. “I guess I was.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments. The kind that didn’t feel heavy, just… familiar.

Then, Hyejoo leaned forward, resting her arms on the desk. “Well? How about you? Aside from being an internet sensation—as the Holy Spirit of this hospital, of course.” she teased, grinning playfully.

Kanghyuk scoffed. “What Holy Spirit? What kind of articles have you been reading, Song?”

She shrugged, her smile not fading. “Hey, I shared my story. Your turn.”

He sighed, and after a moment, leaned forward too, just slightly. “University got boring without someone breathing down my neck, demanding tutoring sessions every other day.”

Under the desk, she kicked his leg lightly with her foot. He chuckled.

“After I graduated… I guess I’ve been everywhere,” he said.

Hyejoo blinked slowly, keeping her gaze on him, encouraging him to go on.

“I did a lot of volunteer work. Mostly in rural areas—places where there weren’t enough doctors. Eventually, I became a combat medic, joined medical teams overseas. After a while, I got contacted to head the Trauma Team here. It was rough in the beginning, but now the Trauma Center’s back on its feet. I’m planning to rebuild it properly. Staff it with people who actually care about their patients. Who know what it means to treat emergencies like they matter.”

As she listened, a small smile began forming on Hyejoo’s lips. He hasn’t changed one bit, she thought.

She had known this version of Baek Kanghyuk from the start—ever since med school. The one people called cold, sharp-tongued, a little rude, and always too serious. The one who worked part-time jobs in between classes, who never seemed to sleep, and who still managed to top every exam.

She remembered how he challenged professors in class, especially when they were wrong—or worse, when they treated patient charts like paperwork instead of lives.

And she knew, even back then, that Baek Kanghyuk wasn’t just the arrogant jerk people claimed he was.

He had a goal. A mission. Saving lives was always at the center of it all.

When she heard his name again after all those years, she hadn’t been surprised. She was proud. Because he became exactly the kind of doctor she always believed he would be.

And now, hearing him talk about his journey… something in her felt unexpectedly calm. Settled.

She had wondered about him too, after all this time.

And sitting here now, she realized—she was genuinely happy for him.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List

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