Love is better than pain
19. The Weight of Lies, the Cracks in Love
As soon as the concept photo shoot was over, the members started packing up their equipment one by one and quickly started preparing to leave work.
After Myeongho finished his final checks, he went to find Siyeon, who was busy moving around off-camera.
디에잇(명호)
"Siyeon."
He looked around once, then quietly approached her and whispered.
디에잇(명호)
"Do you want to be with me today too..?"
Just a little more.
At the end of the day, I just wanted to be with her.
But— Siyeon shook her head slightly.
강시연
“Today… I have to work overtime. I have something urgent to confirm at the office…”
디에잇(명호)
“Oh… Really? Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Myungho couldn't hide his regretful expression, but he nodded and quietly withdrew.
But— she wasn't headed to the company.
강시연
‘With these feelings right now… I don’t have the confidence to see Myungho any longer…’
I just couldn't handle it. It was too much to keep him around, and I needed to be away for a while to prepare to leave.
강시연
"Ugh..!"
Then, on a night street, Siyeon suddenly stopped in her tracks due to a stomachache.
The pain was so excruciating that it was hard to breathe. My face turned pale, and my fingertips trembled.
I looked around and couldn't stand it any longer, so I collapsed.
***
Hospital. Siyeon regained consciousness and was under the dim fluorescent light.
Siyeon opened her eyes quietly.
???
“Are you awake, patient?”
강시연
"…yes…"
The nurse nearby immediately called a doctor, who soon arrived.
He looked at the chart, took a deep breath, and looked at the demonstration.
의사
“Right now… the transfer is much faster than I thought.”
강시연
“…”
의사
"This can't go on. You need to start treatment. The medications are better these days.
의사
"If you get chemotherapy, you'll definitely lose your hair. This isn't the time. Let's think positively about the treatment."
Siyeon couldn't bring herself to answer those words, so she clutched the bed sheets tightly.
강시연
“…I’ll think about it.”
At those brief words, the doctor nodded and stepped aside. And Siyeon took a deep breath in the empty hospital room.
강시연
'There is no time.'
***
***
Meanwhile, Myeong-ho. On his way home from work, he was holding a small, cute bag of snacks.
I wanted to surprise her, who said she was working overtime today.
디에잇(명호)
"Working overtime must be tough... ugh."
I arrived at the office and cautiously entered the hallway. But—there was no one there.
The lights were off in the office. The computers were off.
A tidy desk. There was no demonstration there.
디에잇(명호)
"...Huh? Definitely in the office..."
Myeongho stood there for a while, then slowly turned his head.
디에잇(명호)
"Where did you go for a moment? Or maybe on another floor?"
But no matter how much I thought about it, there was no trace of anyone working overtime.
And then— one thing crossed my mind.
디에잇(명호)
"…lie…?"
The snack bag in my hand just sagged.
디에잇(명호)
‘Why did you lie to me?’
디에잇(명호)
"You lied so much that you didn't want to be with me? Was I... too much of a burden?"
A small wound grew inside his chest. As he tried to take out his phone, Myeongho clenched his fist and put it back in.
디에잇(명호)
“Why… Why did you lie…”
He bowed his head quietly.