Save me before it's too late

The fourth red flag Kim Gaon failed to notice was when he passed a broken potted plant lying on the sidewalk without giving it a glance. Excuses such as 'his mind was too occupied' might have been valid, but Gaon has never ignored a plant in a need before, not once.

Plants were his silent companions and he found deep comfort in them after his parents died. Owning something that's depended on you is like a drug, it suddenly gives you purpose. 'Who will take care of them if I'm not here?' the answer to this question used to be Soo Hyun. It was not that case anymore, now it was truly only Gaon who could keep the plants alive. But for that, Gaon had to keep himself alive first. This task seemed to get harder and harder as days passed.

Therefore, the plant stayed lying at the side of the road when the younger judge walked past it that morning. He might have noticed it subconsciously but concluded that by leaving the plant there, it had more chances to survive.
It was Saturday but that could hardly stop Kim Gaon from working. Even his bleeding – now bandaged – wrists could not stop him, as if the fact that it's weekend would.

The whole morning seemed a bit like a fever dream to Gaon and he wasn't sure how he managed to get to his office. One moment he was cleaning the bloodied blankets and the next one sitting at the office table, sipping coffee.
His wrists were aching but Gaon paid little attention to it, what else he could do? He certainly was startled when he woke up at night all sticky and uncomfortable, covered in blood. His right hand was still squeezing a kitchen knife tightly.

Dying in sleep now gained a whole new meaning.

Kim Gaon didn't wish to die, not just yet. This incident finally alarmed him to a certain degree, but not to the point he would seek help. The thought of him killing himself in sleep was certainly scary, but all Gaon had to do was prevent it, right?

He certainly needed no help with locking sharp objects away.

And so, Gaon carried on with his day like he normally would despite not feeling normal anymore. Trying to commit suicide while unconscious will leave the strongest ones in shock.

The day was slow since there wasn't much to attend. Gaon buried himself in paperwork, a chore he once hated and now found comfort in.

It was past nine in the evening when a security guard politely knocked on Judge Kim's door and shyly asked when he plans to go home. It was a newbie who didn't know about Gaon's workaholic routine. Sympathy stroke the younger judge as he noticed that the poor guard just wanted to go home on time. With a sight, Gaon got up and decided to head home as well.

Halfway on his walk home, Kim Gaon remembered the appointment he made the day prior. There was little energy left in his body but Gaon still forced himself to run.

Lawyer Ko was waiting at his patio with a smile.

"I'm not your neglected wife that you have to rush like this, Judge Kim." He said as greeting and his smile only widened.
Gaon was while bent over, trying to catch a breath.

"I'm so-sorry... haaa, sorry that I'm late.." The younger judge was more worn out than he should be after jogging a couple of meters. It was as if the air was refusing to enter his lungs fast enough.

Gaon felt embarrassed that Lawyer Ko was there to witness him in such a state. Not only he was late but appeared as if he just finished a marathon.

But it only got worse from there.

His head spun dangerously as he forced himself to straighten up and warm liquid dripped down his chin. Before Gaon managed to say a proper greeting and apology as he intended, Lawyer's Ko eyes widened in shock.