Second Chances | Seulrene AU

The morning was already heavy as Joohyun arrived at the hospital, her steps light but purposeful. The weight of the day ahead bore down on her- five surgeries scheduled back-to-back, all due to postponements from yesterday. She knew she'd need her usual cup of tea to power through. Heading straight to the staff room, Joohyun greeted a few colleagues she passed along the way, her smile calm but fleeting.

Once inside, she moved with practiced efficiency, setting her mug down and pouring honey as the water heated up. The soft hum of the electric kettle filled the air, a soothing sound amid the chaos of her thoughts. She leaned against the counter for a brief moment of peace, only to be startled as someone entered the room. Joohyun turned and offered her usual polite greeting, bowing slightly in respect.

"Good morning-", Joohyun was cut off by an angry, accusatory tone.

"You have some nerve, Dr. Bae.", the woman stated.

Joohyun blinked, caught off guard by the sharpness in the voice. The woman standing before her was Dr. Min, a fellow surgeon who had always been cordial until now. The sudden hostility left Joohyun frozen for a moment.

"I told you I liked CEO Kang! And yet you went ahead and took her from me!", Dr. Min exclaimed, her voice rising and Joohyun's confusion was palpable.

"Excuse me? I think there's been a misunderstanding-", Joohyun was cut off again.

"Oh, don't play dumb!", Dr. Min snapped, her face twisting in anger. Before Joohyun could explain herself, the other woman grabbed her arm roughly.

The movement jostled Joohyun's mug, causing hot water to spill onto her hand. She gasped, the searing pain shooting through her. Joohyun hissed softly but kept her composure, pulling her arm back slightly.

"Dr. Min, please, let's calm down and talk about this like adults.", Joohyun said firmly, her voice steady despite the sting in her hand. But her attempt to defuse the situation only seemed to fuel Dr. Min's rage.

"You think you're so high and mighty now, don't you? Just because you have a rich, powerful CEO backing you up!", Dr. Min added.

The words stung, but Joohyun didn't let her expression falter. Before things could escalate further, another doctor, Dr. Kim, walked into the staff room. His eyes widened at the scene before him- the spilled water, Joohyun clutching her burned hand, and Dr. Min's tight grip on her arm.

"Dr. Min! What are you doing?", Dr. Kim exclaimed, rushing over to intervene.

He gently but firmly pried Dr. Min's hand off Joohyun, who stumbled back slightly, her face etched with pain as she cradled her injured hand.

At that moment, the door swung open again, and Sooyoung walked in, her cheerful demeanor fading instantly as she took in the tense atmosphere. Her gaze darted to Joohyun, who was holding her arm, and then to Dr. Min, who was being restrained by Dr. Kim.

"What the hell is going on here?", Sooyoung demanded, her voice sharp as her eyes narrowed on Dr. Min. She strode over to Joohyun, concern evident on her face.

"Unnie, are you okay? What happened?", Sooyoung worriedly questioned, but Joohyun shook her head, offering a small, strained smile.