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Namjoon took the key from the drawer and unlocked the door, his heart pounding with worry. As the door creaked open, he saw her sitting on the floor, her body trembling as she sobbed silently. The sight struck him like a blow in his chest.

He took a step toward her, his instinct to comfort her overwhelming, but then he froze, suddenly remembered that the  towel was loosely wrapped around his waist.

He groaned internally, palming his forehead in frustration. Without a word, he turned and hurried to his wardrobe. Grabbing the first set of clothes his hands could find, he dashed into the bathroom.

Moments later, he emerged dressed in something comfortable. His eyes immediately found her again. She hadn’t moved an inch, her head still buried in her hands, her sobs muffled but persistent. His heart clenched at the sight. Slowly, he approached her, kneeling beside her.

With a gentle touch, he scooped her fragile frame into his arms. She didn’t resist, her body limp and unresponsive. He carried her to the bed and carefully laid her down, tucking her under the soft sheets.

Her face was still streaked with tears, her trembling not yet subsided. Namjoon knelt beside her, his thumb brushing away the wet trails on her cheeks.

A sudden, overwhelming urge gripped him the need to ease her pain, to offer her a sliver of comfort. He leaned down and pressed a soft, featherlight kiss to her forehead.

The coolness of his lips against her warm skin made her eyes flutter open. She looked up, startled but quiet, catching him in the tender act.

He backed away slightly, a soft, reassuring smile curving his lips. Taking her left hand in his, he knelt back down beside the bed. With his other hand, he gently patted her head, his thumb tracing soothing circles over the back of her hand.

"Just sleep" he said softly, his voice as tender as a lullaby, carrying a warmth that seemed to wrap around her like a blanket.

She nodded weakly and closed her eyes, her breaths evening out. But as her mind began to drift, the events of the day replayed themselves like a nightmare, dragging her back into the torment.

The memories of yeon-joon forcing her.Her eyes flew open, and she sat upright, gasping for air.

'What happened?" Namjoon asked, alarmed by her sudden movement. His voice was filled with concern as he reached for her.

"I... I don’t want to sleep" she whispered, her voice shaky, her widened eyes darting toward the door. "Please... please don’t make me sleep."

"Shh....shh..." Namjoon whispered, sitting beside her. He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders, his presence grounding her. "I’m here, okay? You don’t have to sleep... Just breathe."

She looked up at him, her face pale with fear. "P-please hide me somewhere" she pleaded. "He’ll come here. I know he will."

Namjoon’s heart ached at the sheer terror in her voice. His eyes softened as he met her gaze. "No one will come here" he said firmly, his voice steady but gentle. "This is my house. No one can hurt you here. You’re safe with me."

She stared at him, his words slowly sinking in. Exhausted, she rested her head against his chest, drawing comfort from his steady heartbeat.

Despite her fears, she couldn’t deny the warmth she felt in his arms. She knew she was falling for him for a man who is too kind, too noble for someone like her. She tried to push the thought away, burying it deep within her, but it lingered all the same.

The doorbell broke the fragile peace, echoing sharply through the house. Her body tensed, he was about to go but her hand darted out, gripping Namjoon’s pinky finger. She shook her head, her face contorted with fear.

"It’s okay" Namjoon said softly, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "It’s probably the doctor. I promised you no one else would come."

Reluctantly, she released his hand, and he stood. She watched him leave the room, her anxiety bubbling over. Retreating under the covers, she tried to block out her fear.

When Namjoon opened the door, he found a visibly annoyed Soojin standing there, her hands on her hips.

"I’ve been waiting for ten minutes!" she snapped, stepping inside without invitation.

"Sorry" Namjoon said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was inside. I didn’t hear the bell. And, uh... sorry for calling you in this condition."

Soojin rolled her eyes but softened slightly. "It’s fine. Don’t apologize. I’m not sick, Namjoon I’m pregnant. Big difference." She sighed, her irritation giving way to concern. "Where is she? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"

Namjoon’s expression darkened. "She was... trying to hurt herself. She tried to suicide... I thought you might be able to get through to her. She needs someone to talk to and I think you can understand her better."

Soojin nodded, her brows knitting together in worry. "I’ll see what I can do.you..." She pointed a finger at him. "Go make me something to eat. And don’t you dare give me burnt cookies like last time."

Namjoon chuckled softly and started"Okay... Mam well, Jungkook was right..your hormones are on" but before he could finish, Soojin’s sharp glare silenced him immediately.

Soojin stepped into the room and found Y/N curled tightly under the covers. The sight made her pause for a moment before she walked over and gently pulled the blanket away. Y/N flinched, instinctively moving back, her wide eyes filled with fear.

Soojin's chest tightened at the reaction. Something about Y/N’s trembling form unsettled her.

"She’s my friend’s wife," Namjoon said from behind, breaking the tension in the air. His voice was gentle, trying to bridge the unease. "Soojin, she’s the doctor we’ve met before."

Y/N hesitated but eventually looked up at Soojin, her expression unreadable. Soojin offered a kind smile, but Y/N’s gaze remained fixed, her face devoid of emotion.

"You should wait outside. I’ll check on her" Soojin said softly.

Namjoon hesitated for a moment before nodding. As he turned to leave, Y/N’s trembling voice stopped him in his tracks.

"D-don’t" she stammered, her eyes darting to Namjoon with desperation.

Namjoon froze, glancing back at her, then at Soojin, who gave him a reassuring nod. "Look, I’m a doctor. I won’t hurt you. It’s my job to take care of you, okay?" Soojin said with a soft smile, her tone calm and coaxing.

Y/N glanced between the two and after a tense pause, nodded slightly. She sat upright on the bed, her movements cautious and hesitant, like a fragile child unsure of her surroundings.

Namjoon gave her a final glance, reluctant to leave but trusting Soojin. He closed the door gently behind him and headed to the kitchen, deciding to prepare something for both Y/N and Soojin.

As he began cooking, his focus repeatedly broke. His eyes kept shifting to the door, the weight of uncertainty gnawing at him.

When he finally saw Soojin emerge from the room, his heart skipped a beat. Turning off the stove, he rushed toward her.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation.

Soojin’s face was tense, her expression serious. "Namjoon, you need to tell me everything.... The truth" she demanded.

Namjoon’s face hardened, but he nodded silently.

"What is she to you?" Soojin asked directly, her voice firm but not accusing. "I mean, what’s your relationship with her? Is it physical? Is she your girlfriend?"

Namjoon shook his head, his voice steady but low. "No. She’s my student... but umm...I feel something more for her." His voice softened with the admission, his trust in Soojin evident.

Soojin studied him for a moment before speaking. "Namjoon, I need to meet her parents or her legal guardian. There are many things I need to address."

Namjoon’s jaw tightened, his next words measured. "I’m her guardian. You can tell me everything. She doesn’t have parents."

Soojin’s eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips. She stepped back, sitting on the couch to steady herself. Namjoon sat across from her, waiting as she gathered her thoughts.

"Namjoon, listen carefully," she began, her voice low but steady. "She has scars all over her body. Some are fresh, others old. The nail scratches and teeth marks... they’re not accidents. It’s like someone had attacked her like an animal."

Namjoon’s fists tightened, his jaw clenching with barely contained rage.

"The way she reacted when I touched her... it’s clear she’s been tormented for months, maybe longer" Soojin continued, her voice breaking slightly.

Namjoon’s eyes burned with unspoken fury. "What can I do to help her? To take her out of this hell?"

Soojin hesitated before answering. "It’s a miracle the baby is fine. But... who’s the father? Does he know about her condition? Or is he the one who did this to her?"

Namjoon’s temper snapped. He stood abruptly, his expression unreadable. "Please, Soojin. I can’t talk about that."

"You have to, Namjoon," Soojin said, her voice rising slightly. "If you’re claiming to be her guardian, then act like it."

Namjoon took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "He did this to her. And yes, it’s his child. She’s terrified of him, afraid he’ll come back and hurt her again. But I’ve pieced together one thing it happened at school and I'm such a stupid who understand this after a long time"

Soojin shook her head, her heart aching for Y/N. "She needs therapy, Namjoon. She’s deeply depressed and it’s dangerous, especially in her condition. She’s lost so much. What she needs now is to be reminded she deserves love."

Namjoon’s voice softened, a rare vulnerability creeping in. "But how? She’s scared. Not of me, but of closeness itself. Whenever I try to comfort her, she flinches... her eyes scream memories of him."

"Then be patient," Soojin said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Be someone she can rely on. Prove to her that she’s worthy of love and care. And give her these medicines. She needs a proper diet. She’s weaker than the first time I saw her. Tell her to take a bath using this soap and apply this ointment on her wounds it’ll help ease her pain."

Namjoon took the paper from Soojin, his resolve hardening. "Is she sleeping?"

"No," Soojin replied. "Call her for dinner. She needs to be around people who care about her. And Namjoon... don’t just tell her to take care of herself. Push her. Help her believe she can."

Namjoon nodded, walking toward the bedroom. He found Y/N sitting on the bed, lost in her thoughts, her gaze distant.

"Let’s have dinner," he said softly.

She shook her head, refusing, her lips pressed tightly together.

Namjoon sighed. Without a word, he stepped forward and scooped her up in his arms.

She gasped, startled by the sudden action. "I’ll come... p-put me down," she protested, her voice shaky.

But Namjoon didn’t let go. His arms cradled her gently, one wrapped around her waist, the other supporting her legs.

"You’re not alone anymore" he murmured, his voice steady but full of unspoken emotion.

As she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself, something in her shifted. And the warmth surrounding her didn’t feel threatening.

Namjoon carried her out of the room, determined to show her that this was the start of something new.

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