Slither of Empathy

Downing Today, Drowning Tomorrow

After being bed-ridden for a couple of days, Song Ji Hyo finally woke up. A tugging pain came from her abdomen, she couldn't really feel the weight of the situation until she made up where she was. The pain was unbearable but she was tired, her whole body was numb. There was a piercing scream coming from her head, she wonders if it was her - trying to come out from her nightmare. Lee Kwang Soo is sleeping next to her in a crouched position - obviously the bed is too small for the both of us. His height made it worse, his feet dangling on the side of the bed. Then the recollection of the memory comes. She touches her abdomen, she knows there's nothing in there. It's a bit swollen, the pain was agony. There were patches of cotton, holding the wound down. A mark that symbolizes a mother was drawn on her, but she was no mother. Her child is now gone. And she doesn't know who to blame. Should she blame herself, or her lying, cheating husband? 

Slowly Kwang Soo's eyes start to open, he rubbed his eyes a couple of times - her wife is now awake! How long has he waited for this moment! 

'Why are you here?' She asked him, in a sharp tone. 

'We lost the baby, Ji Hyo-ah..' He said softly. He left the bed, and sat on the sofa chair next to her instead. My wife; beautiful as ever, he says to himself. But what reflected in her eyes was pain. It was distort, it was flaming anger blended into one. 

'Do you care? Now? Now that it's gone. Now you care?' She said, he has never seen her that way. Her voice cracking, she's holding back tears. Almost choking in it, perhaps. 

'I always care,  Ji Hyo-ah. What I did was a mistake.' She says. 

'Did you sleep with her?' 

Slowly, he nodded. He doesn't want to lie to her anymore. Hasn't she gone through enough?

The saddest question she gave him was a simple one, but the weight of it was brazen. She took a deep breath. 'Don't you pity me, Kwang Soo-ah? I may have done you wrong, but is this what I deserve? Don't you have even a slither of empathy for me?' She asks. 

'I do.' He says. 'I can't tell you how sorry I am,  Ji Hyo-ah.' 

'How could you do this? To me, of all people.' Her words sounded similar to Ji Eun's. 'I gave up everything I had just to be with you.' 

'You're not the only one with sacrifices.' He says, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

'And so? You're throwing that away just for a ?' She says. 'Even the thought of texting with another man scared me. I wasn't afraid of getting caught, I was afraid that it would hurt you. I didn't want to let anything hurt you. But there you were.. not thinking slightly about the consequences, not even slightly thinking about me.' 

'It's not like that, alright, Ji Hyo-ah..' 

Her eyes were starting to water. 'Then why did you do it?' She asked in a brave tone. 'If your intention was not to hurt me, then why did you do it? What have I ever did to you?!' Her steady tone turned into a scream that it hurt . ' What did I ever did to you?' This time you can hear the crack in her voice. How angry must she have been, she's never reached that kind of anger before. She's usually cool with dealing with her anger with someone. But this wasn't just 'someone'. This was the person she agreed to marry. She was on her honeymoon, and one thing ripped everything away from her. 

Why does like this always happen?

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themedicalscholar
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kwangsooxkyungsoo #1
Chapter 19: I read it again after a year but the heartbreak still feels the same </3
MrsStar #2
Chapter 111: I just finished reading this, but I can’t really decide if I liked it or not. I guess the events leading to the ending (after Chapter 95) was/is not my cup of tea, it kind of made me upset in a way since I love KwangMong, that’s why. But other than that, I loved your writing. KwangMong has been my ship, so thank you for this story :)
regzlim
#3
Chapter 5: Another great chapter.

I like how Kwang Soo is very caring towards Ji Hyo.
I also liked the way he stumbled when Ji Hyo asked the innocent question, "Did you sleep okay?" It was kinda endearing.

Although at the end of the chapter, I ended up feeling a little sorry for Ji Hyo. Yes, she was partly to blame for encouraging Kwang Soo to drink, but she had to be the one comforting him.

I kinda felt both characters cared deeply about the other. With Ji Hyo fixing him breakfast and then comforting him and with Kwang Soo apologising even though it was not entirely his fault for what happened the night before. And I like that you had him behave timidly. It feels like you are setting us up that he cares very deeply for her. If not he wouldn't be so afraid of shaking the status quo.

I'm so looking forward to find out what happens to them! I've upvoted and subscribed. You have yourself a fan!
regzlim
#4
Chapter 4: I can't believe I never read this story before. I chanced upon your story while browsing the kwangmong tag and I'm sure glad I did. I think your your style of writing is very unique and I'm really kinda enjoying the short chapters.

Although I'm only four chapters in, I'm hooked and I can't wait to find out what happens next! Now off I go to read the rest of the story!
xxxcaixxx #5
Chapter 111: rất cám ơn bạn khi viết bài hát truyện về họ. I got tracking messages from the first and you hope that they will be together. Please again you than that the story of the current ship of my <3. You may be may in live and write them story
mushoo
#6
Hey, I have to admit I was a silent reader to this and was pleasantly surprised when you updated and completed it! I just love your style of writing, it really captured my attention to the point where I binge read the first 50 chapters then realised that it was unhealthy hahaha.
It was such a roller coaster for both Ji Hyo and Kwang Soo, I had always thought that their relationship was moving so fast that it would hurtle of the tracks. It was such a bitter sweet open ending which leaves me hoping for something more. Overall the whole story was so realistic which I found captivating, it showed not only highs of a relationship but also the lows.
So thanks for sharing this. I can't wait for you next idea. I look forward to reading it.
Anisart #7
Chapter 111: Thankyou thank you.... i really curious about your project next time.. cant wait