Chapter 1
The television was the center of attention in the living room. On the screen, Dr. Baek Tae-Hyun sat in a comfortable chair, looking perfectly at ease. Even through the screen, he had a powerful way of holding himself. His hair was a striking dark grey, and his face was sharp and refined. He didn't look forty; he looked much younger, as if time had simply stopped for him.
"He really is something else," Riya’s father said, leaning forward. "Look at that focus. He isn't just a surgeon; he’s an expert who handles the most difficult cases in the world. His family’s hospital network is legendary for a reason."
"He is so disciplined," Riya’s mother added, nodding in agreement. "You rarely see that kind of calm on television. He is a great example of what hard work and a steady mind can get you. If you could have even half of that drive during your final year, Riya, just imagine what you could achieve."
Riya sat on the edge of the sofa, but she was hardly listening to them. Her parents' voices had faded into the background, becoming nothing more than quiet noise.
Her eyes were glued to the screen. She was fascinated by how Baek spoke—slow, thoughtful, and full of quiet authority. There was something magnetic about the way he looked at the interviewer, an intensity in his gaze that felt almost heavy. He wasn't just handsome; he had a presence that made the entire room feel different. She watched his hands as they rested on his lap—long, steady, and precise.
He tilted his head to answer a question, a small, brief smile touching his lips. It felt like a practiced expression, one meant for the public, but it still sent a strange, cold shiver down Riya’s spine. She was completely caught up in watching him, unaware of the kind of man he truly was behind the cameras.
Riya was still staring at the screen, completely lost in thought, when her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She glanced down to see Mia’s name lighting up the screen. With a quick movement, she grabbed it and retreated to the privacy of her room.
"Mia! You’re calling at the perfect time," Riya said, flopping onto her bed.
"I hope I’m not interrupting anything," Mia’s voice came through, sounding tired but focused. "I’m stuck on these neuro-anatomy notes. Do you remember what the professor said about the lumbar puncture procedure for high-risk patients? I want to make sure I get it right."
Riya rolled her eyes playfully, though she knew Mia couldn't see her. "Mia, you are literally the only person I know who calls her best friend to talk about homework on a Friday night. Take a breath! You’re going to burn out before we even graduate."
"I just want to be prepared," Mia replied with a small laugh.
"You know what you should be preparing for? Staring at something actually worth looking at," Riya said, her mind jumping back to the man on the television. "I’m watching this interview with Dr. Baek Tae-Hyun. Honestly, Mia, he’s incredible. He’s the most handsome, intense man I’ve ever seen. You need to look him up."
"Baek Tae-Hyun?" Mia asked, sounding unimpressed. "The surgeon everyone talks about? I’ve heard the name, obviously, but I’ve been too busy with clinical rotations to watch TV or look up random surgeons."
"He is not 'random,' he’s a masterpiece," Riya insisted. "Just look him up tonight. Please? For me? You spend all your time in books; treat yourself to a good view for once."
Mia let out a soft sigh, though there was a hint of a smile in her voice. "Fine, fine. I’ll take a look later tonight when I’m done with these notes. But don’t expect me to start swooning like you."
"Just wait," Riya laughed. "Once you see him, you’ll understand."
Later that night, the house was finally quiet. Mia sat at her desk, her laptop fan humming softly in the dark room. She had finished her studies, and for the first time in weeks, she felt she had a moment to breathe.
She remembered Riya’s insistent tone. With a curious shrug, she opened her browser. She typed Dr. Baek Tae-Hyun into the search bar and pressed enter.
A collection of images and news articles popped up instantly. Mia leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she clicked on a professional high-resolution photo of him.
The screen brightened, and there he was.
He wasn't just a surgeon. He had a sharp, cold elegance that seemed to jump off the screen. His dark grey hair was styled perfectly, and his eyes—deep and unreadable—seemed to be staring right through her. Mia felt a sudden, strange tightness in her chest. She had expected to see just another doctor, but instead, she found herself staring at someone who looked like he belonged in a different world entirely.
She didn't move. She just stared at the screen, her mouse forgotten in her hand, feeling an unexpected jolt of interest that she couldn't quite explain.
Mia didn't stop at one search. The more she read, the more she realized that Baek Tae-Hyun wasn't just a surgeon; he was a powerhouse. His family owned a sprawling network of world-class hospitals across the country. He was wealthy, influential, and seemed to have the entire medical world in the palm of his hand.
She clicked over to his social media page. Unlike the stiff, formal interviews, his feed was a blend of high-end events and glimpses of his private life. He looked just as polished and untouchable in casual clothes as he did in his white coat. Mia found herself scrolling for nearly two hours, mesmerized by a life that felt a million miles away from her own.
Click.
The sudden sound of the door opening made Mia jump. She quickly tried to minimize the browser, but it was too late. Her father stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed as he looked at the clock on the wall.
"One in the morning, Mia?" he said, his voice soft but firm. "You’re going to burn yourself out before the exams even start."
"I know, Dad. I’m sorry. I was just… finishing up," Mia said, closing the laptop and turning to face him.
Her father walked further into the room, his eyes softening as he looked at her desk. He glanced at the small, framed photograph resting near her lamp. It was a picture of her mother—a beautiful woman with a warm, radiant smile and the same deep, expressive eyes that Mia had inherited.
"She would be so proud of you, you know," he said quietly, walking over to stand beside her. "Especially with the remembrance day coming up next week. I know it’s always a hard time of year for you."
Mia reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched the edge of the frame. Her mother had been the one who encouraged her dreams, the one who taught her to be strong. Being half-Black and half-white, Mia had always felt a deep connection to the strength her mother carried.
"I just want to make sure I’m ready, Dad," Mia whispered, still looking at the photo. "I want to be the kind of doctor she would have wanted me to be."
Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You already are, sweetheart. But even the best doctors need sleep. Please, get some rest."
After he left, the room fell silent again. Mia looked back at the closed laptop. The image of Dr. Baek’s face was still burned into her memory, but for a moment, the weight of her mother’s memory felt much heavier. She turned off the lamp, the darkness of the room reflecting the sudden, confusing mix of ambition and grief she felt inside.
