She has always lived with a weak heart, yet has learned to hide it behind a smile and steps that seemed normal. On campus, she tried to be like everyone else, even though her body often warned her to stop.

Baekyung, her fiancé, chose to be on the same campus, making sure she was never too far from his watchful eyes. His behavior was never easy to read. Sometimes he was overly caring, sometimes he was harsh. Every time she pushed herself beyond her limits, his anger would appear first. Yet whenever her tears fell, that anger would vanish without a trace.

Whenever she fell sick on campus, Baekyung would be the one to lift her, carrying her to the infirmary, his face tense yet his hands strong when she was at her weakest, as if he would rather bear the burden than see her fall alone.

She tried to repay his care with small gestures. The simple gifts she gave came from sincerity, not obligation. Yet every gift ended the same way. Baekyung would take it, then throw it away without mercy, right in front of her. She could only stand there silently, swallowing her embarrassment and disappointment, convincing herself that perhaps Baekyung simply didn’t know how to receive love.

Yet even Baekyung’s patience had limits.

The campus sports day was a day she would never forget. She insisted on participating in the paired running event. Even though her body wouldn’t allow it, she still wanted to try. She wanted to stand by Baekyung’s side, not as a burden, but as a partner.

They were tied at the ankles, stepping in sync toward the starting line. At the beginning of the run, everything seemed fine. Her breathing was steady, their steps were aligned. But midway through, her chest began to tighten. Her heartbeat became irregular, her vision blurred, and her steps slowed.

Her body betrayed her.

Their steps faltered, and defeat came before everyone’s eyes. Baekyung’s face hardened, his eyes full of anger that could no longer be contained. “How many times have I told you not to push yourself? What are you trying to prove? You think this is a game? You think your body is strong?” his voice rose, ignoring everything around them. She tried to stand, but her body could not support her. “You never listen,” Baekyung continued, his tone a mix of disappointment and rage. “I’m embarrassed to have a fiancé with a condition like yours!” With a harsh motion, Baekyung ripped the tie from their ankles. “Enough. I’ve had enough.” Without looking back, he turned and left, leaving her sitting on the field, clutching her chest, tears falling silently, realizing that for the first time, Baekyung left her when she needed him the most.