**Chapter 44: Descent into Darkness**

The hours ticked by like slow-moving molasses, each one a painful reminder of Taehyun's helplessness. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, his mind became a jumbled mess of fragmented thoughts and memories. He recalled Min-ji's concerned voice, her words of worry and fear, but he couldn't muster the strength to respond. The darkness had become his constant companion, a suffocating shroud that wrapped around him like a damp, cold mist. As he lay on the couch, Taehyun's gaze wandered to the window, where the gray light of dawn was slowly creeping in. The city outside was awakening, its sounds and smells seeping into his apartment like a siren's call. But he didn't want to be drawn into its vibrant, pulsating rhythm. He was trapped in his own private hell, and the thought of facing the world outside seemed like an insurmountable task. The phone call with Min-ji had left him feeling drained and guilty. He knew he had to talk to her, to tell her the truth about his addiction, but the shame and fear of being judged held him back. He felt like he was stuck in a vicious cycle, unable to escape the gravitational pull of his own self-destruction. As the morning light grew stronger, Taehyun's thoughts turned to his job, to the looming deadlines and responsibilities that he had been neglecting for weeks. He knew he couldn't avoid them forever, but the thought of facing his colleagues, of pretending to be the person he used to be, seemed like a daunting task. The sound of his doorbell ringing cut through the silence, making Taehyun's heart sink. He knew it was probably Min-ji, come to check on him, to try and get him to talk. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should answer it, but his curiosity got the better of him. He slowly got up from the couch, his body aching, and made his way to the door. As he opened it, he was surprised to see his best friend, Joon-oh, standing in the hallway, a concerned look on his face. "Taehyun, what's going on?" Joon-oh asked, his voice low and serious. "Min-ji's been trying to reach you, and I was worried sick. Can I come in?" Taehyun hesitated, unsure of what to say. He didn't want Joon-oh to see him like this, broken and defeated. But at the same time, he couldn't shut him out. He stepped aside, allowing Joon-oh to enter, and closed the door behind him. As he turned to face his friend, he saw the worry and concern etched on Joon-oh's face, and he knew that he had to tell him the truth. But as he looked into Joon-oh's eyes, he saw a glimmer of something else, something that made his heart skip a beat. Was it pity? Or was it understanding? Taehyun couldn't quite tell, but he knew that he had to be honest, no matter how hard it was.