Chapter sixteen

⭐ ୧ Someone whose mother cruelly abandoned her daughter like it was nothing. ও 🍨🌙

Jeong Jae carefully sipped the tea he was preparing, nodding in satisfaction as he adjusted the flavor. The small dinner table, surrounded by the four siblings, was quiet except for the gentle clinking of the pot against the stove.

"If it's too bitter, you can add some water," he explained, "But if you add too much, you'll go to the bathroom often at night."

Joo Won, seated beside San Ha, pointed her spoon toward the upper floor. "What about Ahjusshi? Doesn't he get any?"

"Forget him," Jeong Jae said, shaking his head dismissively. "He'll stop drinking once he gets a sour stomach. This won't do. Have a glass right now," Jeong Jae turned to San Ha, pouring the steaming yellowish liquid into a delicate ceramic cup. He handed the cup to San Ha.

San Ha accepted the cup with both hands, his gaze thoughtful as he watched the tea swirl inside.

San Ha took a small, cautious sip, the warmth spreading through his chest. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why did he drink all of a sudden?" His voice was quiet but firm, betraying the storm brewing inside. "She also visited him, didn't she?" His eyes flicked up to Jeong Jae, seeking answers he already suspected.

"Ahjumma?" Joo Won's face scrunched in a frown. "What did she say to Ahjusshi? What did she say that he drank so much?" She turned her questioning gaze toward San Ha, her voice tinged with concern.

"That isn't your business," Jeong Jae said firmly but gently, nudging his daughter away from the topic. "That's for Ahjusshi and San Ha to discuss."

Joo Won, however, wasn't one to back down easily. "It's better if everyone discusses it together," she argued, turning her attention back to her father, who sighed but didn't respond.

"Is it that bad for a mom to visit her son?" Hae Jun snapped suddenly, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he glared across the table at San Ha.

His tone cut through the room like a knife, drawing startled looks. Aera, sitting to his left, raised an eyebrow at his sudden outburst. "Why are you mad?" she asked, her voice calm but probing.

"Me? I'm not mad," Hae Jun replied quickly, his gaze shifting to meet hers. But Aera wasn't convinced. His eyes were reddening, the unshed tears shimmering against the dim light.

San Ha's lips curved into a soft, almost resigned smile. "I told my mom not to look for me anymore," he said, his voice even despite the turmoil churning beneath. "I'll tell Dad that too."

The words hung heavy in the air, pulling an awkward silence over the table.

"Well, even so..." Jeong Jae began, his tone uncertain. He trailed off, his own emotions clearly conflicted.

Meanwhile, Hae Jun's glare intensified, his jaw tightening with a mix of anger and something far more vulnerable.

San Ha met his gaze head-on, his expression unreadable but steady. "Happy now?" he asked softly, though the undercurrent of sarcasm didn't go unnoticed.

Without waiting for a reply, San Ha stood abruptly, picking up the bottle of warm tea Jeong Jae had prepared. His movements were deliberate but restrained, the weight of everything pressing down on his shoulders.

Aera and Joo Won exchanged worried glances as he headed toward the door, the tension in the room growing thicker.

Hae Jun suddenly rose from his chair, his face set with determination, and followed San Ha out. His strides were purposeful, his emotions boiling over as he closed the distance.

"Wait—" Joo Won started, half-standing from her chair.

But Jeong Jae caught both her arm and Aera's, gently but firmly pulling them back into their seats. "Let them talk it out," he said with a measured calm, though his eyes betrayed his own concern. He sighed, sinking into the chair across from them. "Hae Jun just misses his mom. That's why," he added softly.

The words struck Aera like a physical blow, resonating deep in her chest. She dropped her gaze, staring at her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

Missing a mom. Aera knew exactly how that felt. Her heart ached at the memory. The feelings she'd buried so deeply began to surface, raw and unforgiving.

Her mind wandered back to that cold, rainy night in Haedong, the faint smell of wet asphalt and the chilling wind biting at her skin. Her mother's silhouette fading into the distance, leaving her behind without a word.

She clenched her fists tighter, her nails digging into the soft fabric of her grey baggy pants. Her chest felt heavy, suffocating under the weight of unanswered questions.

Why did she leave me there? Aera thought, her jaw tightening. Why did they fight so much, filing for divorce, claiming they loved me? She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears back.

She didn't hate her mother—or at least, she told herself she didn't. But the resentment was a constant companion, eating away at her every time she remembered that day.

No matter how much she tried to ignore it, the longing never went away. It lingered, like a phantom pain, haunting her in quiet moments like this.

"I hope they're okay," Joo Won said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice was gentle but distant, as though she, too, was lost in her own thoughts.

Aera shook her head slightly, trying to clear the storm inside. She exhaled shakily, her grip relaxing as she blinked back the moisture in her eyes. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

But deep down, she wasn't sure who she was talking about—Hae Jun and San Ha or herself.

The silence in Jeong Jae's apartment stretched for several tense minutes before he finally nodded, releasing Aera and Joo Won to go after their brothers. He remained seated at the small dinner table, sipping his tea with a quiet sigh, as the two girls exchanged a glance and hurried up the stairs to San Ha's apartment.

Aera hesitated at the door before gently pushing it open. She and Joo Won carefully stepped inside, their movements cautious as they followed the raised voices coming from San Ha's room.

"What if I continue to see her? What if I break down and tell her everything?"

The frustration in San Ha's voice echoed through the small space, raw and unfiltered. Aera and Joo Won exchanged worried glances as they approached the partially open door, stopping just short of being seen.

"Even so, she's your mom," Hae Jun said, his voice softening slightly. "And you're her son."

From where he sat at his desk, San Ha closed his eyes, visibly trying to keep his composure. When he opened them again, his gaze was sharp, fixed on Hae Jun. "In this world, toxic families also exist," he said quietly, his tone cutting. "My mom and I are like that."

Hae Jun seemed to shrink slightly at the words, guilt flashing across his face. "Sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

San Ha didn't acknowledge the apology. Instead, he lifted his gaze and asked, "Were you happy your dad found you? Did you think, 'We are still father and son'?" He paused, his expression unreadable. "There's nothing to be jealous about."

Hae Jun's jaw tightened, his eyes reddening. "You always erase the tiny bit of apology I feel by acting distant," he said, his voice cracking slightly as he frowned at his brother.

"Leave," San Ha said abruptly, his tone cold and final. He didn't even look at Hae Jun, his attention already back on the notebook in front of him.

Hae Jun stood frozen for a moment, his frustration and hurt palpable, before letting out a quiet huff. He turned toward the door, stopping short when he saw Joo Won and Aera leaning casually against opposite sides of the doorframe, their expressions unreadable.

"Give me a break," Joo Won said, her voice low but laced with frustration. Her hands were buried in the pocket of her oversized green hoodie, her stance firm. "Saying that in front of someone who can't even remember her mom's face and someone whose mother cruelly abandoned her daughter like it was nothing." She pointed between herself and Aera, her words striking the room like a slap.

Both brothers stared at her, stunned into silence.

Aera, however, shifted uncomfortably. She could feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken pity and sorrow that always followed whenever her past came up. She wasn't ready to face it—not now, not like this.

"Let's get some ice cream," she suggested nervously, turning on her heel to leave the apartment. Her voice was light, almost casual, but it was clear she needed to escape.

Joo Won didn't hesitate to follow, her expression still serious but her steps quick. Hae Jun scratched the back of his head awkwardly before trailing behind them, and San Ha finally stood from his chair, walking out last.

The four of them descended the stairs in tense silence, the only sound the faint creak of the steps beneath their feet. As they reached the landing, Hae Jun suddenly quickened his pace, brushing past Aera and heading straight for their shared apartment.

"What?" Joo Won asked, confused as he fumbled with the code for the door.

"You three have a blast," Hae Jun muttered, his back to them as he pushed the door open.

The door clicked shut behind him before anyone could respond.

Joo Won stepped forward, her hand reaching for the doorknob. "What's his problem?" she grumbled, but before she could follow him inside, San Ha gently grabbed her wrist.

"Leave him be," he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of finality. He turned and started down the next set of stairs to the first floor.

Joo Won stared after him, her brows furrowing in frustration. "Eating ice cream together won't change anything," San Ha shrugged.

Joo Won called after him, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Then what will?" she asked, more to herself than anyone else, as she followed reluctantly.

Aera remained quiet, trailing a step behind, her mind elsewhere. When Joo Won turned to her, silently searching for answers, Aera merely shrugged, her lips pressed into a tight line. She didn't know the answer either, and for the first time, the emptiness she carried felt heavier than ever.

The three of them left the small convenience store, each holding a Korean ice cream bar in hand. The cool, sweet treats contrasted against the warm, humid evening air as they walked along the dimly lit street. The sound of distant cicadas filled the quiet spaces between their conversation.

"Sugar when you're down," Joo Won declared with ice cream in her mouth, her tone cheerful and full of conviction. "It's therapy for everybody." She flashed a bright smile as she took another bite.

San Ha walked between the two girls, holding a white plastic bag with additional snacks he had bought. The bag swayed gently with each step, the faint rustling sound blending with their quiet chatter.

"How do you feel now? Better?" Aera asked, glancing at him as she bit into her strawberry-flavored ice cream. The pink bar glistened faintly under the soft glow of a nearby streetlamp.

"Yes," San Ha replied simply, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

A brief silence fell over them before Joo Won broke it. "Dad said Hae Jun just misses his mom," she began, her voice thoughtful but steady.

Aera's grip on her ice cream stick tightened slightly. She didn't need anyone to tell her that Hae Jun missed his mom. She had seen it in his eyes, in the way he clung to fragments of the past. He had always been a mama's boy, basking in her love and attention before she left and never came back.

But it wasn't the same for San Ha. Aera knew that too. Hae Jun's mother had loved him deeply, but San Ha's mother... she hadn't. The difference was stark, and it was something Hae Jun didn't understand—or maybe refused to.

"I know," San Ha replied after a moment, his voice calm but distant. His eyes remained ahead, focused on the horizon as if the truth didn't sting.

"You do?" Joo Won asked, her curiosity piqued.

"That's why he answers every spam call," San Ha said, his tone laced with quiet resignation. "Just in case."

Joo Won's lips parted slightly in realization, her steps slowing. "That's true," Aera murmured quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as her gaze dropped to the ground.

"How does he plan to survive in this harsh world?" San Ha asked, a slight frown tugging at his lips.

"You're worried about him," Joo Won teased with a sly smirk, nudging his arm lightly. Aera glanced at him, noticing the faintest hint of concern in his expression, and couldn't help but smirk as well.

Even when they fought, even when anger flared between them, San Ha and Hae Jun always worried about each other. It was an unspoken truth, one that even they probably didn't want to admit.

"Just a heads up," Joo Won said suddenly, her tone shifting to one of lighthearted confidence as she looked between her brother and sister. "You two don't have to worry about me. Even if people call us unfortunate and such, it doesn't affect me one bit."

Aera smiled at her younger sister's bold declaration, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Her lips parted, and she said softly, "Right. It doesn't affect me either." There was a brief pause before she added with a wry chuckle, "Cheerful for someone who got abandoned? That doesn't affect me at all." She shook her head, her smile lingering but faintly bitter, as though the words were meant to convince herself more than anyone else.

The three continued walking, but San Ha suddenly stopped in his tracks, his mind catching on Aera's words. His expression darkened, disbelief flashing across his face.

"Right? Cheerful for someone who doesn't have a mom?" Joo Won scoffed, nodding in agreement with her sister. "That doesn't bother me at all either. Should we remember we don't have a mom and cry every time we see something funny? That's ridiculous," she said, her voice rising slightly in defiance. She turned to Aera. "Right, Eonnie? Why should we cry?"

Aera nodded with a soft smile, her expression calm but distant. She only realized they'd stopped walking when she noticed San Ha wasn't beside them anymore.

"What?" Aera asked, confused, as she turned to see him standing several steps behind them. His expression was unreadable, a mix of anger and disbelief etched across his features.

"Who said you're cheerful for someone without a mom?" San Ha demanded, his tone sharp and unwavering as his gaze darted between his sisters. "Who said you're cheerful for someone who got abandoned?"

Joo Won's confidence faltered, and she shifted nervously. "That was just an example," she murmured, her voice unsteady.

Aera bit her lip, inwardly cursing herself for letting too much slip. She tried to deflect with a lighthearted tone. "You know that we naturally smile often," she said, brushing it off like it was nothing.

San Ha's eyes lingered on Aera for a moment longer, searching her expression for the truth. Without a word, he turned and began walking ahead of them, his posture rigid with restrained anger.

The two girls exchanged wary glances, their brows furrowed in silent communication.

"Who said that to you?" Aera whispered to Joo Won as they started walking again. "Was it Lee Jun Ho?" Her voice rose slightly in realization, but Joo Won quickly shushed her.

"Shh, he'll hear you," Joo Won hissed, covering Aera's mouth with her hand. "Don't tell anyone. No one's supposed to know about it."

Aera scoffed, pulling Joo Won's hand away. "Gosh, that little— I should've known it. How dare he say something like that to you?"

"I know, Eonnie," Joo Won whispered back, her tone exasperated. "I got mad too. That's why I told him I didn't want to see him again—"

"But then you forgave him and agreed to be friends with him," Aera interrupted, arching a brow.

"I'm just giving him a chance to be friends. It's not like I plan to date him," Joo Won defended with a frown. "But hey, did Lee Min Jun say that to—"

"Hurry up. Stop whispering to each other, or I'll leave you both out here," San Ha called from ahead of them, his voice cutting through their hushed conversation.

Aera immediately quickened her pace, escaping Joo Won's prying eyes and catching up to San Ha. Joo Won followed after her with a knowing smirk, her curiosity piqued but momentarily silenced. The streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement as the three of them continued down the road, the weight of unspoken truths lingering in the air between them.

࿁ • 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬 . . . 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝒚𝒐𝒖
ྀིྀི 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝒎𝒆 𐙚 ~ @ 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 • ࿁

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄I hope you all enjoyed your day and I hope you liked this chapter as my gift to you all in this especial day 💗

I'm sorry again for my absence here, I promise to update as soon as I can, while trying to get my motivation back 🥲

Also, new gif! I made it so it took me some time to make, it's my first time doing one of those so hopefully it doesn't look too bad 😂

I will see you all in the next chapter! 💜