Three days. Three days of Chaeyoung's elusive "not-going-home" routine. My sigh mirrored the erratic flight of the birds outside the classroom window, a restless counterpoint to Professor Kim's droning lecture. Jihyo's nudge and silent question – "You okay?" – went unanswered, my gaze fixed on the chaotic dance of wings against the pale sky.
The end of class brought a text from my dad, a familiar blend of urgency and pragmatism. A business trip overseas meant I was in charge of the family hospital, a task I sweetened with a successful negotiation for a doubled allowance. The money arrived instantly, a digital reward for my blackmail. A whoop of triumph escaped me as I hailed a cab.
The hospital was in good shape; shares, rates, everything was in order. My text to my dad was met with a ridiculous penguin sticker – my brother's influence, no doubt. I chuckled, the image of my dad awkwardly holding up a thumbs-up a surprisingly accurate representation.
Bidding farewell to the secretary, I decided to explore the recently renovated VIP wing. A year's transformation had rendered the place almost unrecognizable. I was tracing the sleek lines of the hallway when a sharp smack cut through the quiet.
Another smack followed, then another. A woman, late 40s, her face etched with fury, was slapping a girl with a shockingly familiar back. The blows were brutal, each one a sickening thud against flesh. The woman left as quickly as she'd arrived, leaving the girl hissing in pain, clutching her swollen cheek. Then, she turned, offering a bitter, almost broken smile, and my breath hitched in my throat.
I tried to hide behind the vending machine, a pathetic attempt at concealment. But luck, it seemed, wasn't on my side.
"Mina?"
Fuck.
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ФанфикшнChaeyoung a girl who beams the brightest smile that could even light up a whole town, but behind those smile hides the deepest secrets that Mina would later on find out. How will this story ends.
