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Parking the car in the driveway of Haein's parents' house, Jinu couldn't help but notice the desolate and cold appearance of the place from the outside. It seemed to mirror the way Haein felt every time he returned to his childhood home. Rather than evoking pleasant memories, it brought forth a sense of emptiness and melancholy. Haein let out a tired sigh, his eyes fixating on the front door through the car window, a mix of emotions swirling within him.
"Sir?" Jinu called out uncertainly, unsure if his boss intended to exit the car.
"I'm going now! Please wait here!" Came the reply, before the door opened and his boss emerged. With deliberate steps, he made his way towards the entrance, moving as if he was about to cross into the realm of the unknown.
"Good evening, Master Jung! Your mother requests your presence in the study room upstairs," the butler announced, keeping his gaze lowered. Haein clasped the butler's arm firmly.
"Thank you, Wooshik," Haein acknowledged before ascending the stairs. As he approached the door to the study room, a wave of anxiety washed over him, causing a dizzying sensation to course through his entire being.
"Control yourself, Haein! This is the moment you've been waiting for," Haein urged himself before mustering the courage to push open the door. His eyes scanned the room until they settled on his mother, standing by the window and staring out into the dark night sky.
"Mother!" Haein called out, his expression serious as he closed the door behind him. Mihee's face lit up with a smile upon hearing her son's voice, although she didn't turn to look at him. Haein couldn't help but wonder why his father wasn't present in the room with them.
"Where's father?" Haein inquired without delay, his impatience evident. Mihee felt a pang of discomfort at his impolite tone.
"Hello, good evening, Mother! How have you been? Is everything alright with you?" she responded unexpectedly, surprising him. Slowly, she turned to face him, her gaze unwavering.
"That's how you should greet your mother! You uncouth man!" Mihee scolded, arms crossed over her chest, her unwavering gaze asserting dominance. Haein sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I shouldn't be surprised anymore! It's so obvious! You knew I called off the engagement last week, yet you waited until now to inform me... when father is out of town!" Haein's voice dripped with contempt, feeling betrayed by his mother's deception.
"Don't jump to conclusions, dear! If he were here, you'd be facing his wrath," Mihee remarked, studying her son's expression intently. Haein scoffed and strode purposefully towards his mother.
"Why? Why are you so insistent on preventing me from discussing my feelings with Father about Jisoo? She was my closest friend since elementary school and my girlfriend for a year before the tragic accident. You, of all people, understood how much I longed for her! I pleaded with you that day. I begged you not to agree to her engagement with Seokjoon, but you did it anyway, even as I suffered in sorrow because she had forgotten about me."
