But i wasn't a liar ✔️[ENG ver]

Part 9

Part 9

The lesson ended as Hyunjin stacked his books into neat piles.

Tommy hovered nearby. "So let's go, Sam—" He caught himself. "Oh! I mean Hyunjin!"

Hyunjin's hands froze on his notebook. "Now?"

"Please," Tommy begged, "I need to know you forgive me."

Hyunjin exhaled sharply but followed him out. Unseen behind them, Emma crept forward, her fingers twisting the strap of her bag. Every cell in her body screamed that this was dangerous.

---

The man raked both hands through his hair, leaving it standing in wild tufts. He circled the room like a trapped wolf, his shouts rattling the windows.

"What? Why? You know we can't return to Korea!"

Seobin's voice crackled through the phone speaker: "The situation here is impossible. You must go back and face your family."

"I told you—it can't be done!"

"They're saying you committed crimes here. Your company shares are crashing. Your reputation—"

"Fix this!" Mr. Hwang bellowed.

A pause. Then Seobin's quiet admission: "The rumors are too widespread. I've lost control."

"Damn them all! Stupid, stupid people!" With a roar, Mr. Hwang smashed his phone against the marble floor, sending plastic shards skittering.

His wife rushed in, slippers flapping. "My love! What's happened?"

"Seobin says we're being forced back to Korea," he spat.

Her hands flew to her mouth. "But why?"

"Because some vermin are spreading lies!" His fist connected with the wall. "Now they've banned me from my homeland!"

Mrs. Hwang's knees buckled. "Then... what do we do?"

"We return," he growled.

"No! What about Sam? He'll never—"

"I'm losing everything because of that boy!" Mr. Hwang's voice turned to ice. "We leave tomorrow. His feelings are irrelevant." The door slammed behind him, leaving his wife alone amidst the wreckage

In Korea...

The English lesson was winding down when the teacher clapped her hands. "My dear students, I have good news for you. You're all getting a one-week vacation starting tomorrow. I hope you enjoy your break."

The classroom exploded with cheers and applause.

Han nudged Yeji with his elbow. "Look at Leeknow's face! I've never seen him smile like that over a simple vacation."

Yeji shook her head. "It's not the vacation. He finally gets to visit his family."

Leeknow's grin widened. "You're right. I miss them so much."

---

**One hour later...**

Yeji twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "I miss Uncle Lee and Aunt Lee too."

"My mom said you should come with me if we ever got time off," Leeknow reminded her.

Yeji's eyes lit up. "Oh! I completely forgot! So we're really going tomorrow?"

"I'll call them right now. They'll be so happy," Leeknow said, already pulling out his phone.

---

Leeknow practically floated down the street, his smile so wide it hurt his cheeks. Busan. Home. He couldn't wait another second and dialed his mother.

"Mom? I have the best news!"

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"I'm coming home to Busan tomorrow!"

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Really? I... I miss you so much, my baby..." Her voice cracked with emotion.

"I know, Mom. I miss you too. Don't cry, okay? And Yeji's coming with me!"

Mrs. Lee sniffled, then chuckled wetly. "Alright, no more tears. But promise me you'll be careful and come straight home?"

After finishing their meal, Tommy wiped his mouth and stood up. "Come on, we're going somewhere."

Hyunjin frowned. "Tommy, we ate together. Now I need to go home." But Tommy kept walking, pretending not to hear.

Emma trailed behind them, her pulse quickening. *They actually ate together without fighting? And now... where is he taking him?*

The further they walked, the tighter Hyunjin's chest felt. "Tommy, where are we going? What is this place?" His voice grew sharper. "I still don't trust you, you know!"

Tommy halted abruptly. Slowly, a grin twisted across his face as he turned. "Welcome to your hell, pretty boy."

The alley swallowed them whole—walls pressing in, shadows stretching long. And there, leering from the darkness, stood Tommy's friends.

Hyunjin's eyes darted between the shadowy figures surrounding them. "Why are we here?"

Tommy leaned against the damp brick wall, hands sliding into his pockets. "Revenge." The word dripped like poison.

Hyunjin's breath hitched. "What are you talking about?" His voice cracked, equal parts confusion and dawning fear. The alley walls seemed to press closer.

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