But i wasn't a liar ✔️[ENG ver]

Part 23

Part 23

Mr Hwang clock in the hall struck 11:30 with ominous precision as Hyunjin slipped through the palace doors. The marble floor chilled his feet through his sneakers, matching the icy glare from his parents who stood waiting like statues in the dim lighting.

"Which hell have you been in so far?" Mr. Hwang's voice cracked like a whip in the cavernous hall.

Mrs. Hwang stepped forward, her silk robe whispering against the floor. "Sam, we decided we didn't want any problems, right?"

Hyunjin kept his eyes fixed on the grand staircase. "What are you both talking about? I just took a walk around Seoul!"

"And do you think we believe that?" His father's gold watch glinted as he crossed his arms.

Hyunjin's laugh was hollow. "So it is forbidden for me to even take a breath in my country!"

The air grew heavier when Mr. Hwang's next question landed like a grenade: "Who is your new friend?" Hyunjin's fingers twitched at his sides - they'd been watching.

"If you know that, then you know who he is!" Hyunjin's voice rose. "Your daughter is too good to spy on people!"

"Talk nicely about your sister, Sam!" Mrs. Hwang's perfume soured in the tense air.

Mr. Hwang advanced until his shadow swallowed Hyunjin whole. "If I even notice one of your mistakes, it will be very, very bad for you." He turned sharply. "Let's go upstairs."

The moment their footsteps faded, Hyunjin stormed to the kitchen. The glass of water shook in his hand - until the creak of the side door froze him mid-sip.

Yuna froze like a deer in headlights when Hyunjin's voice cut through the dark

"Where have you been so far?"

"This...this is none of your...business where I was!" Her voice wavered, but she clutched her purse like a shield.

Hyunjin slammed his glass down. "Is this permissible for a girl to be outside until now?" The crack in his voice betrayed his anger.

"I said it's none of your business!" Yuna shot back, chin lifted in defiance.

As she turned to flee, Hyunjin's shout echoed off the vaulted ceilings "YUNA!!!"

Their shouting match crescendoed until the entire household descended - Mr. Hwang's face purple with rage, Mrs. Hwang's hair coming undone from its night-time braid, even Ni-ki rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"What's this loud noise, Sam?" Mr. Hwang boomed. "Will you now pour out your wrath on my daughter?"

"Ask your daughter where she's been!"Hyunjin countered.

Mrs. Hwang smoothed her robe. "She said she was studying at Sooha's house.

"She's lied to you all!" Hyunjin's voice broke.

"SAMMM!!!!" Mr. Hwang's roar made the chandelier tremble. "Don't think she's lying like you! Not everyone lies like you!"

As Yuna and Ni-ki were sent upstairs, Hyunjin met his father's gaze. "Am I still a liar in your eyes, father?"

"Of course."

The words landed like a physical blow. Hyunjin's broken smile flickered in the dim light. "Let it be as you say and think, Mr. Hwang." The deliberate use of formality hung in the air as he retreated.

Hyunjin paused outside Yuna's door, guilt souring his stomach. The knock sounded foreign after years of distance.

Inside, Yuna scrambled to shove a sequined dress back into her bag - the kind worn to clubs, not study sessions. Their eyes locked in mutual understanding.