Amour-propre

Capitulo Disiotso

The day had already been taxing for Irene, but it was about to become even more unbearable. As she walked out of the last class of the day, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen and felt her heart sink. It was her father.

Irene hesitated before answering, knowing full well what this conversation would entail. Her father, ever the stern figure in her life, had always expected nothing short of perfection from her. Now, with Suho and Suzy's impending marriage, the pressure was greater than ever. She stepped into a quiet corner of the school hallway and answered the call.

"Hello, Father," Irene said, her voice steady despite the dread curling in her stomach.

"Irene," her father's voice was as cold and authoritative as ever. "I trust you've heard the news about your sister and Suho."

Irene swallowed hard, her heart clenching at the mention of Suho's name. "Yes, Father. I've heard."

"Good," he continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I expect you to behave appropriately. This marriage is important for our family's reputation. Suho and Suzy are the perfect match, and I won't have you causing any trouble or embarrassing us."

Irene's throat tightened. The pain of losing Suho, someone she had once loved deeply, was still fresh. But her father's words left no room for her feelings. "I understand, Father," she replied quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You need to accept this with grace," he pressed on, his voice growing more insistent. "Suho has moved on, and so must you. Any attachment you had to him is over. You are to support this marriage wholeheartedly. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Father," Irene whispered, her heart breaking with every word. The tears were already threatening to spill, but she held them back. She wouldn't cry. Not yet.

"Good," he said, his tone softening just slightly. "Remember, Irene, your actions reflect on this family. Don't let us down."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Irene standing there, staring blankly at the screen. The walls of the school hallway felt like they were closing in on her. Her father's words echoed in her mind, each one a dagger that dug deeper into her already fragile heart.

She felt utterly trapped, the weight of her family's expectations and the overwhelming pressure of her new life pressing down on her. She had been thrust into a world where she didn't belong, and she was expected to not only survive but thrive. But all she could feel was despair.

As Irene walked towards the school's entrance, her thoughts spiraled. How was she supposed to navigate this world when she felt so lost? The thought of facing Lisa, of trying to pretend that everything was okay, felt like an impossible task. But she couldn't let Lisa see her like this. Lisa had her own burdens to carry; Irene didn't want to add to them.

She was almost at the gate when she spotted Lisa waiting for her by the car. Irene quickly wiped her eyes, forcing a smile onto her face as she approached. Lisa looked up from her phone and smiled back, though her eyes were tired.

"There you are," Lisa said, her voice warm but weary. "Ready to go home?"

Irene nodded, the smile still plastered on her face. "Actually, I need to do something first. It won't take long."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, a flicker of concern crossing her features. "What do you need to do? I can come with you."

Irene shook her head quickly. "No, it's okay. It's just something I need to handle on my own. I'll be fine."

Lisa hesitated, her gaze searching Irene's face for any sign of distress. Irene knew she had to keep up the facade, to keep Lisa from worrying. "Really, it's nothing serious. I just don't want you to wait around. I'll be home soon."