But i wasn't a liar ✔️[ENG ver]

Part 46

Part 46

The room felt too still, too white, too sterile for the storm raging inside Hyunjin. His hollow eyes moved between his parents before he turned his face away, the slight shake of his head speaking volumes.

"I want... to be here." The words scraped out raw, barely audible over the hum of hospital equipment.

Mrs. Lee smoothed his blanket with unsteady hands, the fabric slipping through her fingers like sand. "There won't be any arguments about this. You're coming with us."

His breath hitched. "No... I can't leave Lee Know... alone." Each word seemed to cost him dearly.

Mr. Lee's shoulders stiffened. "What kind of nonsense is this? We would never abandon him. We'll visit every week. But you—"

"I'm not... going." Hyunjin's fingers twisted in the sheets, knuckles bleaching white.

"You don't have a choice." Mr. Lee's voice cracked like dry wood. "We're collecting your things today."

"But—"

"Hyunjin!" The name tore from Mrs. Lee's throat. "Just... just listen to your father. Eat something. Please." She fled before her composure could shatter completely.

The bathroom door clicked shut behind her. The rush of water from the faucet drowned out her first sob as she scrubbed at hands already raw from worry. The mirror reflected a woman she barely recognized - eyes swollen, lips bitten bloody from holding back screams.

She pressed a fist to her mouth, but the tears came anyway, silent and scalding.

"Please... just help him." The prayer slipped out unbidden. "Why must he hurt like this? What sin did he commit to deserve this pain?"

Yeji stood before the grand entrance of the Hwang residence, her fingers hovering over the doorbell. Taking a steadying breath, she pressed it.

The door swung open to reveal a polite servant. "Welcome. How may I assist you?"

"I'm Yuna's friend," Yeji said, forcing a small smile. "I've come to visit her."

"Of course," the servant bowed slightly, stepping aside. "Please, come in."

"Thank you."

"Allow me to escort you to Miss Yuna's room."

As they ascended the staircase, Yeji's palms grew damp. When they reached Yuna's door, the servant departed with a nod. Yeji raised her hand, knocking softly.

"Go away," came the muffled reply. "I don't want anything, and I'm not opening the door." Yuna's voice was hoarse, clearly having repeated these words many times.

"It's me," Yeji said gently. "Can I come in?"

A beat of silence. Then sudden movement from within - footsteps, the click of the lock. The door flew open, and before Yeji could speak, Yuna threw herself into her arms, trembling violently.

"You... you came," Yuna choked out, her face buried in Yeji's shoulder.

Yeji held her tightly. "Are you okay?" she asked, though the answer was evident in Yuna's gaunt appearance, the dark circles beneath her red-rimmed eyes.

Yuna pulled back slightly. "I... don't know," she whispered, gesturing weakly to the bed. "Sit."

As they settled on the rumpled sheets, Yeji studied her friend. "Why haven't you been to school?"

"You know why," Yuna replied, her voice breaking. "Why... ask?"

"Because this isn't like you," Yeji said carefully. "You're making a mistake, shutting everyone out."