Hearts Entwined || PpoToz

CHAPTER 23

NO ONE POV

It was a crisp Saturday morning, and the city was just beginning to stir. Sohyun, Xinyu, Yubin, and Mayu gathered at the entrance of a modest suburban neighborhood. The plan was to visit the little sister of the child who had committed suicide—a key piece of evidence they hoped would further expose Yoojin’s dark past.

Nakyoung was absent, having to stay home to help her grandmother, and Yooyeon couldn’t join them due to her father’s orders to stay home and study. Seoyeon was also missing, as she had gone to visit her half-sister Hyerin at the orphanage.

Xinyu had been hesitant to join the group initially but changed her mind when she learned that Sohyun would be there. The chance to spend time with her crush was too enticing to pass up.

As they approached the house in question, doubt started to creep in. The house in front of them was well-kept, with a small garden in the front. But how could they be sure this was the right one?

Sohyun looked at the house with a thoughtful expression. “Are we sure this is the place?”

Mayu nodded, her gaze fixed on the house. “This is the address I have. But there’s no guarantee that we’re right.”

Yubin, her nerves steeled with determination, stepped forward. “We have to find out. We can’t just stand here guessing.”

The group exchanged uncertain glances, their resolve wavering. Finally, Yubin took a deep breath and walked up to the door, her hand reaching for the doorbell.

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the quiet morning. They waited, their breaths held as they listened for any sign of movement inside. After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and a woman in her late thirties appeared. Her eyes were wary but curious as she looked at the visitors.

“Hello?” the woman asked, her voice cautious.

Yubin stepped forward, trying to sound polite and friendly. “Hi, we’re sorry to intrude. We’re here to talk about something important related to your sister. Is it possible to speak with her?”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she stepped aside to let them in. “Come in. I’m her aunt. I’ll see if she’s available.”

The group filed inside, following the aunt through a modest but cozy living room. The house was filled with photographs and mementos, giving it a warm and lived-in feel. They were led to a small sitting area where they were asked to wait.

As they settled in, Sohyun, Xinyu, Yubin, and Mayu exchanged nervous glances. This was a delicate situation, and they needed to handle it carefully to avoid causing distress.

After a few moments, the little sister—a teenager who had been around the same age as them when her brother passed away—entered the room. Her face was a mix of curiosity and wariness as she looked at the visitors.

“Hello,” Sohyun began gently. “We’re here because we want to understand what happened to your brother. We’ve been trying to find out more about the events surrounding his death.”

The sister’s expression shifted to one of surprise and sadness. “Why do you want to know?”

Mayu stepped forward, her voice soothing. “We believe there are important details that need to come to light. We’re not here to cause any trouble. We just want to make sure that what happened doesn’t get forgotten or ignored.”

The sister hesitated, her eyes searching theirs for sincerity. After a long pause, she nodded. “Alright. I can tell you what I know, but it’s not easy to talk about.”