Book 1, Chapter 26
𝖬𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖷 𝖣𝖺𝗆𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝖷 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗅
Jisu’s breath, already shallow, caught in her chest as they approached the familiar silhouette of Ryujin’s childhood home.
Noticing Jisu’s trembling form, Ryujin reached out to gently pat her thigh, her touch warm and reassuring. “Come on, let’s get you to a doctor.”
“W-Well... O-Okay...”
Ryujin’s gaze lingered on Jisu for a beat longer than necessary, the weight of unspoken words heavy between them. Finally, she spoke, her tone resolute. “Before this day ends, I’m going to make my mom apologize to you.”
Jisu’s heart skipped a beat, her wide eyes reflecting her shock. Her pulse quickened as the full meaning of Ryujin’s words sank in.
“No one can harm you as long as I’m alive,” Ryujin continued, her voice soft but firm. “I promised you that, remember?” Jisu nodded, but Ryujin sighed, the weight of her failure clear in her expression. “But I failed to protect you from my own mother.”
“Ryujin--”
“I will make her apologize, Jisu-yah. Let’s go.”
The memory of the incident with Mrs. Shin was still fresh, only four days old, and Jisu was unprepared to face her again. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Ryujin’s mother, especially now that Jisu stood before her as the very person she had threatened.
When Ryujin parked the car and stepped out to open Jisu’s door, Jisu’s body went cold with dread. Every instinct told her to stay in the car, to escape what awaited them, but Ryujin stood there, waiting for her, the door ajar. Jisu took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. She exhaled slowly, allowing the tension to slip from her shoulders, and when she reached for Ryujin’s hand, she felt a spark of courage flicker within her.
Feeling Jisu’s hesitation, Ryujin caressed her arm comfortingly. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to Jisu’s forehead. “I’m here to keep you safe.”
──⇌••⇋──
The grand foyer greeted them with its towering chandelier, casting a soft glow that made Jisu pause in awe. It was the second time she’d seen this space, yet it felt entirely different now.
Ryujin led the way, guiding Jisu through the house and toward a smaller door on the left. Jisu’s heart began to race as they approached, her grip tightening around Ryujin’s hand.
“R-Ryujin--” Jisu stammered, but Ryujin didn’t pause. Without hesitation, she opened the door, and Jisu’s breath hitched as they stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, featuring a counter lined with several bar stools. At the far side, Mrs. Shin sat amidst a mess of empty bottles, her disheveled appearance a stark contrast to the composed figure Jisu had once admired. The woman who had once been a source of respect and admiration now seemed like a distant, intimidating figure. In that moment, Jisu’s overwhelming emotion was fear.
“Shin.”
At the sound of her name, Mrs. Shin spun around, her eyes narrowing as recognition flashed across her face. She immediately stood from the bar stool and rushed toward Ryujin, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace.
Jisu instinctively recoiled, stepping back, unable to mask the fear that surged through her at the proximity of Ryujin’s mother.
Ignoring her mother’s worried question, Ryujin gently pulled away, her voice cold. “Let me go.”
Mrs. Shin stepped back, her expression filled with confusion and hurt. “You vanished, and I was terrified. Why are you acting like this?”
“I was fine. I just needed some space,” Ryujin replied, her voice even. “That was until I found out you went after Jisu with a sledgehammer.”
Mrs. Shin’s gaze turned dismissive as she shifted her attention to Jisu. “What, are you trying to turn my own daughter against me? First, you hurt her, and now this?”
“She hasn’t done anything, Mom. She never hurt me,” Ryujin interjected, her voice firm, drawing a line between her mother and Jisu.
“But--”
“Say you’re sorry,” Ryujin demanded, her tone hardening, leaving no room for argument.
Mrs. Shin glanced between Ryujin and Jisu, her jaw clenched in frustration. Jisu’s heart thudded in her chest as she tried to steady her breathing, bracing herself for what was to come. Mrs. Shin took a step closer, and Jisu couldn’t help but flinch at her approach.
“I’m sorry, Jisu,” Mrs. Shin said, her voice strained as she leaned in, her whisper barely audible. “But I’d advise you to always be on your guard from now on.”
YOU ARE READING
Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)
FanfictionIn a world that seemed straight out of a film, Jisu found herself caught in a delicate yet dangerous dance of love. Ryujin entered her life like a rose, beautiful yet fragile, wrapped in the uncertainty of chance. Both women were marked by the scars...
