POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 33

The following morning arrived quietly, but Yeoreum didn't seem to notice it at all. Her body remained buried beneath the blankets long after the sun had risen, exhaustion weighing heavily on her after everything that had happened the night before. By the time she finally woke, it was already close to noon, and even then, she didn't immediately feel rested. Instead, she felt weak and strangely helpless, as though all the energy had been drained from her body while she slept.

Yeoreum slowly rolled toward the edge of the bed, carefully lowering her feet until they touched the cold wooden floor. She flinched at the sudden chill and immediately pushed herself upright, using whatever strength she had left to steady herself. With a tired breath, she puffed the strands of hair that had fallen across her face out of the way, only for yesterday's memories to return the moment her mind became quiet. The sensation of something sharp pressing against her from behind made her shoulders tense, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as a shiver traveled down her spine.

She hated remembering it.

She hated how easily one voice could bring everything back.

As if someone had heard the distressed sigh that escaped her lips, the bedroom door opened, and Yeoreum looked up to find the last person she expected to see standing there.

"Hyuck?"

Haechan's eyes immediately traveled over her tired appearance, taking in the messy hair, pale face, and exhausted expression she had yet to hide. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he closed the door behind him before walking over and crouching in front of her, bringing himself down to her level.

"How are you feeling?"

The softness in his voice made Yeoreum's tense expression relax almost instantly.

She looked at him for a moment before answering honestly.

"Tired?"

A quiet chuckle escaped him, and he reached up to brush the remaining strands of hair away from her face before gently fixing her bangs.

"Then go shower and eat with me, okay?"

Yeoreum nodded weakly. "Okay."

Haechan helped her stand, keeping a hand around hers until he was sure she could balance properly before letting her go.

About twenty minutes later, Yeoreum finally made her way into the small dining area connected to the kitchen, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. Haechan, who had been waiting at the table, immediately looked up at the sound of her footsteps.

"You good?"

She gave him a small nod before tucking her hair behind her ear and taking the chair across from him.

Her eyes wandered around the quiet apartment before she finally noticed someone was missing.

"Yoonoh?"

"He should be at work. Remember?"