Just Twilight

“…What?”

“I used to think you only took after your mother’s sharp hands, but your eyes and mouth resemble hers too.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve seen my mother?”

“Yeah.”

“When?”

“After I took on work for Hankeong.”

“What? How did you even know where she was? And why didn’t you tell me?”

Even as her voice rose, as if she were about to lunge at him, Beomjin calmly checked the rearview mirror before responding.

“It was a time when I had a lot on my mind. I thought I’d just quietly pay my respects. I have a bit of history with your mother, after all.”

Junyoung’s mouth fell open, then twisted into a lopsided smirk.

“You’ve been working with Hankeong for how long now, and you’re only telling me this now? Wow. So this is what it’s like when Kwon Beomjin really decides to keep a secret. I guess I can’t trust anyone.”

“Go ahead and mock me all you want—just listen to one more thing first.”

Beomjin’s voice remained steady.

“Even if you leave Hankeong, your mother can stay in that hospital. Just keep that in mind.”

Junyoung had been all set to mock him further, her nose wrinkled in annoyance, but her lips parted weakly instead. She blinked twice in a daze before her eyes sharpened.

“Are you saying you’re going to lend me money?”

“No. Do you need money?”

“No! I mean, I do, but not your money!”

She practically shouted before launching into a tirade.

“Then what do you mean? Do you have any idea how much that place costs per month? The only reason she’s even able to stay there is because she was approved for funding through Madam Hong Mihyang’s influence. Barely. Barely! Wait—did you strike some kind of deal with her while handling this job? Did you ask her to let my mother stay there even if I left the company?”

Her sharp words made Beomjin exhale a short sigh. The way Junyoung was staring at him, as if she would throttle him if he didn’t answer, left him no choice but to speak.