PART 3: The Unraveling Facade
Minutes felt like agonizing hours as I slipped back inside, forcing my trembling hands to set the appetizer platter onto the dining table. Joon looked up instantly, his warm smile flashing like a carefully rehearsed stage mask, completely oblivious to the fact that I had decoded every single word of his Korean exchange. His mother returned from the hallway, offering a polite bow, totally unaware of the violent confrontation brewing in her own home.
Young-ho refused to look me in the eyes, his face pale and tight as he nervously sipped his iced water. Joon stepped closer to me, his voice smooth and comforting as he asked if I was feeling alright, pointing out my pale complexion with fake concern. Touching my shoulder, his grip felt suffocating, like a predator casually assessing its trapped prey before the final, brutal strike.
The front door lock suddenly clicked, signaling Emily’s abrupt return, and the tense air in the room snapped like a overstretched cable. Joon’s charming smile wavered for a split second as he realized his wife was home hours earlier than scheduled.
Would Emily believe her mother over her loving husband? Go to the next part to discover the horrifying truth…
