Seol Ah stared at Po Lim, keeping her hand away. Yu Young gasped and slapped Po Lim's hand.
"Who taught you to speak like that to your sister?!" she snapped.
"Omma, she's not even my real sister!" Po Lim shot back, sniffling. "Because of her, so many problems have come our way. Kick her out of the house—she doesn't belong with us!"
"Jang Po Lim!" Yu Young barked.
Po Lim seethed, clenching her fists.
"If you don't kick her out, don't expect me to come home—ever!" she threatened. "I'll die here in the hospital!"
Seol Ah's jaw trembled, and her eyes darted down. She sank into a sob.
"I… I will leave the house…" she whispered.
Yu Young turned to Seol Ah frantically.
"Seol Ah—"
"Just—make sure you help Omma when she needs you," Seol Ah begged, swallowing the rest of her cries before storming out of the hospital room.
Jin-ho waited on a bench in the hallway. When Seol Ah appeared, he stood. She paused and stared at him.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
Seol Ah covered her mouth and flung herself at him, pressing into his chest. She cried as loud as she could, clutching his shirt. Jin-ho swallowed, embarrassed, and rubbed her back until she calmed.
He led her outside and sat with her on a bench, handing her a drink from the vending machine. She took it, eyes downcast, fingers tightening around the cold can. She sighed.
"Am I really a curse?" she asked, holding back tears. Jin-ho watched her a moment, then took a breath. He pressed his own cold can gently against her cheek.
"Ah! Stop!" she protested, shoving the drink away.
He laughed, nearly spilling his can. She frowned.
"Seol Ah… if you're a curse, then can I be this cold can that stays beside you?" he teased.
She rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I'm being serious!" she added with a chuckle.
"Me too," he said. "You're holding the can so tight. I just want whatever's inside to cheer you up."
Seol Ah glanced at him. He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his hand lingering to warm her skin. Her heart fluttered at the look in his eyes.
"If you're the can and I'm done drinking it, you belong in the trash bin," she joked.
They both laughed, and Jin-ho rested his head on her shoulder, grinning.
"You're right… I don't want to go there."
She giggled and bumped him with her shoulder. They laughed and joked all night before they decided to return to his hideout.
The man who followed without escalating anything stopped by the street, staring at the hospital. He watched Yu Young and Po Lim heading into a cab. He groaned, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Sajang-nim…"
"What happened?" a cold, distorted man's voice questioned on the phone.
The man swallowed his guilt and took a deep breath.
"Although she is safe, those around her weren't…"
Silence.
The wind tickled the man's eyes as he removed his sunglasses.
"Find out who did this… and give it to me promptly."
"Yes, Sajang-nim…" he responded. Then he paused. "What about Chairman? What if…?"
"If he dares, then he obstructs our deal. You know he won't risk doing that to me… who holds what he wants."
"I see… I will take a look at it, Sajang-nim."
As soon as the sun rose, Seol Ah lay on the bed in Jin-ho's hideout. He had gone out to grab groceries to cook. When he returned, Seol Ah jumped up to help him.
"What are you making?" she asked, eyeing the cutting board.
Jin-ho laughed softly and put on his apron.
"Something… breakfast," he replied.
She pouted, stepping closer.
"Can I help?"
"Yes… go sit," he said.
She puffed her lips out and chuckled, turning to sit. Her phone chimed.
Mother: "Seol Ah, please come home. I'll talk to Po Lim."
Seol Ah's eyes welled up as she clutched the phone tightly.
Jin-ho paused, noticing her sadness. He flicked water from his hands, grabbed a paper towel, and sat beside her, nudging her shoulder.
"Your mother must be worried… you didn't come home at all yesterday," he said gently.
Seol Ah gave a faint smile, squeezing her hands between her legs, and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Po Lim doesn't want to see me…"
"Does she think this is your fault?" Jin-ho asked, hitting a nerve.
Seol Ah's heart sank as she closed her eyes.
"Yes…"
"If anything, I think it's more my fault than yours," Jin-ho said softly.
Seol Ah straightened instantly, shaking her head.
"That couldn't be…" she whispered, lowering her gaze. "It's… probably because of who I am… an adopted child who doesn't even know her own parents."
Jin-ho held her eyes, reading her emotions like an open book. His lips curved.
"Seol Ah… am I a curse?" he asked.
Her lips parted in surprise.
"W-What do you mean?"
"I mean… I might be cursed because of who I am… an orphan with no parents, running through gang organizations, talking to strangers along the way," he rephrased, echoing her earlier words.
Her nose pricked as tears filled her eyes.
"Jin Oppa, I didn't mean—"
"Seol Ah, if anyone ever screams at you or points at you for being adopted, just think of me. An orphan who followed gangsters and police officers around like an idiot," Jin-ho hushed her.
Seol Ah sniffled, then laughter bubbled out. She shoved his shoulder playfully, smiling.
"If you're an idiot, then what does that make me?" she teased.
He chuckled, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer, resting his head against hers.
"Mine… my idiot," he whispered.
She cackled, trying to squirm out of his hug, cheeks flushed.
"Let go," she said.
Jin-ho nodded, releasing her and returning to the kitchen. He peeked over his shoulder to check on her. She shook her head, hiding the happiness of being there with him.
"Stop looking at me and cook before the food burns," she called.
"Okay," he laughed.
Seol Ah ran upstairs quickly, leaping onto the bed and staring at her phone. Omma… who are my parents? Are they alive?
She typed a message…
Seol Ah: "Omma, it's okay. I promise I'll be safe. Jin-ho is with me. His uncle is a detective."
She sighed, locking her phone and staring at the ceiling.
DING.
Seol Ah raised her head.
Yu Young: "Okay. Make sure to eat and stay safe. I love you, Seol Ah. My sweet daughter."
She exhaled in relief. But before she could lock her phone—
DING.
Unknown Number: "Did you enjoy the welcoming gift? There will be more in store for you."
Seol Ah gasped.
Unknown Number: "Watch out. Even the ones beside you aren't trustworthy :)"
Seol Ah reread the messages, her chest tightening, hands trembling. She typed…
"Who are you?"
Unknown Number: "We met briefly, but don't worry… we'll see you again."
"What do you want?!" she typed.
Unknown Number: "You."
"Why? What did I do to you to deserve this?!"
The man with the tattoo around his wrist, the one messaging her, chuckled.
Unknown Number: "Revenge."
Seol Ah gasped, fear twisting in her chest. Then rage surged through her, hot and furious.
"Revenge? I haven't even done anything wrong to anyone… not even the family that rejected me!" she shouted.
Jin-ho dropped his spoon into the pot, splashing hot water on himself.
"Ow…" he muttered, then looked upstairs. He hurried to her side, finding her unraveling.
"Seol Ah, is everything okay?"
She stared at him, bloodshot eyes locked on the phone. The message "even the ones beside you aren't trustworthy :)" echoed in her mind. Can I even trust you…?