Chapter 8: Mom’s confession

Hi girl,Can I help you?

I quickly turned and a man, one of the older construction workers walked toward me,

"No, I said quickly. I just came to see my old site.

He studied my face for a moment, and then his eyes widened a little.

Hold on… are you Lee's daughter?

"Yes,I replied. I am his daughter.

He sighed and shook his head sadly.

Ah, Such a good man.’ A very good man that just passed like that. How is your mother holding up?

I forced a weak smile. "She's fine.

I turned to leave, but something inside me pushed me to ask him something…so stopped.

"Sorry sir,‘I said turning back. "Do you know who took over this place? I mean… who owns this building now?

"Oh…’he scratched his head. "I don't know his name. The owner comes every weekend. Either today or tomorrow,is there any reason why you're asking?he asked,lowering his eyes.

"No, nothing. I don't even know why I asked.

"Thanks, sir.

I started walking home.

By the time I reached home, my mom was already awake. She looked relieved when she saw me, but also worried.

"Jina, where did you go so early?" she asked, walking closer.

I wanted to ask her for Something that kept pulling inside me since yesterday.

"Mom… do you have anything of Dad's left? Anything at all?"

My mom lowered her eyes.

"Nothing, my daughter…she said. The house burned completely. But… the only thing I saved… the only thing left… is his camera. Though it's broken.

"Mom… you mean the camera is here?

"Yes,she said quietly,I kept it. But it hasn't worked since that day. I didn't want to throw it away.

"Mom, please… can I have it?

I stepped closer. I can fix it. Just let me see it.

She looked at me, torn between fear and hesitation, then finally nodded.

Follow me’

I walked behind her to her room. She bent down to the drawer, and brought out a wrapped object.

She unwrapped it.

The camera was cracked, broken on one side, and the screen was destroyed.

She placed it carefully in my hands.

"Mom… do you know who Eunwoo is?

The moment the name left my lips, my mom's body shook and her mouth fell open….

The moment the name left my lips, my mother froze.

"Mom!!! I called again as she trembled and slowly turned back toward me,

"Wh… where did you hear that name?And why are you asking?

"Nothing, Mom,i said quickly.i just… wanted to know if you have heard it. But forget it."

My mother didn't look convinced, but she didn't push more. I watched her as she tried to walk away,

Before she could escape into her room, I spoke again.

"Mom… what exactly killed Dad?

She stopped mid-step and turned around slowly, her eyes suddenly wet and frightened.

"Jina… what are you trying to do? Why are all these questions coming now?

"Mom, it's nothing, I insisted. I just want to know. And again It shouldn't cost anything to know, right?

My mother stood there for a moment like someone trying to decide whether to tell me or to shut the conversation down. Then she exhaled deeply, walked toward the couch, and sat down. I followed her and my heart began to beat.

"That day" she began’That faithful day your father died…

"He came home and I heard the sound of his car and rushed to welcome him. But he didn't greet me properly. He just nodded, and went straight to the study room.

She paused.

"As usual, he locked the door behind him. From inside.

I leaned forward. "And then?

"At first, everything was okay,’but Then I heard him scream."

My stomach dropped.

"I thought maybe he was on a call. Or maybe he saw something shocking on his laptop. But then he screamed again louder and it sounded like his body hit the floor.

"I rushed to the door. I knocked and called his name, but there was no response. I had to force the door open."

Her voice trembled. "And when I did… I found your father lying on the floor. Half-dead,part of his neck was like someone bite him…

"That was the first time I ever saw inside his study room,she continued. "He never allowed anyone in. Not even me.

I swallowed, watching my mom closely,I noticed There was something my mom didn't want to say…

"So Mom,’ I asked, "when you opened the door… did you see anyone? Or anything at all? A break-in? Or Something maybe unusual?

She shook her head vigorously.

"The study has only one tiny window,’she said. "Very tall and narrow. A human can't get through. And the window was untouched and Perfectly closed."

"So what happened then?

"I called 911. The ambulance came and I followed them to the hospital. And… within seconds of arriving, they declared him dead.

My heart twisted. I had always been told he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. This was entirely different.

"And Mom… what did they say killed him?I pushed.

My mother inhaled and then answered,

"They found nothing wrong with him,apart from the bite on his neck which they felt it was a normal

"Nothing?,love bite?

"Nothing, she repeated. "No signs of struggle.

Something was deeply, deeply wrong.

"Which hospital was he admitted to?I asked.

My mother snapped her head toward me, this time with fear..

"Jina,she called me, "you have grown. And you are now responsible. But please… Her voice trembled. "Leave everything concerning your father alone.

She stood up as if to end the conversation.

"I believe it must have been shock," she said. "Maybe he saw something on his phone… or something happened inside that room…’

"Then where is Dad's phone?I asked.

Her voice sharpened. "Jina. I told you. By the time I returned from the hospital, the house had burned down. Completely.

"But you still have his camera," I countered. "How did that survive?

At first my mother didn't want to talk. I could see the hesitation and the fear,

"It was in his car," she whispered.

His car?"

Yes… he parked it far from the house that day. And when I got to it, the camera was already broken..’

That meant… the camera broke before the fire.

"So where is Dad's car now?I asked carefully.

At once, my mother shot to her feet.

"Jina, enough!" she screamed, the fear in her voice now louder "You are my only daughter. I don't want you going down this path. Not this path, Jina. It's dangerous,’

She hurried toward her room, but halfway there, she stopped and added sharply:

"Your school messaged. Classes resume Monday. So I believe everything has been sorted."

And just like that, she disappeared into her room.

But I stood there frozen, staring at her closed door.

How can people be this blind and dumb?

School would resume soon, and everyone would pretend nothing happened?

Hae's death forgotten and Covered up?

What about Hae's family? Why were they calm about this?

And Yen my roomate, was she even alive?

"I don't even know if Yen is alive or dead…