“……I said no!”

“Arin.”

A deep sigh from Jae-hyuk resounded above Arin’s head. She forcibly pushed away his voice that was seeping into her mind.

“I’ll wait.”

“…….,”

Arin completely turned her head away, making sure Jae-hyuk couldn’t see her face.

Jae-hyuk stood up and positioned himself in front of Kyung-sook, casting a cold glance at her.

“Sob.”

Arin was crying alone. Her sorrowful sobs distorted Jae-hyuk’s face with pain.

In response to Jae-hyuk’s icy stare, Kyung-sook tried to compose her expression.

“There seems to be a bit of misunderstanding. I think I need to talk with my daughter first, and we can talk again later.”

“If there’s even one lie in what you said to me earlier…,” Jae-hyuk clenched his fists tightly.

“I’m giving you two days. Settle everything within this time. I can’t overlook this any longer. And remember, if there’s even one lie in what you told me earlier, be prepared. I hope you make a wise decision so that I can respect you as a mother till the end.”

Kyung-sook’s fists trembled at Jae-hyuk’s warning. Her lips twitched.

“Of course!”

However, she quickly regained her composure and responded with the most benevolent smile of a mother, saying, “Why would I do such a thing?”

Jae-hyuk, without a word, turned and left. Soon, the sound of the shop door opening and closing followed. Jae-hyuk had left the shop.

“Sit down.”

After confirming Jae-hyuk’s departure, Kyung-sook’s expression hardened. The gentle façade she maintained in his presence had now vanished.

“I’ll stand.”

“Why are you being so stubborn, Choi Arin?”

“Who’s being stubborn right now!”

Kyung-sook frustratingly tousled her hair.

“Sit down. Let’s talk while sitting.”

Finally, Arin sat down opposite Kyung-sook.

“Why are you so disrespectful? Did I teach you to behave like this? There’s a guest here, and you’re acting like this.”

After Jae-hyuk left, Kyung-sook, who had been pretending to be refined and noble, revealed her true self.

“Didn’t you get my calls? I called so many times…”

“I got them.”

“Then why didn’t you answer? Why did you delete your phone number? And before that, why is Ban Jae-hyuk helping our family? I told you I was done with him.”

“Is it really over?”

“……Mother.”

“Finish it properly if you’re going to end it.”

Kyung-sook raised her voice in response to Arin’s words.

“Get your act together. You say you’re divorcing and just run off to Jeju Island? Your father is sick, and you’re playing ignorant in Jeju Island. If you’re going to divorce, why don’t you get a hefty alimony? You even say you won’t take alimony. What do you expect me to do?”

Kyung-sook’s irritated voice echoed throughout the shop. Arin was speechless at this unfamiliar side of Kyung-sook.

“What sin have I committed? You run off to Jeju Island for your own comfort. Your siblings are young, and you leave me to care for your sick father and earn money?”

Arin had always thought that Kyung-sook’s lack of affection was due to her ineptitude in expressing emotions and that she was not good enough to receive love.

Her belief that if she became a more proud and good daughter, her mother would naturally give her more love, seemed foolish now.

“Because of you, do you know how our family lived? You just kicked away such a good position. Fine. Go ahead with the lawsuit or whatever. Divorce. Don’t bother people around you for nothing.”

Overwhelmed by Kyung-sook’s sudden outburst, Arin was at a loss for words.

‘What have I been looking at all this time?’
Kyung-sook’s response towards Arin was filled with hatred and resentment, rather than love.

“Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re even angry. What’s the point of getting mad now? I used Ban Jae-hyuk’s card, so what? You’re not even divorced, so I used it. I felt like dying.”

“…….”

Kyung-sook held out a black card in front of Arin’s face.

“Listen to me, Arin. I used this card because I was told to.”

“……Mother.”

“You’re getting a divorce, right? Then it doesn’t matter what Ban Jae-hyuk thinks. It’s okay if you’re the only bad person. If you sacrifice, your father can get comfortable treatment. Seo-rin and Soo-rin can live without worries. Same for me.”

Kyung-sook’s grip on Arin’s shoulders tightened. Her shoulders tingled.

Arin saw the greed and desire swirling in Kyung-sook’s eyes.

“And get divorced now. If Ban Jae-hyuk dislikes it, say you’ll do it quickly. Yeah, give some other reason. Say you found a man you love, something like that.”

Kyung-sook’s assertive words were all true.

Arin’s eyes shook violently as she gazed into them.

‘Wasn’t she like this before….’

Had she been misinterpreting Kyung-sook all along?

Although Kyung-sook had always been prickly and cold towards her, she was never one to express her emotions like this.

Arin found Kyung-sook sitting in front of her more unfamiliar than ever.

Kyung-sook glared at the spot where Arin had been sitting just moments ago.

“Ha, they say even dog poop has its use, but this is useless.”

She clicked her tongue sharply.