WHAT A TWIST!

Chapter 115

The air was heavy with tension as Madam Ji-hyeon's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with accusation. "Did you come here solely because of that girl?" she demanded, her words dripping with disdain.

Hyun-min's response was laced with sarcasm, his tone a perfect blend of nonchalance and irritation. "Well, I'm still entitled to visit my mother, aren't I?" he drawled, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

Madam Ji-hyeon's expression darkened, her face a map of displeasure. "I've just uncovered the scandalous news about Na Yeon's clandestine affair with a man," she spat, her words venomous. "And I hold you entirely responsible for this debacle..if only you had reciprocated her feelings!"

Hyun-min's response was infuriatingly calm, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, she's made an astute decision," he said, his voice dripping with indifference.

Madam Ji-hyeon's anger boiled over, her voice rising in indignation. "How could you possibly fall head over heels for someone you've known for a mere semester?" she demanded, her words a mixture of shock and disgust.

Hyun-min's eyes locked onto his mother's, his gaze steady and unyielding. "Because I've developed a profound connection with her," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Madam Ji-hyeon's face turned crimson with rage, her eyes blazing with fury. "I'll take drastic measures to eliminate her from your life, then!" she declared, her voice dripping with malice.

Hyun-min's response was immediate, his voice firm and commanding. "I warn you, Mother, do not attempt to orchestrate any drastic actions," he cautioned, his eyes flashing with a fierce protectiveness.

Madam Ji-hyeon's expression turned glacial, her voice dripping with disdain. "I refuse to stand idly by and watch you entangle yourself with someone as boorish as she is."

Hyun min sneered. "There's a saying: 'Respect is earned, not given.' Clearly, you've failed to earn hers."

Madam Ji-hyeon's eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a tone of incredulity. "Are you daring to speak to your mother in such a manner?" she demanded.

Hyun min rose to his feet"I shall take my leave now."he said and turned to go

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As the evening drew in, casting a warm orange glow over the kitchen, hyun min entered,his footsteps quiet on the tile floor. He dropped the bag of ingredients he had bought onto the counter, the soft thud of the vegetables and meats hitting the surface. With a practiced movement, he slipped on his apron, the familiar ritual a comforting precursor to the culinary magic he was about to create.

The kitchen was a symphony of sounds and aromas as Hyun-min worked his culinary magic. The soft sizzle of the beef as it hit the boiling water, the rhythmic chop-chop-chop of the knife against the cutting board, and the gentle simmer of the pot on the stovetop all blended together to create a soothing melody. Hyun-min's hands moved with precision, his fingers deftly chopping the onions and slicing the tomatoes with ease. The knife glided through the vegetables like a hot knife through butter, the slices falling perfectly uniform onto the cutting board.

As he worked, the aroma of the cooking beef wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of the chopped onions and the slight sweetness of the carrots. The kitchen was filled with the promise of a delicious meal to come. Hyun-min's movements were economical and efficient, each action flowing seamlessly into the next. He added a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of pepper, and a dash of herbs, his senses guiding him as he seasoned the dish.

The carrots, diced into perfect little cubes, were added to the pot, their orange color brightening the dish. Hyun-min stirred the pot, his eyes scanning the ingredients as they melded together in a savory harmony.

The warmth of Sarah's hug enveloped him from behind, and Hyun-min's smile spread instinctively across his face. He recognized the sweet scent of her perfume, a familiar and comforting aroma that filled his senses. As she stepped beside him, her eyes sparkling with excitement, he felt a sense of contentment wash over him.

But then she spoke, her words sending a flicker of surprise across his face. "I brought my friend to join us for dinner!" The announcement was met with a momentary pause, a brief hesitation in Hyun-min's movements as he processed the unexpected twist.

However, his composure quickly reasserted itself, and he flashed a warm, welcoming smile. "Great!" he said, his voice smooth and effortless. "The more the merrier, right?" His eyes crinkled at the corners, his hands moving with practiced ease as he continued to cook.

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The biting wind of the rooftop mirrored the icy dread that gripped Na-yeon. The school group chat, a digital serpent, coiled around her, each venomous comment a fresh sting. "I guess she is sleeping around!" the words spat, followed by the crude "She is a dog," and the cruel declaration, "She is just trouble, but no peace for the wicked." A wave of nausea threatened to consume her. "I swear she is miserable now," another message sneered.

She scrolled, each line a fresh blow. Pictures of her, once ordinary, now weaponized, were plastered across the screen. How had her life become this? Hyun-min,had ghosted her, leaving a void that echoed the emptiness within. She had loved him, a desperate love. Now, she was alone, the echoes of her past failures – the friends she'd alienated in junior high – a constant, tormenting reminder.

Her phone rang, shrill and insistent, piercing through Na Yeon's reverie like a shard of glass. She picked it up immediately, her heart sinking like a stone as she saw her mother's name on the screen. "Na Yeon, what's going on?" her mother's voice was a stern rebuke, laced with disappointment, anger, and a hint of betrayal.

Na Yeon tried to explain, but her mother's words cut her off mid-sentence, each syllable dripping with disdain. "Na Yeon, how dare you humiliate yourself like this! You're moving on to someone else, just like that? What about Hyun-min?" The mention of his name brought a fresh wave of anguish, and Na Yeon's voice cracked as she cried out, "How long should I have waited, Mother? Forever? He never even looked at me, never even cared! Why should I waste my life on someone who doesn't love me?"

Her mother's response was swift and unforgiving, a verbal slap that left Na Yeon's cheek stinging. "You should have tried harder to win him over! You should have been more patient, more understanding, more willing to compromise! You're so quick to give up on the people who matter, aren't you?" The words stung, and Na Yeon's tears flowed freely as she retorted, her voice shaking with rage and hurt. "This is all your fault, Mother! You've always pressured me, always pushed me to be someone I'm not! You've suffocated me with your expectations, and now you're going to blame me for not being good enough?"

The accusation hung in the air like a challenge, and her mother's voice turned glacial, each word a dagger to Na Yeon's heart. "You are your own worst enemy, Na Yeon. You're your own biggest problem. Don't blame me for your mistakes." The words were a harsh verdict, and the call ended abruptly, leaving Na Yeon holding a silent phone, her heart shattered into a million pieces. The cool breeze that had whipped through her hair earlier now felt like a cold caress, offering no comfort, only a reminder of the emptiness that had consumed her.