WHAT A TWIST!

Chapter 132

**sarah pov**

I stood at the corner, my mouth agape, still reeling from the conversation I had just overheard between Hyun-min and the strange woman. She claimed to be his mother? The shock was like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and disoriented. As I watched her emerge from the hospital room, her eyes red-rimmed and her face etched with genuine sorrow, I felt a pang of sympathy despite myself. Her emotions seemed raw and unfeigned, and I couldn't help but wonder what had driven her to this point.

She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, her gaze drifting around the hallway before she turned and walked away. I remained still, my eyes fixed on her retreating form, as I tried to process the complexity of the situation. Once she was out of sight, I took a deep breath and stepped out of my hiding place, my heart heavy with concern for Hyun-min. What had just transpired between him and this woman? And how was he coping with the revelation? I pushed open the door to his room, my eyes scanning the space for his familiar figure.

Hyun-min's slumped form caught my attention. He sat on the bed, his gaze fixed on some invisible point in front of him, his eyes glassy and unfocused. The weight of the conversation with the strange woman seemed to have crushed him, leaving him shell-shocked and vulnerable. I approached him with caution, my voice barely above a whisper. "Are you okay?" I asked, my words laced with concern.

Hyun-min's head swiveled towards me, his eyes flashing with a potent mix of pain and frustration. "Just go," he muttered, his voice low and husky, like the rustle of dry leaves. "I want to be alone."

Something in his words resonated deep within me, but I couldn't bring myself to abandon him in this state. I shook my head, a firm determination rising up like a tide within me. "No way," I said, my voice firm yet gentle, like a summer breeze. "I'm not going to leave you."

Hyun-min's eyes narrowed, his expression unyielding, like a fortress wall. "I said I want to be alone," he repeated, his voice rising slightly, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

But I stood my ground, my resolve unwavering, like a rock against the waves. "I won't leave you," I said, my voice soft yet firm, like a promise. "Not now, not like this." My words hung in the air, a silent challenge to the darkness that seemed to be closing in around him.

Hyun-min stood up, his eyes blazing with frustration as he towered over me. "Why aren't you listening to me?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "I said I want to be alone. Do you want me to push you out?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he took a step closer, his eyes flashing with anger. "We are dating," I said, my voice firm. "You can't just push me away like this."

Hyun-min's expression darkened further. "Leave," he growled. "Just leave."

But before I could respond, the door swung open and a group of guys strolled in. "Boss, boss," they chorused, their eyes scanning the room before landing on me. One of them raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you the girl we captured the other day?"

Hyun-min's gaze flicked to the boys, and he nodded curtly. "You know what, just take her out. Take her back to school."

The boys moved towards me, but I shook my head. "I don't need any company," I said, my voice firm. "I'll go myself."

I pushed past them and walked out of the room, my anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. Why was Hyun-min transferring his aggression to me? I wasn't the cause of his problems. I knew what I had to do - avoid him until the exam was over. No more talking, no more trying to understand him. I would keep my distance and focus on my own goals.

******************

One of the boys turned to Hyun-min, his voice laced with genuine concern. "Boss, are you alright? You seem a bit shaken." Hyun-min's response was abrupt, his tone dripping with irritation. "I want everyone out. Now. I need some solitude."

One of the boys hesitated, his expression grave. "Actually, boss, we have a situation that requires your attention."

Hyun-min's gaze snapped to the boy, his eyes narrowing into piercing slits. "What kind of situation?"

The boy's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard before speaking. "Some rough-looking individuals came searching for you, boss. They were armed and extremely aggressive. If we hadn't been able to handle them, things could have escalated quickly. They were clearly fixated on finding you."

Hyun-min's expression turned ominous, his eyes blazing with a potent mix of anger and concern. "What were they after?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

The boy shook his head, his eyes wide with unease. "They didn't specify, boss. But their determination was unsettling. We managed to fend them off."

Hyun-min's gaze lingered on the boy, his eyes piercing as he issued a command. "Ensure the girl who just departed reaches school without incident. I want her safety guaranteed."

One of the boys raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched on his face. "Boss, are you...dating her?" he asked, his tone laced with subtle intrigue.

Hyun-min's expression turned glacial, his eyes flashing a warning. The boy swiftly retreated, his voice filled with contrition. "My apologies, boss. I didn't mean to pry."

Hyun-min's gaze remained unwavering, his voice low and menacing. "When the time is right, I'll confront those who are searching for me. They will face me, and only me."

The boys nodded in unison, their faces grave with understanding.

"Hand over the car keys. I require them immediately." Hyun min said.

The boy, with his rugged physique, stepped forward and relinquished the keys. "Here are the keys, boss," he said, his tone even.

Hyun-min nodded brusquely. "You guys can use the other car. Drive it wherever you want, do whatever you need to do."

The boys exchanged nods, understanding the freedom granted to them. One of them responded, "Alright, boss."

"Alright, let's get moving," one of them said, turning to the others."