The cab dropped her off two blocks from her parents' house.
She paid.
Got out.
Walked the rest of the way.
The night air felt good.
Cool.
Clearing her head.
She reached the house.
Traditional style.
Warm lights glowing.
Home.
She let herself in quietly.
"Soorin-ah? Is that you?"
Her mother's voice from the kitchen.
"Yeah, mom. I'm home."
Her mother appeared.
Wiping her hands on a towel.
Then stopped.
Stared.
Her eyes went straight to Soorin's face.
Lingered on her lips.
Soorin felt her cheeks heat.
"Good timing. I just finished making—"
"I already ate."
Her mother's eyebrow raised slightly.
"You did?"
"Yeah. Grabbed something near the company with some staff."
Lie.
But necessary.
She couldn't sit through dinner right now.
Couldn't make small talk.
Couldn't pretend everything was normal.
Her mother studied her face.
Really looked.
At her swollen lips.
Her flushed cheeks.
Her bright eyes.
A knowing smile played at her mother's lips.
