Hana had barely taken a few steps toward the entrance when she heard the car door close behind her.
She turned.
Old Madam Kang was standing beside the car.
“Grandma?”
The old woman folded her arms.
“You think I’m going to let you walk into that house alone?”
Hana smiled helplessly.
“I’ll be fine.”
“You have a fractured arm.”
Hana glanced down at her sling.
“And a head injury.”
“I’m still alive.”
Old Madam Kang gave her a look.
“That’s not the argument you think it is.”
Hana lowered her eyes, trying not to smile.
“Please.”
Old Madam Kang sighed.
She walked over and adjusted the strap of Hana’s bag.
“Fine.
But I’m staying until you reach the entrance.”
Hana nodded.
“Thank you.”
“And call me when you get inside.”
“I will.”
“Immediately.”
Hana smiled.
“Yes, Grandma.”
Old Madam Kang finally stepped back.
Hana turned toward the mansion.
She took a few careful steps before glancing over her shoulder.
Old Madam Kang was still watching her.
Hana gave her a small wave.
Then she continued toward the entrance.
Behind her, the car started.
By the time Hana looked back again, it was already leaving.
Thankfully, Old Madam Kang had stepped out before anyone from the mansion could identify her.
Hana quietly released the breath she had been holding.
She really didn’t need another problem today.
The moment Hana entered the mansion, the servant near the entrance froze.
His eyes widened.
“Miss Kim?”
Hana gave him a tired smile.
“Hello.”
The servant immediately turned toward the living room.
“Master…”
His voice carried through the hallway.
“Miss Kim is here.”
For a moment, there was no response.
Then Mr.
Kim’s voice came from inside.
“It’s about time.”
Hana stopped.
She knew that voice.
She slowly entered the living room.
Everyone was there.
Seo-ma was the first person to see her.
Her eyes widened.
“Hana!”
She immediately rushed forward.
Then she stopped herself when she noticed the sling.
Her expression changed.
“What happened to you?”
Hana gave her a small smile.
“I’m fine.”
Seo-ma stared at her.
“You’re fine?”
Her gaze moved to the bandage around Hana’s head.
“You look like you’ve been through a disaster.”
Hana gave a faint laugh.
“I’m exaggerating?”
“I’m not.”
Seo-ma’s voice softened.
“Who did this?”
Before Hana could answer, someone stood.
Mr.
Kim.
His gaze moved slowly over his daughter.
The sling.
The bandage.
The unfamiliar clothes.
His jaw tightened.
“Who brought you home?”
Hana paused.
“Someone.”
“Someone?”
He repeated the word calmly.
“Who?”
Hana avoided his gaze.
“Someone who helped me.”
Mr.
Kim looked toward the servants.
“Did anyone see the person who brought her?”
One servant immediately shook his head.
“No, Master.”
“What about the car?”
“We couldn’t see the plate clearly.”
Mr.
Kim’s expression hardened.
“Find out.”
Hana’s head snapped up.
“Dad, there’s no need.”
He turned toward her.
“No need?”
His voice carried a faint smile.
“Someone was kind enough to bring my injured daughter home.”
He gestured toward the entrance.
“Shouldn’t I thank them properly?”
Hana shook her head quickly.
“Really, Dad.
It’s unnecessary.”
Mr.
Kim’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you know about gratitude?”
Hana fell silent.
She knew better than to argue.
Thank goodness Grandma Kang got out of the car.
At least no one had seen her.
Mr.
Kim looked toward the servants again.
“Search for the vehicle.”
“Dad—”
“Enough.”
Hana closed her mouth.
Before the conversation could continue, a quiet voice came from across the room.
“Hana.”
Old Madam Kim had been sitting silently.
She had not even looked at her granddaughter when she entered.
But now she finally raised her eyes.
The anger on her face disappeared.
Her gaze fell on Hana’s arm.
Then the bandage on her head.
She slowly stood.
“What happened?”
The question came out softer than anyone expected.
Hana looked at her.
“Grandma…”
Old Madam Kim walked toward her.
“Who hurt you?”
Hana shook her head.
“It’s nothing serious.”
Old Madam Kim stopped in front of her.
“Nothing serious?”
She gently took Hana’s uninjured hand.
“You’re wearing a sling.”
Her eyes moved to the bandage.
“And you’re saying it’s nothing?”
Hana didn’t answer.
Old Madam Kim’s expression darkened.
“Tell me.”
Hana lowered her eyes.
“I’ll explain.”
“When?”
Hana hesitated.
“…Soon.”
Old Madam Kim studied her face.
She clearly wasn’t satisfied.
But she didn’t press further.
Instead, she turned toward the servants.
“Bring the medicine box.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Seo-ma stood beside Hana, still staring at the sling.
“I knew something was wrong.”
Hana looked at her. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Seo-ma folded her arms.
“You always say you’re fine when you’re definitely not fine.”
Hana gave her a small smile.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m your friend.
I’m allowed to.”
Then Soo-min stood.
Her expression immediately softened into concern.
“Hana…”
She walked toward them.
“I was so worried about you.”
Hana looked at her.
Soo-min glanced at the sling.
“Does it hurt?”
“I’m okay.”
Soo-min reached toward Hana’s good hand.
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Seo-ma looked at her.
“Really?”
Soo-min paused.
“What?”
Seo-ma tilted her head.
“You were worried?”
“Of course.”
“That’s interesting.”
Soo-min’s smile stiffened.
“Why?”
Seo-ma folded her arms.
“Because I didn’t see you calling her.”
The room became quiet.
Soo-min’s expression changed.
“I didn’t know where she was.”
“You knew she was missing.”
“I was worried.”
“You could’ve called.”
Soo-min opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Mrs.
Hee immediately stepped forward.
“Seo-ma, that’s enough.”
Seo-ma shrugged.
“I’m not trying to start anything.”
She looked at Soo-min.
“I’m just surprised.”
Soo-min lowered her eyes.
“I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Seo-ma’s expression remained unreadable.
“Neither did I.”
That somehow made the silence worse.
Li-won, who had remained quiet until then, finally stood.
“Hana.”
His eyes were fixed on her injured arm.
“Are you really okay?”
Hana nodded.
“Yes.”
Li-won looked relieved.
“Good.”
For the first time, his shoulders relaxed.
Old Madam Kim noticed.
She said nothing.
Her attention returned to Hana.
“You’ve lost weight.”
Hana blinked.
“I have?”
“Yes.”
Old Madam Kim gently touched her cheek.
“And you’re pale.”
Hana smiled faintly.
“Grandma, you’re making it sound worse than it is.”
“Perhaps.”
Old Madam Kim’s voice softened.
“But I know when my granddaughter is pretending.”
Hana’s smile disappeared.
She looked away.
Old Madam Kim noticed the movement.
So did Soo-min.
And suddenly, Soo-min’s eyes sharpened.
There was something Hana wasn’t telling them.
Something had happened while she was gone.
And Soo-min intended to find out what.