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“That girl in the photo...” I begin, “she’s...”

My mother goes completely still as the room falls silent.

“His sister, Nadine. She’s studying at a university in Seoul.”

“Is that true?” My mother turns to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel hasn’t looked away from me since I spoke. “Yes.”

Jaewoo sighs, pinching his arm to ease the tension.

“Ay, Jihyuk-ah,” Sun chides. “I know you want to protect your sister, but it’s better to tell the truth in situations like these.”

“We’ll have to reveal her identity to the public,” Secretary Park says. “If her classmates don’t already know she’s your sister, they’ll know after we release our statement. I think it’s best if you prepare her.”

“I’ll call her,” Nathaniel says, finally looking away. Standing, he heads out into the foyer.

“Sori,” my mother says sharply, “I want to speak with you.”

I follow her into the attached bedroom next to her office, which has essentially become her home in the past few months.

The full bed in the corner is made, and on the bedside table sits a vase of peonies. Through the open door of the bathroom, I can see her skincare products lined up neatly on the counter; her makeup is arranged on the vanity beside the closet.

“Did you tell me the truth?”

Light spears across the room from the window, momentarily blinding me. “Yes.”

She nods, then frowns. “How do you know the person in the picture is his sister?”

“Angela told me.” I’m my father’s daughter, quick with a lie. “She and Gi Taek were with him last night.”

She releases a sigh, and it’s like a weight has fallen off her shoulders.

“Eomma?” I say, worried.

“I’m just...” she falters. “I’m just glad it wasn’t you.” Like the light, I am speared with guilt.

Nathaniel is getting off the phone when I run into him in the foyer. We have a bit of privacy as my mother remained in the bedroom to take a nap.

“How did Nadine take it?” I ask.

“She was more concerned that our stories line up,” Nathaniel says. “My sister is nothing if not game for an elaborate ruse.”

I shake my head with a smile, then realize, though I’ve avoided a scandal betweenmeand him, I’ve dragged his sister into the spotlight.

“Sori, whatever you’re thinking,” Nathaniel says, “it’s not true. Nadine is fine, and so am I.”

How does he always know exactly what to say to make me feel better? I remember the words he spoke to me last night.You never stopped being my friend.My chest warms at the memory.

“Is it true what my mother said?” I ask. “That you’ll be kicked out of the group if there’s another scandal?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not true. She just says those things because they sound dramatic, and she watches a lot of dramas.”

“Nathaniel, I’m being serious.”

He waves off my concern. “Don’t worry about it.”

“You always tell me not to worry. But I can’t help worrying.”