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“Eomma?”

“Sori?” She’s as shocked to see me. “What are you doing here?”

“She came to visit her father and grandmother. Is that not allowed?” Halmeoni’s sharp voice rings across the room.

“My apologies, Eomeoni,” my mother says, quietly.

I sit gingerly beside my mother, facing my father and grandmother.

Brunch is hansik served in beautiful ceramic dishware—dozens of small dishes arranged neatly on the table by Mrs. Shin and her assistant.

The food is exquisite, prepared as it is by my grandmother’s cook. I would enjoy the meal more if it weren’t for the awkward atmosphere making it difficult to swallow.

“Apologies for bringing this up again,” my mother says, and I realize I must have interrupted her with my arrival. “I would only borrow the money for a short period of time. I would return it as early as next month.”

I keep my expression neutral. She’s here for money?

“Haven’t you taken enough from my son?” Halmeoni says, her voice echoing off the walls. “You have no shame. It’s because you didn’t have parents to raise you. It doesn’t matter that your aunt is a person of consequence. She never adopted you. Orphans never learn humility.”

“Eomeoni,” my father chides affectionately. “Let’s not squabble among family.”

“Family?” she scoffs.

“Yes,myfamily,” my father says, and his eyes land briefly on me, before narrowing on my mother. “Sori-eomma, I understand what you’re asking. I’ll of course lend you the money.”

“You’ll have to sign a contract.” Halmeoni sniffs. “And there will be interest. He can’t just give it to you.”

“Yes, Eomeoni,” my mother says, lowering her eyes. “Sori-abeoji,” she says, turning to my father. “Can I speak with you in private?”

“Why? So you can make threats?” Halmeoni accuses.

My father ignores my grandmother, pushing back his chair and rising from the table. Together, my parents head toward my father’s office at the other end of the house.

A few minutes later, I excuse myself from the table, saying I need to use the restroom.

My mother’s voice trails from my father’s office, the door cracked open a sliver. “Sori-appa, Kyung-mo-yah... I don’t ask you for many things.”

“And yet you do ask. It’s, honestly, shameful. If you were better educated, had a better upbringing, you would know this.”

If my mother takes offense to these insults, her calm voice doesn’t show it. “If you’re selling your shares to KS, then the money I’m borrowing to save Joah won’t matter.”

“I haven’t decided yet. The decisions I make aren’t just for me. I have more people to consider than only myself. My role in our government is not a hobby. Please understand that if I do sell the shares, it’s nothing personal against you.”

I quietly return to the dining table. I’m sitting there when my mother passes through a few minutes later. She bows to Halmeoni. “I’m leaving, Eomeoni. Please stay healthy.”

“Ungrateful child.” Halmeoni clicks her tongue.

I follow my mother outside, where she’s stopped on the stone pathway.

“Eomma?”

She turns back to look at me, and my heart drops at the sight of tears in her eyes. She quickly wipes them away. “The wind,” she says weakly. “It’s strong here.”

“You could have told me you wanted to visit your grandmother,” she says. “I would have sent a car. I can wait for you now...”

I can’t tell her the real reason I came here today. “No, I’m fine.”

I know she’s stayed in this marriage because of the shares, but I wonder if it’s worth it. How can she endure such cruelty from them?