Two weeks into staying at the Oh residence, I made sure to stay away from Sehun just to avoid clashing with him. I didn’t really like the boy, how he looked at us with disgust, and coming face to face with him would probably only make me want to scratch his face out of pent up anger. And I knew the implication of hurting the boy. That would lead to some unwanted eviction for sure and I didn’t want us to become homeless because of me.

I knew he was going to end up being trouble for me, but I endured him for my mother.

That, one night at dinner, when all of us where instructed by Mr. Oh to be present—including his insufferable son, Sehun—and was later told how things should be from now on, I kept quiet the whole time, begging for time to pass by faster.

“Sehun you’ve been in and out of the house without saying a word of hello to our guests. Don’t you think that is kind of rude as a host?” Mr. Oh reprimanded.

Sehun was already grumbling under his breath, saying stuff about he was only trying to be polite by staying away and keeping his distance from Mr. Oh’s mistress—him implying as my mom.

That accusation made my mom totally red. She was flabbergasted. She had no such crime and I couldn’t agree any less.

Hearing this from his very son, seeing how flustered it made mom, Mr. Oh furiously slammed his hand on the dining table, making mom and I jump on our seats. I was so stunned to see Mr. Oh that furious. But it was as if it was nothing to Sehun. He had a flat look on his face even after making his father, who was usually gentle, angry.

“How could you say that to them? Do not accuse my best friend and her daughter like that. They had treated me kindly during my stay in Seoul and I was just trying to repay that—“

“By what? Having them stay in one roof as you are? Can’t you find a better excuse than that?” Sehun blurted out, cutting off his father. This made Mr. Oh’s face grow darker. Sehun was doing a low blow at him. “Just admit it that you brought in another mistress in this house and that soon enough you’re going to have them disposed off because you finally got bored—“

Mom and I didn’t foresee the next thing that happened coming. Mr. Oh slapped Sehun hard. Even Sehun was shocked, himself, after he came to a realization of what took place. His father had hurt him because of us.

“Taewoo, don’t!” Mom was first on her feet when Mr. Oh finally stood up, about to discipline Sehun again when he noticed the way his son had looked at him with loathing after recovering from the shock.

I was frozen in my seat, watching the drama that took place between the three go on, even as Sehun stood up almost knocking his chair over with a look of disdain for his father. I could tell how angry he was with just the way his hands shook on his sides, the way his lips quivered—probably still having spiteful words he wanted to throw at his father that he was just struggling to keep to himself.

“That kid had already said enough! He needs to be disciplined!”

“Taewoo, he’s just a kid. You don’t have to beat up your kid for this kind of misunderstanding.”

“But—“

“Never hurt your child’s feelings like this. He didn’t know what he was saying. Forgive him, Taewoo.”

If there was something I was proud of mom, it was that she never purposedly tried hurting me or even laying a finger on me, my entire life. Dad used to nag me when I did wrong before more than she did. And I knew these had struck some realization at both father and son. They had a look similar to that of a kid who regretted wronging their mother.

And from the way Sehun left the room, I knew he was embarrassed of acting like such a brat in front of my mom who was still objective and level-headed despite being accused of something she didn’t do.

“Mijoo, take care of Sehun. The first aid kit is inside the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Make sure to put some ice on his cheek.” Mom sounded so calm yet firm. She was still holding onto Mr. Oh’s arm, probably afraid that if she let go, he would probably still come after his son.

Mom was not a fan of beatings. I learned that from young, back then when I witnessed her and dad fighting and he left a resounding slap on her face.

That day, thinking that I was just asleep on my