Chapter 13,

Today was three days before the date Sejong told me I’d die and Dohwan and I were at a leasing office for the apartment we finally found. We had just finished signing the papers and stepped out. Dohwan has a beautiful smile on his face as he turns to me.

“Well, we are officially owners of an apartment!” He pulls me into a tight hug. We put the apartment under his grandma’s name, since we were too young to rent one ourselves. But still nonetheless it was exciting to basically own one.

We’d move in tomorrow and Dohwan couldn’t wait. He had his grandmother up packing this morning before we left. Unfortunately we ended up at the same apartment complex my mom was living at so that was a downside but still it was exciting.

He pulls back but freezes. I was confused, was something the matter? He was staring over my shoulder at something.

I turn around and see an older woman staring back at him. I glance between the two. The woman had similar features to the boy who stood beside me. Was this perhaps his mother?

“Dohwan? I-is that you?” The woman speaks out, her voice wavering. She was standing with a briefcase in her hand, she wore a gray pencil skirt and a white blouse was tucked into it.

He takes a deep breath. “Yes, it’s me.”

She bites her lip coming closer. “It’s me, your mother.” She says softly.

He blinks hurt evident on his face. “I know.”

“Listen, I’m sorry-.” She starts out.

“Don’t be.” He says cutting her off. “You only did what was best for you at the time. I can’t blame you. He could’ve killed you.”

“But I left you and your grandmother behind?” She says hurt also evident on her face. “I was just so scared, I didn’t even think that whenever I left he’d take it out on you. But after a year or so it hit me, if I wasn’t there who would he take it out on?”

“It’s alright. I took care of granny. We’re fine, he’s barely around nowadays anyways.” He says lowering his gaze. “Plus granny and I are moving out of that hell anyways.”

“Dohwan.” She comes closer reaching a hand out towards him. She seems surprised that he didn’t flinch back but regardless she places a hand on his cheek. “I want to be a part of your life.”

I take a step back to give them some space but Dohwan grips onto my hand pulling me back to his side. His mother notices me and smiles. “Is this your girlfriend?”

I smile back at her.

“Yes, she is.” He replies to my surprise. We hadn’t made things official yet? But I'm not really complaining?

“It’s nice to meet you.” She greets me to which I bow in return.

“You too.” I answer.

“Dohwan, I have