Soojin glanced up from her book as Krystal walked into the room looking nervous.

“They’re here.”

Soojin didn’t need to ask who Krystal meant by “they.” The way her heart started hammering was enough indication. She slowly closed the book cover and picked at the worn binding. Fear and excitement danced within her chest. She’d see Shuhua again, so so soon. But how could she even look her in the face?

“I thought you didn’t care about Shuhua?” Krystal quietly asked.

Soojin frowned and berated herself for not having better self-control. “I didn’t realize my face was so easy to read,” she sighed.  

Krystal smiled gently. “Only when you’re thinking about Shuhua. You get this crease between your eyebrows when you’re mad. But when you’re happy you have on this really ridiculous grin. It makes me want to punch you and hug you at the same time,” here Krystal paused and gave Soojin a roguish wink, “and I knew you were lying when you said her life didn’t matter to you.”

Soojin brought her hand to her forehead, trying to smooth out the wrinkle that must be etched into her skin by now. “You’re right, I do care,” she finally confessed. “But it doesn’t matter—what I did was unforgiveable. She probably hates me.”

“You need to talk to her and explain why you made that choice. Not betraying her location would have had far worse consequences. She might be dead! But at least this way she's alive."

"But still. I shudder to think what Yongsun did to her after her capture."

Krystal started walking out of the library.

“Come, let’s meet the