Chapter 85
No one visited the hotel all afternoon. I kept checking the news for updates. They said my parents’ bodies—including my mother’s, which was found later—would be taken to the Hansung Hospital funeral hall. The situation was absurd enough to make me scoff, but I couldn’t even laugh. The Combat Division had decided the future of my parents’ remains while I, the chief mourner, was trapped in a hotel. The whole thing was ridiculous.
“The cause of the fire was a gas leak…”
“Even the highest-ranking Security Bureau Director’s home wasn’t spared from safety negligence…”
The news was now focusing on the cause of the fire. I watched the entire broadcast with a blank expression, knowing every word was a lie. The next scene showed the head of Hansung Hospital’s emergency department announcing my parents’ cause of death.
“The primary cause of death for both bodies was carbon monoxide poisoning. An autopsy is scheduled for later. By the time they arrived at the hospital, they were already beyond resuscitation, and there were no signs of external trauma…”
The doctor’s voice faded out, replaced by the reporter’s clear voice.
“With the cause of death and fire origin now clear, the investigation is expected to conclude quickly. Yu Chanhee, the son of the late Director Yu Gyuhwan, and Yu Hyunjae, another resident of the household, were not at home at the time and thus suffered no harm. This is Lee Hyerim for KBN News.”
Long after the news ended, someone finally rang the hotel room doorbell. It was Kim Guhyeon. He looked exhausted as he studied my face.
“Are you alright?”
“As you can see. You look worse, Director.”
“I’ve been handling urgent matters and post-incident procedures.”
“Why are you handling it?”
“I’m the only one who can take over the operational line. Your aunt from America will arrive soon to handle the inheritance, so don’t worry about that.”
“My aunt?”
“Yes. She said she’s Director Yu’s sister.”
I vaguely remembered hearing about her but hadn’t paid much attention. I nodded and sat down at the table.
“Will I be staying here for a while?”
“Yes. If it’s uncomfortable, we can move you to a different room or even a different hotel.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll need to buy some clothes and shoes, though.”
“If you don’t mind, my staff can take care of that. It might not be the best time for you to be out and about.”
“Do as you please.”
Kim Guhyeon took a breath and looked at me.
“You seem surprisingly composed.”
“Did you expect me to be crying?”
“……Teenagers who suddenly lose their parents… I’d assume they’d be in tears.”
“I don’t know. Am I even allowed to cry?”
“Why would you say that…”
“I’m not being sentimental. I’m being realistic. I ruined someone’s life by making them live without parents, so am I allowed to cry just because I lost mine at seventeen?”
Kim Guhyeon didn’t say anything.
“This isn’t my place to say, but…”
……
“You don’t need to feel that guilty, Chanhee.”
……
“It’s the adults who messed up.”
……
“Has Hyunjae been told?”
“Not yet, as far as I know. He’s still in flight, so he wouldn’t have checked the news.”
“Then don’t tell him.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell him. Just let him focus on his studies. I don’t know how the inheritance will work, but make sure Yu Hyunjae finishes his studies abroad properly with my father’s money.”
“……Understood.”
“I’m asking you.”
Kim Guhyeon’s expression turned slightly ambiguous at my words. But I didn’t have the energy to decipher his intentions anymore.
“You’ll need to go straight to the Hansung Hospital funeral hall tomorrow.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Kim Guhyeon gave a slight bow and left the room. Since the funeral was at the hospital, I’d inevitably have to meet Han Jaemin tomorrow. Now, with no shield left, there was only one thing I could do.
***
“I can’t stay away long. I’m the chief mourner.”
“I won’t keep you long.”
In Han Jaemin’s car, we sat side by side, staring straight ahead as if we’d made a pact.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Finally ready to listen?”
Han Jaemin smirked, resting his hands on the steering wheel. A chill ran down my spine, but I clenched my fists and pretended not to notice.
“You’re stupid. Did you really have to go this far to make me listen?”
“Let’s not waste words.”
“You’re the one who made me waste them.”
I licked my dry lips and deliberately sat up straighter. I didn’t want to show how much I was thinking.
“……Fine.”
“Fine?”
“I won’t waste words. I’ll listen to you.”
“You’ll have to prove that with actions.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Give an interview. We’ll set it up.”
After that, we’ll handle the rest. It’d be better if you wore your school uniform.
Han Jaemin got out of the car as soon as he finished speaking. A man outside opened the passenger door where I was sitting.
“Get out.”
“Yes.”
“The director’s already gone in. You can go in five minutes.”
I got out of Han Jaemin’s car and started walking around the parking lot. That’s when someone’s voice suddenly reached me.
“Chanhee?”
The person who got out of the car was Cha Hyerin. She, too, was dressed in a black suit. Her face looked somewhat haggard. It wasn’t just the shock of her nephew’s death that had changed her so drastically in a day—she must have had her own problems.
“Just getting some air?”
“Yes. I was about to go in.”
“Let’s go in together.”
Cha Hyerin seemed to have something to say to me. She hesitated before offering a clichéd condolence.
“It must be hard losing your parents so suddenly. You’re handling it well.”
“I’m fine.”
“At your age, it’s okay to cry more. If things get too hard, don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
“Thank you.”
“You used to follow me around calling me auntie when you were little… How did it come to this…”
“I wonder.”
“So, about that…”
After a long-winded preamble, Cha Hyerin cautiously got to the point.
“What do you think about me becoming your guardian until you turn eighteen?”
“My guardian?”
“Yes, your guardian. You’re still in school, and at an age where you need a legal guardian. I’d like to take on that role for you, both in daily life and legally.”
“……Why?”
I didn’t want to be suspicious, but I couldn’t help it. Why? Cha Hyerin had been close to Yu Dohyun and had a strong relationship with my parents. But was it strong enough for her to suddenly offer to be my guardian? She couldn’t be unaware that her nephew, Cha Suhyun, had grown distant from me.
“Does there need to be a reason? I just feel responsible.”
It wasn’t sincere. I could tell instinctively.
“I’ll think about it. My aunt from America is coming, too.”
“She’s a U.S. permanent resident, right? She won’t be of any real help.”
“I still need to discuss it with her.”
Cha Hyerin nodded, looking disappointed.
“Think about it carefully. You understand?”
“Yes. Thank you for your concern…”
Cha Hyerin ruffled my hair. I accepted it expressionlessly and turned back toward the main funeral hall.
***
The funeral ended quickly. Since it was private, it was fairly simple. As soon as the burial was over, Han Jaemin texted me the interview schedule. I replied that I understood. It was set for exactly two days later.
“Thank you for coming despite how difficult this must be for you.”
A young-looking woman was already waiting for Han Jaemin, a recorder and laptop set between us. We began the interview. But the first question caught me completely off guard.
“You asked Chairman Han Jaemin to be your guardian until you turn eighteen. What was your biggest reason for that?”
“What?”
The reporter looked confused at my shocked expression.
“Is that not correct?”
I quickly composed myself and shook my head.
“No, it is.”
The reporter behind me looked satisfied as Han Jaemin smiled. So that’s how it was going to be. The beginning. I continued the interview in a calm voice.
“We’ve always been close, and after this incident, he kindly offered to be my guardian.”
I naturally met Han Jaemin’s eyes and smiled. We looked like the perfect partners. No—we had to be. At least until I turned eighteen.
