You know those days when the air feels just a little too still, like something's about to happen? Yeah, I should've trusted that instinct and stayed in bed. But no. I had to get up, eat breakfast like a normal person, and walk straight into the emotional equivalent of a typhoon.
Bo-ra was humming in the kitchen again. That usually meant one of two things: either she did something nice and was fishing for compliments, or she was hiding something that would inevitably become my problem.
I sipped my coffee, narrowed my eyes, and leaned on the kitchen counter. "You're suspiciously cheerful. Did you delete my game saves again?"
She turned to me, a spatula in one hand and her face set in fake innocence. "Wow. The level of trust in this house is incredible. For your information, I helped a lost ahjumma at the department store today. She looked like she was about to pass out. Of course, being the kind-hearted citizen that I am, I gave her water, snacks, and even waited with her until her taxi arrived."
I blinked. "You're bragging about basic human decency?"
She flipped an egg aggressively. "It's called being a good person, Yul. Try it sometime."
I was about to retort when the doorbell rang.
Bo-ra looked at me. I looked at her. We both froze like two raccoons caught in a flashlight.
"Did you order anything?" she asked.
"Not unless it's a box full of regrets."
I opened the door—and instantly felt like someone had sucker-punched me straight in the chest.
There she was. My mother.
The same woman who walked out of my life years ago, still beautiful in that graceful, timeless way. Her eyes—my eyes—widened slightly when she saw me.
"Yul... you've grown so much," she said softly.
My mouth was dry. My brain completely short-circuited. "Why... how... what are you doing here?"
Behind me, Bo-ra poked her head out of the kitchen, holding a plate of eggs. The moment her eyes met my mother's, her jaw dropped.
"You?!"
Now I was the one blinking in confusion. "Wait, wait. You two know each other?"
Bo-ra slowly nodded, still in shock. "She's the woman I helped at the department store. I didn't know she was your... mother."
My mother's eyes lit up as she turned to Bo-ra. "Oh, so you're the sweet girl who helped me? Thank you so much, dear. You were so kind. I never imagined you'd be my son's wife."
Wife.
I choked on my own spit.
Bo-ra's face went pale. "Oh. Uh—about that—"
Too late. The damage had been done.
"You're married?" my mom gasped, placing a delicate hand over her chest. "You didn't even invite me to the wedding?"
I could feel the veins in my forehead throbbing. This was spiraling faster than my GPA in college.
Oh no. This is bad. This is very, very bad. I haven't seen this woman in years. She left me. And now she shows up, thinking I'm married? What cosmic joke is this? And of all people—Bo-ra?
I tugged Bo-ra's wrist and dragged her into the hallway. "Explain. Now."
"I didn't know!" she whispered harshly. "She just looked like a tired lady who needed help. How was I supposed to know she was your estranged mother from a drama series?!"
"You couldn't recognize her from the giant painting in the hallway?"
"I thought that was your aunt!"
I groaned.
We walked back in with identical forced smiles, like two actors who'd completely forgotten their lines.
My mom clapped her hands. "Sit down, sit down! I didn't mean to intrude. I was just in the area and wanted to see my son. Imagine my surprise when I find out I'm a mother-in-law!"
Mother-in-law. Stop saying that word. I am going to spontaneously combust.
Bo-ra sat stiffly, while I lowered myself onto the couch like it might explode beneath me.
"So, how did you two meet?" she asked with bright eyes.
"Online," Bo-ra blurted.
"Charity event," I said at the same time.
She narrowed her eyes. "Charity event... online?"
I cleared my throat. "It was an online charity event. Very modern."
My mother beamed. "That's adorable! My son, finally settling down. You look so happy, Yul. Happier than I've ever seen you."
Yeah, because I'm living in a romantic sitcom with a fake wife, and my emotionally unavailable mother just crashed the set.
Bo-ra's hand subtly brushed mine under the table, probably as a signal to shut up before I made things worse.
I glanced at her, and despite the chaos, something about the way her eyes darted nervously and how her fingers twitched against mine made my chest tighten.
Why is it that in the middle of this disaster, all I can think about is how she still looks pretty even when she's panicking?
My mom continued chatting away like we were just a regular family. "You two must tell me everything. When did you decide to get married? Was it a big wedding? I can't believe my son didn't even send a picture!"
Bo-ra laughed nervously. "It was very... low-key."
Yeah, so low-key it never actually happened.
I stood up abruptly. "Mom. Can we talk? Alone."
She blinked, surprised. "Of course."
I led her out to the porch, arms crossed, heart thudding.
"Why now? Why did you come back?"
She looked up at me with a quiet sadness. "I've made a lot of mistakes, Yul. Leaving was one of them. I thought I was doing what was best. But I missed so much... I just wanted to see you again. I didn't expect to find you like this. Married, grown-up, successful."
I clenched my fists, unsure of whether to scream or crumble.
"I'm not the same boy you left behind."
She smiled sadly. "I can see that."
Behind us, Bo-ra peeked from the door with a worried expression.
My mother followed my gaze. "She's sweet. You're lucky."
I swallowed hard, heart twisting.
"Yeah," I said, voice soft. "I think I am."
To be continued...