9 The Aftermath (2/2)

She collapsed to the ground, shaking. She clawed at her chest, unable to stop the scream that was stifled inside her.

”Why?! Why?!”

She bowed down, her head almost touching the ground. She curled herself up tightly and broke down. ”Why?!”

”Why?!”

She sobbed loudly, letting all of her emotions out. Frustration, anger, hurt, betrayal, unfairness, and sorrow were all mixed up inside her voice.

No one seemed to have noticed her scream. It seemed like her neighbours were away, as nobody came to check up on her.

After crying for a while, her tears finally dried and she continued bathing.

Now that she had cried her heart out, Yeo Ri felt so empty and lifeless. She got dressed and returned to her room, almost like a zombie.

Her lower half was hurting, and all she wanted to do now was curl up in her bed and forget all that had happened with sleep. She hoped that she could just sleep forever.

Passing by the kitchen, she finally remembered that she had yet to make dinner. But, there was no strength left in her body, so she simply settled with some ramyeon. For the sake of not letting it get soggy, she simply took out the packets and left it beside the stove, with the pot already filled with water, ready to be cooked for whoever that wanted dinner.

Then, when she entered the bedroom, her eyes immediately sighted the dress that she had worn earlier. It laid on the floor, exactly at the same place where she had discarded it. Afraid of letting Gun or Hyuk see it, she immediately searched for a safe place to hide it. She opened one of the drawer of her study desk, emptied out its content, then dumped the dress inside.

She locked the drawer and hid the key inside a book. Later, she'll throw the dress away. Maybe even burn it.

Finally, she slipped into bed and raised the blankets until it covered her face. She was positive that she did not look good, and did not want Gun or Hyuk to worry, so she hid herself.

Unfortunately, she found it difficult to fall asleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, she could see the dreadful incident. It was still fresh in her mind and it caused her to feel scared and pained all over again. Her body shook, and a fresh batch of tears started to flow once again.

”Hic—” Yeo Ri buried her head into the pillow, her hands gripping the blankets tightly.