45 Kasu (1/2)

Miya was blushing furiously.

She then took in another spoonful of her soup, and whispered humbly, while still staring at the bowl, ”I-It wasn't a natural delivery.”

The old woman looked at Miya carefully, almost sizing her up. She then slowly asked, ”Cesarean surgery?”

Miya nodded.

”C-section. Yes.”

The room fell into silence after that, except for the sound of Ben slurping at his glass of milk. Miya hurriedly gobbled down the soup, wanting to escape the atmosphere which had somehow turned very awkward.

Once she was done, she picked up Ben, thanked everyone profusely and almost ran out of the kitchen. Her relief didn't last long though, for Charlie followed her out and came with her into her room as well.

Night fell.

It was almost time for dinner.

Mr. Park sat in his room, his body leaning into the couch. His eyes were closed, and wrinkles marred his otherwise flawless skin. He was either asleep, or in deep thought. Somehow, he looked like he had just aged ten years. He was exhausted.

When he heard the sound of his wife's footsteps, a faint smile spread on his lips. He didn't open his eyes, but knew by instinct that she was hesitant to approach him.

”It's bad, huh?” he called out.

Charlie took that as his willingness to talk about the matter.

She sat on a chair across him.

”Worse,” she then replied.

Mr. Park sighed deeply.

”What did you find out?”

Charlie looked at him, concerned.

”We don't have to discuss it right now.”

”You know we do.”

That was all the permission she needed.

The old woman walked up to a large cupboard in her room and unlocked it with a code. Then pulling out a thick folder from within, she locked it again and reoccupied her seat. She put the folder on a table, which was placed between her chair and Mr. Park's couch.

She sat firmly in her seat. This time when she spoke, her back was straight, and her eyes harsh. Her voice had lost its warmth, it was stern and meant business.

”Should I go easy on you?” she asked.

Mr. Park slowly shook his head, still not opening his eyes.

Charlie let out a deep breath.

”I have only you to blame for this. You were the eldest, the most experienced.”

”Go on,” Park sighed.

”She burnt her own father alive.”

Mr. Park jolted at the words. He immediately opened his eyes and sat up straight. His face was the embodiment of horror.

”W-What?!” he shouted, his heart leaping to his mouth.

”When she was twelve.”

”A-Are you sure?”

Charlie motioned towards the folder.

”It's all in there.”

Charlie went on.

”You told me to research on Miya's childhood, since you had zero leads on that. I found one. To be honest, her childhood is common to one of any of the lower classes. Promiscuous, alcoholic mother. Father, a raging gambler. In short, a violent and abusive childhood.”

Mr. Park had opened the folder, but he was unable to see the contents. His mind was too deep in shock.

”Should I go on?” Charlie asked.

He nodded weakly.

Twenty years ago, when Mr. Byeong Park had married Charlie Swan, she was working as the state's Commissioner of Police. Post marriage, she had quit the job and decided to become a homemaker. Together, they had built a small, happy family. And even though they didn't have any children, Jimmy had always been more or less like a son.

Charlie had never completely let go of her job, though. She still had deep contacts within the police department, and sometimes took on work as a freelance researcher as well. There were times when she was free and guided other researchers and investigators on how to do the job too. However, she had never once worked for the Hunter Corporation.

The Hunters were family. And she never mixed business and family.

Until now, of course. When the issue was of a girl that Jim had already married.

Park had especially requested her assistance a day before, because he had been unable to find any trace whatsoever of the girl's childhood.