Whispers of Refuge Box Set

CHAPTER 28-3

Sun grasped Jae’s hands and wished he would just look at her. “What’s the matter, Brother?” Behind him, Mee-Kyong edged closer, her beady eyes fixed on Jae like a hungry cat’s. Why was he so angry? What could make him act this way, unless ...? She gasped. “Is it Mother? Is something wrong?” A heavy rock sank to the bottom of Sun’s stomach. Had Mother died of grief or anxiety? How could she ever forgive herself?

Jae shook his head and said nothing. She clutched his hands and brought them together in front of her chest. “Please, Brother, I know I should have talked with you before I left. I made a terrible mistake.” His muscles tensed, but Sun continued. If she could only make him understand, everything would be all right. “I was wrong. I should have known better. I should never have trusted that man ...”

Jae raised his fist. “Don’t you dare mention him to me.” Sun stared at the floor while Jae continued, his voice rising. “You brought shame on all of us, sleeping around behind Mother’s back. After she worked so hard for you just to keep you from starving.”

Sun forced herself not to cry. Not here. Not now, when they were so close to freedom. She bit down on her lip. “I didn’t mean to dishonor Mother.”

“Don’t you think you should have thought of that before killing off her grandbaby?”

“What?”

“I know about the child,” Jae snarled.

Sun sank down on the bed, trying pitifully to blink away her tears. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her sob was cut short by a slap across the face.

Bringing her hand to her stunned cheek, Sun looked once to Mee-Kyong, whose eyes were locked on Jae, and then back to her brother. He was trembling. He set his jaw and spoke in a shaky voice, pausing after each syllable. “You are a whore.”

Sun had never heard the word before but knew exactly what it meant. She lowered her head as hot tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Brother. I didn’t mean ...” One glance at Jae’s scowl silenced her protests.

“You have disgraced your family. You have disgraced me.” He spat on her bowed head. She covered her ears. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not when she was so close to getting away. All she wanted was to go home. To go home and forget she had ever stepped foot across the border or heard of the Round Robin Inn.

“You are no sister of mine.” His voice was low and controlled, like a wild dog warning off a rival. “You think I came here to bring you back? I would never allow a promiscuous pig like you from the hotel district to take a single step into my mother’s home.”

Sun sank her fingers deep into her hair and tugged at the clumps while silent sobs wracked her entire body. “Please, forgive me!”

Mee-Kyong stepped forward. “I’m not sure you understand.” Sun sniffed once and then froze. Mee-Kyong’s words were logical. Calm. Maybe she could help.

“You stay out of this, wench.” Jae pulled a rope out of the back of his pants with one hand and made a fist with his other.

Mee-Kyong took another step between him and Sun. “Your sister hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Shut up.” Sun hid her face but heard the crunch of Jae’s fist on her friend’s cheek. Mee-Kyong stumbled into the side of the bed and grasped her bound ribcage.

Sun reached for her brother’s arm. “She’s only trying to help,” she shrieked. They had all been so loud, Sun wondered why the security guards weren’t already there.

Jae glared at her. “One more word out of you, and I’ll ...” Sun jumped when Mee-Kyong brought the lamp down on Jae’s back. He turned and raised his rope toward her throat. Sun had to stop them. She flung herself onto her brother’s back, flailing her arms wildly to try to snatch the weapon away. She froze when Mee-Kyong picked up the knife from the bed.

For one horrible second, nobody moved. Sun’s only thought was to keep her brother away from her friend. Mee-Kyong was protective. Too protective. Jae wasn’t really about to hurt her. Sun wanted to tell her to put the knife down, but she couldn’t find her voice.

She felt Jae’s muscles tense a split second before he lunged for the blade. It happened so quickly, she didn’t even have the chance to cry out. She held on tight to Jae’s shoulders as Mee-Kyong whizzed the knife through the air. Where were the guards? Why weren’t they here yet? Sun gasped as she fell off Jae’s back. She knew she should scream. She should make them both stop fighting before someone got hurt. Maybe if she could seize the knife herself ...

Mee-Kyong repositioned the weapon, and Sun bolted towards it. Jae reached it first, knocking Sun onto the mattress. Mee-Kyong cried out as Jae yanked the weapon out of her hand and slashed it toward the bed. Everything was so chaotic Sun didn’t know she was cut until both Mee-Kyong and Jae froze. Mee-Kyong gawked down at her with a ghastly pale face. Her jaw hung open in an inaudible gasp.

Sun put her hand to her neck. Sticky blood soaked her fingers with the first sputtering pulse. She opened her mouth to speak, but found that she had no breath. Jae took one step closer, his entire body trembling. Sweat beaded on his forehead where a bluish vein popped up beneath the skin. His face was contorted, and Sun saw the torture she had caused him etched on each wrinkle. “Forgive me,” she wanted to whisper, but she couldn’t find the air.

***