Mrs Lee could not avoid Dan-Han's scrutinising look since he stepped into the room. His eyes have been scanning her over like a hawk, and his endless questions of how she was faring made her dizzy.
"Dan-Han, I'm really fine." She said for the umpteenth time.
"Yet you collapsed, and you look..." He paused as he held her chin up and examined her face again. "...frail," he added.
"It happens when people get old and stressed," She rolled her eyes at him, gently brushing his hand off her face, but her act wasn't being bought by Dan-Han, who gave a more sceptical look before glancing at Jae-Hyun, who of course has been trying to avoid his gaze.
"Mother, you had better not be hiding anything from me, because believe me, if something happens to you and you make me helpless one more time, I really won't forgive you this time around," His voice was threatening. At the same time, his eyes were hauntingly locked on Jae-Hyun, who quickly darted his gaze away from him again.
Patting his arm, she flashed him a convincing smile making Dan-Han look at her, "You're becoming a worrywart, and seeing you like this makes me happy." She smiled. She meant what she said. Though she was always aware that Dan-Han cared about her, this was the first time in a long time he was outrightly showing his concern for her, even though he was threatening her, so yes, she was pleased.
"Come on now, step away, let me see my baby girl," She said, pushing him out of the way before beckoning at Eun-sun, who has been standing in the corner of the room, obviously trying to avoid her husband's scorching and menacing gaze.
"Come here, my darling. Come check up on mother." She flashed that sweet smile of hers at her, making Eun-sun walk closer.
"How are you, Auntie?" She asked with concern. She has been so worried for her. The thought of losing her kept playing in her mind, but she had driven that scary thought of her mind. She wasn't ready to lose her yet. She was only getting to know her.
"I'll be fine, my love." Her tone was assuring, but Eun-sun didn't believe her.
"You should rest more often," She told her, making the woman obediently nod her head, as her smile broadened brightly.
While they talked, Dan-Han turned around to Jae-Hyun, "Outside now," he ordered, making the man nervously swallow, goosebumps crawling up his skin. He glanced at Mrs Lee, who surreptitiously gave him a supportive nod, silently assuring him he'd be fine. He took a deep breath to calm himself before following Dan-Han outside the room with In-Ha trailing behind.
"Jae-Hyun, I'll only ask you once, and I want you to think clearly before you answer me. Don't try lying because the consequences will be dire when I find out you did." His tone was grave, and his eyes were as cold as ever. He stared at Jae-Hyun, waiting for his answer.
"I won't lie."
"What is wrong with my mother." He inquired.
"Nothing other than what I told you."
"And what did you tell me?" Dan-Han's eyes were intensely examining his every expression, and Jae-Hyun knew exactly what he was doing. Dan-Han was trying to rattle him up and was eagerly waiting to catch on to one slip from him; even a wrong bat of his eyes would put him in trouble at this point.
He inwardly braced himself, steadied his heartbeat before squarely staring at Dan-Han straight in the eyes, "That she's exhausted due to enormous stress. Some of her body nutrients are low, but she'll be back to health after a few medications." He fluently said. A stir air of silence reigned for some seconds before Dan-Han took a step towards him, making him retreat backwards. Dan-Han's eyes were threateningly staring at him and sending shivers down his spine.
"This had better be the truth, Mo Jae-Hyun. If by chance I find out you helped my mother keep a lie...." He paused, his face turning few shades darker. "I'll treat you worse than an enemy."
"I.... I'll keep that in mind." Jae-Hyun stuttered out. He won't be ashamed to say that Dan-Han scared him. Like who the hell wasn't scared of him? The man was the devil's incarnate, and he was almost tempted to spill the bean, but he had promised.
Dan-Han was still intimidatingly staring down at him when the room door suddenly opened, and Eun-sun stepped out. She was shocked to see them like that again - Dan-Han looking like he could kill Jae-Hyun, and Jae-Hyun looking like he was about to die.
Seeing the way Jae-Hyun was behaving, she could very much tell he has been helping mother Lee hide the truth about her health. She couldn't fully understand Mrs Lee's decision of hiding this truth from her family. She would have to talk to her.
Snapping his head towards the door, Dan-Han was surprised to see Eun-sun outside; she was just speaking with his mother, right?. "What happened?" Did his father send her out?
"Did he ask you out?" A deep scowl was already forming on his face as he strolled towards her.
"No, they're just talking, so I stepped out." Eun-sun hurriedly explained, but Dan-Han's face turned gloomier. If there were a word to describe how he looked right now, it would be a grim reaper.
Eun-sun could tell at first glance why he looked that way; it had to be his father. He must hate the idea of having alone with his mother at this point, especially when he was the reason for her being there.
"Dan-Han," she called when he made his way for the door. She immediately blocked his path with her body.
"He won't hurt her, and you know that." She didn't know why she had just spoken in favour of the man who clearly showed his detest towards her, but some how she felt she was right.