Chapter Twenty-Six
* The Gift*
A heavy, awkward silence had fallen over the table after Julian’s dismissal. The only sound was the soft clink of Aurora’s spoon against her dessert plate.
Mrs. Byeon, desperate to break the tension, leaned heavily into her husband’s shoulder. Her whisper was meant to be quiet, but in the stillness, it carried.
“Did they only come here to ruin the marriage?” she hissed, her eyes wide with scandalized disbelief.
Her husband, Mr. Byeon, maintained the gentle, diplomatic smile that never seemed to leave his face, the smile of a man used to smoothing over conflicts. He patted her hand. “My dear, let us not assume.” He cleared his throat and raised his voice slightly, addressing the table. “Perhaps… perhaps we should do a cheers? To new beginnings?”
His wife
