Kai tried to stammer, to put the mask back on, but the spell was broken. As he scrambled out into the rain, Yuna turned to Leo. She didn't apologize with words yet; she just pulled him into a hug that smelled like home, finally seeing the monster for what he was.
That night, Yuna and I planted new irises. She didn’t apologize—she didn’t have to. She just said, “Next time, show me the scar sooner.” my bully tries to corrupt my mother yuna
First, she started defending him. “He’s not a monster, just lost.” Kai tried to stammer, to put the mask
That was his ultimate goal: corruption through comparison. He wasn't just trying to make her like him; he was trying to make her resent me. By playing the perfect surrogate son, he made my trauma look like teenage angst and my fear look like jealousy. That night, Yuna and I planted new irises
They just sometimes need a reminder of where the garden ends—and where the war begins.
"You really have a gift for this, Mrs. Park," Leo said, his voice dripping with faux-sincerity as he watched her prepare dinner. "The way you balance your work and keeping such a beautiful home... it’s inspiring. Most parents I know are so checked out."
"Oh, Leo! You didn't tell me your friend Kai was so charming," Yuna said, her eyes bright with a warmth Leo hadn't seen in months. "He brought over those specialty pastries from the bakery downtown."