Chapter 455: Hard to move on

Brandon and Hyejin stood in the small front garden clearing the snow.

The snow had fallen heavily overnight, blanketing everything in a thick layer.

They worked in companionable silence as Brandon used a wide plastic shovel to clear the path from the gate to the porch with Hyejin sweeping the steps with a stiff broom.

Brandon paused and glanced over at her "Ajumma, why don’t you move to Solvyrn City?"

Hyejin looked up from her sweeping and raised one eyebrow curiously.

Brandon continued, leaning slightly on the shovel handle.

"You could see Dhayun whenever you want. The city’s safe with better security, better medical facilities, and more conveniences."

Hyejin chuckled and shook her head as she resumed sweeping the porch "I have a job here, Taewon-ah," she said gently.

"At the flower shop down the street. It’s small, but I like it. The owner’s kind, and the customers are regulars I’ve known for years. I get to arrange bouquets and talk to people. It keeps me busy."

She straightened and rested the broom against the railing as she looked at him with that familiar, steady gaze.

"My whole life is here. Uprooting it now... feels like leaving too much behind."

Brandon nodded slowly but didn’t drop it yet.

"I get that. But Solvyrn has flower markets too. Big ones. You could work there if you wanted. Or open your own shop. And you wouldn’t have to worry about safety. If anything ever happened here..."

"...I wouldn’t be able to get to you fast enough."

Hyejin’s expression softened, touched by his concern, but she still shook her head.

"I appreciate it, truly. But I’m not helpless. I’ve lived alone here for years. I know my neighbors. I know the streets. And I have my routines. Moving to a big city, even a safe one... it would feel like starting over. I’m not ready for that yet."

She stepped closer and brushed a flake of snow from his hood.

"But thank you for worrying about me," she said quietly. "It means a lot."

Brandon looked down at her and let out a sigh "Okay. But the offer stands."

Hyejin smiled and patted his cheek "I know, Taewon-ah. And I’ll keep it in mind. Now come on... finish that path before your hands freeze. I’m not carrying you inside if you turn into an icicle."

Brandon chuckled and picked up the shovel again "Yes, Ajumma."

---

Hyejin stood at the kitchen counter as she prepared lunch.

Dhayun padded into the kitchen quietly and just walked up behind her mother.

"Eomma." She wrapped both arms around her waist from behind and pressed her cheek against Hyejin’s shoulder.

Hyejin paused mid-chop and smiled without turning around.

"Yun-ah. You’re clingy today."

Dhayun hummed and squeezed a little tighter.

"Eomma... about what Woonie told you today."

Hyejin’s hands resumed their work, slicing the carrot into thin matchsticks "Mm?"

Dhayun rested her chin on her mother’s shoulder now.

"He asked you to move to Solvyrn City. So you could be closer to me."

Hyejin let out a quiet chuckle "I know, sweetheart. He’s sweet to offer. But I told him... I have my job here and my life here."

Dhayun’s arms tightened "I want you to move too. Solvyrn is safe. And I wouldn’t miss you so much."

"Every time I leave here, I worry about you being alone and that something might happen while I’m away. I know you can take care of yourself. But... I still worry."

Hyejin set the knife down and turned slowly in her daughter’s arms "I know you worry," she said softly.

"You’ve always been like that. But I’m okay here, Yun-ah. Really. The flower shop keeps me busy, and some of my friends are here. The neighborhood knows me. I have my routines. Moving to a big city... would mean starting over. I’m not sure I want that yet."

Dhayun’s eyes shimmered "But you’d be closer to me. You could see me every day if you wanted. You could meet the others... and spend time with them."

Hyejin’s expression softened further "I know. And part of me wants that. To wake up and know you’re just down the hall. To watch you live your life up close instead of hearing about it over video calls."

"But I guess... I am just so accustomed to living here."

Dhayun’s lip trembled "I just want you safe, eomma. I want you with me."

Hyejin pulled her daughter into a hug "I am safe," she murmured. "And I am with you. Always. Even when we’re apart. You carry me in your heart, and I carry you in mine. Distance doesn’t change that."

She pulled back just enough to look into Dhayun’s eyes "But I promise you this."

"If things ever change and if I ever feel unsafe here, or if I start to feel too alone... I will think about Solvyrn again."

Dhayun nodded her head "Mhm... okay. But keep thinking about it, okay?"

With a chuckle, she nodded her head "Okay."

---

It was already night-

Standing next to the door, Brandon glanced at Dhayun who was sleeping in the bed and walked downstairs.

The living room lamp was on, and Hyejin was sitting on the couch, watching television.

A bowl of half-eaten mandu and a mug of barley tea sat on the low table in front of her.

She glanced up as he appeared in the doorway "Taewoon-ah," she said warmly, patting the cushion beside her. "Come sit. I thought you’d be asleep by now."

Brandon sat down beside her and let his head rest back against the couch.

They watched the movie in silence for a while and chuckled occasionally.

Hyejin passed him the remote so he could adjust the volume when the music swelled too loud.

He took a mandu, dipped it in soy sauce, and ate it slowly, savoring the familiar taste.

But his mind was elsewhere as he glanced at her in the corner of his eye ’Should I ask?’

Hyejin noticed and was confused but didn’t say anything.

After a particularly long stretch of silence and when the movie moved into a slower, more emotional scene.

A faint sigh escaped his lips and Hyejin muted the television without a word.

She turned toward him "What is it?" she asked gently.

"You’ve been hesitating since you came down. If something’s bothering you... just tell me, dear."

Brandon stared at the frozen screen for a moment and exhaled again.

After some hesitation he finally spoke "About Dhayun’s father..."

Hyejin’s eyes widened in shock "H-Huh?"

Her whole body stiffened and color drained from her face for a moment.

Her lips parted "That’s..."

She looked away, and her hands clenched in the blanket so hard her knuckles turned white.

Brandon was surprised to see her reaction but stayed silent.

Taking a deep breath, Hyejin abruptly stood up "It’s already midnight... go to sleep."

Eh? Realizing she doesn’t want to talk about it, he stood up "Good night, Ajumma."

Hyejin gave a faint nod. "Good night."

Reaching his room, Brandon sat on the bed with a deep sigh "Haa... I guess it’s very personal to her if she doesn’t want to talk about it to me."

At that moment his eyes caught a small flash of light on the nightstand.

His phone screen had lit up with a notification.

He reached over and saw a message from Esmery.

[Miss Esmery: I need your help, contact me when you are free.]

He closed his eyes for a moment "I will look at it tomorrow."

He set the phone face-down on the nightstand and lay back on the bed.

Dhayun instinctively rolled toward him with a soft, sleepy sound and hooked her leg over his thigh.

Her face found the crook of his neck, and her warm breath fanned across his skin as she nuzzled closer.

Brandon wrapped both arms around her and pulled her flush against his chest.

"Night, Noona."