“All of it,” I snap. “Give me all of it.”

Wansu’s face hardens. “Then you wish to ruin me and hurt my son and all the people that work for our company. I can’t allow that to happen.”

I hate that Wansu can’t see through my curtain of hurt—that she’s not even attempting to reach me. “Then leave me alone. That’s all I want.”

• • •

ALL THE LIGHTS are on at the house, which makes me even wearier. It would’ve been nice if I could’ve crept inside, gone up to my room, climbed into my bed, and covered my head with my blankets.

Instead, I have to face my roommates and Jules will demand to know what is going on. I have no energy for an inquisition. Every last bit of it is in the river.

I push open the gate and trudge reluctantly toward the front door. The illumination should be welcoming but the dark spot in the alley next to the convenience store is looking more appealing by the second. The door opens before I reach it and Yujun’s concerned face appears. I hate that my stupid heart leaps at the sight of him, dressed in his work clothes with his white shirtsleeves rolled up to show his fine forearms, the expensive watch, and his capable hands that reach to pull me inside. This is Wansu’s son, the child she chose to raise instead of me.

Bitterness floods my mouth. “You.”

He flinches slightly. “Hara, please.”

My credit card isn’t maxed out yet. This is a big city. There has to be a hotel that has a room available. I turn around and walk away from the door, from the lights, from him. I should keep going until I reach Incheon, where I can climb aboard a plane, any one of them, and have it take me away.

“I didn’t know.” His hand reaches out to press against the gate so I can’t leave.

“I don’t believe you.” And I don’t want to be convinced otherwise. He’s so charming, and if he is given time and an opportunity, I’m certain that he’ll spin a story that will result in me begging forgiveness from Wansu. I’m sorry I came here. I’m sorry I sought you out. I’m sorry I exist.

“How could I have known?” The plea in his voice is earnest, so very earnest, but I’m not the same girl that he took to the top of Namsan and looked through the telescope with all the way to Busan. I’m the girl who learned her very rich mother threw her away like garbage and kept a boy instead. A boy I’d kissed, held in my arms. A boy about whom I had fantasies that I would be embarrassed to share with a friend. A boy who makes me want to bury my face in his shoulder and cry the tears I never let fall. I don’t, though. I’ve never let things like feelings drag me down before, and I won’t this time either.