Chapter 24 : Chapter 24

What exactly is trust?

After becoming Sara's personal maid, Yang Hye-in had pondered the word 'trust' seriously countless times.

To trust someone means to believe that the other person won't deceive you or harm you, to think that they won't steal or take something from you, and that they won't hit or threaten you.

Within that direct scope of violence, at least the minimum level of trust was established between Yang Hye-in and Sara.

Sara absolutely did not fear Yang Hye-in.

There were even times when it seemed like Sara had forgotten that Hye-in was next to her.

At the very least, whenever Yang Hye-in made a move, Sara didn't flinch.

In reality, Yang Hye-in had never laid a hand on Sara's body carelessly.

But when it came to other aspects, it was a different story.

Not spying, not tattling on someone when they act strangely, not having others follow them from a distance to prevent them from running away, respecting their privacy, and sometimes treating them kindly.

Yang Hye-in hadn't done any of that.

So, if trust means "believing that someone won't do you any harm," then Yang Hye-in couldn't claim to have earned Sara's trust.

Yet, sometimes, Yang Hye-in found herself thinking that she had earned a certain level of trust… or, perhaps, she often deluded herself into thinking so.

Sara was almost always under surveillance, but that didn't mean she had no personal time.

On the condition that she didn't use any means of communication, Sara could close her door and spend personal time alone.

There was no way to know what she did inside.

If there were loud noises in the room, you could hear them from the outside, but Sara rarely made any loud noises when she was alone.

Even though the entire mansion was in Sara's name, the only place she could truly feel safe was inside her room.

It was a sanctuary, even the chairwoman had ordered not to be disturbed.

The reason Sara hadn't completely broken down, despite being constantly pressured from all sides, was probably due to this minimal safety net.

In a silent space, where no one bothered her, where it was entirely her own, Sara could at least find some comfort, or so Yang Hye-in had thought up until now.

Sara's face would lighten considerably when she emerged after spending some time in her room.

If she was in a particularly good mood, she would sometimes even speak to Hye-in, her maid.

Of course, Hye-in rarely heard any particularly kind words.

Most of the time, it was just a few short sentences that weren't even fully audible, mainly checking the schedule.

Sara's words always trailed off at the end, sometimes sounding polite, other times informal.

Every time the usually lifeless, doll-like Sara showed this side, Yang Hye-in couldn't help but wonder if Sara trusted her, even if it was just a fleeting thought that she now realized was absurd.

Yes, it might have been because, after years of seeing Sara, Yang Hye-in had developed a certain affection for her.

Sara was a child in a highly abnormal environment, but she was still a pretty and kind child.

She had never once caused trouble by disobeying, and despite being in a position of authority, she never gave unreasonable orders.

She never slandered or cursed others, and Hye-in had never even seen her complain to anyone.

Well, Sara barely spoke at all, so that couldn't be helped.

It's natural for people to want to protect a pitiful being in front of them.

And Sara was undoubtedly such a pitiful existence.

…And Yang Hye-in was also one of the people tormenting that pitiful existence in such a disturbing and horrific way.

*

…It was still early March, so the night air was cold.

The coat over her maid uniform was quite warm, but Hye-in's hands and face, exposed to the cold outside, couldn't help but feel chilled.

Frankly, standing at the front gate in a polite maid posture for hours, waiting, was an exhausting task.

"Miss Yang Hye-in, the night air is cold. Wouldn't it be better to wait inside the mansion, and we'll call for you when needed?"

One of the security guards stationed at the front gate spoke to Yang Hye-in.

None of the staff, including the security guards, spoke to Sara.

That was the rule.

Only the maid personally assigned to Sara had the right to speak to her or offer her anything.

This wasn't written in the contract, though.

The original rule was simply "don't speak unnecessarily."

But to help Sara, who seemed to not know the act of 'starting a conversation,' the staff had to continuously engage with her.

After asking several times about what she needed, what she didn't need, what she wanted to do, and what she didn't, Sara would finally nod or shake her head to express her intent.

"…"

"Miss Yang Hye-in?"

The security guard called her name again.

"I'm fine."

When Hye-in answered that way, the security guard fell silent and didn't push the issue further.

Unlike the other staff who had hardly ever exchanged words with Sara, Hye-in was irreplaceable because Sara at least expressed herself to her.

That made Hye-in the only one the other staff couldn't treat lightly, despite no clear hierarchy between them.

Moreover, Hye-in regularly reported the situation to the chairwoman.

Once again, a cold breeze brushed against Hye-in's cheek.

Yesterday, she had waited inside the mansion until she received a report before coming outside.

Although Sara had disappeared, it wasn't a big issue.

They already knew her whereabouts, as a staff member had been following her from a distance.

Today was no different.

Whether or not Sara had noticed was unclear.

"Did you report to the chairwoman?"

Had Sara said that because she already knew?

If so, what was the reason for sneaking over the wall again today?

If she knew someone would follow her, there was no need for such secretive behavior.

Could it be a form of protest?

Sara was walking with her 'friends' again today.

Since her location was already known, staying inside the mansion and waiting for her return like yesterday wouldn't be a problem.

But

But Yang Hye-in wanted to see for herself.

She wanted to see why Sara had to climb over that wall again today.

Perhaps, by watching Sara interact with those 'friends' and seeing her face as she returned, she might get a hint.

*

"Goodbye, see you tomorrow."

The expression on Sara's face as she said that was one Hye-in had never seen before.

Ah, she had seen that expression on others.

The look of people who spent a happy time with their friends and, though sad to part, believed they'd definitely meet again soon.

The expression of people living with at least a small hope.

It was just that this was the first time she'd seen that expression on Sara's face.

Though she had seen Sara smile yesterday, seeing her naturally say goodbye to her friends was astonishing.

It wasn't that Hye-in had never imagined Sara making friends.

In her imagination, though, Sara hadn't smiled this naturally.

Somehow, Hye-in had expected Sara to be more possessive.

People who had finally obtained something they longed for but never had tended to cling to it desperately, fearing it would slip away.

But Sara treated her new friends as if they were just ordinary people.

…Even though she surely remembered what happened in her childhood.

"Have you been waiting long?"

As they approached the mansion, Sara suddenly asked.

"…Pardon?"

"How long have you been waiting?"

A clearly audible, unmistakable question.

"…Not long."

When Hye-in answered that, Sara squinted and looked up at her face.

"In the future, when I'm late, you don't need to wait outside."

"…I will keep that in mind."

Hye-in replied, slightly bowing her head.

The mansion's door opened, and the warmth inside flooded out.

"I'll take your coat."

Inside the lobby, Hye-in said that and naturally took off Sara's coat.

"Did you report to the chairwoman?"

As always, Sara turned to look up at Hye-in and asked.

"…"

Hye-in hesitated for a moment.

Should she say it?

Sara quietly watched Hye-in's expression, then shrugged and turned away, indicating that she didn't particularly care.

It was a light gesture, as if she had no expectations, as if it didn't really matter.

"I didn't report it."

At that moment, Hye-in impulsively said so.

Sara's steps halted.

Slowly, as if rewinding, she turned back toward Hye-in.

Sara's face showed unmistakable surprise.

In fact, if any of the other staff saw that expression, they might be even more surprised than Sara herself.

That was how expressionless Sara normally was.

"You didn't report it?"

Sara asked again, as if confirming.

Hye-in nodded.

"Yes. I didn't report it. Not yesterday, and not today."

Sara's eyes widened even more.

"Why…?"

She asked, genuinely puzzled.

Why, indeed?

It had been an impulsive decision.

Hye-in had sensed that Sara had changed.

She had also been fully aware that Sara now had a social life, something that hadn't existed before.

But, for some reason, she didn't want to report it.

Why?

Maybe.

Maybe it was because of that unguarded smile she had seen on Sara's face for the first time.

For the first time in years of watching over Sara, Hye-in found herself thinking that she wanted to let that expression last just a little longer.

As she looked at Sara's round, surprised eyes, Hye-in thought so.