An Argument in the Wrong Place

Upon arriving at our destination, I stared at the rows of high-end boutiques. Every visitor looked elegant. Compared to them, my outfit was completely out of place.

"Hey, why are you so quiet?" Do Hwan nudged my arm with his elbow, signaling me to hurry inside.

"Hm." Regardless, I had to go in. I had already promised.

I walked slowly into the store, following behind him. Every employee smiled politely whenever I made eye contact with them.

Maybe I was just overthinking things.

"Look around. If you see something you like, let me know," he said, looking at me.

I simply nodded and walked further inside. My eyes scanned the luxurious and beautiful items, leaving me unsure of what to pick. Eventually, I headed toward a jewelry display case, hoping to find something suitable for a girl like Hana.

Then, my gaze landed on a gold bracelet—or at least, I thought it was gold. I wasn't sure. I picked it up to examine it more closely. It was stunning, not because of its luxury, but because of the dark moon-shaped charms adorning it.

The bracelet was beautiful. I had to show it to Do Hwan for consideration. Just as I turned around, I accidentally bumped into someone standing behind me.

"Ahh!" The woman shrieked and fell to the floor.

"I-I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Let me help you up," I said, reaching out to assist her.

But she looked furious. She harshly slapped my hand away.

She scoffed in annoyance, quickly stood up on her own, dusted off her clothes, and gave me a scornful glare.

Without warning—

"YAAAHH!!!" The woman grabbed my hair violently.

I winced in pain. My scalp stung. I tried to hold her hand back so my hair wouldn’t be ripped out.

"You said sorry? Do you think your apology is enough to replace my ruined outfit? Do you even know how much this costs?!" Her grip tightened.

"M-Ma'am, please forgive me. But you're causing a disturbance in our store. I kindly ask you to take this matter outside," one of the staff members intervened, trying to de-escalate the situation.

"Oh my, kids these days have no manners toward their elders. Are you two sisters? Did your mother never teach you proper etiquette? No wonder her daughters turned out insane."

I froze. She could hurt me, but why did she have to drag my mother into this?

"Hey, old lady."

I forcibly pulled my own hair out of her grasp and stood tall, facing her.

"Old lady?"

"That's right. You’re just a crazy old lady! Why did you have to bring my mother into this? What did she ever do to you? You don't even know her!" I lashed out.

SLAP!

A sharp slap landed on my cheek. I stood still in shock. My skin burned instantly.

"What are you doing?!" the store staff gasped in disbelief.

"Why? Do you want some too?" The woman turned to the staff, raising her hand again.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist.

Her arm was twisted, stopping her from continuing. I looked up to see who it was—Do Hwan.

"A woman your age should know her place. You’ll be nothing but ashes in a cremation urn soon," he said coldly before pushing her back onto the floor.

She screamed dramatically, as if she had been crushed by a wall.

I stared at Do Hwan. His breaths were heavy, and his fists clenched tightly, trying to contain his anger.

"Do Hwan…"

He turned to me. "Does it still hurt?" he asked softly, gently touching my reddened cheek. His hands trembled slightly as he stroked it.

"I'm fine."

Do Hwan turned to the store staff. "Apologies for causing a scene. I'll come back and pay for any damages." He took out a business card from his wallet and handed it over.

"G-Group Pau…Pauwels?" The staff's eyes widened. Even the woman who had been so aggressive moments ago suddenly fell silent and hurriedly left after hearing that name.

I was confused. What was so special about that name?

---

After leaving the store, Do Hwan and I went to a vast cemetery. The tombstones here looked expensive, clearly belonging to important people.

The question was… whose grave were we visiting?

Do Hwan stopped in front of a headstone that read, "Kim Young Ok – Group Pauwels."

That name again.

He knelt down, gazing at the tombstone with deep sorrow in his eyes.

"Grandma, I'm here. Your beloved grandson," he whispered, placing flowers on the grave.

Then he turned to me, smiling. "Say hello to my grandma."

"H-Hello, Grandma. My name is Kang Narin, Do Hwan’s friend."

"Today is her birthday."

I was stunned. "Huh? But—I'm not the one having a birthday today."

"My grandma."

I wanted to disappear on the spot. Why did I think he was talking about me?

Do Hwan chuckled at my embarrassment.

He pulled out a small box from his coat and opened it. "Grandma, I picked this for you. Isn’t it beautiful?"

I stared at him in silence. But for some reason… something felt off.

Then…

"When I was five, you gave me this bracelet," he said, showing the one wrapped around his wrist.

Oh, so that bracelet…?! No wonder he treasured it so much.

"I'm still wearing it even now. To me, it's the most special gift. Oh, and I just noticed yesterday after taking a shower—you engraved my name on the back. You never told me that."

Do Hwan took a deep breath before continuing.

"I fought with Da Reum again yesterday. I'm sorry, Grandma. You know my temper isn't exactly stable. I got that from you," he chuckled bitterly, his back slightly trembling.

That made me feel… confused and worried.

"Grandma, if one day I choose to live alone, don’t worry. Your grandson is very independent. I’m used to it. Or… do you want me to just join you instead? That would be better, wouldn't it? Then, I wouldn’t have to live like this."

Like this? What did he mean?

"Is that how you plan to solve your problems?" a voice suddenly interjected.

A man approached, carrying a bouquet of white lilies and setting it down on the grave.

Do Hwan fell silent. His eyes were filled with hatred. His fists clenched so hard that even I could feel the chilling atmosphere between them.

I didn't know what to do. I didn’t even dare to move.

"If you're still thinking like that, you'd be better off going back to the US. You love freedom, don’t you?" the man said.

Do Hwan scoffed. His gaze was deadly.

"What? Oh… are you ashamed to have a younger brother like me? A stupid troublemaker?"

So this man was his brother? No wonder they looked alike.

"Your behavior is so childish. No wonder Grandma chose you—you’re nothing more than her little puppet."

Do Hwan’s anger exploded. He grabbed his brother’s collar. "Don’t you dare speak about my grandma with that filthy mouth of yours."

Since the situation was heating up, I quickly grabbed Do Hwan’s arm, trying to calm him down. Now, the other visitors in the cemetery were staring at us.

"You don’t deserve, and will never deserve, to have Grandma in your life. Do you understand?"

"Do Hwan, stop! Please. This isn’t the place to start a fight. Calm down, please!" I pleaded, gently rubbing his back, hoping to soothe him.

"Oh? You?" The man suddenly looked at me.

"Huh? M-Me?"

This situation was getting more complicated.

Someone, please get me out of here.

---