## Chapter 13: A Fragile Truce

The days that followed were a delicate dance of avoidance and forced cordiality. Jaekyung and Esther barely spoke to each other, their conversations limited to brief exchanges about household chores or meal plans. The tension between them was palpable, and Mr. Lee's warning still lingered in the air like a challenge. One evening, as Jaekyung was working on his laptop in the living room, Esther walked in with a stack of books she had borrowed from the library. She set them down on the coffee table, her eyes scanning the room before settling on Jaekyung. "Hey," she said softly, her voice a gentle breeze on a summer day. Jaekyung looked up, his heart skipping a beat as their eyes met. "Hey," he replied, his voice low and cautious. Esther sat down on the couch, her eyes drifting to the books she had brought. "I'm going to start reading these tonight," she said, her voice filled with a quiet enthusiasm. Jaekyung nodded, his gaze drawn to the books. "What are they about?" Esther smiled, her eyes lighting up. "They're a collection of short stories by a Korean author. I've been wanting to read them for a while now." As they talked about books and authors, the conversation flowed easily, like a gentle stream meandering through the countryside. Jaekyung found himself relaxing in Esther's presence, his guard dropping ever so slightly. But just as things were starting to feel normal, Esther's phone rang, shrill and insistent. She answered it, her expression changing from calm to concerned in an instant. "What's wrong?" Jaekyung asked, his instincts on high alert. Esther's eyes met his, a flicker of uncertainty in their depths. "It's my mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's not feeling well. I need to go see her." Jaekyung's heart went out to her, and he felt a pang of guilt for his earlier behavior. "Do you need me to drive you?" he asked, already getting up from his chair. Esther hesitated, her eyes searching his face. "No, I think I'll take a taxi," she said finally. "But thanks, Jaekyung." As Esther gathered her things and headed out the door, Jaekyung felt a sense of unease settle in. He couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get complicated, that Esther's visit to her mother would stir up more than just emotions. As he watched her leave, Jaekyung's mind began to wander. What was going on with Esther's mother? And how would this affect Esther's stay with them? He knew he had to be supportive, to be there for her in this moment of need. But as he turned back to his laptop, Jaekyung couldn't help but wonder if he was ready for what was to come. Was he prepared to navigate the complex web of emotions that seemed to be entwining him and Esther? Only time would tell.