I noticed something was wrong when the car wasn't where I parked it.
I stood in the lobby for three seconds.
Then four.
Then accepted the conclusion.
"…The car is missing," I said calmly.
Ha-rin froze mid-step.
"…What."
"It was parked there," I continued. "Now it is not."
She turned slowly.
"…You don't mean—"
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"…Your mother."
"Yes."
We both moved at the same time.
Up the stairs.Two steps at a time.
The apartment door was open.
That was worse.
Inside, my father sat on the sofa, sipping tea peacefully.
"…Where is Mother," I asked.
He didn't look up.
"She borrowed the car."
Ha-rin stopped dead.
"…Borrowed?"
"Yes," my father replied. "She said it was 'for five minutes.'"
My jaw tightened by exactly one degree.
"…She is not allowed to go out alone," I said.
"Yes," my father agreed. "She mentioned that."
"…Then why did she leave."
"She said," he added thoughtfully, "'rules are flexible when applied intelligently.'"
Ha-rin grabbed my sleeve.
"…That's illegal logic."
"Yes."
I took out my phone.
No messages.No calls.
"She took her phone," Ha-rin whispered.
"Yes."
"…That's another rule."
"Yes."
My father glanced at us. "She also said not to worry."
"That is concerning," I replied.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Ha-rin paced.
"…What if someone recognizes her car."
"It is unremarkable," I replied.
"…What if someone recognizes her."
"That is more likely."
The door opened.
We both snapped to attention.
My mother walked in, perfectly calm, holding a small bag.
"Oh," she said. "You're both home."
"…Where did you go," Ha-rin demanded.
"Market," my mother replied. "Nearby."
"…Alone?"
"Yes."
"…With the car?"
"Yes."
"…With your phone?"
"Yes."
"…You broke three rules."
My mother hummed. "Four, actually."
I exhaled slowly.
"Mother," I said, "you were not supposed to leave."
She nodded. "Correct."
"…Then why did you."
She lifted the bag.
"Because you had no pears."
Ha-rin blinked.
"…Pears."
"Yes," my mother said. "Sour ones help with nausea."
Silence filled the room.
Ha-rin's anger deflated visibly.
"…You bought pears."
"And soup ingredients," my mother added. "And juice."
She handed the bag to Ha-rin.
Ha-rin stared inside.
"…This is my favorite brand."
"I pay attention," my mother replied.
I closed my eyes briefly.
"…Rules exist for a reason," I said.
"I know," she replied. "That's why I came straight back."
"…You still broke them."
"Yes," she said calmly. "But with purpose."
Ha-rin looked between us.
"…I don't know whose side I'm on anymore."
My father smiled. "That means it's working."
My mother clapped her hands once.
"Next time," she said, "I'll take one of you with me."
"That is acceptable," I replied.
She smiled knowingly.
"…Progress."
Ha-rin sighed and leaned against the sofa.
"…Your family is exhausting."
"Yes," I replied.
She glanced at me.
"…But the pears are nice."
"That was also intentional," my mother said.
Ha-rin laughed despite herself.
And just like that—
The rules bent.
But they didn't break.