Hearing his brother's words, Steven forced himself to speak.
"Don't worry," he said quietly,"I'll return the money soon."
His voice was steady, but his eyes were not. They were filled with tears tears he refused to let fall. Pride, shame, and helplessness were tangled tightly inside his chest.
Without waiting to hear another cruel word, Steven turned around. Jun followed him in silence. Neither of them spoke as they walked away from that house.
The laughter behind them still echoed in Jun's ears. The car ride back felt endless. Rain beat against the windshield, blurring the city lights into shapeless streaks.
Steven gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. Jun stared out of the window, watching the rain wash everything away roads, lights, people but not the weight inside his chest.
Not a single word was exchanged. When they finally reached the hospital, Steven slowed the car and stopped near the entrance. The familiar building stood there, cold and lifeless, as if it had been waiting for them.
"You stay here," Steven said, breaking the silence,"Stay with your mom."
Jun turned to look at him.
"I'm going somewhere to arrange the money," Steven continued. His voice wavered for just a second before he forced it steady again. "No matter what… don't leave her alone."
Jun nodded. Steven didn't say anything more. He simply drove away.
Jun stood there for a moment, rain soaking his clothes, watching the car disappear into the grey distance. He felt strangely empty as if something important had just left with it.
Then he turned and walked back inside the hospital. The smell hit him immediately. The same smell that had been clinging to him for days now.
Jun walked into the room and sat beside his mother's bed. The machines continued their steady beeping, indifferent to everything around them. Her eyes were still closed. Her chest rose and fell slowly, mechanically.
Jun lowered his head. His uncle's words echoed again and again inside his mind. Why don't you just let her die? What difference does it make?
His hands clenched into fists. Is a life really worth nothing… if you don't have money?
The question burned inside him. Just then, his phone vibrated. Jun flinched slightly and looked at the screen.
"Mika"
He stared at the name for a second longer than necessary, then answered the call.
"Jun, where are you?" Mika's voice came through, filled with concern.
"I'm at the hospital," Jun replied,"Mom's condition is bad."
His voice cracked slightly, though he tried to hide it.
"We don't have money for her treatment," he continued, And then slowly he told her everything.
About going to his uncles. About asking for money. About the laughing. About the words that crushed him deeper than any physical blow ever could.
On the other end of the call, there was silence. Then Mika spoke.
"Jun… can you come to my house right now?"
Jun frowned slightly, confusion mixing with exhaustion.
"Yeah, I can come," he said,"But… what is it about?"
"It's nothing big," Mika replied,"Just come here quickly."
The call ended. Jun lowered his phone and looked at his mother once more. For the first time, something inside him shifted.
He didn't know what awaited him at Mika's house. He didn't know how things would change.
But he knew one thing for sure he could not stay the same anymore. And that realization scared him… almost as much as it gave him hope.