It was happening again. She had been so relieved when they’d moved back to her mother’s home village. So thankful to be removed from the reach of her brother’s trespassing hands. Curious fingers that had sought out areas of her body which she would have preferred to reserve only for herself.
It had happened for the first time a couple of years ago. When her father had grown sickly, and her brother had returned to visit the poor man. She’d done her best to avoid being alone with her brother after that. For months, it had worked. But the boy was too cagey. He’d managed to find her out. And when he’d discovered that she was evading him, he’d set his eyes on their little sister.
Then one day, he’d set his hands on her too. In her elder sister’s presence. The older girl had been quick to move the tiny child away from his grasp. But she had also been more receptive of his touch when he’d turned towards her then. She’d allowed it all to protect her baby. That was how she’d always referred to the little one.
––
Yeo Wool was beyond frustrated. He had wanted to spend several days growing closer to Sam Sook. He had planned to take her up on her offer of tea. But the king had intervened. Sending him on a mission that had cost him several days. He was finally back home now.
King Jin Heung had apologized for tearing him away from his family so soon after his grandmother’s death. But when the security of the kingdom was at risk, the king had to avail himself of his best men. And Yeo Wool understood. Being a hwarang was the most important aspect of his life.
Except…
…another segment was growing in importance. More with each passing day. He was beginning to care more for one woman. And her two tiny daughters.
He had to find a way back into her heart.
––
Something was wrong. Bo A could feel it. Se Ri was always lighthearted at her house. And at school. But not when they were at her own home. Bo A understood those feelings all too well.
Except…
…Se Ri didn’t have an appa to abuse her. She didn’t even have an uncle or a grandfather living with her. She lived with two women and one tiny girl. And the servants, of course.
Still, Bo A was certain that something wasn’t right. The only problem was…she wasn’t sure how to go about unearthing the truth. She didn’t want to confront Se Ri. She knew from experience that the girl would most likely clam up. Especially if someone was hurting her. And most certainly if that person had threatened her.
So…for now she was going to invite Se Ri over to her house as often as possible. Perhaps even overnight. And if Se Ri couldn’t stay with her at Jung Sook’s house, maybe there was some way that Bo A could stay with Se Ri at hers.
One thing was for certain. Bo A was going to keep a close eye on her friend. And at the first sign of true trouble, she was going to confront her. Even though contemplating such an action made her stomach queasy.
She sighed as her heart released a pang for Se Ri. Bo A had finally found some peace. Why did her friend seem to be losing hers?
