There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 693

Chapter 693: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 28

After finishing the delicious chocolate milk, Han Joon looked for a waste basket and found one in the corner. Glancing at the glass window, he immediately moved when the adults were still talking among themselves, throwing out the box, and swiftly returned to his seat.

He was tempted to look at the scenery outside the window, to maybe find out where he was. It would be best if he was in the hospital where his mother gave birth; he knew the route to his house, which bus to take, and...

Maybe...just maybe, he could see that red boy again.

But what if those adults checked on him and found out he was looking out? They would tell his father about it too, wouldn’t they? Oh, perhaps having the window uncovered was a test too...

"Joon."

Once again, Han Joon flinched. How weird--he kept letting his mind wander and people approached him easily. If his father knew, he might be punished.

But...that voice was so soft and gentle, just like his mother’s voice. And the way the woman looked at him was warm, just like his mother.

Oh, maybe that was why.

Looking at the beautiful woman who was definitely older than his mother, and yet had a smoother face without any sign of extreme exhaustion, Han Joon asked carefully. "Who are you...Ma’am?"

Her smile was sweet and reminded him of his mother’s smile when she talked about having a birthday party before giving birth to Shin. "I am the owner of the hospital."

"Oh, I should--"

"No, no--it’s okay," the woman held his shoulder, just like the doctor. She took a seat on a chair that the staff prepared for her--right in front of him--and held his hands. "My name is Laurel. There’s something I want to tell you, Joon."

Han Joon stared at the smooth hands grabbing his. Because of that, his reply came out a bit late and he stuttered from panic. "Y-yes?"

"I heard you think we are sent by your father. Do you think I am one of those people too?"

Han Joon raised his head and blinked, observing the woman. She was well dressed and looked like one of those wives his mother longed to be. And she said she owned the hospital. No matter how powerful his father was, Han Joon understood he still bowed to some people. There was no way he could make a hospital owner his subordinate...right?

"Well...maybe not, Ma’am, but...my father has a lot of friends," Han Joon remembered the ’party’ his father brought him to when he was six. The etiquette lesson he had to receive that month was particularly hellish. He felt sore just remembering that. And the memory of it brought up his caution again. "You might report what I say here to him later."

Yeah. He shouldn’t be deceived by this warmth and gentleness. His father told him that he should only listen to his father. He could only trust people that his father deemed as trustworthy--like those lab people.

Maybe...being gentle to him was meant to be a test too?

Prove that you’re good enough. If you can do that, I won’t bother your brother.

Yeah. This must be a test.

In front of him, the woman observed the serious, earnest, and sincere gaze of those black eyes. Empty, and yet fierce. A spark of curiosity flickered inside Laurel’s hazel eyes.

"But why are you so scared? It’s not like you’re saying anything wrong."

"How would you know it’s not wrong?" the beautiful brow furrowed. "Please just tell him that I’ll accept anything as long as he holds his promise to leave my baby brother alone."

Laurel leaned forward slightly--not only to close their distance, but also to cover Joon’s line of sight. Certainly, on the other side of the room, a baby brother was trying so hard to hold back from crying and just rushing in. He wanted to run away, because it was so unbearable. But he wanted to see everything--what his brother never let him see.

Softly, Laurel said while looking straight at the hardened black eyes. "No, I can’t do that, Joon."

"But..." those fierce eyes faltered into desperation, and the stern voice turned weaker. "But he promised..."

The fear and distress were so palpable, not just in his voice, but also in his gaze and the tensed body. He tried to pull his hands away from Laurel, as if he wanted to quickly run home and secure his baby brother.

"No, that’s not it," Laurel held the tensed hands tightly, trying to speak as gently as possible while maintaining strict eye contact. "I can’t tell him anything because he’s not in this world anymore."

The agitated black eyes blinked. "What?"

"He...passed away, Joon."

Again, Han Joon blinked and replied dazedly. "My father?"

"Yes."

His father? The military Major? How? There was no way. His father was so...big, and scary, and powerful, and seemed to be able to do anything. How could...how could someone so strong die? His father always said his mother and sister died because they were weak, and that he would die too if he didn’t get stronger.

So...how could someone strong like his father die? He was...strong, wasn’t he?