*🗝️🗝️🍀🍀THE ARCHITECT OF SILENCE*🍀🍀🗝️🗝️
Chapter 8
🌺🌺*MI JIN AH POV*🌺🌺
I headed straight to the broadcast room.
Then—
I turned on the speakers.
The entire school fell silent.
"My name is Mi Jin Ah.
And I will tell you everything.
My mother was the best.
Park Jae In didn't tell you the full story.
I cherish my mother more than anyone. She taught me that the world does not revolve around me. If I want to live the life I desire, I must work for it.
She did not abandon me.
She simply stepped aside…
So that I could choose my own path."
I paused.
"Actually, Park Jae In made it easier for me to say this publicly.
So thank you.
You don't have to hide anymore.
Go ahead and broadcast whatever you want."
Click.
I turned it off.
Then exited.
That was enough—
To clear the doubts.
Now?
They would believe I had thanked her.
Good.
***
🪷🪷*PARK JAE IN POV*🪷🪷
I had been released.
Of course I was.
I had a father.
And my father cleaned up my mess.
***
*BREAKTIME*
I needed to change.
My uniform was slightly dirty.
I walked to my locker.
Took out a clean blouse.
Then—
A paper slipped out.
It fell to the ground.
I stared at it.
Before I could bend down—
Someone picked it up.
Mi Jin Ah.
"Oh," she smiled lightly. "I figured a queen doesn't pick things up from the ground. Should I read it for you?"
I snatched it from her hand.
"What are you doing?" I snapped. "Do you want a beating?"
She shook her head slowly.
Then smiled.
And left.
What was wrong with her?
I shoved the paper into my bag.
I would read it later.
***
*CAFETERIA*
I walked to the cafetaria.
Then—
I bumped into Kim Tan.
"Don't you have eyes?" I scoffed.
He looked at me.
Cold.
"You don't always have to act like a queen," he said quietly. "Life can be cruel."
Then he walked away.
What was that supposed to mean?
Across the room—
Mi Jin walked toward Table 15.
*BAE HYUN SU — Rank 15.*
"Stand up," she said calmly. "Park Jae In wants to sit here."
He hesitated.
Na Ri spoke up.
*SHIN HA RI — Rank 11.*
"And why does Number 99 get to order us around?"
Mi Jin looked at her.
Then at me.
Then she suddenly raised her voice.
"The Queen of Seoul High School wants to sit. Stand up."
The cafeteria went silent.
Na Ri glared. "And what does that have to do with me?"
Mi Jin leaned closer.
Whispered something in her ear.
Na Ri's face drained of color.
She stood up immediately.
She looked at me—
Terrified.
Then walked away quickly.
What did she say?
I walked to the table.
Mi Jin had already placed my food there.
She nodded slightly.
"What? Scared now?" I asked.
She nodded again.
Then walked away.
As she passed me, she murmured:
"Enjoy your last meal. Ordered by me."
My stomach tightened.
She was acting strange.
Too calm.
***
*LATER*
I remembered the paper.
I opened my bag.
Took it out.
Unfolded it.
> Do you really think no one knows you killed Kim Ha Na?
> Do you think you were alone that night?
> She will come back for you. Soon.
> Love.
My hands started shaking.
I didn't kill Ha Na.
Someone else did.
And tried to frame me.
I threw the paper away.
But fear stayed.
Who knew?
Who was playing with me?
I rushed to the CCTV room.
Requested footage.
Nothing.
Deleted.
Someone had erased it.
I felt my throat close.
Things were slipping out of control.
Then—
That feeling.
Someone watching me.
I turned around.
No one.
Was I being paranoid?
A sound came from behind me.
I spun around.
No one.
Then—
Tae Min appeared.
"What's wrong? You're sweating," he said.
"Did anyone just pass by?"
He shook his head.
"No one. Just me. Are you okay?"
My heart pounded violently.
Was I scared?
Or—
Was I losing my mind?
*END OF CHAPTER 8*🍀🍀🗝️🗝️