Nico
A tightly controlled smile spread across my face as his dark eyes locked onto mine. He stared intensely, trying to find a flicker of weakness, but instead of cowering like I used to, I simply lowered my head in a perfectly calculated, respectful bow.
A filial grandson. I wish.
"Welcome, Seo-jun. Everyone has been waiting for you," my Aunt Hinata greeted warmly, breaking the stiff silence. Her twin boys shyly peeked out from behind her lap, giving me a tiny wave.
I smiled genuinely for a brief moment and waved back at them. "Thank you, Aunt Hinata."
"I honestly thought you wouldn't bother showing up this year either, considering you never seem to make time for your actual family," another one of my aunts, Min-jin, snapped harshly in Korean, her voice dripping with venom.
"Hello to you too, Aunt Min-jin," I responded smoothly, keeping the pleasant mask glued to my face. Smiling through the pain, as the saying goes.
