"You heard your father," Calista says. Firmly. "The day you go public, you come straight home afterward. With Haejin. For your birthday celebration."
"Mom, that's—I can't just—"
"You absolutely can," Calista interrupts. "Soorin, listen to me. You've been playing normal with this boy for months now. Acting like you're on the same level financially. Hiding who you are."
Soorin's stomach twists.
"I wasn't hiding—"
"You were protecting yourself," Calista says. Voice softening. Understanding. "I know, baby. I know you're scared he'll see you differently. That he'll think you pity him. That the wealth gap will change things."
"Mom—"
"But hiding it longer only makes it worse. He needs to know. And you need to stop being terrified that being wealthy makes you somehow less worthy of love."
The words hit harder than Soorin expected.
Her throat tightens.
