Read Just Twilight Novel Translation Chapter 14

(Just Dawn | 그저 여명일 뿐 )

Romance, Drama, Slice-of-life, Josei, Mature

Original: Woo Jihye | Translation: Genie

---

With her chin held high, pretending to be elegant, Junyoung lifted the glass of juice. The woman, quietly observing her, finally spoke.

“Does your father work in a particular field? He must be incredibly proud to have such a bright daughter.”

There was a brief hesitation before Junyoung accidentally dropped the glass she was holding. The spilt orange juice soaked her clothes as she abruptly stood up. Seungwoon, startled, stood up with her in a rush.

“Junyoung, are you okay? Someone, please bring something to clean this up.”

“No, I’m fine. Sorry. My hand slipped. I apologise.”

Bowing her head toward the woman, Junyoung caught the faint smile playing on her lips. The woman dabbed at her mouth with a napkin and stood.

“You’re quite wet. You should change into something dry. Ms. Kim, fetch something suitable.”

“It’s really okay. I can just—”

“I’d rather not have to look at it.”

The woman’s firm words left no room for argument. Ms. Kim approached, and Junyoung, avoiding Seungwoon’s reassuring gaze, let out a short, quiet sigh.

*I didn’t see that coming. Why didn’t I see that coming? It’s the most obvious question they could ask!*

Even if she had never been invited to a friend’s house before, she should have anticipated this. When inviting their child’s friend over, it’s natural to ask about their family and background.

No one had ever asked her about her father during her time here, so she wasn’t prepared. Even she hadn’t dared to ask her mother about him.

What should she say? What could she say?

“Please, sit here. I’ll bring something right away.”

Led down a hallway lined with paintings to a room on the left, Junyoung dropped into a chair as soon as Ms. Kim left. The room was spacious, with a terrace overlooking the summer scenery of the hillside.

But the view wasn’t as green as she had imagined. Perhaps it was the heavy clouds covering the sky. The dull-coloured leaves swayed weakly in the breeze.

*Why do casual conversations with others always become weaknesses for me?*

Clenching her fists, Junyoung bit her lip. She didn’t want to feel looked down on—not by that woman and certainly not by Na Seungwoon.

The door suddenly clicked open, interrupting her thoughts. Startled, Junyoung stood up, her eyes widening as the woman herself entered, holding clothes. She closed the door behind her.

“I thought of something that would suit you well, so I brought it myself. This should be comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the offered clothes, Junyoung began unbuttoning her blouse but hesitated when she realised the woman wasn’t leaving. Instead, the woman walked casually past her toward the terrace.

*Better to just change quickly and get it over with.*

“I think I made a mistake earlier. I haven’t been sleeping well, so my head’s been a little foggy.”

Junyoung frowned as she quickly undid her buttons, her back turned to the woman. *What mistake is she talking about?*

“Your father isn’t around, is he? And—”

Junyoung froze mid-motion, the soaked blouse halfway off. She had just picked up the shirt the woman had given her when her voice continued.

“Your mother doesn’t seem to be in her right mind either.”

Slowly, the woman turned to face her. Still standing there in just her bra, Junyoung didn’t even think to cover herself. The woman smiled softly.

“You truly are admirable.”
Junyoung had never seen a smile that could deliver such humiliation before. Her shoulders began to tremble slightly. The woman took a step closer.

“I like kids like you,” she said. “Children who rise above a miserable family environment have a certain respectability, even at a young age. I find it fulfilling to seek out and support such children. Some might call it a social responsibility for the privileged, but I…”

Now standing right in front of her, the woman’s eyes rested coldly on Junyoung’s bare, pale shoulders as she finished her thought.

“…I prefer to call it a privilege.”

Junyoung’s mind spun. She couldn’t fully grasp what she was hearing. The woman’s words seemed distant, and she stood there, stunned. Then the woman spoke again.

“Shall we see how the clothes look on you?”

It was only then that Junyoung realised she was half-undressed. Her face flushed as she hurriedly slipped her arms into the new shirt. Her hands fumbled with the buttons, but she forced herself to stay calm. No matter the situation, she wanted to appear composed.

But as she saw the satisfied smile curling on the woman’s flawless face, Junyoung realised something was terribly wrong. She finished buttoning the shirt and looked down at herself, her expression hardening.

It was the same uniform shirt that the women working outside the house were wearing.

“It suits you well,” the woman said. “Keep it on.”

Junyoung clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug painfully into her palms. The woman’s benevolent smile felt like a weight pressing on her shoulders.

“Say it,” Junyoung said, forcing the words out. Her tongue felt stiff, but she straightened her neck and held her head high.

“You invited me here because you had something to say, didn’t you?”

The woman’s brow twitched ever so slightly. Her smile deepened as she crossed her arms, speaking in an even tone.

“Are you interested in my son?”

“No,” Junyoung replied firmly.

“Then why does your name keep reaching my ears?”

The woman’s beautiful eyes curved into a smile, but her gaze was as cold as stone. Junyoung met her eyes and answered, unfaltering.

“Because your son is interested in me.”

A short laugh escaped the woman as her expression darkened. Junyoung could feel her words had struck a nerve.

“My son is the type to cover a stray dog in the rain with a newspaper. But anyone with half a brain can tell the difference between basic decency and personal affection.”

She couldn’t have insulted her more elegantly if she tried.

“That’s true,” Junyoung said, her voice steady even as her clenched fists trembled with tension. “So, why did you invite me here? Because you couldn’t tell the difference?”

For a moment, the smile vanished completely from the woman’s refined face. Her hand slashed through the air, and Junyoung instinctively raised her arms to shield herself.

Time seemed to stretch as she braced for a slap that never came. Instead, silence filled the room. Peeking through her arms, she saw the woman smirking as she flicked a stray thread from Junyoung’s shoulder.

“I admire your boldness, but you really need to learn to control that mouth of yours,” the woman said, her tone less sharp than before.

Junyoung blinked, confused by the subtle shift in the woman’s attitude. She watched as the woman stepped back.

“If you want to climb higher,” the woman continued, “you’ll need to learn.”

Junyoung’s shoulders, tense and drawn up to her ears, ached as she finally relaxed them. She stared at the woman’s retreating figure, her brows furrowed.

“If you need money, I’ll give you money. If you need clothes, I’ll provide them. If you need a house, I’ll ensure you have one. If you become a scholarship student of our foundation, you’ll see a world beyond anything you’ve ever known. Of course,” the woman added, tilting her head gracefully, her voice crystal clear, “that’s assuming you don’t forget the fundamental difference between you and Seungwoon.”

Junyoung could understand the deeper meaning behind the woman’s words.

With that one statement, the woman had erected a barrier to ensure Junyoung wouldn’t cross the line into a romantic relationship with her son.

There was a tempting carrot within that barrier, but it was accompanied by an unbreachable line. Even if she was offered a bigger and cleaner cage to fly in, her wings would be clipped from the start.

But what if that carrot was desperately needed now?

Even knowing the hand extended toward her was calculated, should she take it?

What kind of life would be more humiliating?

The insult the woman had delivered so precisely wrapped around her like a suffocating fog. Junyoung bit down hard and clenched her fists.

“May I have your name?” she asked.

“What?” the woman said, her brows lifting. Junyoung raised her head and spoke clearly.

“I don’t want to remember you as just Seungwoon’s mother or some lady.”

The woman’s sharp eyes narrowed, and then her lips curled into a slow smile. From the terrace came the soft sound of rain, steadily intensifying.

***

*It’s raining.*

Lying on his bed, Beomjin lifted his head. He could hear the soft patter of raindrops.

He hadn’t eaten all day; his appetite had vanished. Now, with the rain, his whole body felt heavy and sluggish.

He thought of Junyoung scolding him for carelessly lying on the bed. She had once warned him the bed might suddenly collapse if he wasn’t careful. The memory made him smirk.

*Is she eating well?*

Restless, he had wandered last night to Seungwoon’s house. Even in the darkness, the towering blue roof stood out, grand and impressive.

At dawn, the house had begun to glow as the light first touched the left side of the roof. Through the uncovered second-floor window, a sliver of the interior was visible. It was surely as extravagant as the exterior.

Brushing off the night dew, Beomjin had returned to his hideout. He thought he’d fall asleep as soon as he hit the bed, but his mind was too clear.

Now, even after hours, sleep still eluded him.

Clicking his tongue, Beomjin rolled out of bed and bounded down the stairs. For some reason, he could almost hear Junyoung’s chattering voice trailing behind him as he moved.

*Too many thoughts. Maybe I should exercise.*

Tossing off his T-shirt, he began doing push-ups. A bead of sweat trickled down his cheek and dripped from his chin as he pushed himself harder.

*Her mother’s a beauty.*

That would earn him a solid punch from Junyoung’s sharp fists.

*She does seem to punch people a lot. Maybe I should teach her how to knock someone out properly. Though success isn’t guaranteed.*

As his thoughts spiralled, more sweat fell, pooling beneath him. Though his body was heating up, Beomjin didn’t stop.

When exercise proved futile for taming his thoughts, he sighed and stood.

The rain was coming down hard. Maybe a run outside would cool him off.

Just as he reached for his discarded T-shirt, the door burst open.

“…Junyoung.”