Liar and Liar - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27

The reason for going to the hospital was fainting. Eunho underwent hospital examinations due to repeated fainting episodes. The doctor said that despite ignoring important symptoms like abdominal pain, fortunately, he was really lucky to receive an early diagnosis.

But naturally, the Ryu family couldn’t accept the phrase “lucky.” The rare disease itself was devastating news.

The rare disease Eunho suffered from, Violet Hemin Disorder (VHD), was a red blood cell abnormality that affected 1 in 100,000 people. Due to this disease known as the violet disorder, Eunho couldn’t be exposed to sunlight and fainted without warning, so he always had to wear protective gear on his head.

Mom, Hyeju, wanted Eunho to attend school somehow, but due to repeated fainting and the head protection device, he became a target of bullying, and Eunho’s condition gradually worsened.

After he arbitrarily removed his head device and fainted, suffering a concussion, Eunho began receiving homebound services at home instead of attending school (a program where teachers provide direct education at the student’s home or hospital based on a doctor’s diagnosis to maintain learning and help with return to school).

Despite having medical insurance, American hospital bills were beyond the Ryu family’s imagination.

Nevertheless, the Ryu family chose to stay in America instead of returning to Korea. It was because of their goal of a “complete cure.” Fortunately, gene correction therapy and synthetic Heme analog administration experiments for this disease were being actively conducted in Los Angeles.

All situations of the Ryu family were always summarized with the phrase “fortunate despite misfortune.” What the parents considered most fortunate was Danielle’s existence.

[Eunho is sick but… still, it’s fortunate that Danielle always takes care of everything like a proper eldest daughter.]

[Danielle, you need to take good care of your brother. How frustrated and heartbroken Eunho must be.]

Now the Ryu family was pinning their hopes on the success of the clinical trial they were able to participate in thanks to Frederick’s request. If the device could reduce neurally mediated syncope, Eunho could go to school too.

Since Eunho was diagnosed with the rare disease, all of the Ryu family’s daily life and finances revolved around the younger brother. In truth, those days could only be described with the word sacrifice. Even so, Danielle didn’t feel wronged.

[Our Danielle is really lucky. She’s healthy without any illness.]

[The one having the hardest time is Eunho. You know that, right?]

She didn’t want her brother to feel sorry, and she had never wanted gratitude. But this wasn’t right.

[What’s with this white guy? Why is my sister meeting such a white guy?]

Eunho had to be hospitalized regularly for hematin administration and examinations. Eunho’s first words upon meeting Danielle and Frederick in the hospital room weren’t a greeting.

As soon as he heard Frederick’s introduction from Danielle, he looked Frederick up and down with both eyes. And that’s what he said.

[…Is our family situation that serious? To the point where my sister has to meet this kind of white guy and receive help?]

Speaking in a language the other person didn’t understand without even a proper greeting was seriously rude. He even looked him up and down. However, Danielle couldn’t even point out such behavior.

With her face turning bright red, Danielle couldn’t say anything. Frederick was looking back and forth between Eunho and Danielle with a faint smile, gauging the situation.

The reason Eunho spoke like that was obvious.

From the moment Frederick offered the check, Danielle had completely ignored Frederick. The hatred and disgust that began then grew year by year as she was bullied, and her anger was sometimes directed at all privileged white people.

[Disgusting. They’re just born to rich parents but think they’re really something special.]

Having once cursed like that, now bringing a rich white guy as her boyfriend, Eunho must be dumbfounded too.

[Now I know who he is. Don’t tell me you chose him because he has the most money?]

While Danielle couldn’t manage to say anything, eventually Eunho was the first to extend his hand to Frederick.

Due to his rare disease, despite staying in Los Angeles, Eunho’s skin was pale white and his lips had a slightly violet tint. Wearing a patient gown made his boneless joints stand out, giving him an overall atmosphere reminiscent of a young vampire boy.

“Nice to meet you.”

Frederick shook hands naturally as if nothing had happened.

“Nice to meet you. I’m sorry we’re meeting in a hospital for the first time. It would have been nice to meet at a good restaurant.”

Frederick’s polite tone and courteous attitude made Danielle feel even more tormented. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t understood what Eunho said.

“But what exactly is your illness? Could you explain it to me?”

When Eunho couldn’t readily answer, Danielle hurriedly intervened.

“Frederick, my brother has English as a second language, so medical topics are too difficult for him.”

Frederick’s smile seemed to say this:

So do you.

“Didn’t he attend school too, and hasn’t he been living in America for quite a while? Even if it’s medical talk, it’s about himself.”

Frederick, with his arms crossed, was still smiling peacefully.

“He still can’t speak English properly. Then naturally you can understand speaking in Korean too.”

He spoke kindly, but it wasn’t kind at all.

[Crazy bastard.]

Danielle quickly turned her gaze to Eunho. Her expression was as gentle as Frederick’s. But Danielle could see the cracks appearing on his face.

[Look at him talk. Acting like that because he’s rich?]

[Ryu Eunho. Stop using Korean.]

Danielle had to be firm while controlling her pace so she wouldn’t sound too harsh.

Even though she understood Eunho’s reaction, Danielle wanted to resolve this confrontational situation in the “right direction.” Even if these words would completely scratch her brother’s pride.

“You got back into the clinical trial you were dropped from. That was all possible because Frederick asked his relative for help. Say thank you properly.”

“…You didn’t need to tell him that.”

Perhaps because she’d known him since Lower School, Danielle recognized Frederick’s changed expression. That wasn’t modesty. Unlike the fake mask he’d been wearing until just before, his recent words seemed sincere.

Eunho’s answer came about three beats late.

He was smiling faintly, but it was a powerless smile. Danielle’s heart sank.

“…Thank you. I was lucky.”

“To have a sister like this. Right?”

Even when Frederick praised her, Danielle wasn’t grateful at all. She only regretted bringing him here.

“I didn’t come to receive thanks, I came to say hello as her boyfriend. Next time I’ll contact you in advance and make a restaurant reservation.”

When Danielle realized Frederick was about to leave and tried to follow him out to escort him, Frederick raised his palm.

“It’s okay. I can call a driver. You should stay with your brother.”

Danielle’s expression was clearly not good. After a moment’s hesitation, Danielle finally spoke.

“Are you really okay?”

At the sudden Italian, both Eunho and Frederick looked at Danielle with wider eyes. Naturally, it was something Eunho couldn’t understand, something only Frederick could understand and answer.

“My darling, you’re like a fairy when you speak Italian. What wouldn’t be okay. Tranquillo (everything’s fine).”

Despite the affectionate answer, Danielle’s expression couldn’t easily relax. Even though he wouldn’t know Korean, somehow it seemed like Frederick had understood everything Eunho said.

“I didn’t hear anything. I was just concerned about your expression and mood. Since we’re speaking Italian, can I say goodbye? Italian style.”

Danielle nodded even though she didn’t exactly understand what that meant.

After confirming Danielle’s permission, Frederick approached her.

Smooch.

Then he lowered his head next to Danielle’s cheek and made a kissing sound. It wasn’t actually kissing her cheek, just the sound he made alone.

Eunho became an observer, quietly watching Frederick’s behavior.

“Bye, Andrew. See you next time then.”

As soon as Frederick left the hospital room, Eunho’s complexion completely changed. There was no more mask.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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