It was just the third day of rehearsal and Seo Joon's relaxed personality and humor made Nora as if a heavy burden has been lifted up her shoulders. He was quite the funny and active one. It wasn't difficult working with him and he always gave compliments and always made sure everyone was carried along.
Nora had a hard time as it was her first group performance, everyone seemed nice but they all were professional. Meanwhile Tim helped everytime she was perplexed.
As Nora approached her apartment, her steps slowed. Her breath caught in her throat.
Her parents stood at the entrance her father's face thunderous with rage. Beside him, her mother, Freya, and Alva stood tense and anxious, their faces engraved with worry, her heart began to pound.
Something was definitely wrong. So wrong.
"Mamma" Nora called out with a concerned look.
"Where are you coming? " Jeffery asked with furrowed brows, anger emanating from his tone.
Nora instantly knew what the problem was, she never really explained to Freya and Alva how bad her father's anger issues were.
Nora opened her mouth to speak but stuttered "I went.. I"
"Get in the car" Jeffery said angrily at Nora.
"I have classes tomorrow" Nora said while taking a step back with tiny sweats running down her face and her jaw shivering furiously.
Jeffery scoffed "I didn't put you in college to ignore classes and dance around"
"I only go there after classes, i didn't abandon my studies" Nora tried to defend herself.
Jeffery opened the car door "I said get in the car right now".
Nora glanced around, her cheeks burning as curious eyes settled on them. The scene was unfolding just as she feared loud, messy, humiliating. Her father, as always, was deaf to reason. There was no point in arguing, he never heard her anyway. Swallowing her pride and the lump in her throat, she stepped into the car with slow, deliberate movements. The door slammed shut behind her, and without a word, they sped away.
Eleanor and Nora exchanged glances, with Nora giving her a pleading look. Nora sighed, she knew she shouldn't have high hopes for her mother. Aside from that, the two-hour journey was filled with silence.
The car screeched to a halt, and without a moment's hesitation, Jeffery flung open the door and stepped into the shrouded night. Nora followed behind with heavy steps
The moment she stepped through the door, Jeffery's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"When is the concert?" he snapped, eyes blazing with anger.
She froze, her mind racing. She knew that tone—he was planning something, something drastic. If she told the truth, he would lock her away until it was all over. This was her only chance to outsmart him.
Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm.
She swallowed hard, met his glare, and lied.
"Tomorrow. Noon."
"You're going to sit right here in this house," Jeffery said, his voice low and dangerous. "And you're not stepping one foot outside until 3 p.m. tomorrow. You hear me? Not a second before."
She turned away before he could see the fear flicker in her eyes—because beneath the calm, she was already making a plan. She walked straight to her room, and shut the door loud enough to be heard at the down floor. Nora's eyes welled up, but she blinked fast, refusing to let the tears fall but her eyes betrayed her tears spilled freely, no matter how hard she tried to hold them back. This was her dream, the one thing she had held onto with everything she had. And just like that, he shattered it without a second thought.
She bit her lip, fighting the sob rising in her throat.
"I have to be there tomorrow," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Even if it's just the rehearsal… I have to make it."
Her gaze dropped to the floor, heavy with desperation and heartbreak, but somewhere deep inside, a spark of determination still flickered.