RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 173 — Everything Happens for a Reason

Eun Ha's POV:

Eun Ha jolted awake with a sudden spasm, covered in perspiration, her chest pounding as lungs and heart fought desperately within her ribcage, barely managing to draw breath. She pushed herself upright, heaving for air and blinking back tears.

Once her breathing steadied and she glanced around, realizing she was truly alert now, with the world sharpening into a clearer, brighter haze, the nightmare and its horrors along with her frantic responses had already vanished, buried deep in the shadowy corners of her mind.

Eun Ha flopped back onto the pillows, perspiration mixing with crusted tears while warmth still poured from her body; she rolled sideways, allowing the fan's breeze to cool her down.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Su Ah's concerned voice snapped her from a brief stupor. The young woman perched at the bed's edge, probably about to swap out the damp rag. She'd likely stopped by to check, catching the exact moment her mom surfaced from a terrifying dream.

A basin of water sat on the bedside table, prepared to dip the cloth she'd just laid across her mother's brow.

"I'm fine." Eun Ha rasped, turning her head as her vision adapted to the sunlight flooding the room. "Just... a dream."

Su Ah's deep blue eyes, so achingly familiar, scanned her mother's features.

"A nightmare?" Her daughter's brows knit together, her hand hovering in place. "You were screaming."

"Ah..." Eun Ha shut her eyes, reluctant to dredge up the fragments.

"A really bad one, from the sounds of it." Su Ah murmured softly.

"Sorry for scaring you." Eun Ha muttered, embarrassment flooding through her. "It was just... it's been ages since I got sick; maybe my mind's playing tricks."

Su Ah didn't push, though Eun Ha sensed her daughter's stare lingering.

"Well... sorry for barging in like this. I did knock, but no response." Su Ah said, sounding a bit sheepish. "I just wanted to check if you needed anything."

Eun Ha managed a faint nod. "It's okay. Thanks, honey."

Su Ah dipped her head and reapplied the cool cloth to her forehead. "Your fever seems lower now." She whispered, mostly to herself. "At least the shivers have stopped."

The door swung open with a creak, and Mia poked her head in, face blending worry with gladness. "You're awake!"

Eun Ha offered her girls a comforting grin. "Yep! Mostly, anyway."

Mia let out a relieved breath as she neared the bed's opposite side. "That's a huge relief, Mom. I've been freaking out."

"No need to worry, little rascal." She grasped Mia's hand, which had extended to twine with her fingers. "You know me—this tough old bird won't go down easy."

Mia grinned, rolling her eyes with affection.

"Still... feeling any better?" She inquired.

Eun Ha's mouth quivered into a shaky smile. Did it ring as hollow to them as it did to her? That dream had hit her hard; she'd awakened ridiculously aroused too.

"Stop hovering, girls..." She croaked, throat parched, squeezing Mia's fingers as her other hand gripped the blanket fiercely. The silk offered scant protection against her own daughters. They'd been watching. No— that was the dream. "I just need a bit and I'll be right as rain, okay?"

The words tasted ridiculous, since the illness dug far deeper than a mere bug. She wasn't truly 'right as rain,' and perhaps never would be.

Fleeting images of Jae-il's lips on her—

She crushed the notion ruthlessly, banishing it to the fever-born delusion where it belonged. Just smile. They couldn't hear her conscience howling, right?

They had no way of knowing her dream.

It wasn't real.

Not one bit.

The dream featured a mother and son aboard a spaceship—that's all she could grasp now. Yeah. Nothing more. No extra scenes.

No.

Zero.

Mia and Su Ah appeared convinced by her pretend wellness.

In a sweaty panic, Eun Ha shifted focus elsewhere. "Um... where's Jae-il?"

Mia and Su Ah shared a glance, then chorused perfectly, "Practice."

"Ah." Eun Ha masked her letdown. It felt so... off. Disappointment over what? Missing a chat with him post-fever haze and ugly fantasies? His absence?

After that insane movie's garbage, her son should be the last person she craved seeing.

"He'll return this afternoon." Su Ah noted, draping an extra blanket over her. "Now rest up to heal completely. Breakfast'll come up soon."

Eun Ha nodded silently.

Su Ah rose and nudged Mia's arm, signaling her to follow. But Mia stayed put on the bed. Su Ah sighed and slipped out quietly.

"Mia?" Eun Ha prompted after her older daughter lingered wordlessly.

Accusations, queries, and more bubbled unspoken on her lips.

"Nothing." Mia replied, gaze darting from sheets to mom. Her pause screamed trouble brewing. "I, uh..." She faltered, then pressed on. "Are you really okay, Mom?"

"....."

Eun Ha blinked. "Huh? What do you mean, sweetie?"

Her head swam fuzzily, fever's grip loosening but not gone. She studied Mia.

Her daughter perched casually on the bed's rim, legs folded, hands on thighs.

"I mean..." Mia cocked her head, blonde locks spilling over one shoulder. "You've been intense lately." She said hesitantly. "Even before getting sick."

"Intense?" Eun Ha adjusted, leaning against the headboard. "I've been the usual me."

"......"

Eun Ha suspected what Mia alluded to.

And yes, she'd fretted endlessly about it too, but Jae-il's homecoming had swept her up—she was in therapy, lacked guts to tackle any lustful vibes (intentional or not) he threw her way.

Confronting Mia? If suspicions proved real, she'd probably sob to Dr. Han, her sole confidante.

Yet teetering on collapse, she'd postpone it till full recovery—Mia's questions could wait. "Yes, same as always." She insisted.

Mia exhaled gently.

Then she beamed, slid nearer, and enveloped Eun Ha in a warm hug. "Good as long as you're fine... I hate seeing you suffer, you know. Whatever's wrong, tell me. I'll fix it. Promise." She murmured, holding tight. "Please..."

The genuine, tender hold threatened to break her apart. It was simple to recall the real Mia shone like this—not always sarcastic, but when affectionate, she poured it on thick.

Eun Ha nipped her lip and hugged back. Daughters were safe for pure, platonic embraces—unlike her son.

Guilt surged from her core. What a rotten mom.

"Thanks, Mia. I will."

Mia drew away, grin radiant. "Perfect."

Eun Ha eyed her eldest head for the door, pausing at the frame, hand on knob. She pivoted back.

"Mom?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Rest up." Mia whispered. "We love you."

Then she vanished.

The door clicked shut softly.

Eun Ha slumped into the pillows. Groaning lowly, she turned toward the windows and climbing sun. Breakfast scents drifted from below.

She tracked her daughter's retreating steps. With a weary sigh, the dream clung vividly. Concentrate, and she nearly sensed dream Jae-il slipping under her covers, palms gliding her contours, probing deeply as she jammed his face between her thighs.

Her hand drifted to her breast, tweaking softly. So tender. Her core throbbed warmly. Fingers dipped lower, discovering slick arousal.

He truly...

Had done that to her.

All unknowing...

Clueless entirely.

Though dream details escaped her fever-spawned haze, its real-world fallout was potent, leaving her achingly horny now.

Thighs clenched at the echo of his tongue laving her folds, but she slammed it back into her mind's sealed vault, vowing never to unleash it again.